Wolfe Continues to Ascend...Another 4-Star Review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers
"13-year old Ethan Fox has always had an odd life, he has no memory of his life since the age of eight; has a father who enjoys making quirky videogames, and was recently almost abducted by two vampires and a hooded stranger.
Ethans life becomes immeasurably odder when he meets a strange, when he meets a Haley, strange girl Ethan feels drawn to, at the beach near an amusement park and they both fall down a hole into a strange land. Once there, Haley and Ethan are both introduced to the Caretakers, a group of mythical creatures and human-like aliens who are tasked with maintaining order in the supernatural world. Ethan and Haley also discover that they may hold the key to the Caretakers fight against the Grimleavers, a group of individuals bent on exposing the human world to supernatural elements and generally wreaking havoc.
Throughout the book Wolfe skillfully twines modern elements such as iPhones, and supernatural elements such as vampires together for a fun and interesting read. Even though this novel can at times seem to have the feel of some elements of the Wizard of Oz and Alice and Wonderland, the Eyes of the Desert Sand expounds on these foundations in an original and modern way. The Eyes of the Desert Sand is a refreshing fantasy novel, the author isnt afraid to take creative license and twist characters and supernatural elements to his own whims. Unlike, many other YA fantasy novels in todays market, this one doesnt evoke the slightest feeling of Deja vu in the reader; Wolfe truly creates his own world.
The first Chrysalis Chronicles book shows enormous potential and if the author continues to expand, he will have a great series. The book is at times fast-paced and the reader will have to pay close attention to keep the thread of the plot in several chapters. However, for readers that are tired of the current markets YA fantasy options, solace can be found in Wolfes work.
For all of its good points, The Eyes of the Desert Sand, falls short in a few areas, a few plot twists that the other would have done well to present a little more obscurely, will be able to be guessed early in the book by many readers. Also the cover leaves a lot to be desired, it is unimaginative and a poor contrast to the high-quality text that the author has produced, on the basis of the cover many readers may be reluctant to buy the book.
Age Group: 10 and up
Content: very mild references to violence, mythical situations and animals that may scare some kids, references to a failed kidnapping. (Four Stars)."
