What do you think?
Rate this book
Osland Trilogy #1
The Emerald City
In this loose re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz, Kansas teen Gail Dorjee has tried to escape from the pain of her parents' death by retreating into a hard shell of anger and sarcasm.
When her aunt and uncle ship her off to an elite Seattle boarding school, Osland Academy, she spends her first day making enemies, including the school's most powerful clique, the Winged, and their leader, the ruthless Diana.
Social war and the school's uptight teachers are only mild annoyances. Mysterious phone outages, bizarre behavioral blocks, and strange incidents suggest Osland is focused on something much more sinister than education.
Now Gail has to survive at Osland with a pretty pathetic assortment of potential allies: her airhead roommate, a cowardly victim of the Winged, and Diana's cold but handsome boyfriend, Nick.
When her aunt and uncle ship her off to an elite Seattle boarding school, Osland Academy, she spends her first day making enemies, including the school's most powerful clique, the Winged, and their leader, the ruthless Diana.
Social war and the school's uptight teachers are only mild annoyances. Mysterious phone outages, bizarre behavioral blocks, and strange incidents suggest Osland is focused on something much more sinister than education.
Now Gail has to survive at Osland with a pretty pathetic assortment of potential allies: her airhead roommate, a cowardly victim of the Winged, and Diana's cold but handsome boyfriend, Nick.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2012
26 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Beard
9 books41 followersJ.A. Beard is a restless soul married to an equally restless soul. His two children are too young yet to discuss whether or not they are restless souls. When he hasn't been writing, studying history, or making excuses for not writing, he's tried his hand at several careers including intelligence analysis, programming, and research science. Though he likes to declare himself the Pie Master, he's yet to prove his worth in the brutal baking show-downs of Celebration, Florida.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 5, 2012
4½♥'s (I'm rounding up to 5 for Goodreads.)
The Emerald City is witty, entertaining, and an imaginative retelling of Wizard of Oz. No matter how well you know the original, you will be surprised and amused by this recreation of the beloved tale. It's a little high school/boarding school 'young' drama (like a High School Musical without the music) mixed with some urban fantasy magic; somehow it is more believable than the original tale but still more supernatural, too. It's really hard to describe, but any words I use should indicated that I had no problem reading this book. Once I made it past the first chapter I was hooked. The writing was really fresh with some 'hidden' gems buried in it. For example, instead of cute little furry Toto, there is dog statue name "Africa". Get it? If you don't, Google 80's music by Toto.
Some quotes I especially liked:
"Coffee. The little things always help to remind you the universe isn't always out to get you."
"I wondered if I should wander around with a six pack of ginger ale on me. A girl never knew when she would need to defend her honor."
"I half-expected Lydia to tell me a horde of rabid monkeys sent by Diana would be showing up any minute. Given the day I had, it almost wouldn't surprise me."
"I wanted something dramatic. Few things were more dramatic than a giant concrete troll moving in front of you."
If you enjoy YA stories, liked the original Wizard of Oz, and especially like urban fantasy then this is a book not to pass up reading. I will most definitely be re-reading this book again in the future.
The Emerald City is witty, entertaining, and an imaginative retelling of Wizard of Oz. No matter how well you know the original, you will be surprised and amused by this recreation of the beloved tale. It's a little high school/boarding school 'young' drama (like a High School Musical without the music) mixed with some urban fantasy magic; somehow it is more believable than the original tale but still more supernatural, too. It's really hard to describe, but any words I use should indicated that I had no problem reading this book. Once I made it past the first chapter I was hooked. The writing was really fresh with some 'hidden' gems buried in it. For example, instead of cute little furry Toto, there is dog statue name "Africa". Get it? If you don't, Google 80's music by Toto.
Some quotes I especially liked:
"Coffee. The little things always help to remind you the universe isn't always out to get you."
"I wondered if I should wander around with a six pack of ginger ale on me. A girl never knew when she would need to defend her honor."
"I half-expected Lydia to tell me a horde of rabid monkeys sent by Diana would be showing up any minute. Given the day I had, it almost wouldn't surprise me."
"I wanted something dramatic. Few things were more dramatic than a giant concrete troll moving in front of you."
If you enjoy YA stories, liked the original Wizard of Oz, and especially like urban fantasy then this is a book not to pass up reading. I will most definitely be re-reading this book again in the future.
June 22, 2012
This was such a refreshing book! Another YA novel that I’d recommend to those of us who aren’t too into them.
The book had everything:
a teenager who acted her age, was smart and kicked butt-not dumb enough to dismiss the strange ongoings in her school like most YA protagonists would have done.
characters that kept me interested throughout-Nick’s zombieness made him all the more fun and Lydia was cute.
the right beginning and a balanced ending-the book wasn’t too long either.
there were some spelling mistakes, yes.
the humor was done just right.
It was fun, witty and a quick read-I just couldn’t put the book down till I was done reading.
The book had everything:
a teenager who acted her age, was smart and kicked butt-not dumb enough to dismiss the strange ongoings in her school like most YA protagonists would have done.
characters that kept me interested throughout-Nick’s zombieness made him all the more fun and Lydia was cute.
the right beginning and a balanced ending-the book wasn’t too long either.
there were some spelling mistakes, yes.
the humor was done just right.
It was fun, witty and a quick read-I just couldn’t put the book down till I was done reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2012
An extraordinarily delightful YA paranormal novel, the “clues” to the real nature hidden behind the curtain are so subtle and so smooth. Excellently written and characterized, by page 2 I was entranced. Author Beard captures the inner self of young adolescents admirably, and then puts a neat spin on the situations they encounter. I loved the approach to bullying that begins the first chapter-would that such a solution could be fond for every victim of bullying, and every onlooker afraid to step forward and help.
On her first day at Seattle’s posh private Osland Academy, Gail steps into it when she crosses the elitist daughter of a Senator and “magic” happens. Now a target for bullying herself (the bully is also the Student Council President-of course- and threatens Gail with expulsion), Gail finds she can’t really express the anger she’s bottling since the recent demise of her parents, nor the lack of self-control of which her uncle constantly accuses her. She can’t even cuss! (nor contact the outside world)
One aspect of this novel that I particularly noticed and enjoyed is that Gail is not your ordinary YA heroine-at least not in my perspective. This girl is edgy-and I mean that in both senses: yes, she is constantly on edge, losing her parents, having an uncle she thinks is “stuck raising her,” shipped halfway across continent to attend a strange (in multiple senses) boarding school. Yet I call her edgy in another sense also-she reminds me of a double-edged razor blade wrapped in a cloth-you don’t see the sharpness, you may not feel it, but it can still cut you. An individual like this could go either way: into deep trouble (for herself and others), or into emotional maturity. We just have to wait and see. But the fact that she is this strongly-delineated makes her “four-dimensional,” and therefore a much more appealing protagonist. (Can you tell I’m strongly in her corner?)
