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Glory Alley and the Star Riders
Family drama with a sprinkling of magic. A tale of loss, courage and redemption.
A young spelunker from a troubled family sets out to find a priceless gem. Just as the prize appears within reach, otherworldly beings arrive to foil her plans. A battle of wits versus magic ensues, unraveling the order of the universe, and only the girl who started it all can return things back to normal. Considering her messed-up life back home, surely there's a better option than 'normal', but can she find it before time runs out?
Categories: Christian Fantasy, Family Drama, Adventure, Science Fiction, Magic, Young Adult. For ages 12 and up.
"This story is definitely at the top of the list of Sci-Fi and Fantasy books. The author draws you into a realistic dramatic family life with a little fantasy on the side. This crazy family will make you appreciate your own." ~D.R. at Ebook Review
"Glory Alley isn't a wizard, she doesn't slay vampires or zombies, but she kicks butt in her very own way. Her weapon is never giving up. Glory rocks!" ~Nicole from CO
"If you are into science fiction or fantasy books, this tops them all." ~ DB at Ebook Review ~
"A dark journey into the great unknown. It made me laugh, made me cry, and kept me guessing until the end." ~Kerry from IN
A young spelunker from a troubled family sets out to find a priceless gem. Just as the prize appears within reach, otherworldly beings arrive to foil her plans. A battle of wits versus magic ensues, unraveling the order of the universe, and only the girl who started it all can return things back to normal. Considering her messed-up life back home, surely there's a better option than 'normal', but can she find it before time runs out?
Categories: Christian Fantasy, Family Drama, Adventure, Science Fiction, Magic, Young Adult. For ages 12 and up.
"This story is definitely at the top of the list of Sci-Fi and Fantasy books. The author draws you into a realistic dramatic family life with a little fantasy on the side. This crazy family will make you appreciate your own." ~D.R. at Ebook Review
"Glory Alley isn't a wizard, she doesn't slay vampires or zombies, but she kicks butt in her very own way. Her weapon is never giving up. Glory rocks!" ~Nicole from CO
"If you are into science fiction or fantasy books, this tops them all." ~ DB at Ebook Review ~
"A dark journey into the great unknown. It made me laugh, made me cry, and kept me guessing until the end." ~Kerry from IN
First published August 4, 2012
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January 20, 2013
‘Glory Alley and the Star Riders’ is the story of a young teenaged girl who (like many young teenagers) is literally overwhelmed by problems. Her problems are both her own personal problems and her family’s problems and it is primarily the latter sort that lead her through a series of fantastic adventures in other worlds.
She wants desperately to have her dead mother back and, barring that, to have the rest of her family find a way to handle the maze of financial and personal problems that are crushing them. She wants to find a way to make these things happen and when her spelunking adventures on Queen’s Mesa lead to the discovery of an astonishingly beautiful rock she thinks she has found the key to doing just that.
What Glory discovers is that the fulfillment of her wishes for her family can come (if at all) only at the expense of a civilization which (during the course of her adventures) becomes, for her, considerably less alien that she first thought it to be. The selflessness of her motives becomes more clouded to her even as she survives one fantastic ordeal after another.
Glory is a brave, adventurous, and highly imaginative girl. She makes a believable and likable central character. Her difficulties with her schoolmates are easily recognized; so are the problems that beset her family. In one form or another, they are nearly universal. This makes the book an interesting combination of the familiar and the fantastic. I enjoyed it, for that reason, a lot more than a book which is pure fantasy and wish-fulfillment. Glory, her family, her schoolmates and even the Wybbils she meets can evoke a great deal of responsiveness in the reader. The adventures and the dangers are vivid and fantastic, but the characters seem very real. The interblending of fantasy and reality is so complete that at the end of the book the reader is left as amazed as Glory herself about what has happened to her.
This is a book which is targeted at young readers. I found it to be much less didactic than many books which are intended for that audience and that has a lot to do with why I liked it so much. I suspect that some young readers would share that feeling, but it is hard to judge how all of them or how most adult readers might respond. There are some minor editing problems, but nothing which interfered with my reading experience. I found it to be very well-written both in terms of style and integrity of the plot.
She wants desperately to have her dead mother back and, barring that, to have the rest of her family find a way to handle the maze of financial and personal problems that are crushing them. She wants to find a way to make these things happen and when her spelunking adventures on Queen’s Mesa lead to the discovery of an astonishingly beautiful rock she thinks she has found the key to doing just that.
What Glory discovers is that the fulfillment of her wishes for her family can come (if at all) only at the expense of a civilization which (during the course of her adventures) becomes, for her, considerably less alien that she first thought it to be. The selflessness of her motives becomes more clouded to her even as she survives one fantastic ordeal after another.
Glory is a brave, adventurous, and highly imaginative girl. She makes a believable and likable central character. Her difficulties with her schoolmates are easily recognized; so are the problems that beset her family. In one form or another, they are nearly universal. This makes the book an interesting combination of the familiar and the fantastic. I enjoyed it, for that reason, a lot more than a book which is pure fantasy and wish-fulfillment. Glory, her family, her schoolmates and even the Wybbils she meets can evoke a great deal of responsiveness in the reader. The adventures and the dangers are vivid and fantastic, but the characters seem very real. The interblending of fantasy and reality is so complete that at the end of the book the reader is left as amazed as Glory herself about what has happened to her.
This is a book which is targeted at young readers. I found it to be much less didactic than many books which are intended for that audience and that has a lot to do with why I liked it so much. I suspect that some young readers would share that feeling, but it is hard to judge how all of them or how most adult readers might respond. There are some minor editing problems, but nothing which interfered with my reading experience. I found it to be very well-written both in terms of style and integrity of the plot.
January 25, 2013
According to legend, Wybbils are small hairy creatures who live deep underground in caves. Ancient people both feared and venerated them. It is said that Wybbils leave their tunnels at night to snatch Tullahn children from their beds and bring them to their lair.
A girl rock collector risks everything for the chance at a better life.
This story takes place on a world very similar to ours. The inhabitants are as human as you and I, just trying to make their way in their world.
Glory and her best friend, Crash, have agreed. They will meet at “the pools” of Queen’s Mesa. There’s got to be some really good stones in the cavern. Glory just knows she’ll find what she’s looking for there.
Glory arrives ahead of Crash and breaks the rules. She enters the cave alone and makes her way to the pools. And there it is. The stone that will save her family. Little does she know that by taking this stone she may be able to save her family, but she could be destroying another world.
This is no ordinary stone. It’s absence wreaks havoc on another world and the guardians have come to take it back. Glory is not a mean girl despite the abuse she receives from her father and her siblings. Since her mother’s death, her family has been dying a little death too and she needs to sell the stone before they foreclose on her home. She stalls the guardians while she tries to find a solution. But time is running out.
