Strange Lands

by Anderson Atlas

Ripped from his wheelchair by a massive flash flood, Allan drags himself through dense forest only to find himself surrounded by strange and ruthless creatures who are not from Earth. Allan can’t run away and has no means to defend himself. Instinct overcomes his terror and his cleverness blossoms, which is all he needs to survive the dark jungles, poisonous plants, Shadic hunters and the vile slave trader Killian Crow.

Follow Allan's path of self-discovery, and watch him take back what he's lost. Surviving the Improbable Quest is a spine tingling adventure, with exciting twists & turns. A perfect and inspiring read for 10 and up.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

220 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2015

About the author

Anderson Atlas is an author and illustrator that lives in the hot Sonoran Desert among scaled survivors, steely eye hawks, and majestic saguaros and is inspired by crowded malls, streams hidden by massive boulders, dense forests, and distant mountain ranges.

He went to school for graphic design but found putting exciting and lengthy stories to his illustrations fit like bananas and ice cream. He’s written children’s books, YA and middle-grade novels, and a conspiracy-filled apocalypse novel. He also runs a successful freelance career involving painting for other children’s book writers and novelists.

Atlas is actively involved in book groups, writing groups, hiking, and sailing in Southern Arizona lakes. In his free time, he reads, watches movies, and spends a lot of time with family and friends.

Anderson Atlas's Author platform page is https://AndersonAtlas.com
Check out his freelance website at http://UniqueGraphicArt.com

Reviews

[Anderson Atlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

READERS FAVORITE REVIEW!!

https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...

Completed on:
12/13/2015
Review Rating:
5 stars!
Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite

Allan Westerfield Off-World: Allan Westerfield Series, Book 1 is a young adult contemporary fantasy written by Anderson Atlas. When Allan qualified for the Nationals and broke his best freestyle record, he felt on top of the world -- that is, until he saw his mother's face. There was neither pride nor excitement in her expression, only a grim and angry glare accompanied by his latest report card bearing two F's. His parents were not in the least impressed by his talent for swimming or interest in adventuring; they were already focused upon his getting into an Ivy League college even though he was only 13. Allan's heart sank even further when he saw his father waiting outside the school in the car. They were both furious, and then the unthinkable happened. Their car was struck by another vehicle, and only Allan survived the impact, but he was left a paraplegic and unable to speak.

Anderson Atlas's young adult contemporary fantasy, Allan Westerfield Off-World: Allan Westerfield Series, Book 1, starts off with a campfire scene some eight months after the accident. Allan and his uncle and guardian, Rubic, are on a fishing trip, and Rubic's just told a spooky story about a mythical monster called the Jibbawk that eats human flesh and leaves bleeding X's carved in trees. And if that doesn't whet your curiosity, keep on reading, because it just gets better. Atlas' young hero has a lot to cope with -- feelings of guilt over surviving the accident and despair over the loss of family, his dreams of athletic accomplishments and a future filled with adventure. Everything he's taken for granted, however, will change as a result of this camping trip and in ways he could never have imagined -- and it's fabulous following along with him. Allan and Rubic are marvelous characters, and Atlas' plot is well-crafted, original and imaginative. I'm looking forward to the next Allan Westerfield adventure. Allan Westerfield Off-World: Allan Westerfield Series, Book 1 is highly recommended.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allan Westerfield is having a very bad day. First of all, his principal informs him, as he is on his way to participate in the state swim meet, that he has failed his latest math test and is not actually eligible to participate in the meet. The principal offers to cover up for him if he beats the school’s arch-rival, but threatens him with expulsion if he fails. Allan wins his race, but his math teacher shows up and refuses to avoid informing the officials. Allan’s win is invalidated, he is not allowed to finish the meet, and is sent home with his parents who use the time to lecture him about his bad attitude.

Allan only wants to swim and have adventures.

Suddenly the car is struck by another vehicle, and then another. When Allan wakes up in the hospital some time later, his parents are dead, and he can no longer walk. When he is ready to go home, it is his father’s brother, Rubic, who is there to take care of him.

Allan is a little resentful of Rubic, a little resentful of his whole situation. He either can’t or won’t talk. Finally, Rubic has the idea of taking him fishing in the mountains.

Allan is a little resentful of this too, but they go anyway. And while they are there, a flash flood comes up and washes them away. Allan’s wheelchair is washed away, and when they come to rest,

Allan finds that Rubic has almost drowned. Allan tries to resuscitate Rubic, but has only limited success as he is pinned under a boulder. Allan knows he has to get help. He begins dragging himself back to their camp.

Something happens on the way, though. Allan begins seeing strange lizard people. Then a girl comes along who talks about selling him to the highest bidder. Eventually, Allan is rescued by a flock of flying balloon people who fly with him to another planet, where he actually does have some adventures – most of them dangerous. Most of the people there are hostile, but he manages to make a few friends.

Finally, Allan earns the right to come back to earth. Or perhaps the truth is that he never really went away after all. But in any case, he is talking again and has come to accept his situation. And he and Rubic are both safe (though it was a near thing for both of them) – at least for now.

[Melissa Sasina · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This review was written by my husband. We were asked for an honest review and he read the book. My husband doesn't not have a Goodreads account, so I am posting the review with his permission in his place.***

Specifically a YA book, there is nothing in here that will make you raise an eyebrow knowing your kid read it.

That being said, here's where the star rating comes from.

Characters: are all believable, some are greed driven, some are in it for personal reasons, and others just want to get back to before things hit the strange part.

Story: Good ideas, at no point was it ever "It's magic, deal with it." There's an underlying scientific reason, even if it's not laid out in exacting detail, for how the world works. Potentially minus one bit, but I've seen plenty of techno-fantasy talk about souls, so it gets a pass.

Writing: At no point did I have to go over and re-read a typo or a poorly worded sentence, I understood what was going on at all times. If there were errors they were small and infrequent enough that I saw none.

What cost a star:
Pacing at the beginning was rushed a bit, the reader is told there is a period of time that goes by, but there's not really any substance to it. There is no adjustment period, no working on anything, just *problem 1* and suddenly a period of time has gone by and we're getting hit with problem 2. A short scene about going to where the main ends up, and another about what is done between then and the day with a conversation with a nurse, in addition to what is there, would have made me feel like a more solid time went by. Maybe two or three pages tops.

All in, I could see reading more of the series, and giving it to my kid to read as well.

Spoiler:



Also, note to the author and a bit of a spoiler. The Hindenburg went down in flames because it was full of hydrogen, if it was full of helium there would have been a small fire where it originally started, and if it lost enough lift it would have landed rough.

[Valicity Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you give this book a chance you will have just found your new favorite series. Atlas presents us with a one of a kind adventure for adults and children alike. This is riveting and wonderfully original. I really can’t say much except that it is awesome and deserves to be read around the world.

The first note of awesome is the fact that the main character is a paraplegic. Someone who has lost total control of his limbs. So there are two battles this character faces, three if you include the initial tragedy that left him that way. I don’t think I ever imagined I would see the day where someone who couldn’t use his legs would be the main character in an adventure novel. Yes, he does fight and he actually manages to hold his own in most cases!

Allan is definitely a character you will love. I can’t personally relate to his struggle as someone bound to a wheelchair but I can relate to his feelings of betrayal. He describes how everyone would smile at him and then say rude things about him or his family behind his back. Probably every young person on earth could identify with that to some extent. But this little tidbit of information opens the door for relatability which really helped form a connection between myself as a reader and him as a character.

The present tense is amazing. That is my very favorite style of narration so I was more than pleased to see it in such an amazing story and especially pleased to see it done right. More than that, I was pleased with the vivid descriptions and wild creativity demonstrated in this book. The creatures, the world, the characters, the adventures, everything was take-your-breath-away good and I loved it. The flow was great and the rhythm of the story melted everything together. Atlas’s style of writing is very old fashioned, paired with the excellent illustrations it makes this book look and feel like an old classic.