If you’re hunting for a delectable YA Paranormal that’s outstanding, then just come right over here and choose “The Emerald City” by J. A. Beard. You won’t be misled.
On her first day at Seattle’s posh private Osland Academy, Gail steps into it when she crosses the elitist daughter of a Senator and “magic” happens. Now a target for bullying herself (the bully is also the Student Council President-of course- and threatens Gail with expulsion), Gail finds she can’t really express the anger she’s bottling since the recent demise of her parents, nor the lack of self-control of which her uncle constantly accuses her. She can’t even cuss! (nor contact the outside world)
One aspect of this novel that I particularly noticed and enjoyed is that Gail is not your ordinary YA heroine-at least not in my perspective. This girl is edgy-and I mean that in both senses: yes, she is constantly on edge, losing her parents, having an uncle she thinks is “stuck raising her,” shipped halfway across continent to attend a strange (in multiple senses) boarding school. Yet I call her edgy in another sense also-she reminds me of a double-edged razor blade wrapped in a cloth-you don’t see the sharpness, you may not feel it, but it can still cut you. An individual like this could go either way: into deep trouble (for herself and others), or into emotional maturity. We just have to wait and see. But the fact that she is this strongly-delineated makes her “four-dimensional,” and therefore a much more appealing protagonist. (Can you tell I’m strongly in her corner?)
If you’re hunting for a delectable YA Paranormal that’s outstanding, then just come right over here and choose “The Emerald City” by J. A. Beard. You won’t be misled.
December 5, 2013
I enjoyed The Emerald City in part because it was fun to spot J.A. Beard's re-envisioning of Baum's Oz material in all the places that he slipped it in. However, mostly I enjoyed The Emerald City because I liked heroine Gail Dorjee and her friends Lydia, Leandra, and Nick. They have distinct, exciting, and fun voices, and they didn't really need magic powers to hold my interest. Gail is spunky, brave, and cool; Lydia is funny with her malapropisms; Leandra's fearfulness and hidden talents had me rooting for her every moment that she was on-stage; and Nick has a mixture of outward cool and buried intensity that reminds me of the best characters in anime. Gail has suffered the loss of her parents, but mixed in with her anger and guilt there is an admirable inner strength that makes her really heroic. Plus, she's a Tibetan-American from Kansas. What could possibly be more ironically interesting than that?
Yes, I'm a man in his forties, but yes, I did read the first Twilight book, and I felt a kind of smugness in that novel that was a turnoff. Where that book was smug and irritating, J.A. Beard's Emerald City is full of sincerity instead: the innocence and goodness are in the true spirit of Baum but fit nicely in the 21st century too. One would scarcely believe this book was the product of a man closer to my age than Gail's.
It's odd how as I get older and keep reading fantasy, I begin to find the plots beside the point, and care only about the characters. I had the same reaction when reading Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, or Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society. My feeling is: okay, this plot is acceptable, but the good moments are the kids talking to each other and dealing with their feelings. Beard's setting and storyline are adequate for the purpose of the book, and his supporting cast has some potential, but the heart of this book is the four characters I named above, and if they were to go into Oz, rather than Osland Academy, and just see wonders rather than be imperiled, I think I'd like it just as much.
Yes, I'm a man in his forties, but yes, I did read the first Twilight book, and I felt a kind of smugness in that novel that was a turnoff. Where that book was smug and irritating, J.A. Beard's Emerald City is full of sincerity instead: the innocence and goodness are in the true spirit of Baum but fit nicely in the 21st century too. One would scarcely believe this book was the product of a man closer to my age than Gail's.
It's odd how as I get older and keep reading fantasy, I begin to find the plots beside the point, and care only about the characters. I had the same reaction when reading Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, or Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society. My feeling is: okay, this plot is acceptable, but the good moments are the kids talking to each other and dealing with their feelings. Beard's setting and storyline are adequate for the purpose of the book, and his supporting cast has some potential, but the heart of this book is the four characters I named above, and if they were to go into Oz, rather than Osland Academy, and just see wonders rather than be imperiled, I think I'd like it just as much.
February 22, 2012
I liked this book a lot. It held my attention from the first line onwards. The play on Wizard of Oz is handled deftly and not heavy-handed with th "look at my in-joke" attitude I've seen elsewhere.
Most surprising to me is how well Mr. Beard portrays the first person voice for Gail. His understanding of the teenage psyche is excellent.
There are a couple of downsides, but nothing that would diminish a pleasurable read. One of my main pains in the a.. (I guess the Osland Academy's rule against cursing applies here) is a bit of muddle with the rift watchers' roles since they're referred to both by their first names, then by "Miss Lastname." Maybe my brain cells are firing at full capacity, but I hate having to stop and think who is who.
I got my copy at Smashwords and found a lot of strange errors (missing words or extra words that just didn't smell of typo). At first, I was aghast at the number of errors, but then caught on that the uploaded file to Smashwords might be corrupt. I queried the author about these errors and determined that a flawed file was at fault. The Kindle and B&N editions should be much cleaner and the author is making adjustments. If you got an earlier version with the strangeness, don't count it as a fault.
This is a series, and I'm definitely interested in reading the next book. Best of all, I can choose to continue the series or not. I abhor books in a series that leave a clifhanger of gigantic proportions in an attempt to force the reader to buy the next in a series. My answer is always no. Give me a fully realized story in each book in a series or you won't keep me as a reader. Mr. Beard has done very well in making me WANT to know what happens next, rather than trying to force me to find out.
Most surprising to me is how well Mr. Beard portrays the first person voice for Gail. His understanding of the teenage psyche is excellent.
There are a couple of downsides, but nothing that would diminish a pleasurable read. One of my main pains in the a.. (I guess the Osland Academy's rule against cursing applies here) is a bit of muddle with the rift watchers' roles since they're referred to both by their first names, then by "Miss Lastname." Maybe my brain cells are firing at full capacity, but I hate having to stop and think who is who.
I got my copy at Smashwords and found a lot of strange errors (missing words or extra words that just didn't smell of typo). At first, I was aghast at the number of errors, but then caught on that the uploaded file to Smashwords might be corrupt. I queried the author about these errors and determined that a flawed file was at fault. The Kindle and B&N editions should be much cleaner and the author is making adjustments. If you got an earlier version with the strangeness, don't count it as a fault.
This is a series, and I'm definitely interested in reading the next book. Best of all, I can choose to continue the series or not. I abhor books in a series that leave a clifhanger of gigantic proportions in an attempt to force the reader to buy the next in a series. My answer is always no. Give me a fully realized story in each book in a series or you won't keep me as a reader. Mr. Beard has done very well in making me WANT to know what happens next, rather than trying to force me to find out.
April 24, 2012
I got this through the ARR program here on GR - now with that stated let's get to the review!
I liked this book - it was good and entertaining. I want to give this 3 1/2 stars, but since GR only has whole stars, I rounded up!
I love J.A. Beard's take on the classic Wizard of Oz story! The characters are young - think Disney comedy or movie, not cartoon - they were smart and funny. I was intrigued with this twist on the story. I like Gail - she is smart and sharp tongued. She cares for her friends as family - immediately I was on her side... she is a coffee lover - come on how could you not love her ;)
"Coffee. The little things always help to remind you the universe isn't always out to get you."
Of course me being from Kansas - I have to look for the characters from the beginning right away. It took me some time to figure out who was who, but by the middle/three-fouths through I figured it out :D I really really liked this retelling of the story.
I'd recommend to anyone who likes teenage drama and PNR/UF mixed - and really who doesn't ;)
enjoy ~ @jendsmit
I liked this book - it was good and entertaining. I want to give this 3 1/2 stars, but since GR only has whole stars, I rounded up!
I love J.A. Beard's take on the classic Wizard of Oz story! The characters are young - think Disney comedy or movie, not cartoon - they were smart and funny. I was intrigued with this twist on the story. I like Gail - she is smart and sharp tongued. She cares for her friends as family - immediately I was on her side... she is a coffee lover - come on how could you not love her ;)
"Coffee. The little things always help to remind you the universe isn't always out to get you."
Of course me being from Kansas - I have to look for the characters from the beginning right away. It took me some time to figure out who was who, but by the middle/three-fouths through I figured it out :D I really really liked this retelling of the story.
I'd recommend to anyone who likes teenage drama and PNR/UF mixed - and really who doesn't ;)
enjoy ~ @jendsmit
May 25, 2012
I'm doing something I don't normally do: I'm being generous with my rating. Because honestly, the execution of this book fell flat on a number of scales. But I like the premise and the idea and it got better as we went along so I'm going to be kind.
That being said, it wasn't what I expected. I guess I didn't read the description well enough because I wasn't expecting magical powers, but more of a modern The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. And why is it that everyone thinks the only book to Gregory Maguire is The Wizard of Oz ??? (Beard says in the afterward that he was inspired by Maguire) Well, whatever, in theory this book had a lot of potential.
In execution I was more than a little put off by the voice of Gail (our first person narrator). I wasn't sure through the whole book if she was supposed to be telling the story as it was happening or if she was looking back telling it. When I can't tell if we are in past or present tense, you have a writing problem. It was distracting and annoying and I sincerely hope that it gets fixed in later editions and any further books.
The pacing was off for me too. Not the pacing of the writing, but the timeline of the story. Because things happen way too quickly to make any sense . She settles in too quickly, she makes fast friends too quickly, she figures out she is special too quickly. It's not like someone filled her in about her special talents (a la Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) she just suddenly guesses that she can . It's weird and there isn't a lot of build-up. And then you just get dumped into a not very flushed out mythology and epic battle. I like a quick pace, but this felt RUSHED.
I did like the characters, although Gail wasn't my favorite. They had interesting quirks and were uniquely realized. I believe this is the beginning of the series and the characters saved the story enough for me to be willing to try the second book. If the aforementioned issues aren't resolved in the next book, however, Beard will lose me forever.
That being said, it wasn't what I expected. I guess I didn't read the description well enough because I wasn't expecting magical powers, but more of a modern The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. And why is it that everyone thinks the only book to Gregory Maguire is The Wizard of Oz ??? (Beard says in the afterward that he was inspired by Maguire) Well, whatever, in theory this book had a lot of potential.
In execution I was more than a little put off by the voice of Gail (our first person narrator). I wasn't sure through the whole book if she was supposed to be telling the story as it was happening or if she was looking back telling it. When I can't tell if we are in past or present tense, you have a writing problem. It was distracting and annoying and I sincerely hope that it gets fixed in later editions and any further books.
The pacing was off for me too. Not the pacing of the writing, but the timeline of the story. Because things happen way too quickly to make any sense . She settles in too quickly, she makes fast friends too quickly, she figures out she is special too quickly. It's not like someone filled her in about her special talents (a la Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) she just suddenly guesses that she can . It's weird and there isn't a lot of build-up. And then you just get dumped into a not very flushed out mythology and epic battle. I like a quick pace, but this felt RUSHED.
I did like the characters, although Gail wasn't my favorite. They had interesting quirks and were uniquely realized. I believe this is the beginning of the series and the characters saved the story enough for me to be willing to try the second book. If the aforementioned issues aren't resolved in the next book, however, Beard will lose me forever.
March 4, 2012
The loose re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz, first piqued my interest in The Emerald City. Many years of watching the old black and white version of the old Wizard of Oz, I became fond of the cast and crew that drew very distinct lines between good and evil. And as a young girl this was comfortable for me, and snuggling with my Granny was the best, but as I grew older I wanted color, and parts of me challenged other things like …challenging the old ideas of good and evil.
J.A. Beard does not disappoint. Right away, he does not open up with your typical Dorothy-type. Like Dorothy, Gail Dorjee (his main character) is away from home, but Gail is trying to escape the pain of losing her parents’ death by retreating inside a shell of anger. Gail is very different. If a house fell on the Wicked Witch, Gail would take the Witch’s red shoes and sell them on Ebay, not thinking twice about it. Right away, Gail had enough snarky to win my heart as an adult, just like Dorothy had enough compassion to win me as a kid.