This is not my usual genre to read, but I’ve been reading “outside the box” lately and I’ve discovered some wonderful authors and their books.
Glory’s life is not pretty. She’s bullied at school, her older sister has no time for her, her brothers like to torture her and her Dad is in an alcohol induced fog most of the time, when he’s not swinging his fists or his belt The only good things in her life are her best friend, Crash, and her baby brother, George.
I really feel for Glory. All she wants is to have her family back the way they used to be. She’s bold and wise beyond her years. Her connection to her brother George is so sweet. I’ll let the author show you.
"Three-year-old George perched on a stool, trying to string white puffs of popcorn. Face streaked with jam, he sat there in a diaper and nothing else. Glory knew from experience that her little brother defied all clothing. He had a stubborn streak, but she liked that about him. His messy hair was in need of a trim and looked like delicate threads of gold when it caught the light. Glory paused in the doorway quietly singing his name.
“Georg-eee.”
He jerked to attention. “Gwo-wee?” A smile of recognition spread across his face until he forgot the task at hand and stabbed his finger with the needle. “Ow?” He held out his injury for her to see. “Gwo-wee?”
Glory carried him to the sink, washing the dot of blood under the faucet. He cried, offering his wounded finger. “Kiss.”
Glory kissed it. “Better?”
“Uh-huh.” He nodded, giving thanks with a runny-nosed peck on the cheek."
Now that’s showing me something! My face broke out in a smile when I read this. The quality of the author’s writing spills from the pages, taking you deeper into Glory’s story.
You’ll meet a really scary dog-wolf creature, some strange beings, kind of like munchkins, and visit a mysterious, magical world filled with wonders and perils.
Glory Alley and the Star Riders brought some magic to me, like a fountain of youth. I felt the wonder of seeing( or reading) through young eyes. Kind of like falling down the rabbit hole or going somewhere over the rainbow.
This book is great for all ages. A good, clean, scifi/fantasy. I’ll be following this series.
Oh, even though this is the first book in a series, the author wraps it up nicely and gives you an astonishing ending to this chapter in Glory’s journey.
A girl rock collector risks everything for the chance at a better life.
This story takes place on a world very similar to ours. The inhabitants are as human as you and I, just trying to make their way in their world.
Glory and her best friend, Crash, have agreed. They will meet at “the pools” of Queen’s Mesa. There’s got to be some really good stones in the cavern. Glory just knows she’ll find what she’s looking for there.
Glory arrives ahead of Crash and breaks the rules. She enters the cave alone and makes her way to the pools. And there it is. The stone that will save her family. Little does she know that by taking this stone she may be able to save her family, but she could be destroying another world.
This is no ordinary stone. It’s absence wreaks havoc on another world and the guardians have come to take it back. Glory is not a mean girl despite the abuse she receives from her father and her siblings. Since her mother’s death, her family has been dying a little death too and she needs to sell the stone before they foreclose on her home. She stalls the guardians while she tries to find a solution. But time is running out.
This is not my usual genre to read, but I’ve been reading “outside the box” lately and I’ve discovered some wonderful authors and their books.
Glory’s life is not pretty. She’s bullied at school, her older sister has no time for her, her brothers like to torture her and her Dad is in an alcohol induced fog most of the time, when he’s not swinging his fists or his belt The only good things in her life are her best friend, Crash, and her baby brother, George.
I really feel for Glory. All she wants is to have her family back the way they used to be. She’s bold and wise beyond her years. Her connection to her brother George is so sweet. I’ll let the author show you.
"Three-year-old George perched on a stool, trying to string white puffs of popcorn. Face streaked with jam, he sat there in a diaper and nothing else. Glory knew from experience that her little brother defied all clothing. He had a stubborn streak, but she liked that about him. His messy hair was in need of a trim and looked like delicate threads of gold when it caught the light. Glory paused in the doorway quietly singing his name.
“Georg-eee.”
He jerked to attention. “Gwo-wee?” A smile of recognition spread across his face until he forgot the task at hand and stabbed his finger with the needle. “Ow?” He held out his injury for her to see. “Gwo-wee?”
Glory carried him to the sink, washing the dot of blood under the faucet. He cried, offering his wounded finger. “Kiss.”
Glory kissed it. “Better?”
“Uh-huh.” He nodded, giving thanks with a runny-nosed peck on the cheek."
Now that’s showing me something! My face broke out in a smile when I read this. The quality of the author’s writing spills from the pages, taking you deeper into Glory’s story.
You’ll meet a really scary dog-wolf creature, some strange beings, kind of like munchkins, and visit a mysterious, magical world filled with wonders and perils.
Glory Alley and the Star Riders brought some magic to me, like a fountain of youth. I felt the wonder of seeing( or reading) through young eyes. Kind of like falling down the rabbit hole or going somewhere over the rainbow.
This book is great for all ages. A good, clean, scifi/fantasy. I’ll be following this series.
Oh, even though this is the first book in a series, the author wraps it up nicely and gives you an astonishing ending to this chapter in Glory’s journey.
February 2, 2013
This book was more than I expected. First, it is a modern fantasy about a sad and sometimes violent family. Second, it is a classic “every man’s” spiritual journey, a sci-fi Pilgrim’s Progress if you will. The main character travels beyond the physical realm to give us on a soul-stirring experience as well. The story begins a few years after Glory Alley’s mother had died. In the wake of this unfolding tragedy her father has become an alcoholic. Her three older brothers and a sister engage in self-destructive behavior. Everyone in the Alley family seems to have little hope for the future ... that is everyone except for Glory. Although she’s unpopular at school, overweight and the butt of jokes at home, she has a clear sense of purpose, which includes healing her broken family. The star riders arrive thinking they will take the Elboni Stone away from her without a fight, but they have met their match in Glory who is determined to use the stones magic in hopes of improving her family's circumstances. The plot is unique and kept me guessing until the very end.
The writing style is crisp and easy to follow. Another reviewer didn’t like the dialogue, but I do not share her opinion. I thought the conversations were snappy and authentic. But what makes this novel a standout is the way the Christian elements are so naturally woven into the fabric of the landscape, integrating into the scenes without drawing attention to themselves. My background in theology gave me an edge in spotting them (plus it helps that I have read the online glossary ... wink). The Elboni Stone symbolizes God. The names of the three star riders mirror the Three Persons of the Trinity. Bone = the Father. Needle = the Son. White Feather = the Holy Spirit. The Weinling, the creature who swims in a lake of fire, is lifted from the pages of the Old Testament … the Leviathan. It lives in a place called the Wein ... a cosmic hell where aliens and humans alike are tormented in the afterlife. The author certainly doesn’t sugarcoat. The Hoougla is a demonic being that tries to keep Glory from taking the Elboni for herself … mirroring how devils works on earth to keep people away from God. These are just a few of the connections I found. Themes on loyalty, death, hope and resurrection are also there. From start to finish this book was a pleasure to read and ponder. Unfortunately, as the animosity toward Christianity grows this genre frequently gets a bashing. In my opinion, we need more like this one.