I truly have no complaints about this story and I applaud the author for giving us something we have never seen before. Atlas has opened the door for diverse characters of all standing—or not! I love, love, LOVE the fact that Allan is different and I hope this book paves the way for many more to come and have success.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Sruti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anderson Atlas’s ‘Surviving the Improbable Quest’ is an adventure alright. But, it is a mystery too and a lot more. It could have been one of sentimentality, considering that it is about regaining what the protagonist has lost. Or it could be about forests in space, and the creatures there.

Coming back to the main focus of this story, who is Allan Westerfield. Allan, a 13 year old boy, is all set to go into the Olympics, when fate strikes a drastic hand. This was at an odd time, when he was getting scolded by his parents, who want him to get into an Ivy League school, but this is not all his problem.

His angry parents were driving him back from school, when out of nowhere, another vehicle strikes theirs. Allan, finds himself in a hospital, and now a paraplegic, who cannot speak after the accident. He is left under the care of his uncle, Rubic. What with both his parents dead plus the paraplegia, which has left him unable to speak or swim.

Eight months after the accident, Allan is at a campfire, with his uncle, where his uncle tells him a scary story. A flash flood occurs where his uncle goes missing and suddenly, Allan is transported into a weird world, way into the galaxy.

The new planet has a thing in common with the story, Allan was hearing from his uncle. All about a monster, called the Jibbawk. He has to escape it and the Killian Crow and go on an quest with Lithic Furies, with the help of Mitzi and Astania, who turned out to be the creatures with compassion.

Miscellaneous aliens, weird adventures draw him into fantastic incidents, one after the other, where he must face near deadly characters and near death situations, all in search of his uncle. Rubic, who, himself is having an adventure all his own on earth. He ends it by walking through the story.

This fantasy, mixed with adventure has its own style. Allan does find his voice, somewhere amidst, all these emotions mashed into the exploration plus mysterious story. It is all in there, you just have to have the hero’s zeal to read on, inside of the story. There would be two more parts to this story. The illustrations are kind of cool too, done by the author himself and they will have you wanting and reading more.

[Angel Leya · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Strange Lands, Allan has his head in the clouds. He loves swimming, but his grades are slipping. As he goes into a championship meet, he finds out that his grades are bad enough to kick him out of the competition. When his parents find out, they're irate, and spend the ride home lecturing him on the importance of academics. But they don't make it home. A terrible accident kills his parents and leaves Allan without the use of his legs.

His voice also mysteriously disappears, as he works through the tragedy. Living with his Uncle isn't so bad, but it does nothing to soothe the wounds left by the accident.

When they take a camping trip far out in the mountains, Allan thinks it's going to be a drag. Instead, he finds himself in another life-and-death situation when a flood washes up the river they're fishing in. Allan goes for help, but finds he's not quite anywhere familiar. Strange creatures and talking lizards and birds have him convinced he's no longer on Earth. He has to find a way to get back and help his Uncle before he loses everything again.

This was a fun book of fantasy. The other world is kind of amazing, both beautiful and dangerous in nearly equal amounts. I love the struggle that Allan goes through, as all the bad that's been festering in him comes to the surface. I also found the bit of doubt the author casts on the whole experience to be just enough to make it interesting, but thankfully not so much as to become disappointing. I wish the description of the book highlighted the story as much as it highlights the good reviews.

The only thing I didn't quite find believable was that Allan seems to lose sight of the fact that his uncle could be dying. He gets in the new world, and he wants to get back and save his uncle, but it feels like he forgets in light of his new situation on many occasions. I think after a few days had passed, I'd be out of my mind with worry, fearing the worst.

Regardless, it's a fun book, and I enjoyed reading it aloud to my toddler son.

[Suba Wijesinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! I don't know what to say about this book. But my mind says " You must say something about this."

5 STARS ***** rating!

The story was built around the boy who named Allan Westerfield who got paralysis legs and lost his parents after met with a motor crash. After that, he started to live with his uncle RUBIC. Allan & Rubic met with another accident when they went to fishing. He was suddenly vanished from Earth to another world en route to find someone to get some help to his uncle whose situation was very bad.

He met really weird, terrible, startle, creepy & strange thing and creatures like Jibbwak, Salamander-mens, Toxic rose plant, Bird-guards, Strange humans, Killian crow, Ratty-bird, Veskews, Etc... Otherwise he also met few good creatures too like Balloon creatures, Asantia girl, Small elephants, Mizzy, Lyllia bird-guard, Lithic fury Bink.

The strange creatures can speak English. It made me shaky & it was funny to think how they really know to speak English? But I found the answer for that while I'm read the 18th chapter of the book.

This story was such a brilliant story. I always feel muddle-headed with wrong guesses. Yeah..! I was always made wrong guesses about the story & that was a good thing. It made me excited & forced me to read the book till the end.
And finally I must tell about how was the end of the story & the illustrations. Illustrations were help me to comprehend the story contents very well. It was terribly awesome how uncle Rubic met Allan eventually. I expected some miracle happens & may Allan could walk again with his legs. But it doesn't happen. But the end of the story was SUPERB!

[Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen year old Allan was an incredibly talented swimmer. Unfortunately though, he was far less ambitious as a student. His mom and dad had pretty lofty expectations for him. But none of that matters any more because a tragic accident has taken the lives of Allan’s parents, along with the use of his legs. Now he’s a paraplegic. With his parents gone, and his dreams of being an Olympian shattered, severe depression renders him speechless.

While on a fishing trip with his uncle, Allan experiences a fantastic adventure. He is transported to another world where he must learn to work within, and beyond, his limitations. In rescuing the residents of this other world from the forces of evil he soon realizes just how capable he truly is.

Author Anderson Atlas offers an inspirational message of hope, reminding readers that our greatest limitations are the ones which we cling to in our mind. Positively uplifting moments abound within this story in which a boy, who basically believed his life was over, travels to another world where he becomes a hero. Surviving the Improbable Quest is an exhilarating tale full of frightening and wondrous creatures.

[Little Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Rating: 4 stars
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

I received a copy of Strange Lands in exchange for an honest review.

Allan is in the 8th grade when he is in a terrible car accident that killed both of his parents and left him wheel chair bound. His uncle, Rubic, comes to take care of him, but Allan struggles to get through the loss of not only his parents, but his ability to move. As such, he feels extremely helpless and useless.

One day, Rubic decides to take them camping because he believes fresh air and wilderness will do Allan some good, though Allan is not a fan of the camping idea. They were getting ready to go fishing, and a storm was coming and they were told to clear out by a Ranger. They didn't, and went fishing anyway when boulders and large amounts of water come crashing through the lake. The water barrels over Rubic, who was trying to carry Allan to safety. Allan builds a small dam around Rubic to keep him safe and begins crawling to search for help, only he sees he is not in what looks like Earth anymore. From there he goes on an adventure through a land called Lan Darr.

It took me a while to finish this book. I won't say it is slow, but it took a while to really capture my attention, so I would stop for a while and then go back to it. Once my attention was grabbed, though, I finished it rather quickly. The issue was primarily that, while I have an active imagination, I had a hard time visualizing what I was reading.

There are some pictures in the book, however, I find that they didn't line up in sync with the story. Pictures were occurring prior to the part in the book that explains what is going on in that picture.

In regards to Allan's disability, I liked that it shows how he starts out depressed and struggling to cope, but by the end, and every trial he faced, he found his worth.

I also liked how, at the end, even as the reader, I questioned if it actually happened or not. I think that is a good way to entice the reader to pick up the next book.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan Westerfield’s day goes from bad to worse when the principal tells him that his math score disqualifies him from competing in the state swim meet but if Allan wins he will not say anything. Then Allan wins the swim meet yet his math teacher explains how he can’t compete and Allan is disqualified. On the way home, Allan’s parents are clearly upset with him. They are arguing when they are in a car accident. Allan wakes up to learn that his parents died in the accident and he is now a paraplegic.

Allan is resentful of the situation and refuses to talk to anyone, even his uncle Rubic his caregiver. Rubic is trying his best but it’s clear that both need a break so he sets up a fishing trip for Allan and himself. But a sudden flood has the trip taking a dangerous turn and it is up to Allan to get help for his trapped uncle. But on the way Allan notices strange creatures and finds himself about to be a slave and completing a quest.

I really enjoyed this story. Allan just wants to have an adventure and is not ready to apply himself to school. Then when he loses his parents you can completely understand how he is resentful about the whole situation. He really needed the retreat and the subsequent adventure to kick him in gear. I loved watching him grow stronger as the story went on. Although Allan was difficult at the start I can to care for him at the end.

This is a great story and the first in a series. I can’t wait to see what Anderson Atlas come up with next.

I received Strange Lands from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

[Trista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in return for a review.

This book is well-suited for middle grade readers. It has a lot of action perfect for those aged 9-12, but is lacking in real depth that would appeal to older readers. It reminds me of "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore in that it was written in such an action-driven way as if a movie was playing in the author's mind, and it is described well enough that I could visually imagine the weird places and creatures. I liked the twist at the end, though I'm hoping further instalments in this series tie up some loose ends. The title suits the book, it is definitely strange, and I credit the author's imagination for the original content. There were a number of errors throughout the text -- mostly misplaced commas -- but nothing too serious that took away from my understanding of events. The author may wish to review the part where Rubic is with the search parties. On one page it mentions 16 hours have elapsed since Allan was seen, on the very next page and with nothing to indicate four hours have passed, it states that 20 hours have elapsed . Overall the book was a little ridiculous, but it's the perfect amount of ridiculous for a middle grade student.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atlas, Anderson Strange Lands, 231 pages. Synthesia Books, 2016. $12.99. Language:G (0 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Allan loves to swim but has too low grades to stay on his school swim team. He wins the swimming championship for his school, but he wasn’t supposed to compete they have to forfeit.. On the way home with his fuming, embarrassed parents, they get in a horrible car crash that will shape the rest of his life sending him on an adventure literally out of this world.

I loved how this book kept me on edge the whole time with it’s adventure and good characters. I liked the overall concept even though it was out of the normal fiction flow which I love. The book had a great feel that made me want to keep reading even when I was falling asleep. It had great wording and was over all well put together.

EL - ADVISABLE; MS - OPTIONAL. SIO, Student Reviewer, 7th grade
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Auburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting

An imaginative uplifting story for anyone who loves fantasy and characters who overcome the odds.
Allan has a poor lot in life, living with his head in the clouds dreaming of adventure until a car accident. The accident leaves him without parents, the use of his legs, and a fear of the outside world. Through the story he enters another world and begins his healing process. Overcoming all of the odds to get home.
I enjoyed this read and the obstacles Allan has thrown at him. The addition of pictures help you visualize the world better and really enhance the story. This is perfect for younger readers who want to read about other world's but also learn that with persistence anything is possible.

[Progressional Fantasy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts: I loved this book because it was amazingly creative. I loved how the author, Anderson Atlas, created a situation that forced the main character into many schemes in this book. I also loved how he created so many incredible characters that all are different but all connect in the end. Another thing I loved about Strange Lands is that its story line is like a bunch of tree branches all over the place, but the branches all are connected to the same trunk. Overall, I loved this amazing and creative book and I think it should get a high five.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book be enjoyed more by a younger reader. While it was entertaining it threw too many twists at the very end of the book. I would prefer that the twists were dragged out a bit to build up the anticipation. It was written in the third person and I personally have a hard time connecting with the characters in that way. But it was definitely different from other books and that was refreshing. Overall a good book for youths.

[Rachel Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read. The first sentence had me hooked and I had to keep turning pages to see what would happen next! It would be the perfect book for anybody looking for a fast-paced thrilling adventure.

[JB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

A paraplegic main character with spunk (if you can call boys spunky). Mr. Atlas, keep writing and I'll keep reading.

[Marilyn Ostermiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Lands: Heroes of a Distance Planet (Book 1) grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. Allan is a champion high school swimmer seemingly with everything going for him. But when he is kicked off the team for academic failure, his life enters free-fall. His legs are crushed in a car accident that kills his parents and he is transported to another planet where he is forced to fight for his life. The creatures he meets and defeats in his struggle to get back to planet earth make for an engaging tale ideally suited for teens.

[Lorca Damon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a serious problem in middle grade fiction, or at least the fiction that is made available to students under the guise of teaching them something. It tends to be watered down or outdated or otherwise out of reach. The readability (in terms of a Fry Readability Formula) too often equates easy to read with "boring," as if we can't take a lower level vocabulary and make it interesting or exciting. The flip side is that books with a higher interest level and greater adventure reach tend to have elitist vocabulary levels, as if this book isn't for you if you don't already read on a tenth grade level.

Fortunately, Anderson Atlas' book addresses that very real need. It's easy to assume from the intro paragraph here that it has a dumbed-down vocabulary, but that's far from it. It's more like an incredibly natural vocabulary level, as if the author actually knows some people in the age range of his intended audience (shock and surprise...far too many authors who strive to write for middle grade or young adult readers don't actually KNOW any; instead, they write the way they think those people SHOULD talk/read).

In Atlas' book, there are some key issues addressed that MG readers often face: family dynamics, struggles in school, the need to fit in. More importantly, the author has addressed a serious lack in MG adventure books, and that's the elusive "inclusive" character. The MC, Allan, is a paraplegic whose accident has also left him unable to speak due to the trauma. Instead of being a forced scenario in which the character is in a wheelchair just to prove that he's "just like us!" this is a character who has faced events that many people never recover from. Truthfully, Allan seems on the surface as if he might not want to recover from it, either.

Instead of being a very fake characteristic for our story's lead, his physical status is actually crucial to the plot. At times a cross between Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Allan meets a cast of diverse alien characters and is thrown into one dangerous scenario after another. Unlike those other books, Allan's journey is dark and dangerous and filled with slave traders and meat-eaters named Jibbawk who apparently favor tender humans.

There is no shortage of bizarrely dangerous books aimed at a ten and up audience right now, but they lack something that Improbabey Quest has: wholly fictionalized world building that leads to adventure instead of just survival. Don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games was fantastic, but it's too plausible for a younger audience. The ability to suspend all plausibility is what makes this a work of fantasy, and therefore, a "safe" but intriguing read.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author of this book in exchange for an honest review. When I was contacted about this book I was extremely intrigued by its premise: a young boy in a wheelchair is taken to another land and has to survive in order to get back. And it didn't disappoint as a middle grade novel. I read through this book in just one sitting as it was such a quick, enjoyable read.

The book was exciting and fast-paced, and I loved the cast of characters that came into the book, especially Allan's Uncle, who was just a wonderful person (seriously, I couldn't have loved his character any more, he was just so selfless throughout). Despite the book being short, I felt like nearly all the characters were fleshed out enough although I would love to hear more about some of their backstories and more about the world they live in (but this is the first book in the series!).

The land that Allan ends up in was so imaginative and fantastical that it almost reminded be of and Alice in Wonderland-like place, where everything was a bit bizarre and also a little bit twisted on how we would expect the world to work. I also really liked how it tied the real world to this magical land and the idea behind it was very cleverly written. I have to say I did not see the twist at the end coming and it worked so well, adding some very tense moments to the last few chapters!

But, I think the main thing I loved about this book was the fact that we had a teenage boy having to deal with a lot of stress and tragedy in his life, and he didn't always deal with it well. It was very realistic in that respect and the author's treatment of PTSD and disabilities was handled wonderfully. Allen was such a relatable character for anyone who's suffered trauma and I can see hundreds of children feeling grateful that someone else has felt this way; knowing it's okay to be angry and sad, but also how to deal with that. I especially loved that the adventure was a way to help Allan come to terms with being unable to walk.

Overall, I felt like this book was a lovely middle-grade adventure book for both children and adults. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy/adventure books.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be an excellent read for a teen. Especially one struggling with feeling useless due to disability or otherwise. Allen was just an average boy, with a significant amount of empathy. He loved being on the swim team at his prestigious school, but his grades were slipping. Allen's parents seem a bit overbearing, almost unlikeable at the start, but as it goes on there are moments that assure you they were still loving and supportive. Likewise with his uncle later on. As a parent, I'm sure we all have those moments where we seem that way as well without more context. There's some great foreshadowing in the car before immediately before the accident happens leaving Allen a paraplegic and an orphan. Of course its not unusual to see an average teen become a hero in fantasy stories, but this is only the second book I've encountered with one that also is unable to walk. It's great to see him work through his struggles with losing his parents and use of his legs. At first he's rather sullen and lost in himself. His uncle doesn't know what to do, but tries his best. Allen has a series of bad luck, leading him into another world with great technology, but poor social advances. He meets many creatures and people, some nicer than others, that help him find himself, his voice, and his strength. It has a bit of a dark Alice in Wonderland feel to the story. The illustrations throughout are great additions to the story as well. Overall a great read with good character development! I'm curious to see if the girl he met in the other world will be reunited with her mother, and where the woman disappeared to after what happened at the end.

[Escape Into Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found myself reviewing a lot of middle-grade books lately. Which is a good thing because I have two children that are within the age range and I am always on the lookout for books that they would like. After reading Strange Lands, I think this would be a book that my 10-year-old son would like.

The plot itself is pretty straightforward. Allan, a boy in 8th grade, was in a horrific car accident that not only paralyzed him but took the lives of his parents. What made the accident even more tragic, well at least to me, was that Allan had been disqualified from a swim meet, after winning it, because of failing a math test and his parents come to find out that he is missing work in other areas of school as well. So, when the crash occurred, his mother and father were lecturing him. I could see why he was rendered mute as well. Poor thing was living with the guilt that he caused the car accident.

I don’t know if I would class Allan as likable at first. He had a lot of issues due to the accident and was definitely taking it out on his uncle. I was glad when Rubic forced Allan to go on the fishing trip. It took Allan out of his comfort zone and got Allan somewhat out of his funk. Of course, something goes wrong and that is where the book took off.

Rubic and Allan were caught in a surprise flash flood when fishing in the creek. Rubic snatches Allan out of his wheelchair and runs for it and almost makes it. But a boulder knocks Rubic out and leaves Allan helpless in the mud beside him. After damming up the water, so Rubic doesn’t drown, Allan starts crawling to get help. Along the way, he crawls through a field of flowers and ends up somewhere else and that is the start of his adventure.

What I liked is that the author didn’t downplay Allan’s disability at all. Allan wasn’t miraculously cured of being paralyzed (but he did get mechanical legs to help him out with part of his quest). Allan learned to work with his disability when he was in Lan Darr. What I also liked is that his mental issues were addressed too. The speech given by Mizzi about the accident touched me and brought me to tears.

The storyline with Rubic was interesting too. I saw him grow, even in that day, from the uncle who was forced to take care of his nephew to a parent searching for his child. He was willing to do anything to get Allan back…even if that meant getting even more hurt.

I will say that both storylines were brought together beautifully. While Asantia’s identity was kept under wraps, it still surprised me about who her mother was. How it was revealed was a huge surprise too. While not a cliffhanger, the ending did leave it open for another book.

How many stars will I give Strange Lands: 4

Why: This is a book that I could see both of my kids reading. The overall message was fantastic, as was Allan and Rubic transformations. I enjoyed reading it and I am an adult.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Child

Why: A middle-grade book for kids over the age of 10. There are some mild violence and some creepy characters but nothing that wouldn’t give a kid nightmares.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**

[Gigi Sedlmayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, that i love more and more middle grade books.
It wasn't different with that one. Yes, it was one of them.
I really enjoyed it, being swept away with Allan into the strange land
and seeing and experience all the different creatures, plants and land.

Since Allan was crippled after an accident and his parents were killed, he lived with Rubic. They got along fine, but Allan had his sorrows.
But going through that strange land, he learned to forgive and to be more polite and accept things, what he can't change.

I won't say more, for not to spoil the book. Get it and read it.

[Amber Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book from the author for reviewing purposes.**

A fun, entertaining read. This was made for a younger audience but I think people of any age would enjoy it if you like sci-fi adventures.