The other characters are dripping with their own unique characteristics that differ from the original cast, but keep an original strand from the old OZ. Without giving too much away, Nick is my favorite Tin Man, absolutely worth the effort to try to find a heart for, and not get Gail’s broken in the process. Other that great dialogue, characters, the plot is woven beautifully and it is a complex one broken down from basic physics.
Physics yes, because, again, not giving too much away, there are forces at work that defy gravity.
Beard really had his thinking cap on when he wrote this, and forced me to put mine on, which is something that could sneak up on young adults in a fun surprising way. They might read this and find they just learned a thing, or two.
Now, for all of you literary folks, Beard’s Gail didn’t challenge good and evil boundaries like Elphaba (Wicked, Gregory Maguire) but she/Gail certainly made things different and sometimes a little color on the same story is all we need, and a bit of mind blowing gravity changes. I highly recommend The Emerald City.
J.A. Beard does not disappoint. Right away, he does not open up with your typical Dorothy-type. Like Dorothy, Gail Dorjee (his main character) is away from home, but Gail is trying to escape the pain of losing her parents’ death by retreating inside a shell of anger. Gail is very different. If a house fell on the Wicked Witch, Gail would take the Witch’s red shoes and sell them on Ebay, not thinking twice about it. Right away, Gail had enough snarky to win my heart as an adult, just like Dorothy had enough compassion to win me as a kid.
The other characters are dripping with their own unique characteristics that differ from the original cast, but keep an original strand from the old OZ. Without giving too much away, Nick is my favorite Tin Man, absolutely worth the effort to try to find a heart for, and not get Gail’s broken in the process. Other that great dialogue, characters, the plot is woven beautifully and it is a complex one broken down from basic physics.
Physics yes, because, again, not giving too much away, there are forces at work that defy gravity.
Beard really had his thinking cap on when he wrote this, and forced me to put mine on, which is something that could sneak up on young adults in a fun surprising way. They might read this and find they just learned a thing, or two.
Now, for all of you literary folks, Beard’s Gail didn’t challenge good and evil boundaries like Elphaba (Wicked, Gregory Maguire) but she/Gail certainly made things different and sometimes a little color on the same story is all we need, and a bit of mind blowing gravity changes. I highly recommend The Emerald City.
April 18, 2012
Check out my new review blog:
My first read to review book! This book improved as it progressed which makes it very hard to rate. I nearly gave up after the first 100 or so pages because it was for a younger audience. The dialogues, the plot and the characters sounded like they were from the princess diaries. "OMG cute guy! He's walking this way! Ugh but he is the evil bitch's boyfriend, i hate him! But ohhh he's sooooo hot! Talk to me!" - the first few chapters were pretty much this. I LOVE the princess diaries but well it's for young teens and I read it when i was 9.
However, there was a switch when the plot started getting interesting. Suddenly everything was in a much more serious tone. I started enjoying the book a little more. I felt that some theories about the rift were made up as the book went along and that annoyed me quite a bit. Every time farm girl suggests a solution, it gets shot down because there were new 'rules' with the rift. I would have preferred if there was a full explanation from the beginning.
I actually liked Lydia more than Gail. She was a lot more interesting and had a sense of mystery. I didn't really care for Leandra and Nick, there was hardly any back story about them. Gail was okay but boring, her magic was a lot less interesting compared to the older rift-watchers.
The plot: it redeemed the book majorly. It was a nice idea and had lots of potential. I really enjoyed the twists in the story but perhaps there were too many major ones for a short book. It felt like there were two climaxes and could have been executed better.
Recommended for anyone who likes The Wizard of Oz.
My first read to review book! This book improved as it progressed which makes it very hard to rate. I nearly gave up after the first 100 or so pages because it was for a younger audience. The dialogues, the plot and the characters sounded like they were from the princess diaries. "OMG cute guy! He's walking this way! Ugh but he is the evil bitch's boyfriend, i hate him! But ohhh he's sooooo hot! Talk to me!" - the first few chapters were pretty much this. I LOVE the princess diaries but well it's for young teens and I read it when i was 9.
However, there was a switch when the plot started getting interesting. Suddenly everything was in a much more serious tone. I started enjoying the book a little more. I felt that some theories about the rift were made up as the book went along and that annoyed me quite a bit. Every time farm girl suggests a solution, it gets shot down because there were new 'rules' with the rift. I would have preferred if there was a full explanation from the beginning.
I actually liked Lydia more than Gail. She was a lot more interesting and had a sense of mystery. I didn't really care for Leandra and Nick, there was hardly any back story about them. Gail was okay but boring, her magic was a lot less interesting compared to the older rift-watchers.
The plot: it redeemed the book majorly. It was a nice idea and had lots of potential. I really enjoyed the twists in the story but perhaps there were too many major ones for a short book. It felt like there were two climaxes and could have been executed better.
Recommended for anyone who likes The Wizard of Oz.
Read
March 17, 2012First off, let me say that the primary reason this book didn't get more stars from me is that I found it to be directed to a younger audience than I expected. And it could be that my expectations are my own fault, so try not to hold this against the book. This book is marketed as young adult, but The Wizard of Oz is more of a middle grade story. Likewise, I felt like this book is a middle grade book, and I generally avoid middle grade. You can call me sick if you like, but it's tough to please me when you avoid cursing, sexual tension, and violence. Sorry.
That being said, this was a nice middle grade book. I loved the parallels between the characters and story line in this book versus the Wizard of Oz. I'd think it's tough to create a brand new, original story while still making clear connections to the story that served as inspiration.
The characters were fun a believable. Gail had just lost her parents and, understandably, lacked some self-control with respect to her temper. This made her likably flawed. Gail was a spunky character who took underdog kids under her wing and looked out for them. She was a great Dorothy in that respect, but she was still an original character because of her sparky temper. Nick—a handsome, popular boy, who often spoke in a monotone and seemed to lack passion about everything—was the perfect tin man.
So although I didn't love-love-adore this book, I see some wonderful qualities in it. I highly recommend it to middle grade readers and to anyone who loves The Wizard of Oz.
That being said, this was a nice middle grade book. I loved the parallels between the characters and story line in this book versus the Wizard of Oz. I'd think it's tough to create a brand new, original story while still making clear connections to the story that served as inspiration.
The characters were fun a believable. Gail had just lost her parents and, understandably, lacked some self-control with respect to her temper. This made her likably flawed. Gail was a spunky character who took underdog kids under her wing and looked out for them. She was a great Dorothy in that respect, but she was still an original character because of her sparky temper. Nick—a handsome, popular boy, who often spoke in a monotone and seemed to lack passion about everything—was the perfect tin man.
So although I didn't love-love-adore this book, I see some wonderful qualities in it. I highly recommend it to middle grade readers and to anyone who loves The Wizard of Oz.
March 11, 2012
This book is definitely not the typical "Wizard of Oz" style story. There are a few similarities, mostly in the characters' personalities; otherwise it is a completely different story altogether. I was expecting to read a remake of the "Wizard of Oz" and was pleasantly surprised at the twists and turns throughout the story. The characters are likeable and realistic, for the most part; and the magical element is plenty fanciful and strange. My only negative is that I had to read slowly in a lot of parts and sort of absorb what was going on. The story has a few parts that don't quite flow, otherwise I have to say the story is quite intriguing and interesting to read. Overall a good YA fantasy by author J. A. Beard.
May 16, 2020
I liked the concept of this story and I could tell the “retelling” aspect but I was just bored. Some spots were exciting but then it just got boring again. It might be better suited to a younger reader.
March 30, 2012
Wow. Just wow. I absolutely fell in love with this book. The Wizard of Oz stories are some of my favorite books, from the original books to the Wicked series, I absolutely adore it. This book is among those favorites. J.A. Beard has created a fantastic world using the Wizard of Oz as a leaping off point, and I readily give this book five stars and am proud to add it to my favorites. Some people have tried to recreate stories that have been around for ages, and some succeed, while others tend to fall terribly, terribly short; this book is a success in my opinion. I'd received a copy directly from the author to read and review, this is the first I've done like this and, I am quite glad I did.
The Emerald City takes place at the glamorous Osland Academy in Seattle, and our heroine, Gail, was shipped off their by her Aunt and Uncle (who have little or no problem paying the $40,000 tuition), however, there is something unique about Osland Academy, the students and just the atmosphere in general - especially considering that no matter how hard she tries, Gail cannot curse or utter a single bad word no matter how angry she might get.
We have the standard cast of characters - but in a unique light. You have Gail, who is our dear little Kansas girl (Dorothy); Lydia, our scatter-brained girl (Scarecrow); Leandra, who truth be told is pretty much afraid of everything (Cowardly Lion); Nick, the cute-senior boy who lacks a heart (Tin Man). The Witches represented in this story are essentially the teachers - you have the good and the bad of course. Miss West is of course the root of all evil in our story, because she was the evil one in the original Wizard of Oz. Nigashi is essentially the wicked witch of the east, though she doesn't die from a house landing on her, she does die however. We also have the winged monkeys, in the form of the Student Council members led by Diana, a senator's daughter; and they call themselves the Winged.
The story flows easily enough, with only a few hang ups where there is the occasional word missing in a sentence or something of that nature. Beyond that, I honestly, only put this book down to sleep and go see Hunger Games last night. It took me a little less than a day to read. The action is quick and the few battle sequences are filled with awesome. I love the concept of the Rift Watchers and their essences that they control - and the depth of the plan that was hatched and Gail ultimately had to uncover was truly interesting in its creation. I also loved the inclusion of the Fremont Troll in Seattle (The Emerald City) as a tie in for the location of Principal Osland.
The Emerald City takes place at the glamorous Osland Academy in Seattle, and our heroine, Gail, was shipped off their by her Aunt and Uncle (who have little or no problem paying the $40,000 tuition), however, there is something unique about Osland Academy, the students and just the atmosphere in general - especially considering that no matter how hard she tries, Gail cannot curse or utter a single bad word no matter how angry she might get.
We have the standard cast of characters - but in a unique light. You have Gail, who is our dear little Kansas girl (Dorothy); Lydia, our scatter-brained girl (Scarecrow); Leandra, who truth be told is pretty much afraid of everything (Cowardly Lion); Nick, the cute-senior boy who lacks a heart (Tin Man). The Witches represented in this story are essentially the teachers - you have the good and the bad of course. Miss West is of course the root of all evil in our story, because she was the evil one in the original Wizard of Oz. Nigashi is essentially the wicked witch of the east, though she doesn't die from a house landing on her, she does die however. We also have the winged monkeys, in the form of the Student Council members led by Diana, a senator's daughter; and they call themselves the Winged.
The story flows easily enough, with only a few hang ups where there is the occasional word missing in a sentence or something of that nature. Beyond that, I honestly, only put this book down to sleep and go see Hunger Games last night. It took me a little less than a day to read. The action is quick and the few battle sequences are filled with awesome. I love the concept of the Rift Watchers and their essences that they control - and the depth of the plan that was hatched and Gail ultimately had to uncover was truly interesting in its creation. I also loved the inclusion of the Fremont Troll in Seattle (The Emerald City) as a tie in for the location of Principal Osland.
March 13, 2012
Review: The Emerald City by J.A. Beard and GIVEAWAY (on my blog)!
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard
Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard is a young adult novel about a high school girl named Gail Dorjee who is sent to a boarding school in Seattle, Washington after the tragedy of her parents untimely death. Once there strange things begin to happen forcing Gail to re-look back at her life up to that point.
J.A. Beard has taken L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and transposed it into a loose re-imagination in a fresh and modern way. Much the way SyFy channel did with the Tin Man a couple years ago. I found that most of the original characters were easily identified in this version with other original characters thrown in.
I very much liked the premise of this story and found the idea intriguing. Unfortunately I felt that parts of the story dragged on while others were rushed in what I feel should have been a longer book. I wanted more information about life before Osland Academy not only for Gail, but also her friends. I also wanted to know more about the teachers at the school and how they came to be there and why.
I gave The Emerald City a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars because I just felt that there was a lot that could have been added to enhance the story. That said, I did enjoy reading this quick and entertaining read. And I wouldn’t mind reading a sequel to find out even more about the characters and any more adventures they may have.
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard e-book is currently available for purchase!
Now you have the chance to win your own e-copy of The Emerald City by J.A. Beard!
~Jaclyn~
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard
Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard is a young adult novel about a high school girl named Gail Dorjee who is sent to a boarding school in Seattle, Washington after the tragedy of her parents untimely death. Once there strange things begin to happen forcing Gail to re-look back at her life up to that point.
J.A. Beard has taken L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and transposed it into a loose re-imagination in a fresh and modern way. Much the way SyFy channel did with the Tin Man a couple years ago. I found that most of the original characters were easily identified in this version with other original characters thrown in.
I very much liked the premise of this story and found the idea intriguing. Unfortunately I felt that parts of the story dragged on while others were rushed in what I feel should have been a longer book. I wanted more information about life before Osland Academy not only for Gail, but also her friends. I also wanted to know more about the teachers at the school and how they came to be there and why.
I gave The Emerald City a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars because I just felt that there was a lot that could have been added to enhance the story. That said, I did enjoy reading this quick and entertaining read. And I wouldn’t mind reading a sequel to find out even more about the characters and any more adventures they may have.
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard e-book is currently available for purchase!
Now you have the chance to win your own e-copy of The Emerald City by J.A. Beard!
~Jaclyn~
April 1, 2012
Gail is sent to the Osland school after her parents are killed and her Uncle is given custody.
On her first day, Gail has a run in with the mean and nasty Diana and her friends, whom like to call themselves "Winged" Since Gail has stood up to Diana she has made herself some enemies and soon becomes the new joke at school. Her roommate and new friend Lydia is ditzy but a sweet girl. Lydia has a need to always quote someone when talking, but she can never get them right. And then there are the ones she makes up as she goes along.
"Drunkenness is temporary herbicide" Leandra, who is scared of everything becomes Gails' friend as Gail tries to help her overcome her fears. Nick, Dianas' boyfriend keeps getting in Gails' face causing more issues with Winged. Before you know it, there is some supernatural stuff going on and someone wants to get rid of Gail. Who can she trust? Who has supernatural powers? Gail will need to rely on her new friends to find out the truth.
It was a fast paced story, moved along at a good speed. It was well written but it got annoying how Gail, Lydia and Leandra were always called by their insulting nicknames. I actually forgot out main characters name was Gail because she was called Miss Dorjee or Farm Girl more then by her actual name. I know this was to add to the feel of Diana, Nick and the rest of them being heartless bullies but it did get trying to read constantly. There were a few spelling mistakes (extra word or repeated word) but nothing that was distracting, like some stories I have read. The ending left it open for a sequel and I would enjoy to reading more about Gail, Lydia and Leandra.
If you are looking for a clean story without any swearing or sexual overtures this is the book. Excellent read for ages 13 and up.
I was given this book fro free by the author for my honest opinion and I thank him for the opportunity to review it.
On her first day, Gail has a run in with the mean and nasty Diana and her friends, whom like to call themselves "Winged" Since Gail has stood up to Diana she has made herself some enemies and soon becomes the new joke at school. Her roommate and new friend Lydia is ditzy but a sweet girl. Lydia has a need to always quote someone when talking, but she can never get them right. And then there are the ones she makes up as she goes along.
"Drunkenness is temporary herbicide" Leandra, who is scared of everything becomes Gails' friend as Gail tries to help her overcome her fears. Nick, Dianas' boyfriend keeps getting in Gails' face causing more issues with Winged. Before you know it, there is some supernatural stuff going on and someone wants to get rid of Gail. Who can she trust? Who has supernatural powers? Gail will need to rely on her new friends to find out the truth.
It was a fast paced story, moved along at a good speed. It was well written but it got annoying how Gail, Lydia and Leandra were always called by their insulting nicknames. I actually forgot out main characters name was Gail because she was called Miss Dorjee or Farm Girl more then by her actual name. I know this was to add to the feel of Diana, Nick and the rest of them being heartless bullies but it did get trying to read constantly. There were a few spelling mistakes (extra word or repeated word) but nothing that was distracting, like some stories I have read. The ending left it open for a sequel and I would enjoy to reading more about Gail, Lydia and Leandra.
If you are looking for a clean story without any swearing or sexual overtures this is the book. Excellent read for ages 13 and up.
I was given this book fro free by the author for my honest opinion and I thank him for the opportunity to review it.
February 18, 2012
I received a free copy of this book from the author through the group, Making Connections.
An enthralling, modern take on the Wizard of Oz told through the captivating voice of Gail Dorjee. You get the whimsical aspects of the old story that are expertly interlaced with new twists that will have the characters eagerly reading to the end.
I think we all know the characters and plot line of the Wizard of Oz, but just to do a minor recap(without giving anything away): We meet the reminiscent characters, the courageless, the brainless, the heartless along with many other important characters. The group comes across trials and tribulations also reminiscent of the forever loved tale of the Wizard of Oz, but it carries all on it's own with added paranormal twists and a little, barely-there romance that is a great set-up for the adventures to come. A journey of self-discovery along with the battles of good vs. evil. J.A. Beard will keep the readers guessing, never alluding to the ending even though this is a re-imagining of a famous story. He expertly keeps the story fresh and extremely interesting, told from the perspective of a fierce, anger-ridden teen that many readers will fall in love with. J.A. Beards brilliant, vivid imagery will help transport the reader as the story takes place.
I only had on minor issue, it seemed that the author started The Emerald City as a story in the third perspective, but then changed it to first person. There were some 'she's' or 'hers' instead of 'me's' or 'mine's'. This however, did not overtly detract from the story, it was only mildly bothersome.
I recommend The Emerald City to every and all readers regardless of age or gender. This is an epic adventure that you are not going to want to miss out on!
An enthralling, modern take on the Wizard of Oz told through the captivating voice of Gail Dorjee. You get the whimsical aspects of the old story that are expertly interlaced with new twists that will have the characters eagerly reading to the end.
I think we all know the characters and plot line of the Wizard of Oz, but just to do a minor recap(without giving anything away): We meet the reminiscent characters, the courageless, the brainless, the heartless along with many other important characters. The group comes across trials and tribulations also reminiscent of the forever loved tale of the Wizard of Oz, but it carries all on it's own with added paranormal twists and a little, barely-there romance that is a great set-up for the adventures to come. A journey of self-discovery along with the battles of good vs. evil. J.A. Beard will keep the readers guessing, never alluding to the ending even though this is a re-imagining of a famous story. He expertly keeps the story fresh and extremely interesting, told from the perspective of a fierce, anger-ridden teen that many readers will fall in love with. J.A. Beards brilliant, vivid imagery will help transport the reader as the story takes place.
I only had on minor issue, it seemed that the author started The Emerald City as a story in the third perspective, but then changed it to first person. There were some 'she's' or 'hers' instead of 'me's' or 'mine's'. This however, did not overtly detract from the story, it was only mildly bothersome.
I recommend The Emerald City to every and all readers regardless of age or gender. This is an epic adventure that you are not going to want to miss out on!
March 8, 2012
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard is what the title suggests and is a rewrite of the broad strokes of Wizard of Oz. Having said this, its not some boring old rewrite or a pale imitation of others such as Wicked. This book is truly a unique reading experience that has depth while maintaining a fun and enthusiastic read. The characters were refreshing and unapologetic; I must admit that it was fun connecting them to the original characters while seeing how the author made them new, fun, and relatable through their thoughts and feelings.
It is always enticing for me to read a book where an author is able to mix, real issues along with hard decisions that may or may not work within the moral framework of the characters, especially in young adult book. J.A. Beard was able to perform this bit of difficult writing flawlessly while making it enjoyable and not getting heavy handed.
I will not write here about the specific plot lines, as the author has already done this well for the book. However, I will say that for people thinking of reading this book will have a great read. While this book does not fall into the two categories that I normally read I found it enjoyable. Anyone who loves YA reading will take pleasure in reading this book. Along with people who normally don’t but want to venture outside their normal comfort zones will also enjoy it. One more note, while I enjoy the cover art and found it quit whimsical some others may be put off as it does not conform to the recent trend of realistic and or photographs covers, don’t let this cover derail it from reading it as you will be disappointed.
It is always enticing for me to read a book where an author is able to mix, real issues along with hard decisions that may or may not work within the moral framework of the characters, especially in young adult book. J.A. Beard was able to perform this bit of difficult writing flawlessly while making it enjoyable and not getting heavy handed.
I will not write here about the specific plot lines, as the author has already done this well for the book. However, I will say that for people thinking of reading this book will have a great read. While this book does not fall into the two categories that I normally read I found it enjoyable. Anyone who loves YA reading will take pleasure in reading this book. Along with people who normally don’t but want to venture outside their normal comfort zones will also enjoy it. One more note, while I enjoy the cover art and found it quit whimsical some others may be put off as it does not conform to the recent trend of realistic and or photographs covers, don’t let this cover derail it from reading it as you will be disappointed.
April 17, 2012
(I was given this book for free on a read-to-review basis.)
Gail Dorjee is just starting at a new school. Her parents recently died and she’s now been sent to a boarding school by her aunt and uncle as they don’t really want her around.
The new school is weird though. Firstly; mobile phones don’t work, secondly; Gail can’t send out email or access the internet, and thirdly; when she tries to leave the grounds she is unable to. There’s something weird about the water too. During a confrontation with the school bully, water jumps from the fountain and soaks her, during an argument with a teacher, her water glass shatters, and then when arguing again, the water in her glass turns to solid ice.
Gail can’t work it out, until her friend points out that maybe Gail herself is causing these strange happenings. Testing this theory out, Gail realises that she has power over water, but what does it all mean?
This book was okay. It was supposedly based on ‘the wizard of oz’ but I didn’t see much resemblance other than the names of people and places. I didn’t get the joke about the dog; I recognised the song when I found it on ‘youtube’ but I had no idea what it was called! Sorry, maybe just too young!
I did like the characters – Lydia and Nick especially, but I found Leandra’s constantly stuttering irritating. I must say that I did get a bit confused when the ‘rifts’ were discussed. Didn’t get it at all I’m afraid, even when I went back and read the explanations again.
I liked the twist at the end. A lot of characters were lost in one way or another though, which should make for an interesting sequel.
6 out of 10.
(Book Length: 3860 Kindle Locations)
Gail Dorjee is just starting at a new school. Her parents recently died and she’s now been sent to a boarding school by her aunt and uncle as they don’t really want her around.
The new school is weird though. Firstly; mobile phones don’t work, secondly; Gail can’t send out email or access the internet, and thirdly; when she tries to leave the grounds she is unable to. There’s something weird about the water too. During a confrontation with the school bully, water jumps from the fountain and soaks her, during an argument with a teacher, her water glass shatters, and then when arguing again, the water in her glass turns to solid ice.
Gail can’t work it out, until her friend points out that maybe Gail herself is causing these strange happenings. Testing this theory out, Gail realises that she has power over water, but what does it all mean?
This book was okay. It was supposedly based on ‘the wizard of oz’ but I didn’t see much resemblance other than the names of people and places. I didn’t get the joke about the dog; I recognised the song when I found it on ‘youtube’ but I had no idea what it was called! Sorry, maybe just too young!
I did like the characters – Lydia and Nick especially, but I found Leandra’s constantly stuttering irritating. I must say that I did get a bit confused when the ‘rifts’ were discussed. Didn’t get it at all I’m afraid, even when I went back and read the explanations again.
I liked the twist at the end. A lot of characters were lost in one way or another though, which should make for an interesting sequel.
6 out of 10.
(Book Length: 3860 Kindle Locations)
April 9, 2012
I immediately got to grips wth the main character of this book, the young but fairly mature 'farm-girl' out at a new boarding school because she lost mum and dad to a car crash. i had a few ideas of what to expect as I knew this was based on a kind of wirzard of Oz style book but it was thankfully still pretty original and it wasn't until all the characters nicknames were listed tother that I realised who everyone was and how it all fitted together.
I also really liked the sense of humour of the main character and found myself chuckling out loud at a few things she said and thought.
There were just a few things that robbed the book of a 5 star from me (it's not easy to get 5 stars from me) and those were two things. Mostly the last 'battle' It just all felt a little too easy. I won't spoil it all but I think it should have been harder for Gail to do what she did and win at the end.
The other slight niggle, though very minor was the editing, there were quite a few words strung together and missing words etc. Sometimes I'd have to read a sentence again to figure out what the author was trying to say, although on finishing the author did say that the book had gone through another proof read. My advice would be to anyone reading this and worried the errors would annoye them is to get the sample and check. If there aren't any you notice in the sample you will probably be fine with the book. This alone wasn't frequent enough to have me knock down a star on it's own either.
I also really liked the sense of humour of the main character and found myself chuckling out loud at a few things she said and thought.
There were just a few things that robbed the book of a 5 star from me (it's not easy to get 5 stars from me) and those were two things. Mostly the last 'battle' It just all felt a little too easy. I won't spoil it all but I think it should have been harder for Gail to do what she did and win at the end.
The other slight niggle, though very minor was the editing, there were quite a few words strung together and missing words etc. Sometimes I'd have to read a sentence again to figure out what the author was trying to say, although on finishing the author did say that the book had gone through another proof read. My advice would be to anyone reading this and worried the errors would annoye them is to get the sample and check. If there aren't any you notice in the sample you will probably be fine with the book. This alone wasn't frequent enough to have me knock down a star on it's own either.
March 8, 2012
This was not what I expected but I really enjoyed this book. What a great cast of characters plus a great moral lesson to throw into the mix. I was drawn into the story from chapter 1 and I couldn’t wait to see how Gail turned out in the end. Would she end up being expelled from school, run away or end up being friends with one of the people she despised from the beginning? Gail was a feisty girl who didn’t seem like the type to back down but she had no friends, she was new to the school and she had a lot of emotional baggage when she arrived at the school. You just never knew if she just needed time or if it was her personality. Bullying was a perfect problem to throw into the mix as she was adjusting to her new life and there were other students who were also dealing with this same issue. Then she had the issue of “magic” to comprehend. Did she really have “magic” or was she just imagining things? I liked that this was a YA Paranormal book as it also dealt with the issues of peer pressure and relationships. This book had it all and did not waste time with petty details but moved things along at a very fast pace. I thought I had Nick all figured out and then, I was totally wrong. Good job on that one!! Well written book.
May 27, 2012
This was a modern day story very loosely based on L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz." I knew that from the description, and so it was fun to figure out which characters in this story paralleled the characters in the original, and how the story line of this one was similar to the original. In spite of the influence of the original story, this story is very different and unique from "The Wizard of Oz." It was a clever idea, but parts didn't seem fully developed or explained. I believe the target audience is more likely teenagers, and so perhaps I was expecting too much. It was a fun, quick read.
May 1, 2012
Great story , love the Cover . This book reminds me of lots of beautiful stories ; its like a great mix of Jane Eyre , Harry Potter Series and Wild Child movie .
Gail is an orphan kid who lost her parents recently ,her uncle and aunt send her to (Osland Academy) boarding school in Seattle , she got bullied and had enemies since day one but most of all is the supernatural thing that going on in that place .
Well written story ,nice characters ,great reading material i Recommend it for Paranormal YA ,fantasy ,Harry Potter lovers .
Gail is an orphan kid who lost her parents recently ,her uncle and aunt send her to (Osland Academy) boarding school in Seattle , she got bullied and had enemies since day one but most of all is the supernatural thing that going on in that place .
Well written story ,nice characters ,great reading material i Recommend it for Paranormal YA ,fantasy ,Harry Potter lovers .
April 8, 2012
Creative way to re-tell The Wizard of Oz. I especially liked the character of Lydia who was always incorrectly quoting famous quotes or sayings. I also found it quite amazing that a grown man could capture the world of teenage girlspeak and actions so well.
That being said, I found the amount of proofreading/editing errors to be distracting. I expect a couple from any book, even from major publishers, but there were just so many in this book.
I would recommend it for an audience who enjoys fantasy and doesn't mind or doesn't notice the errors.
That being said, I found the amount of proofreading/editing errors to be distracting. I expect a couple from any book, even from major publishers, but there were just so many in this book.
I would recommend it for an audience who enjoys fantasy and doesn't mind or doesn't notice the errors.
April 16, 2012
I recommend this book for young adults. I enjoyed the storyline and the author is very creative with the characters. I liked Gail's "I don't take crap from anyone" attitude and her friend Lydia was great with her "mis"quotes. However, some parts of the book dragged on. The main characters are in high school and their dialog fit in with that genre. Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, but not a total copy of the story. Overall, a good book.
I was given this book by the author and the Goodreads group Basically Books for an honest review.
I was given this book by the author and the Goodreads group Basically Books for an honest review.
February 7, 2013
The Emerald City by J.A. Beard is a very well written (short) story. Even though I believe this particular story is aimed towards a younger audience I think that anyone that are interesting in magic from Wizard of OZ to Charmed will find this book very intriguing. The plot is easy to follow - the character development is well executed, and I like some of Beard’s humor when the characters are thinking. There are some surprises through the story, especially towards the last third of the book. I enjoyed reading this story and I will keep my eyes on Mr. Beard’s progress as an author.
May 14, 2014
Good and different
Gail's parents die and her Uncle doesn't want her to live with them so he sends her to a school where she meets Nick, a handsome guy that shows no emotions and is dating Diane who appears to be a witch.
She has two friends Lydia and Leandra. I do love some of the quotes that Lydia comes up with. Gail finds ut she can control water which gives her confidence. The book takes a whirl with the teachers and her and her friends leading to destruction. You will have to read the book to find out the outcome.
Gail's parents die and her Uncle doesn't want her to live with them so he sends her to a school where she meets Nick, a handsome guy that shows no emotions and is dating Diane who appears to be a witch.
She has two friends Lydia and Leandra. I do love some of the quotes that Lydia comes up with. Gail finds ut she can control water which gives her confidence. The book takes a whirl with the teachers and her and her friends leading to destruction. You will have to read the book to find out the outcome.
April 25, 2012
This book was good! I really enjoyed it. I loved how it was like a remake on the Wizard of Oz characters. There wasn't a boring moment. I just wish there would have been more! I hope the author writes another one, because I really liked the characters. Nick was my favorite. Overall it was really interesting and defiantly worth reading.
August 6, 2012
I found the first half of this book EXTREMELY slow. In fact I almost gave up on it. Thankfully I persevered and got to the good parts, so to speak.
Would I recommend this book ? Probably not.
Was it a waste of time ? No
Theres a small little "cliff hanger" at the end that piqued my interest so I will probably give book two a shot, if and when that comes out.
Would I recommend this book ? Probably not.
Was it a waste of time ? No
Theres a small little "cliff hanger" at the end that piqued my interest so I will probably give book two a shot, if and when that comes out.
July 22, 2014
I know its probably aimed towards a younger age, so I kind of disliked the writing a little and some of the cliche situations. Yet, I overall generally liked the book. I originally that it was going to be something like Wizard of Oz, but it wasn't completely. It had some elements, though I didn't know Wizard of Oz was a series of books and I've only read the first one so I don't have a clue,
April 4, 2012
5 stars for creativity and unique tie in of wizard of oz. 3 stars for execution and too many typos. We'll average it out to an even 4 stars. Overall, it was an enjoyable read although I did like the first half more than the second and thought it dragged on a bit. But a good start to a new trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews