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Hartlandia #1
The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt
Ten-year-old Stanley Delacourt loves his quiet life in the peaceful village of Meadowwood. At least, he does until his best friend is killed. Then the town library—where Stanley lives and works—is burned to the ground. The individuals responsible for both tragedies are a nasty group of soldiers. They work for the kingdom’s new leader, Christopher Siren. With the grown-ups too fearful to take action, Stanley vows to confront Siren. He plans to get answers and demand justice. Little does he know that his journey will involve sword-wielding knights, kidnapper fairies, and dark magic.
Stanley has only two allies back home: a witch named Meredith, and a young apothecary called Sophie. Can they help him discover the reason behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?
Stanley has only two allies back home: a witch named Meredith, and a young apothecary called Sophie. Can they help him discover the reason behind Siren’s crimes and end this terrible reign? Or is Stanley set to become the next victim in the tyrant’s evil plot?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2012
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Ilana Waters
21 books263 followersHi! I’m Ilana Waters, USA Today bestselling author of the Mage Tales and Dark Fae Decree.
I write urban fantasy for those who like it fast, funny, and fierce. If you’re into cross-blended creatures (witch-vampire hybrids, half-breed mages) and supernatural ass-kicking, I'm all over that. Ditto if your book turn-ons are equal parts creepy and action-packed (ancient cities, crypts, beheadings, bombs, etc.).
I write urban fantasy for those who like it fast, funny, and fierce. If you’re into cross-blended creatures (witch-vampire hybrids, half-breed mages) and supernatural ass-kicking, I'm all over that. Ditto if your book turn-ons are equal parts creepy and action-packed (ancient cities, crypts, beheadings, bombs, etc.).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 23, 2017
This review was originally posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings on February 28, 2013.
This is a great adventure story. It begins with Stanley's work in the library, so I was instantly hooked, just based on that alone. There aren't enough stories that prominently feature libraries, so this was such a refreshing change.
The setting and language of the story is wonderful. It's easygoing, and comfortable. As I read I was immediately able to fall into Meadowood and imagine myself there, right along with the characters. The setting seemed like a mix of olden times (think medieval times) and more modern times.
The story starts out simply enough, Stanley, Sophie and Will enjoying a boat race together and a festival, but you can tell that there's something going on by the odd soldiers milling around. Then, when Will is killed after being out after "curfew" and then the library is burned down, Stanley knows he has to do something. He sets off on a quest to find out who the new ruler in place, Christopher Siren is, and what happened to the old king and queen.
He faces a lot of trials and tribulations along the way. He also runs into all different kinds of magical creatures. There are subtle elements of magic throughout the story, right down to the very boots that Stanley is wearing. There's talk of vampires and vampire wars, witches, fairies, and much more.
The magical element is perfect. It's done with just enough detail to keep the reader interested, but not so much as to overwhelm them. Sophie finding out she is a witch is also very fitting, given that she already has a job as an apothecary, and likes to write poems, it seems quite the natural fit that she becomes a witch. I particularly enjoyed the spin of her spells coming to her in her sleep, and her thinking of them more as poems than anything.
As Stanley gets further on in his journey, he is kidnapped and forced to work in one of Siren's factories, where several kids are nothing more than glorified paper pushers. Literally, they put papers into boxes. And they don't question it. They don't want anything more for themselves but to earn shiny metal discs and the promise of a better position if they earn enough of them.
At first Stanley tries to resist this, and tries to ask the others about their dreams, and whether they know that they are being forced to do these things for nothing, and give up on what they really believe in. But after an incident he too becomes numb and just goes along. You later find out that Hartlandia is under a spell. I thought this was a great way to demonstrate the fact that children should learn and think for themselves. They should question authority and not just do everything they are told. The story also demonstrates how easy it can be for kids to just forget about their dreams and "go along" if they are restricted enough.
This story is the perfect combination of magic, adventure, friendship, and the trials and tribulations of growing up. I can't wait to see what comes next in Stanley's adventure. I'd recommend this to lovers of magic, libraries, and easygoing characters/settings.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is a great adventure story. It begins with Stanley's work in the library, so I was instantly hooked, just based on that alone. There aren't enough stories that prominently feature libraries, so this was such a refreshing change.
The setting and language of the story is wonderful. It's easygoing, and comfortable. As I read I was immediately able to fall into Meadowood and imagine myself there, right along with the characters. The setting seemed like a mix of olden times (think medieval times) and more modern times.
The story starts out simply enough, Stanley, Sophie and Will enjoying a boat race together and a festival, but you can tell that there's something going on by the odd soldiers milling around. Then, when Will is killed after being out after "curfew" and then the library is burned down, Stanley knows he has to do something. He sets off on a quest to find out who the new ruler in place, Christopher Siren is, and what happened to the old king and queen.
He faces a lot of trials and tribulations along the way. He also runs into all different kinds of magical creatures. There are subtle elements of magic throughout the story, right down to the very boots that Stanley is wearing. There's talk of vampires and vampire wars, witches, fairies, and much more.
The magical element is perfect. It's done with just enough detail to keep the reader interested, but not so much as to overwhelm them. Sophie finding out she is a witch is also very fitting, given that she already has a job as an apothecary, and likes to write poems, it seems quite the natural fit that she becomes a witch. I particularly enjoyed the spin of her spells coming to her in her sleep, and her thinking of them more as poems than anything.
As Stanley gets further on in his journey, he is kidnapped and forced to work in one of Siren's factories, where several kids are nothing more than glorified paper pushers. Literally, they put papers into boxes. And they don't question it. They don't want anything more for themselves but to earn shiny metal discs and the promise of a better position if they earn enough of them.
At first Stanley tries to resist this, and tries to ask the others about their dreams, and whether they know that they are being forced to do these things for nothing, and give up on what they really believe in. But after an incident he too becomes numb and just goes along. You later find out that Hartlandia is under a spell. I thought this was a great way to demonstrate the fact that children should learn and think for themselves. They should question authority and not just do everything they are told. The story also demonstrates how easy it can be for kids to just forget about their dreams and "go along" if they are restricted enough.
This story is the perfect combination of magic, adventure, friendship, and the trials and tribulations of growing up. I can't wait to see what comes next in Stanley's adventure. I'd recommend this to lovers of magic, libraries, and easygoing characters/settings.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
April 19, 2013
Hello there book-a-holics!
I'm here today to talk to you about Ilana Waters' book "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt".
Stanley is a 10 year old boy who is a librarian in a medieval kingdom called Hartlandia, in a small town called Meadowwood. His friends, Will, the farm boy and Sophie, the Apothecary also live there. They used to go to school together and hang around, but they ended up being needed at their works and had to drop out, now they only see eachother eventually.
At first, I thought the writing rythm was too slow. I had a hard time picking up and warming up to the book, but it was when I was feeling book blocked, so that may be it. After a while, after the first third or so, I finally got into the story - that's when bad things happen and the adventure properly starts.
I had a hard time believing bad things really happened. I mean, something HAD to happen, or the adventure wouldn't start and we all know adventures would happen - it was "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt" after all - but it was very sad and being a Bookworm, a Book Lover and a Book-A-Holic, it depressed me to no end. His best friend Will is killed and his Library is burnt t he ground. Please don't judge me for being more depressed about the Library than Will, it's just that I've never really believed he was really dead until the very ending.
Some new rules and regulations come out when the new Ruler, Christopher Siren, takes over, after the King and Queen are off to a diferent country to negotiate on something. Everything is very shady and a bit suspicious but, interestingly enough, no one suspects much. Recess and art classes are cancelled and a curfew is placed but no one is warned of it. And the penalty for disobeying is death. Also, a new Rainbow Rule is set in place, no colors are allowed anymore, outdoors or indoors, on anything man made, so all clothes are shades of grey and dark blue, all very boring.
Stanley sets out on a quest to find out what's going on and confront Siren about Will's death and ends up finding that the world is so much bigger and so much more interesting, that his books were very interesting indeed, but the world was so much more.He always felt like he didn't really belong anywhere, being an orphan and all, but Sophie was an orphan too (or, at least, she got dropped off at the Apothecary's door, so she might as well be) and she stayed put.
It's a fun, but not light, adventure, which can make you think about actual society. Are we questioning the orders we get? Are we trying to build our life the best way we can or are we just following what's been set out for us? What we do has a purpose or are just doing it for useless rewards?
Stanley is very charismatic and we see a real character development with both Stanley and Sophie - they learn more about themselves and more about the world, they grow, even if they are still young, they have more life experience than many grown-ups.
Overall, it's a wonderful book. Aside from my struggle at the beggining, I think it is beautiful, interesting and fun and I'm adding Book #2 to my evergrowing To Be Read pile.
I'm here today to talk to you about Ilana Waters' book "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt".
Stanley is a 10 year old boy who is a librarian in a medieval kingdom called Hartlandia, in a small town called Meadowwood. His friends, Will, the farm boy and Sophie, the Apothecary also live there. They used to go to school together and hang around, but they ended up being needed at their works and had to drop out, now they only see eachother eventually.
At first, I thought the writing rythm was too slow. I had a hard time picking up and warming up to the book, but it was when I was feeling book blocked, so that may be it. After a while, after the first third or so, I finally got into the story - that's when bad things happen and the adventure properly starts.
I had a hard time believing bad things really happened. I mean, something HAD to happen, or the adventure wouldn't start and we all know adventures would happen - it was "The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt" after all - but it was very sad and being a Bookworm, a Book Lover and a Book-A-Holic, it depressed me to no end. His best friend Will is killed and his Library is burnt t he ground. Please don't judge me for being more depressed about the Library than Will, it's just that I've never really believed he was really dead until the very ending.
Some new rules and regulations come out when the new Ruler, Christopher Siren, takes over, after the King and Queen are off to a diferent country to negotiate on something. Everything is very shady and a bit suspicious but, interestingly enough, no one suspects much. Recess and art classes are cancelled and a curfew is placed but no one is warned of it. And the penalty for disobeying is death. Also, a new Rainbow Rule is set in place, no colors are allowed anymore, outdoors or indoors, on anything man made, so all clothes are shades of grey and dark blue, all very boring.
Stanley sets out on a quest to find out what's going on and confront Siren about Will's death and ends up finding that the world is so much bigger and so much more interesting, that his books were very interesting indeed, but the world was so much more.He always felt like he didn't really belong anywhere, being an orphan and all, but Sophie was an orphan too (or, at least, she got dropped off at the Apothecary's door, so she might as well be) and she stayed put.
It's a fun, but not light, adventure, which can make you think about actual society. Are we questioning the orders we get? Are we trying to build our life the best way we can or are we just following what's been set out for us? What we do has a purpose or are just doing it for useless rewards?
Stanley is very charismatic and we see a real character development with both Stanley and Sophie - they learn more about themselves and more about the world, they grow, even if they are still young, they have more life experience than many grown-ups.
Overall, it's a wonderful book. Aside from my struggle at the beggining, I think it is beautiful, interesting and fun and I'm adding Book #2 to my evergrowing To Be Read pile.
January 29, 2013
3.5 STARS
Stanley Delacourt is a ten year old librarian who lives in Meadowwood, in the kingdom of Hartlandia. He is an orphan, but never alone thanks to his best friends Sophie and Will.
Until one day, Will is killed. When Stanley finds out the murder was committed under the authority of the kingdom's usurper, Christoper Siren, he takes off on a quest to avenge his friend's death. He soon learns that what you read in books can be very different than what is in the real world.
This is a middle grade read, and the main character is 10 years old, but I'd probably recommend it for kids 12 and up...some of the vocabulary was a bit advanced.
So, we enter the kingdom of Hartlandia. The king and queen have been gone away "on a journey" for quite some time, and in their place is an inexplicably evil man, Siren. As we meet Stanley and his friends, we see that this evil is just now descending upon Meadowwood, their home. Siren has put pointless rules in place, and the townspeople (and Will) don't even know about them until it's too late.
I did LIKE Stanley, but I never really felt a connection with him. I found his friend Sophie far more interesting. Whereas Stanley is somewhat meek, Sophie has no qualms about getting into a conflict with anyone...which is why I think I really would have loved it if she joined Stanley on his quest. But, if she had, she wouldn't have learned the truth about herself.
This is a journey novel, with odd events and people coming into Stanley's path. Some are helpful and accommodating, others, not so much. I enjoyed some of the people he met, such as Mrs. Stuffed and Oberon, but their parts in the book were pretty brief.
I know this is the first book in a series, but my main issue is that I was hoping for a bit MORE information on certain things. For example, it's not really explained why Stanley is an orphan. I also thought the ending was pretty quick and would have benefited from a bit more exposition. Siren didn't really come across as the fearsome killer everyone feared when he met Stanley. But we shall see what future books reveal.
I think kids who love Harry Potter or the Septimus Heap series will be able to pick up this book and get into it very quickly! And as long as kids are reading, I'm happy.
Stanley Delacourt is a ten year old librarian who lives in Meadowwood, in the kingdom of Hartlandia. He is an orphan, but never alone thanks to his best friends Sophie and Will.
Until one day, Will is killed. When Stanley finds out the murder was committed under the authority of the kingdom's usurper, Christoper Siren, he takes off on a quest to avenge his friend's death. He soon learns that what you read in books can be very different than what is in the real world.
This is a middle grade read, and the main character is 10 years old, but I'd probably recommend it for kids 12 and up...some of the vocabulary was a bit advanced.
So, we enter the kingdom of Hartlandia. The king and queen have been gone away "on a journey" for quite some time, and in their place is an inexplicably evil man, Siren. As we meet Stanley and his friends, we see that this evil is just now descending upon Meadowwood, their home. Siren has put pointless rules in place, and the townspeople (and Will) don't even know about them until it's too late.
I did LIKE Stanley, but I never really felt a connection with him. I found his friend Sophie far more interesting. Whereas Stanley is somewhat meek, Sophie has no qualms about getting into a conflict with anyone...which is why I think I really would have loved it if she joined Stanley on his quest. But, if she had, she wouldn't have learned the truth about herself.
This is a journey novel, with odd events and people coming into Stanley's path. Some are helpful and accommodating, others, not so much. I enjoyed some of the people he met, such as Mrs. Stuffed and Oberon, but their parts in the book were pretty brief.
I know this is the first book in a series, but my main issue is that I was hoping for a bit MORE information on certain things. For example, it's not really explained why Stanley is an orphan. I also thought the ending was pretty quick and would have benefited from a bit more exposition. Siren didn't really come across as the fearsome killer everyone feared when he met Stanley. But we shall see what future books reveal.
I think kids who love Harry Potter or the Septimus Heap series will be able to pick up this book and get into it very quickly! And as long as kids are reading, I'm happy.
Read
September 3, 2012Stanley Delacourt is a librarian, but he's not just any librarian. Raised by an elderly librarian after the death of his parents, Stanley actually lives and works in the library. Only a teen he is still an authority on every book under his care, and he commands an unusual respect for someone so young.
Stanley's life in Hartlandia is simple yet fulfilling. His friends include Sophie and Will. Sophie is an apprentice to the local apothecary. Actually, the old apothecary has pretty much retired leaving Sophie to handle the business. She is well-trained and does an excellent job, only getting frustrated with annoying customers. Will works on his grandparents' farm. Compared to his friends, Stanley and Sophie, his job is a physical one, but he has the necessary strength and stamina to do it well.
As the adventure begins, the three friends are attending the local festival. They witness a surprise win in the annual boat race and enjoy the other entertainment and delicious food of the festival. As the events are winding down, the young winner of the boat race approaches them asking for help. He has lost his winning medal in a nearby meadow. After searching a short time, Stanley and Sophie must return to their respective jobs leaving Will to continue the search.
The following morning Stanley and Sophie receive devastating news. Will is dead. It appears he has been murdered by soldiers under the command of an evil substitute ruler. Stanley and Sophie vow to avenge their friend. Not long after, Stanley's beloved library is burned to the ground by the same evil ruler, angering Stanley even further.
What follows is an adventure that takes Stanley to strange and dangerous places. He encounters an odd principal and an unusual school, magic, satyrs, and much more. Sophie who stays at home in Hartlandia has her own share of adventure as she waits impatiently for her friend's return.
THE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY DELACOURT is a new middle grade fantasy adventure by author Ilana Waters. As yet only available in ebook format, it is the beginning of a series that is sure to thrill many middle grade fantasy fans.
Stanley's life in Hartlandia is simple yet fulfilling. His friends include Sophie and Will. Sophie is an apprentice to the local apothecary. Actually, the old apothecary has pretty much retired leaving Sophie to handle the business. She is well-trained and does an excellent job, only getting frustrated with annoying customers. Will works on his grandparents' farm. Compared to his friends, Stanley and Sophie, his job is a physical one, but he has the necessary strength and stamina to do it well.
As the adventure begins, the three friends are attending the local festival. They witness a surprise win in the annual boat race and enjoy the other entertainment and delicious food of the festival. As the events are winding down, the young winner of the boat race approaches them asking for help. He has lost his winning medal in a nearby meadow. After searching a short time, Stanley and Sophie must return to their respective jobs leaving Will to continue the search.
The following morning Stanley and Sophie receive devastating news. Will is dead. It appears he has been murdered by soldiers under the command of an evil substitute ruler. Stanley and Sophie vow to avenge their friend. Not long after, Stanley's beloved library is burned to the ground by the same evil ruler, angering Stanley even further.
What follows is an adventure that takes Stanley to strange and dangerous places. He encounters an odd principal and an unusual school, magic, satyrs, and much more. Sophie who stays at home in Hartlandia has her own share of adventure as she waits impatiently for her friend's return.
THE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY DELACOURT is a new middle grade fantasy adventure by author Ilana Waters. As yet only available in ebook format, it is the beginning of a series that is sure to thrill many middle grade fantasy fans.
October 31, 2012
The author has created a world with intricate detail and what was surely a lot of research, but what I like the most is that she has managed to avoid the one thing that spoils fantasy series more than anything else: information overload. We get to know just enough at just the right time to enjoy the book, while still being curious enough about the new world to read the sequel. The characters are kind of typical in place, but I like the contrasts in the characters. I especially like all the female characters in the books. The word that describes the writing style best is: fun! I could tell the author enjoyed herself thoroughly writing the book, with its poetic flow and the actual comical poetry written in it. It was an honest effort and the style as well as the magic in the book kept reminding me over and over of Diana Wynne Jones's books. I was almost entirely sure the writer had used her as an inspiration. It wasn't the perfect book I've read: I mean, there were thing clearly inspired, arguably borrowed from other books, it wasn't the most original or unique and it wasn't written quite as impeccably as I would have liked, but it is a great book nonetheless.
For those of you, who are used to reading middle grade novels (i.e. if you are actually that age or you've never quite grown up in your head, like me) this would be quite an enjoyable book and I would certainly recommend you to try it.
Read full review here: http://peskypiksipesternomi.blogspot....
For those of you, who are used to reading middle grade novels (i.e. if you are actually that age or you've never quite grown up in your head, like me) this would be quite an enjoyable book and I would certainly recommend you to try it.
Read full review here: http://peskypiksipesternomi.blogspot....
December 21, 2012
This book is a fun coming-of-age adventure perfect for middle grade readers. I fell in love with Stanley from the first page. Maybe it's because he's a librarian like me, or maybe it's because he's had to grow up so fast (doing a man's work at the age of 10). I also loved the library that he runs. His friends are great, Sophie, who's doing a woman's work with a very feisty spirit and Will, the cheerful, reckless adventurer. It's the kind of place that I would love to spend hours, it about broke my heart when the place was burned to the ground. But it was the death of one of Stanley's best friends, Will, that really got to me. I was with Stanley all the way as he struggled with anger and confusion. Like most of us when faced with tragedy, Stanley wanted to do something about it. So he sets off on a self-imposed mission to see the Ruler of the lands, Christopher Siren, and find out what was going on with all the new ridiculous and dangerous new rules that led to Will's death. Of course, along the way, he finds more than he could have ever dreamed, including friends, enemies, and more adventure than he ever wanted. I found this to be a pleasantly page-turning read and had to keep reading until I finished it. I appreciated that while it is part of a trilogy, the book actually has a solid ending, so many series books these days don't, so I found that refreshing. I am definitely looking forward to reading more about Stanley and Sophie. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good quest story with some depth to it.
January 26, 2013
PDF Via Author for honest review
This book reminded me of Harry Potter in a way, as far as a young boy trying to find out his family background and who he is while trying to overcome a great evil by getting rid of an evil being. The characters were great and were of a wide variety. I also liked how Stanley joins forces with a friend to do what is right by the village they live in, and stop the evil leader that seems to have taken over their village/kingdom. They don't know what is really going on, but they know that whatever it is, is not right or good for the village. Stanley was a great character and I enjoyed going on the journey to the kingdom with him to see what was going on and stop the evil king. I think the book would be a great read for middle aged readers, as it is easy to follow, understand, and has the action and adventure needed to make them want to continue the story to see if Stanley succeeds in his quest. I also must say that it is a good read no matter what your age if you like adventure, epic journeys, great characters, and just an all around fun read. I enjoyed it and looked forward to jumping back in to the adventure when I had to put it down. It was very well written and written in such a way that you don't feel as though it is way "below you" to read if you are an adult reading it. Sometimes it's just fun to read young adult books and this was one of those times for me. Was a fun and easy read that was very enjoyable to me. I would recommend to anyone looking for an action and adventure packed journey to go on.
4/5 Stars!
This book reminded me of Harry Potter in a way, as far as a young boy trying to find out his family background and who he is while trying to overcome a great evil by getting rid of an evil being. The characters were great and were of a wide variety. I also liked how Stanley joins forces with a friend to do what is right by the village they live in, and stop the evil leader that seems to have taken over their village/kingdom. They don't know what is really going on, but they know that whatever it is, is not right or good for the village. Stanley was a great character and I enjoyed going on the journey to the kingdom with him to see what was going on and stop the evil king. I think the book would be a great read for middle aged readers, as it is easy to follow, understand, and has the action and adventure needed to make them want to continue the story to see if Stanley succeeds in his quest. I also must say that it is a good read no matter what your age if you like adventure, epic journeys, great characters, and just an all around fun read. I enjoyed it and looked forward to jumping back in to the adventure when I had to put it down. It was very well written and written in such a way that you don't feel as though it is way "below you" to read if you are an adult reading it. Sometimes it's just fun to read young adult books and this was one of those times for me. Was a fun and easy read that was very enjoyable to me. I would recommend to anyone looking for an action and adventure packed journey to go on.
4/5 Stars!
February 5, 2013
This story was well written and well paced, mixing in the action with character development and dialogue. Each person we meet in the story was well-defined and I didn’t feel like I was simply visiting with 20 versions of the main character. The mix of magic, small town country concerns, and touches of modernism gave this tale by Ilana Waters a unique feel. the main message throughout the book was repeated in various ways without being overbearing of turning the Story into a Lesson – Think For Yourself.
Stanley meets several good-natured beings on his trip, who gift him with various items, wisdom, or other aid. While I liked all these characters and Stanley’s interactions with them, after the second one I felt that some things were coming a little too easily to Stanley. Still, it wasn’t enough to deter me from happily finishing the book. One other minor criticism, which might not be a criticism at all for younger readers, was that the evil never seemed real to me because there were no bodies – we were simply told this person or that person was dead without actually seeing them laid out. No body, no crime. I need a cold body to believe. Once again, this minor irk wasn’t enough to keep me to enjoying the book.
Stanley meets several good-natured beings on his trip, who gift him with various items, wisdom, or other aid. While I liked all these characters and Stanley’s interactions with them, after the second one I felt that some things were coming a little too easily to Stanley. Still, it wasn’t enough to deter me from happily finishing the book. One other minor criticism, which might not be a criticism at all for younger readers, was that the evil never seemed real to me because there were no bodies – we were simply told this person or that person was dead without actually seeing them laid out. No body, no crime. I need a cold body to believe. Once again, this minor irk wasn’t enough to keep me to enjoying the book.
November 22, 2012
The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt: Book I of Hartlandia by Ilana Waters is a middle-grade story about standing up for what you believe in. An evil ruler has taken control of Hartlandia, and Stanley and his friend Sophie set out to stop it. Along the way, Stanley meets noble knights, silly professors, and the king of the elves.
The story was fun, and I instantly loved everything about it. I couldn't even tell Stanley was only ten years old until very late in the book; it wasn't childish at all. And even though it obviously has a message, it never felt soap-boxy.
The details were wonderful: the elves are cowards and that's why they keep to themselves when conflict arises; the witches spells are complex and deep poetry; and when people are losing their minds to the control of the evil king you feel as if you are as well.
I wasn't quite emotionally invested, but it was engaging nonetheless. Really a fun and adventure-filled book for young readers.
I received this book from the author for review.
The story was fun, and I instantly loved everything about it. I couldn't even tell Stanley was only ten years old until very late in the book; it wasn't childish at all. And even though it obviously has a message, it never felt soap-boxy.
The details were wonderful: the elves are cowards and that's why they keep to themselves when conflict arises; the witches spells are complex and deep poetry; and when people are losing their minds to the control of the evil king you feel as if you are as well.
I wasn't quite emotionally invested, but it was engaging nonetheless. Really a fun and adventure-filled book for young readers.
I received this book from the author for review.
November 30, 2012
The adventures of Stanley Delacourt is a good coming of age tale. We follow Stanley, a mild mannered librarian's quest to seek justice for his friend Will's death. With the help of his feisty friend Sophie who is the unofficial town apothecary, Stanley must overcome great odds to find and challenge the ruthless ruler Christopher Siren who has turned the kingdom into unpleasantville. I enjoyed this tale as we watch Stanley and Sophie grow up very fast in order to set things right in the kingdom again. I particulary loved when Stanley encounters the Fey. It was magical and I found myself wishing I could attend a Fey celebration. There is some violence so I would recommend this to the mature middle grade reader, but overall an ejoyable read.
April 14, 2013
A very cute and fun middle-grade read. It borders on dystopian, but is light enough that 8 or 9-year-olds can read and enjoy without being frightened. First in a series, kids will be eager to see where Stanley's next adventure takes him.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews