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Avalon: Web of Magic #2
All That Glitters
Emily and Adriane each have one thing Kara lacks—a magic gem. But when Kara finally finds a magic stone of her own—a diamond unicorn horn—it brings more trouble than the girls can handle. Pesky dragonflies start showing up everywhere and new Fairimentals appear, warning of danger. Worst of all, a band of terrifying monsters is stalking Kara. Overcoming these perils may bring the teens one step closer to Avalon, the source of all magic. But it may also cost one of them her life.
All That Glitters is the second book in Avalon: Web of Magic, a twelve-book fantasy series for middle grade readers. Through their magical journey, the teenage heroines discover who they really are . . . and run into plenty of good guys, bad guys, and cute guys.
All That Glitters is the second book in Avalon: Web of Magic, a twelve-book fantasy series for middle grade readers. Through their magical journey, the teenage heroines discover who they really are . . . and run into plenty of good guys, bad guys, and cute guys.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2001
57 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Roberts
70 books272 followersRachel Roberts adores magic, adventure, animals, and music. Rachel is an devoted campaigner with animal rights and protection of wild places organizations. Rachel’s has been reading ever since she could first carry a book and enjoys getting lost in a fantastic story. Rachel has been a writer as well as a editor her entire career. Rachel says the majority of concepts for her stories and characters appear on lengthy hikes. She brings a little notepad, just for jotting down thoughts. Afterward at her house Rachel builds on the ideas together with feline friends, Attila and Raider. She also is in love with music, playing the piano, flute, as well as learning to play guitar.
Avalon: Web of Magic is Rachel’s very first series of novels.
Avalon: Web of Magic is Rachel’s very first series of novels.
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December 29, 2019 “Magic likes you because you gave it back.”
one of my favorite parts about rereading childhood favorites is that you can turn back time to that age when you read certain sections.
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original: I just reread this book and I feel like I love it even more. Kara that kind of character you see in almost every book but she changes yet keeps a few thing the same by the end of the book. I feel like she will be the one to change the most out of them all but I guess we'll just have to wait and read.
one of my favorite parts about rereading childhood favorites is that you can turn back time to that age when you read certain sections.
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original: I just reread this book and I feel like I love it even more. Kara that kind of character you see in almost every book but she changes yet keeps a few thing the same by the end of the book. I feel like she will be the one to change the most out of them all but I guess we'll just have to wait and read.
December 28, 2020
I read this originally when I was in Elementary School, but only recently learned that book 1-10 were rewritten a bit with added illustrations since then. So I'm on a reread run of books 1-10.
I always found it hardest to relate to Kara, and I still do. I'm more like a cross between Emily and Adriane, and something tells me that Roberts is, too. The way Kara is written is rather stereotypical of how television studios in the 90s depicted The Popular Girl/prep, and feels less like someone who's actually been inside that person's head or has well-known someone like that. She likes pink, accessorizes, obsesses over clothes and hair for no apparent reason, is obsessed with people thinking well of her for no apparent reason, has bothersome younger sibling(s), and is from a family of some wealth/power. Added points for being white, blonde and scared of anything "gross", which is essentially anything that doesn't include the aforementioned characteristics.
I have never met someone like Kara as depicted here and in at least the early books in this series. I still look for her, whenever I see pretty, fashionable, skinny, popular women who don't seem as smart I like my friends to be. Even the most vapid of those people never seems to hold a candle to Kara.
The problem might be that Kara is meant to be the character we dislike. Emily's problem is that she doesn't believe in herself. Adriane's problem is her lack of trust. Kara's problem is, well... she's Kara. She's self-centered and thinks of "silly" things like her appearance. Her journey is to change so drastically from what she is to be an actually "decent' person. And while I think that I certainly wouldn't get along with someone like Kara - there are aspects of her that are too similar to people I know and heartily dislike - I don't think that's a great way to write a character. True, we're meant to care for Kara. Her problem isn't to "change", it's to curb her desires.
Thing is, like many pieces of fiction featuring girls in the 90s, these young women exist in a vacuum. Where's all the marketing and merchandising and parents pushing pink and bright-colored stuff onto these girls because THAT'S what girls are SUPPOSED to like? Where's the parent disapproving of Adriane because she thinks that woman in black isn't the "right person" for her daughter to be hanging out with (you know, because racism and classism)? You know, someone who wears black, listens to loud music, OBVIOUSLY has a poor school record because that's what Rebels do, and is probably involved in drugs or a gang? This was a community ready to tear down an animal preserve and turn it into a golf course. Where's the emotional backing behind that? If the largely absent Mrs. Windor was the only person behind that decision, I doubt it would have gotten all that far. Why was Adriane an outcast? Children can be cruel, but a big reason behind that is typically because their parents gossip in front of them about certain families in the neighborhood. Like those weird people who live in the old Ravenswood Reserve. Children pretend to be grown-ups and then take out their dislike on the children associated with those families. They don't fully understand why, but there's something WRONG with this person. I'm not supporting bullying or ostracization. But it's not the color BLACK that creeps Kara out about Adriane and it's not the color PINK that creeps Adriane out, at least on their own. There are forces around them that encourage them to think the way they do about each other, from their families, friends, school, community, government and the media they consume. I'm also not expecting preteens to fully comprehend what's setting them at odds rather than to just go with the assumptions they've built up over their lives about others they see, coupled with bad first impressions. But it's the fact that they never even mildly get close to that problem that bothers me.
Why is trying to have the good opinion of others bad? Emily obviously understands this from the get-go, but I don't think either she or Adriane fully comprehend it. Ever. Even when Ravenswood is threatened and it's largely good opinion that SAVES the place. How you look creates impressions of you for others to take away. I'm not suggesting that Adriane change her style. But that she and Emily at least respect that there is VALUE in what Kara does, even if Kara does so subconsciously, and often for the wrong reasons. Although I don't think she entirely does it subconsciously. There are moments where she sees her father as not so much a bag of money but also as someone to impress. To prove her adult status and responsibility. I see a Kara Davis in 15 years working in some political party herself, campaigning for some cause or another, using every tool in her box to get support, whether that's looks, a properly turned phrase, or favors earned through whatever means. And that's partially because she saw what her father can do with his position. I would say her mother influenced her but her mother doesn't really do anything in the series outside pop into her room at the beginning of this book so... eh? Would have been nice to see more. But again, it's part of that vacuum effect.
I'd love to see how Kara met her friends. What they talk about outside of that contrived chat session at the beginning of the story. Much as I imagine people worry about their clothes, I doubt they get into three way phone and chat conversations about it because someone lost a sweater they were planning to wear on their first day of school. Especially someone with money like Kara's family and a closet like Kara.
I also don't find the hair thing as petty as I imagine it is supposed to be. Personally, the only thing I really like about myself IS my hair. And if someone burned it or ripped a giant chunk off of it - besides the physical PAIN of such a thing - I would be upset, too. I actually did get my hair cut short when I was little. Immediately after I saw myself in the mirror I asked them to put it back. I knew they couldn't, but I was upset about it. If we as a people by and large didn't care about hair, we wouldn't have so many hairstyles and hats and create wigs for various reasons other than simple costume entertainment. I think that Roberts found something of a middle ground by adding the Lyra element - after all, Kara helped this horribly disfigured creature restore at least some of what she lost, and she's at least proud of that. But it's still shown as kind of petty. Emily's act is more like throwing a bone than anything else. I respect the act. I didn't have the kind of chutzpa Emily had to do what she did for Kara in a crowded school auditorium. Still don't, in fact. But well...
This book also bothers because of how it sets up this system of parallels and kind of messes with it overmuch. It always bothered me that Emily never really gets an animal companion. She sort of gets the unicorn, but it's more like she gets Ozzie. Which doesn't make any sense. And he's also a mage, to boot! It's just... bleh. Give Emily a magical companion, like Adriane and Kara!
I appreciate that there are aspects about Kara we're meant to like. She obviously has compassion and she cares for her friends - ANY of her friends. She doesn't LEARN friendship via Emily and Adriane. As far as I can recall she retains her old friendships throughout the series. She just learns to stop judging a book by its cover. But I never feel like we learn to accept Kara for who she is. The others just accept who she becomes. She's a twelve-year-old, I GET that she's going to change and not stay who she is and all the girls have measures of selfishness and naivety that they need to overcome, but well... The writing in Kara's books is always tougher to get through than the others. It would be easier to deal with if it didn't tick off the 90s personality boxes we're all used to: the angry one, the prep and the neutral party. Ah well. A decent YA book starring powerful women struggling with responsibility, education and consequences. I love when characters attempt to experiment with these secret powers they're given and don't like that no one's around to teach them, but also when they're smart enough to know they have to be careful about it. Fun stuff.
I always found it hardest to relate to Kara, and I still do. I'm more like a cross between Emily and Adriane, and something tells me that Roberts is, too. The way Kara is written is rather stereotypical of how television studios in the 90s depicted The Popular Girl/prep, and feels less like someone who's actually been inside that person's head or has well-known someone like that. She likes pink, accessorizes, obsesses over clothes and hair for no apparent reason, is obsessed with people thinking well of her for no apparent reason, has bothersome younger sibling(s), and is from a family of some wealth/power. Added points for being white, blonde and scared of anything "gross", which is essentially anything that doesn't include the aforementioned characteristics.
I have never met someone like Kara as depicted here and in at least the early books in this series. I still look for her, whenever I see pretty, fashionable, skinny, popular women who don't seem as smart I like my friends to be. Even the most vapid of those people never seems to hold a candle to Kara.
The problem might be that Kara is meant to be the character we dislike. Emily's problem is that she doesn't believe in herself. Adriane's problem is her lack of trust. Kara's problem is, well... she's Kara. She's self-centered and thinks of "silly" things like her appearance. Her journey is to change so drastically from what she is to be an actually "decent' person. And while I think that I certainly wouldn't get along with someone like Kara - there are aspects of her that are too similar to people I know and heartily dislike - I don't think that's a great way to write a character. True, we're meant to care for Kara. Her problem isn't to "change", it's to curb her desires.
Thing is, like many pieces of fiction featuring girls in the 90s, these young women exist in a vacuum. Where's all the marketing and merchandising and parents pushing pink and bright-colored stuff onto these girls because THAT'S what girls are SUPPOSED to like? Where's the parent disapproving of Adriane because she thinks that woman in black isn't the "right person" for her daughter to be hanging out with (you know, because racism and classism)? You know, someone who wears black, listens to loud music, OBVIOUSLY has a poor school record because that's what Rebels do, and is probably involved in drugs or a gang? This was a community ready to tear down an animal preserve and turn it into a golf course. Where's the emotional backing behind that? If the largely absent Mrs. Windor was the only person behind that decision, I doubt it would have gotten all that far. Why was Adriane an outcast? Children can be cruel, but a big reason behind that is typically because their parents gossip in front of them about certain families in the neighborhood. Like those weird people who live in the old Ravenswood Reserve. Children pretend to be grown-ups and then take out their dislike on the children associated with those families. They don't fully understand why, but there's something WRONG with this person. I'm not supporting bullying or ostracization. But it's not the color BLACK that creeps Kara out about Adriane and it's not the color PINK that creeps Adriane out, at least on their own. There are forces around them that encourage them to think the way they do about each other, from their families, friends, school, community, government and the media they consume. I'm also not expecting preteens to fully comprehend what's setting them at odds rather than to just go with the assumptions they've built up over their lives about others they see, coupled with bad first impressions. But it's the fact that they never even mildly get close to that problem that bothers me.
Why is trying to have the good opinion of others bad? Emily obviously understands this from the get-go, but I don't think either she or Adriane fully comprehend it. Ever. Even when Ravenswood is threatened and it's largely good opinion that SAVES the place. How you look creates impressions of you for others to take away. I'm not suggesting that Adriane change her style. But that she and Emily at least respect that there is VALUE in what Kara does, even if Kara does so subconsciously, and often for the wrong reasons. Although I don't think she entirely does it subconsciously. There are moments where she sees her father as not so much a bag of money but also as someone to impress. To prove her adult status and responsibility. I see a Kara Davis in 15 years working in some political party herself, campaigning for some cause or another, using every tool in her box to get support, whether that's looks, a properly turned phrase, or favors earned through whatever means. And that's partially because she saw what her father can do with his position. I would say her mother influenced her but her mother doesn't really do anything in the series outside pop into her room at the beginning of this book so... eh? Would have been nice to see more. But again, it's part of that vacuum effect.
I'd love to see how Kara met her friends. What they talk about outside of that contrived chat session at the beginning of the story. Much as I imagine people worry about their clothes, I doubt they get into three way phone and chat conversations about it because someone lost a sweater they were planning to wear on their first day of school. Especially someone with money like Kara's family and a closet like Kara.
I also don't find the hair thing as petty as I imagine it is supposed to be. Personally, the only thing I really like about myself IS my hair. And if someone burned it or ripped a giant chunk off of it - besides the physical PAIN of such a thing - I would be upset, too. I actually did get my hair cut short when I was little. Immediately after I saw myself in the mirror I asked them to put it back. I knew they couldn't, but I was upset about it. If we as a people by and large didn't care about hair, we wouldn't have so many hairstyles and hats and create wigs for various reasons other than simple costume entertainment. I think that Roberts found something of a middle ground by adding the Lyra element - after all, Kara helped this horribly disfigured creature restore at least some of what she lost, and she's at least proud of that. But it's still shown as kind of petty. Emily's act is more like throwing a bone than anything else. I respect the act. I didn't have the kind of chutzpa Emily had to do what she did for Kara in a crowded school auditorium. Still don't, in fact. But well...
This book also bothers because of how it sets up this system of parallels and kind of messes with it overmuch. It always bothered me that Emily never really gets an animal companion. She sort of gets the unicorn, but it's more like she gets Ozzie. Which doesn't make any sense. And he's also a mage, to boot! It's just... bleh. Give Emily a magical companion, like Adriane and Kara!
I appreciate that there are aspects about Kara we're meant to like. She obviously has compassion and she cares for her friends - ANY of her friends. She doesn't LEARN friendship via Emily and Adriane. As far as I can recall she retains her old friendships throughout the series. She just learns to stop judging a book by its cover. But I never feel like we learn to accept Kara for who she is. The others just accept who she becomes. She's a twelve-year-old, I GET that she's going to change and not stay who she is and all the girls have measures of selfishness and naivety that they need to overcome, but well... The writing in Kara's books is always tougher to get through than the others. It would be easier to deal with if it didn't tick off the 90s personality boxes we're all used to: the angry one, the prep and the neutral party. Ah well. A decent YA book starring powerful women struggling with responsibility, education and consequences. I love when characters attempt to experiment with these secret powers they're given and don't like that no one's around to teach them, but also when they're smart enough to know they have to be careful about it. Fun stuff.
February 12, 2021
Con't: Revisiting Childhood Book (2 of 12) Series
A quick read for anyone older than thirteen or fourteen. The voice in this book was one that I was drawn to when I was younger, and now I know why. The point of view in this book was reminiscent of third person limited, which--while I had trouble pinpointing why I liked these books in the first place--interested me right away. The first three books, from what I vaguely remember, are from the different perspectives of the three main characters. Now, I wonder, what the voice and POV of the rest of the books will be in.
Opening the first line of a book with hyperbole speaks to me as a teacher, and makes me chuckle a bit reading this years later. The whole, very stereotypical, rich girl who gets anything she wants trope always makes me chuckle. Once again, my favorite part about this story was being able to read the definitely dated sayings ("If you..mess something up, etc... you're a memory!") and old technology (IM, wow that's old).
A quick read for anyone older than thirteen or fourteen. The voice in this book was one that I was drawn to when I was younger, and now I know why. The point of view in this book was reminiscent of third person limited, which--while I had trouble pinpointing why I liked these books in the first place--interested me right away. The first three books, from what I vaguely remember, are from the different perspectives of the three main characters. Now, I wonder, what the voice and POV of the rest of the books will be in.
Opening the first line of a book with hyperbole speaks to me as a teacher, and makes me chuckle a bit reading this years later. The whole, very stereotypical, rich girl who gets anything she wants trope always makes me chuckle. Once again, my favorite part about this story was being able to read the definitely dated sayings ("If you..mess something up, etc... you're a memory!") and old technology (IM, wow that's old).
February 6, 2021
Growing up this book was one of my least favorites in the series, but upon re-read I have some real appreciation for Kara's character growth, as well as how imaginative this series is. I like how Rachel Roberts is able to switch between middle school drama and and magical adventures where the stakes are high!
June 20, 2017
This is my favorite book out of everyone in the series!!!! It's so colorful and fun! I've read it over 6 times.
October 18, 2019
This book focuses more on Kara, Adrian and Emily have one thing Kara doesn’t, a magic gem. But that’s about to change, Kara finds a unicorn horn and suddenly quirky little magic dragonflies start popping up everywhere and banshees are everywhere trying to steal Kara’s Jewel. I loved the little dragonflies, Kara gives them adorable names like Barney, Fiona, Goldie, Fred, and Rocky. The dragonflies can be very mischievous, but they’re absolutely adorable if you can tolerate some childish writing when they’re around, they make a whole bunch of funny sounds. Everyone keeps saying how they hate Kara, you know what? I hated her at first too. But the truth is chances are everyone has gone to school with a girl like that at some point, especially now a days since everyone is obsessed with “Fashion”...if that’s what people want to tell themselves who wear jeans with huge rips in them be my guest. Kara changes by the end of the book, anyone can tell who reads it. And why is everyone always bitching in their reviews about the writing being juvenile. These books are specifically targeted to eight to twelve year olds, obviously the writing is going to be a tad more juvenile, use your brains people, you’re adults reading books intended for children. Honestly, the reviews you read on this site. Anyways, a good read, not very exciting but I know the other books have a bit more adventure in them. I recommend this series to anyone who likes magic and fantasy.
May 6, 2019
As always this series is a fast read, but there were multiple points that I was annoyed with in this book.
The 1st books main focus was on Emily, the healer mage. I really like Emily and Adrienne in the 1st one, but I wasn't too thrilled about Kara. That translated well into the 2nd book where we have Kara as the main focus.
Kara is a brat. Spoiled and from a rich family, and so are her 'friends'. At one point they called Adrienne pathetic for where she lived. It was a real red flag moment for me. Her friends are rude and care way too much about trivial things that don't matter in the scheme of things and for most of the book Kara holds up their opinion to be amazing.
Near the end of the book Kara kind of has a revelation that I felt she should of had a long time ago, which makes her a little better. I still didn't think this book was as good as the first one.
The 1st books main focus was on Emily, the healer mage. I really like Emily and Adrienne in the 1st one, but I wasn't too thrilled about Kara. That translated well into the 2nd book where we have Kara as the main focus.
Kara is a brat. Spoiled and from a rich family, and so are her 'friends'. At one point they called Adrienne pathetic for where she lived. It was a real red flag moment for me. Her friends are rude and care way too much about trivial things that don't matter in the scheme of things and for most of the book Kara holds up their opinion to be amazing.
Near the end of the book Kara kind of has a revelation that I felt she should of had a long time ago, which makes her a little better. I still didn't think this book was as good as the first one.
January 29, 2021
I read the first book way back in third grade, (roughly 2005), and when I found out that the first eight books were available on kindle unlimited, I decided to grab them. I loved the first book a lot back then, and reading the rest of the series feels like I'm accomplishing the goals of my kid self.
This very much has the vibes of WITCH and The Winx Club, and it's very nostalgic to read about a group of girls and their adventures with magic. While this is an older series that not a lot of people remember, I honestly still recommend it. Especially if you know kids 8-12 who really enjoy fantasy adventures with a coming-of-age narrative.
This very much has the vibes of WITCH and The Winx Club, and it's very nostalgic to read about a group of girls and their adventures with magic. While this is an older series that not a lot of people remember, I honestly still recommend it. Especially if you know kids 8-12 who really enjoy fantasy adventures with a coming-of-age narrative.
November 2, 2023
This is the second book in this series, but it was the first one I read. I was confused, because it was the second book. When I read it again while reading the series in the proper order, I was less confused but I liked this book less.
It was because this is the first book where Kara narrates. I don’t like Kara at all. It is refreshing to have the standard cliquey popular mean girl as a main character instead of the villain, but she is still a mean girl. She treated the other characters terribly, and I don’t buy her redemption at all. Kara is too much of a jerk for me to take her seriously in this series.
It was because this is the first book where Kara narrates. I don’t like Kara at all. It is refreshing to have the standard cliquey popular mean girl as a main character instead of the villain, but she is still a mean girl. She treated the other characters terribly, and I don’t buy her redemption at all. Kara is too much of a jerk for me to take her seriously in this series.
November 25, 2017
"En résumé, un tome 2 qui m'a encore plus plu que le précédent, avec une Kara que l'on découvre plus en profondeur. Une quête qui s'intensifie encore plus, avec une pointe de ténèbres qui font leur apparition au fur et mesure de l'intrigue... Pour ma part, il me tarde de lire le tome 3. Plus qu'à attendre mars 2018 !"
Chronique complète: http://lire-une-passion.weebly.com/fa...
Chronique complète: http://lire-une-passion.weebly.com/fa...
February 2, 2023
I never connected to Kara's character as a kid, and now reading as an adult, I can see why. I don't think the author really connected with Kara either, and in a middle grade book, she still comes off as the two-dimensional ditsy popular girl. If I remember correctly, she grows a lot in the series, and I'm looking forward to that.
January 17, 2024
I read this series when I was young and it’s one that changed my life for the better! This series got me hooked into reading and holds such a special place in my heart. I’m currently re-listening to the audio book version and it’s just as magical and fun as I remembered. This series will always be one that I come back to.
October 30, 2024
This series exudes pure empathy and magic. Pretty sure I was crying the entire way through this. The nostalgia paired with the genuinely great story that all comes together in the end along with the positive message…. I’ll never forget these books! They deserve all the hype they get. I truly hope they never ever go out of print
June 3, 2019
Three stars because this book is Kara-centric, and she’s my least favorite character. She’s so plastic! But still, plot is good and helps build up Kara’s character, as well as giving more insights into the world of Avalon. Writing is still not great.
September 27, 2019
My favorite part was when Kara started to actually become friends with Adriane and Emily, and she wasn't quite so self-absorbed anymore. My least favorite part was when Kara had to give up her magic stone in order to stop the evil person and heal the banshees.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2018
Such a good book for kids to read. It'll show them that even though people have differences it's still possible to be friends. :)
January 2, 2020
Read by request of my granddaughter, didn't like the main character at the beginning but her transformation was satisfying
dnf
November 11, 2024DNF at 15%
this is just not my age range. i can see a middle school kid really liking it though? like early middle school. it's interesting but just too elementary for me
this is just not my age range. i can see a middle school kid really liking it though? like early middle school. it's interesting but just too elementary for me
April 26, 2025
really cute and childish but i love it
May 8, 2023
While readying the website for the Ravenswood Natural Preserve, Kara finds her own jewel, at last! But with great power comes greater obstacles and the power of a unicorn jewel may prove to be more than she can handle.
Kara always manages to find the biggest trouble. From banshee's to unstoppable magic she has her hands full and if it weren't for Lyra she would be in a world of hurt. As a kid I always disliked Kara's stories and I'm still not her biggest fan, but I definitely like her a lot more than back then. Lyra is and has always been one of my top favorite animal companions and I loved hearing more from her and about her history in Aldenmoor.
Kara always manages to find the biggest trouble. From banshee's to unstoppable magic she has her hands full and if it weren't for Lyra she would be in a world of hurt. As a kid I always disliked Kara's stories and I'm still not her biggest fan, but I definitely like her a lot more than back then. Lyra is and has always been one of my top favorite animal companions and I loved hearing more from her and about her history in Aldenmoor.
May 12, 2014
I loved the first book of the series, so I was excited to read the second one. I could live with the fact that the second one changed main focal character I personally find it interesting when series do that. I could even live with the fact that the character it went to was my least favorite character from the first book. I tried to like the character, I really did. I just couldn't do it though. This book just increased my dislike of the character. Over all, this book was just okay. It wasn't bad, but perhaps I just expected more after the first one and it just didn't quite get there.
Kara Davis is the main character of the second installment of the series, and as I mentioned before, is my least favorite character. The character is... Annoying at best. She is a rich brat basically. Her whole attitude is "I'm rich, daddy's the mayor, everyone likes me and those that don't are weird/freaks, I don't need to work hard because others will bend over backwards to help me, I'm pretty and perfect, and everything I want I getno joke, that last one was something she thought/said". I credit the author for having the character have an epiphany of sorts; showing that she can't always be selfish because there are consequences which is what saved this book for me. However, I've never wanted to reach through a book so bad just to smack one character as I did while reading this.
Everyone and everything (sans Adriane) seems to like her, for no apparent reason (to me at least). It surely can't be her charming personality, because honestly her character is so shallow. It's all about her looks (i.e. how cute she is, how gorgeous her hair is, etc.etc.) Again, I give credit where credit is due with the author giving her the epiphany, but in the end she is still supposed to be the strongest mage, she's the most powerful. Let's ignore the fact that there is not only two other girls that have magic, but also the fact that the animals are supposed to play a key role as well... It's all about Karabasically the character strikes me as a glorified Mary Sue, and that's about it.
Kara Davis is the main character of the second installment of the series, and as I mentioned before, is my least favorite character. The character is... Annoying at best. She is a rich brat basically. Her whole attitude is "I'm rich, daddy's the mayor, everyone likes me and those that don't are weird/freaks, I don't need to work hard because others will bend over backwards to help me, I'm pretty and perfect, and everything I want I get
Everyone and everything (sans Adriane) seems to like her, for no apparent reason (to me at least). It surely can't be her charming personality, because honestly her character is so shallow. It's all about her looks (i.e. how cute she is, how gorgeous her hair is, etc.etc.) Again, I give credit where credit is due with the author giving her the epiphany, but in the end she is still supposed to be the strongest mage, she's the most powerful. Let's ignore the fact that there is not only two other girls that have magic, but also the fact that the animals are supposed to play a key role as well... It's all about Kara
August 26, 2012
All That Glitters is a truly apt title for this book, not just because of the friendship factor and the main themes, but also because everything that has to do with Kara is just that - diamond-bright, rainbow, sparkling, and searing white heat that explodes in front of and within her whenever she's around magic. It gets a bit old, really.
That was really the only thing that stuck with me as I read this book for the second time in my life (the first being when I was a kid). However, other than the overabundance of the words "rainbow" and "sparkling," there is much more action in this book than the first, which was the only thing that kept me reading.
I'm not crazy about Kara, and (in my humble opinion) it seems as though the author favors her over the other two just a wee bit. I can't remember exactly what happened in later books, but it always bothered me that all of the magical beings (animals, Fairimentals, fairy people, etc.) loved her so much for what seemed like no good reason. (Also, is it just me, or are most of the books from her or Emily's POV?)
"The magic believes in her" is what is said repeatedly. Well, I hope this is only because Kara has begun to change as a person - from the shallow, stuck up young girl to a caring friend. If young girls reading this can see the character's transformation and learn from it, then that's great.
I just don't really like her that much, hahaha.
...And I'm reading too much into a kids book. Well, since I have to sit through all of these just to read the last two, getting my rambling thoughts out is some kind of relief.
On to the next!
That was really the only thing that stuck with me as I read this book for the second time in my life (the first being when I was a kid). However, other than the overabundance of the words "rainbow" and "sparkling," there is much more action in this book than the first, which was the only thing that kept me reading.
I'm not crazy about Kara, and (in my humble opinion) it seems as though the author favors her over the other two just a wee bit. I can't remember exactly what happened in later books, but it always bothered me that all of the magical beings (animals, Fairimentals, fairy people, etc.) loved her so much for what seemed like no good reason. (Also, is it just me, or are most of the books from her or Emily's POV?)
"The magic believes in her" is what is said repeatedly. Well, I hope this is only because Kara has begun to change as a person - from the shallow, stuck up young girl to a caring friend. If young girls reading this can see the character's transformation and learn from it, then that's great.
I just don't really like her that much, hahaha.
...And I'm reading too much into a kids book. Well, since I have to sit through all of these just to read the last two, getting my rambling thoughts out is some kind of relief.
On to the next!
December 3, 2012
‘All That Glitters’ is the second book in the Avalon series and the main focus is now on Kara. Kara’s used to having her way as she is the Mayor’s daughter. As the daughter of the mayor, especially in a small town, she usually gets what she wants when she wants it. What she wants now is the one thing she doesn’t have which Emily and Adriane do – a magical gem. As the old adage says ‘all that glitters isn’t gold’ and this becomes quite evident when Kara has unknowingly brought herself to the attention of the evil monsters because of her discovery of a diamond unicorn horn.
I know Kara has been my least favorite character in the Avalon series so far and some people may be off put by Kara being the focus of ‘All That Glitters’. Yet, I feel she does have some redeemable characteristics and deserves the chance to grow and learn from her mistakes and triumphs. I enjoyed ‘All That Glitters’, even if I didn’t like it as much as ‘Circles in the Stream'. I like how the author has created a series which is a great magical adventure, but also teaches the readers some valuable character lessons. I do wonder if the focus is going to shift now for every book in the series, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea.
Avalon: Web of Magic series: Circles in the Stream (1), All That Glitters (2), Cry of the Wolf (3), The Secret of the Unicorn (4), Spellsinger (5), Trial By Fire (6), Song of the Unicorns (7), All's Fairy in Love and War (8), Ghost Wolf (9), The Heart of Avalon (10), Dark Mage (11), Full Circle (12)
I know Kara has been my least favorite character in the Avalon series so far and some people may be off put by Kara being the focus of ‘All That Glitters’. Yet, I feel she does have some redeemable characteristics and deserves the chance to grow and learn from her mistakes and triumphs. I enjoyed ‘All That Glitters’, even if I didn’t like it as much as ‘Circles in the Stream'. I like how the author has created a series which is a great magical adventure, but also teaches the readers some valuable character lessons. I do wonder if the focus is going to shift now for every book in the series, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea.
Avalon: Web of Magic series: Circles in the Stream (1), All That Glitters (2), Cry of the Wolf (3), The Secret of the Unicorn (4), Spellsinger (5), Trial By Fire (6), Song of the Unicorns (7), All's Fairy in Love and War (8), Ghost Wolf (9), The Heart of Avalon (10), Dark Mage (11), Full Circle (12)
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February 13, 2017Read these when I was a kid and looooveeeed them. :D
Glad I found them again.
Glad I found them again.
January 21, 2011
This book (by the way, read the first book's reviews first) hones in on Kara, while the first one, Circles in the Stream, was mostly about Emily and the next one, Cry of the Wolf, focuses on Adriane.My copy of this book has a different cover, which I think is nicer since you can tell them apart by more than their hair color and clothes, but even if I had the whole series in this edition, it wouldn't put a damper on my reading of this series. Kara is more than a little bit full of herself,but it actually makes it funny. This is a book which you have to read to understand some of the things in following books, but it is in no way unpleasant, so you really have no reason not to read it, unless you have a child who is TOO young and might start copying Kara's behavior, like my friend's sister had a phase where she did the same thing with Lucy from Peanuts and it was a nightmare. Otherwise, the plot is interesting and suspenseful through the whole series. Overall, great book. I really enjoyed it.
August 11, 2022
again, very short, so there was really almost no progress in the entire storyline of avalon except for kara, which whom the story was mainly focused on because she kinda discovered her powers late. i admit that she elicited pick-me behavior but i guess we all went through that phase when we were 13 so i let that one off (even though this was entirely fictional). all three of them had some kind of flaws and it was immature of them to fight like that, although it wasn't severe, i decided to pay no mind on it bc these were CHILDREN. i did kind of find them prideful to be honest, but i hoped there was character development. in the fantasy aspect of the book, the only thing i got from this was: 1) kara discovering her jewel 2) ends up being chased by the dark sorceress bc she coveted the most powerful gem AND creature 3) kara ends up giving the said jewel up (but still having magic left in her). i think this hinted to kara being the most powerful of the three, and i feel like she would amplify her powers in the next books.
July 27, 2017
Reading this book, I am seriously confused. The translation is lousy! Like it was done by a transtool or something. There is no cute feeling like what I had when reading the first book; this second one just gives me an awkward feeling. Flipping through the pages, I feel like eating a food with an awful taste but I have to finish it because I have paid for it.
The storyline itself is not that bad. It centers around Kara Davies, the social butterfly girl who tries to find balance between her two circles of friends. She's annoying when she frets so much about fashion and appearance. Fortunately, that annoyance is neutralized by the calmness of Lyra, a big magical cat who for whatever reason follows Kara around.
I still like the illustrations that are scattered through the book. They are still adorable. Well, in fact, nice illustrations are the only reason I like reading children/teens' books.
I give this book two stars:
one for Lyra the cat, and
one for the illustrations.
The storyline itself is not that bad. It centers around Kara Davies, the social butterfly girl who tries to find balance between her two circles of friends. She's annoying when she frets so much about fashion and appearance. Fortunately, that annoyance is neutralized by the calmness of Lyra, a big magical cat who for whatever reason follows Kara around.
I still like the illustrations that are scattered through the book. They are still adorable. Well, in fact, nice illustrations are the only reason I like reading children/teens' books.
I give this book two stars:
one for Lyra the cat, and
one for the illustrations.
January 12, 2012
Beberapa hal adalah milikmu hanya untuk waktu yang singkat
Tapi, kamu telah membuat pilihan yang baik dan aku percaya bahwa kamu akan membuat pilihan yang lebih baik.
Seharusnya saya selalu mempercayai naluri saat membeli buku. Begitu juga untuk urusan buku yang ini. Setelah beberapa kali bimbang antara membeli atau tidak, akhirnya diputuskan untuk membeli dengan pertimbangan sudah keluar buku ketiganya. Akan terasa aneh jika langsung membaca buku ketiga tanpa mengintip isi buku kedua.
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Tapi, kamu telah membuat pilihan yang baik dan aku percaya bahwa kamu akan membuat pilihan yang lebih baik.
Seharusnya saya selalu mempercayai naluri saat membeli buku. Begitu juga untuk urusan buku yang ini. Setelah beberapa kali bimbang antara membeli atau tidak, akhirnya diputuskan untuk membeli dengan pertimbangan sudah keluar buku ketiganya. Akan terasa aneh jika langsung membaca buku ketiga tanpa mengintip isi buku kedua.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?save...
June 10, 2013
This book is about three girls saving the world, but this story particularly focuses on Kara. Kara is a blond girl that plays the role of the blazing star of the three girls. From the first book, the other two girls Adrianne and Emily both acquire a crystal that Kara does not have. She finally gets one in this book. This story focuses on how Kara uses this crystal and the people she encounters with it. This book was good because in the past book, Kara was portrayed as a snobby girl, but now she seems like a really nice girl.
October 14, 2015
Surprisingly better than I thought it would be. After reading reviews whining about Kara's self absorbed character, I assumed I would be in agreement. But, with the appearance of the Dark Sorceress I think that was a bit of an eye opener in self reflection for Kara's character to grow from, but that's only a theory that depends on her actions throughout the rest of the series. I will definitely pick up the next one soon.
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