The writing style is crisp and easy to follow. Another reviewer didn’t like the dialogue, but I do not share her opinion. I thought the conversations were snappy and authentic. But what makes this novel a standout is the way the Christian elements are so naturally woven into the fabric of the landscape, integrating into the scenes without drawing attention to themselves. My background in theology gave me an edge in spotting them (plus it helps that I have read the online glossary ... wink). The Elboni Stone symbolizes God. The names of the three star riders mirror the Three Persons of the Trinity. Bone = the Father. Needle = the Son. White Feather = the Holy Spirit. The Weinling, the creature who swims in a lake of fire, is lifted from the pages of the Old Testament … the Leviathan. It lives in a place called the Wein ... a cosmic hell where aliens and humans alike are tormented in the afterlife. The author certainly doesn’t sugarcoat. The Hoougla is a demonic being that tries to keep Glory from taking the Elboni for herself … mirroring how devils works on earth to keep people away from God. These are just a few of the connections I found. Themes on loyalty, death, hope and resurrection are also there. From start to finish this book was a pleasure to read and ponder. Unfortunately, as the animosity toward Christianity grows this genre frequently gets a bashing. In my opinion, we need more like this one.
January 28, 2013
Glory Alley has more than her fair share of problems: she's overweight, her classmates pick on her, and even worse, her mother is dead. To call her family dysfunctional would be an insult to all the dysfunctional families on the planet Tullah. But there's hope. Glory has found a magical rock with the power to set everything right. If only those darn Wybbils didn't want it back so bad.
In fantasy writing, one of the most difficult tasks for the author is to create a unique, fantastic, but plausible world. C. Deanna Verhoff succeeds in creating two interesting worlds. Tullah is a lot like Earth. Verhoff describes it as a sister-planet to ours. Tullah is inhabited by humans, and their speech, customs, and technology is similar to ours with few differences. What I enjoyed most were the small differences in speech that Verhoff created. For both the narrative and dialogue, Verhoff invents a dialect that is just different enough from American English to make the Tullahns sound different, but not so different as to sound alien. What I found most impressive was that she did this consistently through the novel, which is something I would find hard to do. In contrast, the world of the Wybills is completely alien. It is a world run by magic, not science. And Verhoff likewise does an admirable job creating both their world and their dialect.
Like her world building, Verhoff's characters are colorful and interesting. The protagonist, Glory, is morally flawed. The Wybbils, while proclaiming their moral superiority over Tullahns, come across as self-righteous and condescending. And, Glory's best friend, Clash, is likewise an imperfect character. Both the Wybbils and Glory make selfish decisions.
However, Glory's decisions bothered me. Though Glory's intention to help her family's plight could be considered noble, her actions risked the extinction of an entire species. Furthermore, her character didn't seem to develop enough to appreciate the level of selfishness it would take to risk the extinction of an entire race. I would have preferred to have seen her grow more as a person.
I recommend this book for older teens. The book is a well-written, fun read. It left me wanting to get the next book. I am hopeful to see Glory grow more as a person.
In fantasy writing, one of the most difficult tasks for the author is to create a unique, fantastic, but plausible world. C. Deanna Verhoff succeeds in creating two interesting worlds. Tullah is a lot like Earth. Verhoff describes it as a sister-planet to ours. Tullah is inhabited by humans, and their speech, customs, and technology is similar to ours with few differences. What I enjoyed most were the small differences in speech that Verhoff created. For both the narrative and dialogue, Verhoff invents a dialect that is just different enough from American English to make the Tullahns sound different, but not so different as to sound alien. What I found most impressive was that she did this consistently through the novel, which is something I would find hard to do. In contrast, the world of the Wybills is completely alien. It is a world run by magic, not science. And Verhoff likewise does an admirable job creating both their world and their dialect.
Like her world building, Verhoff's characters are colorful and interesting. The protagonist, Glory, is morally flawed. The Wybbils, while proclaiming their moral superiority over Tullahns, come across as self-righteous and condescending. And, Glory's best friend, Clash, is likewise an imperfect character. Both the Wybbils and Glory make selfish decisions.
However, Glory's decisions bothered me. Though Glory's intention to help her family's plight could be considered noble, her actions risked the extinction of an entire species. Furthermore, her character didn't seem to develop enough to appreciate the level of selfishness it would take to risk the extinction of an entire race. I would have preferred to have seen her grow more as a person.
I recommend this book for older teens. The book is a well-written, fun read. It left me wanting to get the next book. I am hopeful to see Glory grow more as a person.
January 12, 2013
First off, let me preface my review with the fact that this is a story for kids, and I haven't been one in a very long time. So my review may not compare to a young child's, and it's the viewpoint of the demographic that the author is trying to reach that matters most (not mine).
That being said, this book has many flaws. The story needs better proofreading as it is scattered with misused words and missing punctuations. But that is structural and easy to fix. The plot and style is what needs the most addressing. At times, Deanna writes a scene - and I realize that she knows what she's trying to describe, but I as the reader couldn't imagine what she was trying to impart. So, if she could keep the reader in mind, I think that might help her to write in a clearer style. The plot also, from my adult perspective, needs work. The story takes place on another world, and yet it is nearly exactly like earth in language, attitudes and culture. I can accept that there could be some evolutionary convergence going on. But things are just too similar, and I at no time felt I was transported to another place and time. This was only more solidified in the fact that the planet, Tullah, has Christmas - only by another name. I would have liked to have seen the author stretch her imagination and really create a world that felt more unique and different.
There is no real antagonist in this story; therefore, there's no character to hate and hope that he/she fails in their endeavors. The story itself did not really grab my attention until chapter four, and on the upside, from that point on there were intermittent times in the story where I read with interest and I felt that Deanna was starting to get somewhere in her storytelling. So I give her kudos for that. I think there's a lot of "filler" here, and the whole thing would read better if she cut a lot of things out that don't advance the plot. So, my suggestion would be to revisit the story and do some re-writing. If that was done, this book could be much improved and children would enjoy reading it.
That being said, this book has many flaws. The story needs better proofreading as it is scattered with misused words and missing punctuations. But that is structural and easy to fix. The plot and style is what needs the most addressing. At times, Deanna writes a scene - and I realize that she knows what she's trying to describe, but I as the reader couldn't imagine what she was trying to impart. So, if she could keep the reader in mind, I think that might help her to write in a clearer style. The plot also, from my adult perspective, needs work. The story takes place on another world, and yet it is nearly exactly like earth in language, attitudes and culture. I can accept that there could be some evolutionary convergence going on. But things are just too similar, and I at no time felt I was transported to another place and time. This was only more solidified in the fact that the planet, Tullah, has Christmas - only by another name. I would have liked to have seen the author stretch her imagination and really create a world that felt more unique and different.
There is no real antagonist in this story; therefore, there's no character to hate and hope that he/she fails in their endeavors. The story itself did not really grab my attention until chapter four, and on the upside, from that point on there were intermittent times in the story where I read with interest and I felt that Deanna was starting to get somewhere in her storytelling. So I give her kudos for that. I think there's a lot of "filler" here, and the whole thing would read better if she cut a lot of things out that don't advance the plot. So, my suggestion would be to revisit the story and do some re-writing. If that was done, this book could be much improved and children would enjoy reading it.
December 6, 2015
This book was great I enjoyed it very much. I loved the characters and the story line and the setting. You should check out this book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
May 18, 2018
I just love it when someone gets this whole "writing a book thing" so freaking right!
I've been meaning to write a proper review for this book for a while. First off, I finished reading this end of December 2012. Usually, the more time that passes after reading a book, the more obvious its flaws become. The magic of the worlds wear off, and you start to analyze it with a leveler head. That was NOT the case with Glory Alley and the Star Riders. I'm still reeling in the absolute genius of it all. It's just as magical and evocative as ever, even two months after finishing it.
***The following may contain spoilers****
Glory Alley was a PERFECT MC. Flawed, but endearing.I thought her voice matched up to her age perfectly. At the start of the novel she's desperate for a lucky break, and spends her time spelunking in what they call the Queen's Mesa in the hopes of finding precious rocks. She very naively believes that striking it rich will solve all of her families problems, which are many. In a novel, the reader is usually one step ahead of the character. There's the moment in which the reader understands something before the character does, and then the moment when character finally understands it for themselves. For Glory, she needed to realize that the notion of money solving all of her problems was a false and greedy one. She did actually come to this, but I think it could have been a bit sooner. This is a really minor flaw, in my eyes. I think Glory's brilliant.
The sci-fi/fantasy element was fresh, brilliant, and 100% believable. I thought the idea of different worlds being on a spectrum scale, and them all being connected together by the same magic was beyond amazing. Glory lives on Tullah, a planet like Earth, which is at the bottom of the spectrum, in the Indigo realm. The technology is similar to that of Earth's since they are both Indigo planets. The author gives us a glimpse of planets higher on the spectrum; worlds in which magic is as vital as the air their inhabitants breathe. It was a beautiful idea, and it was execute so brilliantly. I know, I use that word a lot. But what can I say?? This. Was. BRILLIANT!!
I should also note that, in my opinion, Ms. Verhoff is one of the most accomplished and accessible writers of this age, and it is an absolute shame that both she and her novel aren't receiving higher acclaim. The writing is solid; beautiful but not flowery; introspective but never rambling or redundant. She just seems to know when enough is enough, and I love that to death. The story was well thought out from start to finish, and amidst all the world hopping and adventure, the moral and the thread of the story were never lost. Every question that needed to be answered was answered. I just got lost in the story right away and couldn't put it down.
I'll admit there are some typos, especially later in the story (calling her good friend Clash by Matthew's name on accident when they are in the Bamboozle together) but the integrity of this book is not lost just because of it. I understand that without an editor, self-published novels are more likely to contain mistakes.
The ending for me was bittersweet. At first, I didn't think I'd like it, because I felt like too many good things were being lost, and that it might turn out to be a bibbidy-bobbidy-boo fix-all ending. That was until I got to the last couple pages, and the author redeemed it on so many levels. I'm so excited to see where the story goes in future books. I feel like Tullah is going to change so much, and I'm excited to know that in the end, something huge might come of Glory's actions. There were also a few things left purposefully unresolved, but the reader understands that resolution is to come.
At this point, the author has my complete confidence. I really trust her to finish this story off in a satisfactory manor. I'm so excited to read more.
I've been meaning to write a proper review for this book for a while. First off, I finished reading this end of December 2012. Usually, the more time that passes after reading a book, the more obvious its flaws become. The magic of the worlds wear off, and you start to analyze it with a leveler head. That was NOT the case with Glory Alley and the Star Riders. I'm still reeling in the absolute genius of it all. It's just as magical and evocative as ever, even two months after finishing it.
***The following may contain spoilers****
Glory Alley was a PERFECT MC. Flawed, but endearing.I thought her voice matched up to her age perfectly. At the start of the novel she's desperate for a lucky break, and spends her time spelunking in what they call the Queen's Mesa in the hopes of finding precious rocks. She very naively believes that striking it rich will solve all of her families problems, which are many. In a novel, the reader is usually one step ahead of the character. There's the moment in which the reader understands something before the character does, and then the moment when character finally understands it for themselves. For Glory, she needed to realize that the notion of money solving all of her problems was a false and greedy one. She did actually come to this, but I think it could have been a bit sooner. This is a really minor flaw, in my eyes. I think Glory's brilliant.
The sci-fi/fantasy element was fresh, brilliant, and 100% believable. I thought the idea of different worlds being on a spectrum scale, and them all being connected together by the same magic was beyond amazing. Glory lives on Tullah, a planet like Earth, which is at the bottom of the spectrum, in the Indigo realm. The technology is similar to that of Earth's since they are both Indigo planets. The author gives us a glimpse of planets higher on the spectrum; worlds in which magic is as vital as the air their inhabitants breathe. It was a beautiful idea, and it was execute so brilliantly. I know, I use that word a lot. But what can I say?? This. Was. BRILLIANT!!
I should also note that, in my opinion, Ms. Verhoff is one of the most accomplished and accessible writers of this age, and it is an absolute shame that both she and her novel aren't receiving higher acclaim. The writing is solid; beautiful but not flowery; introspective but never rambling or redundant. She just seems to know when enough is enough, and I love that to death. The story was well thought out from start to finish, and amidst all the world hopping and adventure, the moral and the thread of the story were never lost. Every question that needed to be answered was answered. I just got lost in the story right away and couldn't put it down.
I'll admit there are some typos, especially later in the story (calling her good friend Clash by Matthew's name on accident when they are in the Bamboozle together) but the integrity of this book is not lost just because of it. I understand that without an editor, self-published novels are more likely to contain mistakes.
The ending for me was bittersweet. At first, I didn't think I'd like it, because I felt like too many good things were being lost, and that it might turn out to be a bibbidy-bobbidy-boo fix-all ending. That was until I got to the last couple pages, and the author redeemed it on so many levels. I'm so excited to see where the story goes in future books. I feel like Tullah is going to change so much, and I'm excited to know that in the end, something huge might come of Glory's actions. There were also a few things left purposefully unresolved, but the reader understands that resolution is to come.
At this point, the author has my complete confidence. I really trust her to finish this story off in a satisfactory manor. I'm so excited to read more.
January 9, 2013
Deanna did well combining sci-fi and fantasy together. The lore and aspects that she used to build up the story really tells one how much thought she put into it, which would naturally create a wonderful story such as this.
I enjoyed how creative she was with the sci-fi 'modern era' part of the story (such as using 'credits', 'Silvers', Springboards, etc.) but felt that she didn't go far enough for the first book. This was understandable after reaching the second part where the real fantasy began. The 'rules' that Glory Alley had to deal with (as well as what she needed to do to get her wish) was something that makes the story itself interesting and 'not easy'. She tries to better understand the culture of the Wybbils which leads her to troubling situations leading to awkward humor.
Humor in general is all around and one will enjoy a few laughs. But the Alley's family situation is naturally sad for both the plot and what drives Glory to 'get the prize' that she must work for.
However,
Deanna's use of the dialog was confusing at times as well as the writing in general. A handful of typos/errors really bothered me as well as the 'thinking dialog'; it was never clear or stood out that she was 'thinking' of something that would confuse a reader. One thing that I didn't really like was the 'convenient' situation or actions that would cause more trouble for Glory whether by herself or by another character.
One particular example was Clash 'stepping into trouble' (literally) end of the story and being careless which nearly cost Glory success at what she needed to achieve.
So I honestly MUST SUGGEST that Deanna must re-read to see the writing errors in her story in order for one to really enjoy it. My 12 year old cousin was actually curious about this story and I would have recommend this for him had the writing was sharper. I take 2 stars but keep 3 because of the amount of work that Deanna placed in this story with the fantasy and sci-fi as well as plot~
I enjoyed how creative she was with the sci-fi 'modern era' part of the story (such as using 'credits', 'Silvers', Springboards, etc.) but felt that she didn't go far enough for the first book. This was understandable after reaching the second part where the real fantasy began. The 'rules' that Glory Alley had to deal with (as well as what she needed to do to get her wish) was something that makes the story itself interesting and 'not easy'. She tries to better understand the culture of the Wybbils which leads her to troubling situations leading to awkward humor.
Humor in general is all around and one will enjoy a few laughs. But the Alley's family situation is naturally sad for both the plot and what drives Glory to 'get the prize' that she must work for.
However,
Deanna's use of the dialog was confusing at times as well as the writing in general. A handful of typos/errors really bothered me as well as the 'thinking dialog'; it was never clear or stood out that she was 'thinking' of something that would confuse a reader. One thing that I didn't really like was the 'convenient' situation or actions that would cause more trouble for Glory whether by herself or by another character.
One particular example was Clash 'stepping into trouble' (literally) end of the story and being careless which nearly cost Glory success at what she needed to achieve.
So I honestly MUST SUGGEST that Deanna must re-read to see the writing errors in her story in order for one to really enjoy it. My 12 year old cousin was actually curious about this story and I would have recommend this for him had the writing was sharper. I take 2 stars but keep 3 because of the amount of work that Deanna placed in this story with the fantasy and sci-fi as well as plot~
January 27, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even stayed up late to finish it, but I was so upset by the ending. What about Clash? I understand why he isn't a part of her life now, but you came up with a solution to George. Couldn't you have somehow saved her PIC & FTTE? I received this book through goodreads and will look for #2 in the series hoping something is done with Clash in the future.
January 13, 2013
I read this book in one day. It was very entertaining and am looking forward to reading more books in this series should there be more. I got a kick out of Spunky Glory and her interactions with the Star Riders. Some punctuation issues, but all and all, a very good read.
January 14, 2013
This was a great book. It takes a few pages to get into the story, but when you do, it does NOT disappoint. I can't wait to read more from this author! :)
June 30, 2016
http://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2016/06/...
In truth, this review should have been up a month ago. Shame on me for finally getting to it.
The author contacted me about reviewing this book for her a few months ago. I will admit, I was instantly interested in this book based on the title alone. I mean, come on! The Wish Thief! Isn't that just epic? I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its title, but I think I may have. It sounded awesome. And then I went and looked it up, and judged the book by its cover, too. It sounded even more awesome. Of course I agreed to review it.
All in all, this was one really cool adventure. Bits of it reminded me of Narnia, as Glory underwent tests and met interesting people in a new world. Other parts reminded me of a dystopian novel. There was even some sci-fi flair in there as well. Basically, a little bit of everything to please any reader.
Glory Alley isn't your typical heroine. In fact, for most of the book, she's not even the heroine. She's the bad guy. But the good guy all at the same time. Fascinating how that works. The fate of a world and perhaps much more of the universe rests in her hands, and her thoughts are for her family. That's one thing that I really liked about Glory. She's got a very keen love for her family, despite the hard times and arguments. Whatever she does, she does for her family.
The whole concept of the wish thief is so cool, and it got cooler with every page. Seriously. I could rave about that, but I won't. You'll just have to read that to figure it all out. Spoilers, ya know.
Most of the action goes along pretty quickly, and it's easy to get lost in the adventure. There was a section toward the middle where Glory is learning of the other worlds and the Elboni that is a lot of talking and information. There, the pace does slow down, and it gets a bit difficult to wade through, but its worth getting through. Trust me.
Also, shout-out to fantastic secondary characters! Clash was awesome. Which is why we need a sequel to this novel. And more of George. Which is also another reason for a sequel. *cough*
Advisory: Various characters use "fake profanity" and swear and cuss. Also, some adult comments from time to time.
In addition, there is a scene where a character appears before people naked. Nothing is described, but following are multiple comments related to the unfortunate event. Just something to be aware of.
As far as the magic is concerned (because magic is a big part of this story), it was the same as the magic in Narnia and similar stories. Glory comes from a world that doesn't use magic, so she doesn't know anything of it. It's not until she visits another world that she becomes aware of its existence. And even there, magic has strict regulations.
This book is categorized as "Christian Fiction" because it contains a lot of symbolism. At the end of the book, the author included a section explaining the symbols in depth. While I can't say I personally agree with all of it, I really enjoyed reading through that and understanding the story at a deeper level.
*Please note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
In truth, this review should have been up a month ago. Shame on me for finally getting to it.
The author contacted me about reviewing this book for her a few months ago. I will admit, I was instantly interested in this book based on the title alone. I mean, come on! The Wish Thief! Isn't that just epic? I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its title, but I think I may have. It sounded awesome. And then I went and looked it up, and judged the book by its cover, too. It sounded even more awesome. Of course I agreed to review it.
All in all, this was one really cool adventure. Bits of it reminded me of Narnia, as Glory underwent tests and met interesting people in a new world. Other parts reminded me of a dystopian novel. There was even some sci-fi flair in there as well. Basically, a little bit of everything to please any reader.
Glory Alley isn't your typical heroine. In fact, for most of the book, she's not even the heroine. She's the bad guy. But the good guy all at the same time. Fascinating how that works. The fate of a world and perhaps much more of the universe rests in her hands, and her thoughts are for her family. That's one thing that I really liked about Glory. She's got a very keen love for her family, despite the hard times and arguments. Whatever she does, she does for her family.
The whole concept of the wish thief is so cool, and it got cooler with every page. Seriously. I could rave about that, but I won't. You'll just have to read that to figure it all out. Spoilers, ya know.
Most of the action goes along pretty quickly, and it's easy to get lost in the adventure. There was a section toward the middle where Glory is learning of the other worlds and the Elboni that is a lot of talking and information. There, the pace does slow down, and it gets a bit difficult to wade through, but its worth getting through. Trust me.
Also, shout-out to fantastic secondary characters! Clash was awesome. Which is why we need a sequel to this novel. And more of George. Which is also another reason for a sequel. *cough*
Advisory: Various characters use "fake profanity" and swear and cuss. Also, some adult comments from time to time.
In addition, there is a scene where a character appears before people naked. Nothing is described, but following are multiple comments related to the unfortunate event. Just something to be aware of.
As far as the magic is concerned (because magic is a big part of this story), it was the same as the magic in Narnia and similar stories. Glory comes from a world that doesn't use magic, so she doesn't know anything of it. It's not until she visits another world that she becomes aware of its existence. And even there, magic has strict regulations.
This book is categorized as "Christian Fiction" because it contains a lot of symbolism. At the end of the book, the author included a section explaining the symbols in depth. While I can't say I personally agree with all of it, I really enjoyed reading through that and understanding the story at a deeper level.
*Please note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
November 28, 2012
Glory Alley's family is far from spectacular, with her father constantly drinking and her siblings in and out of trouble. Glory is bound and determined to become a geologist so she can become rich and solve all of her families problems. One day exploring the caves in Queen's Mesa, she discovers a stone, the Elboni, so amazing that she wholeheartedly believes it is the answer to her problems. Glory's theft triggered 3 star riders, interplanetary travelers, to seek her out and have her return the Elboni to its rightful place. Not wanting to do so, Glory learns from her grandfather that binding a star rider will grant the binder one wish. Glory attempts to learn the secrets of the binding ritual while the star riders desperately try to convince her to return the Elboni.
The book is a mix of family drama and fantasy that progresses quickly (and sometimes too quickly - many of the chapters were short and left me wanting more detail). The description of Glory's family paints a vivid picture of her gloomy surroundings. I enjoyed the idea of all the planets connected on a spectrum and would have loved more detail on other planets, even if it was merely a sentence in passing from the star riders. Glory's home life made me quite sad and it broke my heart that she believed this magical rock would solve all her problems. Her father is abusive and she made constant excuses to justify his behavior. She came off as very self centered and refused to listen to star riders as they explained how her actions were leading to the destruction of their planet.
(I received this book as part of Goodread's First Reads giveaway.)
The book is a mix of family drama and fantasy that progresses quickly (and sometimes too quickly - many of the chapters were short and left me wanting more detail). The description of Glory's family paints a vivid picture of her gloomy surroundings. I enjoyed the idea of all the planets connected on a spectrum and would have loved more detail on other planets, even if it was merely a sentence in passing from the star riders. Glory's home life made me quite sad and it broke my heart that she believed this magical rock would solve all her problems. Her father is abusive and she made constant excuses to justify his behavior. She came off as very self centered and refused to listen to star riders as they explained how her actions were leading to the destruction of their planet.
(I received this book as part of Goodread's First Reads giveaway.)
March 8, 2016
The Wish Thief } This story had me feeling like a kid again. It is Alice in Wonderland, Goonies, a little of the Wizard of Oz, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape all rolled into one. The story is Awesome! It is steady paced and very easy to follow. It would make a fantastic family movie.
Glory Alley's family and life are very hard to handle for some, but there a lot of families just like hers out there today, sad. This story takes place on a planet just like ours. Collecting rocks of different kinds is her passion and get away, until she found a rock so unusual and beautiful, that she had to give it to her Mother for her Birthday. Thats when her adventure began!
There were little men and a Queen of sorts, from another planet. They wanted that special rock she found and gave to her Mother. Why???? Could this rock be magical? Could this rock allow her to make a wish? Could this rock change her life forever, good or bad? Glory had so many questions. She had to prove herself and figure out the 8 steps she needed or so she thought, to get what she really wants. It was like a trip down the rabbit whole and following the yellow brick road.
At points the story had me cheering Glory on. At some points it had me in tears. At some points it had me scared for her. And at some points it had me smiling and happy for her. As I was there watching her do and go through every thing she had to, I felt like her friend, Mother and helper of sorts. I was drawn into every aspect of the story.
This story is full of fun, suprises, family good times and bad, adventure, faith in ones self, true friendship, and courage. It is a wonderful story for people of all ages. I was blown away by how the author captured the true esence of a young child determined to help her family, no matter if it was her life in exchange. A lot of hard lessions learned along the way.
I enjoyed this book to no end! The Author mentioned possibly a second book, I sure hope so. I would love to be one of the ones to read a review it. It captivated my mind and I was a kids lost in a wonderful story that I wished would never end! Amazing!
Glory Alley's family and life are very hard to handle for some, but there a lot of families just like hers out there today, sad. This story takes place on a planet just like ours. Collecting rocks of different kinds is her passion and get away, until she found a rock so unusual and beautiful, that she had to give it to her Mother for her Birthday. Thats when her adventure began!
There were little men and a Queen of sorts, from another planet. They wanted that special rock she found and gave to her Mother. Why???? Could this rock be magical? Could this rock allow her to make a wish? Could this rock change her life forever, good or bad? Glory had so many questions. She had to prove herself and figure out the 8 steps she needed or so she thought, to get what she really wants. It was like a trip down the rabbit whole and following the yellow brick road.
At points the story had me cheering Glory on. At some points it had me in tears. At some points it had me scared for her. And at some points it had me smiling and happy for her. As I was there watching her do and go through every thing she had to, I felt like her friend, Mother and helper of sorts. I was drawn into every aspect of the story.
This story is full of fun, suprises, family good times and bad, adventure, faith in ones self, true friendship, and courage. It is a wonderful story for people of all ages. I was blown away by how the author captured the true esence of a young child determined to help her family, no matter if it was her life in exchange. A lot of hard lessions learned along the way.
I enjoyed this book to no end! The Author mentioned possibly a second book, I sure hope so. I would love to be one of the ones to read a review it. It captivated my mind and I was a kids lost in a wonderful story that I wished would never end! Amazing!
August 19, 2016
I read the basic description when the cover caught my attention, and agreed to write an honest review in return for a copy of the book... here goes.
I kept wanting to like this book, but all the little things kept piling up.
It's not an awful book, I'll say that much. It is readable, though with multiple editorial errors, from spelling and grammar, to punctuation and misused words, to at least one instance I can think of where it appeared the scene was written multiple times and pieced together badly, such that someone was there... then not... then back as if always there.
Aside from that, there is the multiple instances of fat shaming. While I acknowledge it happens in real life, and telling a story with real life elements can make it feel more real, this is a book aimed at our youth, a youth I would hope we are trying to teach better. The were no consequences for the hurtful words. Something should have been said...
Lastly, while I do enjoy symbols in stories, using so many of them to so obviously preach doesn't make a good christian story, it doesn't make a good story. Threatening a girl with hell, with death, with a death that leaves nothing behind, to get what you want (regardless of the supposed background reasons) is not okay. And to end it all with the supposed happily ever after that removes her best friend, and that loss is barely an afterthought, is horrible.
While I thank the author for the opportunity to read this book for free, I cannot recommend it to anyone I know, and warn anyone else who may read this, that unless you believe more in shoehorning religion into a story, than a story on its own, this likely isn't worth your time.
I kept wanting to like this book, but all the little things kept piling up.
It's not an awful book, I'll say that much. It is readable, though with multiple editorial errors, from spelling and grammar, to punctuation and misused words, to at least one instance I can think of where it appeared the scene was written multiple times and pieced together badly, such that someone was there... then not... then back as if always there.
Aside from that, there is the multiple instances of fat shaming. While I acknowledge it happens in real life, and telling a story with real life elements can make it feel more real, this is a book aimed at our youth, a youth I would hope we are trying to teach better. The were no consequences for the hurtful words. Something should have been said...
Lastly, while I do enjoy symbols in stories, using so many of them to so obviously preach doesn't make a good christian story, it doesn't make a good story. Threatening a girl with hell, with death, with a death that leaves nothing behind, to get what you want (regardless of the supposed background reasons) is not okay. And to end it all with the supposed happily ever after that removes her best friend, and that loss is barely an afterthought, is horrible.
While I thank the author for the opportunity to read this book for free, I cannot recommend it to anyone I know, and warn anyone else who may read this, that unless you believe more in shoehorning religion into a story, than a story on its own, this likely isn't worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2015
This is the story of Glory and her family. Despite a confusing start, with silly names, hard to digest information and it unclear if our characters were playing a game or for real when talking of the Mesa and a sliver, the first chapter gives us everything we need to know and that is when the story begins. The story is very much your typical fantasy type and perfect for film. I like the Wybbils and their speech. They are the evil and the main source of comedy, it's a balancing act that works well because the reader is never sure whether they can be trusted. The middle felt bloated with explanations and I skipped some of the pages. Thankfully a wonderful twist shows up and this enthralled me once again. The characters of Matthew, Olivia and Mandy being bought centre stage was inspiring but sadly not long lasting and I would have liked to have heard and seen more from them. The character of Clash is also a sparingly used one and I would have liked to have gotten to know him a little more. Although I am glad he wasnt used just as a dumb sidekick to Glory. The ending of this book is great. I feel sorry for poor George! We all have wishes and this book shows the consequences of those, for better or worse, what if our wishes did come true? It is astonishing to see what happens when a mother is around to nurture and nourish her children, instead of an alcoholic father. The benefit of hindsight, indeed, is a powerful one. A brilliant book for those young and old, with a thrilling narrative.
February 10, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest opinion... so..... here we go!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It did start off a bit slow in the beginning, but when it picked up... boy did it!
Meet Glory Alley. She has all the bad luck. Her mother is deceased, her dad is an abusive drunk, and her siblings treat her like crap. Her only release... exploring the caves of Queen Mesa with her best friend, Clash. On the day of their excursion, Glory did the one thing you should never do... explore a dark cave alone. Once inside, she found the most beautiful rock you'll ever see. But this isn't your typical rock. This rock, along with a few qualifications, can make wishes come true. And boy does she need all the help she can get! The problem... that rock is the life and foundation of a planet that is slowly dying... because the rock is missing. Wybbils are sent to retrieve it and they come back with Glory. Through this journey, Glory learns so much about herself. In the beginning her wishes were selfish, but what she really wanted was to be happy. BUT... she learned a very important lesson... sometimes, you have to be careful what you wish for.
While this story is intended for a younger audience, I had no trouble following along and enjoying myself. It was well written and the world building was great. It did have me reflect on some of things I wished for in life. While that may not have been the purpose of the book, sometimes it's the little things that call for self-reflection.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It did start off a bit slow in the beginning, but when it picked up... boy did it!
Meet Glory Alley. She has all the bad luck. Her mother is deceased, her dad is an abusive drunk, and her siblings treat her like crap. Her only release... exploring the caves of Queen Mesa with her best friend, Clash. On the day of their excursion, Glory did the one thing you should never do... explore a dark cave alone. Once inside, she found the most beautiful rock you'll ever see. But this isn't your typical rock. This rock, along with a few qualifications, can make wishes come true. And boy does she need all the help she can get! The problem... that rock is the life and foundation of a planet that is slowly dying... because the rock is missing. Wybbils are sent to retrieve it and they come back with Glory. Through this journey, Glory learns so much about herself. In the beginning her wishes were selfish, but what she really wanted was to be happy. BUT... she learned a very important lesson... sometimes, you have to be careful what you wish for.
While this story is intended for a younger audience, I had no trouble following along and enjoying myself. It was well written and the world building was great. It did have me reflect on some of things I wished for in life. While that may not have been the purpose of the book, sometimes it's the little things that call for self-reflection.
March 5, 2011
The Wish Thief / B003CV7UJI
George isn't asking for much out of life, he isn't greedy. Sure, he wants to strike it rich by finding some priceless gem or mineral in the local caverns, but he'll only use a little of the money for himself - the rest will go towards helping his family... and buying a gravestone for his poor mother.
In an ambitious start for a first novel, "The Wish Thief" seeks to combine seamlessly a classic fantasy setting, with magic and wishes, with a modern setting of cars and wrought iron, but with a science fiction overlay of worlds with three moons. The characters are set up well, although George has a large enough family that the reader may not get a good handle on who is who, and the opening action sequence will keep the reader waiting to exhale as George scrambles for safety with his new treasure. The only advice I can give is that the three-layered setting might be a bit disorienting for readers who are used to "straight" fantasy or science fiction, possibly a little more world-building is in order to help the reader get their initial bearings.
NOTE: This review is based on a sample excerpt of this book provided through the ABNA contest.
~ Ana Mardoll
George isn't asking for much out of life, he isn't greedy. Sure, he wants to strike it rich by finding some priceless gem or mineral in the local caverns, but he'll only use a little of the money for himself - the rest will go towards helping his family... and buying a gravestone for his poor mother.
In an ambitious start for a first novel, "The Wish Thief" seeks to combine seamlessly a classic fantasy setting, with magic and wishes, with a modern setting of cars and wrought iron, but with a science fiction overlay of worlds with three moons. The characters are set up well, although George has a large enough family that the reader may not get a good handle on who is who, and the opening action sequence will keep the reader waiting to exhale as George scrambles for safety with his new treasure. The only advice I can give is that the three-layered setting might be a bit disorienting for readers who are used to "straight" fantasy or science fiction, possibly a little more world-building is in order to help the reader get their initial bearings.
NOTE: This review is based on a sample excerpt of this book provided through the ABNA contest.
~ Ana Mardoll
December 27, 2012
"...the story itself is a lot like the Chronicles of Narnia - you've got this girl whose home life isn't so fantastic, and she finds herself on some kind of magical adventure in another world, with the fates of many hanging in the balance. The Christian undertones are there as well, but up until a certain point, I'd forgotten it was even "supposed" to have a religious theme. But also much like C.S. Lewis, or hell, even George Lucas (come on, I love Star Wars as much as the next geek, but you have to admit it can easily be interpreted with religious themes), Verhoff manages to weave the religious elements into her story in such a way that the reader can take it or leave it. The point is there for those who choose to come away from the story with it, or if you're not Christian, or just not that religious, you can do like me and just enjoy the story at face value, as a fun (though not always fun for Glory) romp across time and space..."
For full review, please visit me at Here Be Bookwyrms on Blogger:
http://herebebookwyrms.blogspot.com/2...
For full review, please visit me at Here Be Bookwyrms on Blogger:
http://herebebookwyrms.blogspot.com/2...
December 23, 2015
Glory Alley loved to collect rocks. It was her escape from living in a dilapidated house with an alcoholic, abusive father, along with siblings, and classmates who bullied her. She and best friend Clash are usually found spelunking through Queen’s Mesa, even though it was off-limits to Glory. She never believed the folklore about midget Wybbils and a Hoogula devil-dog living in the Mesa caves. That was before she was chased by the Hoogula, and kidnapped by the Wybbils. Now all she can think about is getting back to the home and family that she so despised.
I liked Glory’s spunky personality. The plot was interesting enough to keep me wondering about the outcome and how it was going to affect Glory. This took me back to my own childhood and the adventures I went on. I enjoyed reading from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old, remembering the awkwardness and alienation at that age. I can’t wait to read about Glory’s next adventure.
I liked Glory’s spunky personality. The plot was interesting enough to keep me wondering about the outcome and how it was going to affect Glory. This took me back to my own childhood and the adventures I went on. I enjoyed reading from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old, remembering the awkwardness and alienation at that age. I can’t wait to read about Glory’s next adventure.
December 18, 2023
Grade: 89%
Rating: ★★★★★
This book was actually pretty adorable. This book is about a thirteen-year-old girl who basically loses her mind. Just kidding, it is about a thirteen-year-old girl finding something she shouldn't have while in the process, trying to find herself. It is very sweet and holds a certain innocence that you don't get a lot of in books. The beginning, I would have to say was very slow. However, because the author took a step back I could really see the character development, and I greatly appreciate that.
I would, in fact, recommend this book to someone who is of the younger audience, someone about 12-15 years of age because I feel that through the main character's innocence the younger reader will relate a lot more than I did. This did not hinder my experience what so ever, I found it very endearing.
Rating: ★★★★★
This book was actually pretty adorable. This book is about a thirteen-year-old girl who basically loses her mind. Just kidding, it is about a thirteen-year-old girl finding something she shouldn't have while in the process, trying to find herself. It is very sweet and holds a certain innocence that you don't get a lot of in books. The beginning, I would have to say was very slow. However, because the author took a step back I could really see the character development, and I greatly appreciate that.
I would, in fact, recommend this book to someone who is of the younger audience, someone about 12-15 years of age because I feel that through the main character's innocence the younger reader will relate a lot more than I did. This did not hinder my experience what so ever, I found it very endearing.
December 28, 2015
Glory Alley is not a cool kid. She has a broken family, nerdy friends, and a curious spelunking hobby. When she finds a strange, perfect stone on a pedestal deep in the mountain near her home she knows it would be a perfect birthday gift for her mom, even though her mom died several years ago. But when she grabs it, the stone launches her into an interdimensional adventure she could have never dreamed of.
Wish Thief is set in an alternate reality very similar to Earth, and is a very well done allegory. Targeting young adults but easily read by tweens on up, the book has beautiful imagery and displays teenage girl stubbornness rather accurately, if my memory serves. I do hope Mr. Verhoff turns this into a series as I would like to see how the story plays out.
Wish Thief is set in an alternate reality very similar to Earth, and is a very well done allegory. Targeting young adults but easily read by tweens on up, the book has beautiful imagery and displays teenage girl stubbornness rather accurately, if my memory serves. I do hope Mr. Verhoff turns this into a series as I would like to see how the story plays out.
March 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this book about Glory, a young girl who lives in a difficult family situation. She goes on a fantasy/sci-fi adventure with a different twist. I loved the Christian symbolism in the book! The author does explain some of them in the back of the book. But, it was interesting to figure out some of them on my own. That is the great thing about symbolism, it can have different meaning for different people at different times in their lives. This book is designed for younger readers, but I still think there is much for adults to enjoy too!
I am grateful to received this e-book from a giveaway by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I am grateful to received this e-book from a giveaway by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2012
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. The first chapter pulled me in immediately. I felt that the first part of the book was a little slow-going. However, when you get to the second part, I couldn't put the book down. I finished the second part in a few hours. I had to finish reading it. I was angry at the end and then filled with happiness and tears. I do think it is a book aimed for younger people but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I look forward to the next book.
December 5, 2012
This book is a good reading for science fiction, but despite that I felt it sometimes slow and really predictable. I liked the story, but the characters lacked some sense of how children act. The writing wasn't great, but good in general terms.
I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
December 30, 2015
This is a a quick paced adventure, brimming with the right amount of fantasy. The author's vivid descriptions and world building suck you in. Glory is very likable, and will have you rooting for her every step of the way!
April 25, 2016
I enjoyed this book. The only downfall for me was the beginning was a little slow. I had a hard time getting fully into the story, once I was I couldn't put it down.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via LibraryThing.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via LibraryThing.
June 27, 2016
Adventure
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I found it to be an awesome story filled with adventure. I would recommend for young adults and up. :):):)
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I found it to be an awesome story filled with adventure. I would recommend for young adults and up. :):):)
December 8, 2012
first reads giveaway
September 7, 2013
My son (10) really enjoyed this book.
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