"Better to serve a good man then rule with an evil one."

 Very often it seems I just read a book to get it off my list. I have trouble finding books I cannot put down, ones I become so fond of it is like meeting a new friends. Ones I don't wish to end because I don't want to say good bye. And then, every once in awhile, I will find a book like this - one in which the story will stay with me for the rest of my life.



 This is what happened with The Search for WondLa. I started this book because a friend of mine was very eager to read it. Also, my library had it and it was written by the same man who did The Spiderwick books. What could go wrong? Well, when I first started it I thought it dull, predictable, and the girl annoying. I almost gave up on it. Then I met one of the other characters and from there on I couldn't stop reading.



 The book is about 12-year-old Eva Nine. A little girl who has been raised by a robot in an underground home. She longs to see the world and find other humans but her robot, Muthr, is too protective and won't let her. Then, one day, their home is attacked and Eva is forced to flee to the outside world. What she finds there baffles her. There are Aliens, and giant animals, walking trees, and a bounty hunter who is determined to capture Eva. Finding the help of a rather grumpy, miserable Alien named Rovender, Eva and Muthr set out on a quest to find out where Eva belongs, while trying to dodge the Hunter who is always right behind them.



 Despite my first doubts over this book, it is one of the best Children books I've ever read. Eva isn't a perfect heroine. She whines a bit at times and is slightly rebellious, but she is brave and wishes to keep her friends safe. All Eva wants is to have a family, to meet real humans just like her. She wants to know what happened to them all and how she came to be alone, on an Alien planet. Muthr is very protective, but she loves Eva as if she were her own daughter. And, being a robot and therefore clueless about human emotions, she very often doesn't get what Eva is feeling. Rovender was my favourite. Grieved over a loss he suffered, he wants to be left alone so he can sulk in peace. Eva, however, isn't about to leave him and he soon discovers he needs her as much as she needs him. (Their friendship is really sweet.)

Rovender! *Grin*

 The world Eva travels through reminded me a lot of Star Wars and Avatar The Last Airbender. The creatures were amazing, even the ones with bad tempers - like the Sand Snipers. Also, the drawings in the book brought the world to life and made it easier to envision the animals.


The other cover
 I think everyone should give this book a chance, and forgive Eva at the beginning for her bad attitude and keep reading - it is well worth it. She's an amazing heroine and as soon as possible I'm getting my hands on book two.
*** I've begun work on book two at long last! I was able to get a good bit done today, in fact. Before going to a thrift store and drooling over an old typewriter they have there. (It is almost the twin to my 1917 one. I am hoping to get it soon.)

 I also was finally able to go to the library again and...I found Snicket's new book!! (I know, about time, right?) I shamelessly snatched it before anyone else had a chance...

 I've also started on some marketing schemes, but again, all of that is coming after the Book Party. Along with news on book two.

 For now, I shall go to bed. And leave you with a title quote from Merlin - series two, episode one. Great episode...but, Arthur, come on! Really?

 Allons-y!!