Gretel: The Children of the Sun

by R. Matthew Simmons, Marissa Van Uden (Editor)

'These are the words that span lives over thousands of years: the voices that have traveled so very far, from continents away, to end in a singular point within the weighted pages in my hands. I am but a small piece of that history…, a remnant of something much greater, whose value is no more than its own self-worth. Those who came before, who gave birth to me and those who gave birth to the many generations before my own, are but legend now. They were a people who flourished and gave the world the greatest societies ever known; their mark is forever scarred upon the earth, embedded within the landscape and in the darkest memories of man. This is all that is left, bound forever in the memory of its last child.'

The last of a people dating back before the beginning of time, coveted by some, hunted by others - this is the story of young Gretel. Beyond beauty and imagination we follow the lives of young Gretel and her brother, as her only daughter relives their past through a forgotten diary.

A story of the love and connection between brother and sister, they have only each other within a world filled with deceit and those who wish to invoke revenge for their people’s history…, and those who want to discover the secrets of the powers they possess.

Book One begins with the story of Gretel, the last child born of a people who walked the deserts of the earth before the beginning of time, as she sets off in search of those still alive and in hiding for her own survival and for the very survival of the Children of the Sun.

This is the Revised First Edition.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

204 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2013

About the author

R. Matthew Simmons was born in a small town in Western, PA. Currently he resides and works in Salt Lake City, UT and holds a B.A. in History. When he is not sitting in front of his computer writing, he can be found on his bike somewhere in the mountains that surround his home.

Gretel is his first novel.

Book Two in The Children of the Sun series is currently in the works.

Reviews

[Markus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

My rating (2 stars = it was ok) reflects my personal opinion. It is definitely a lovely book but I am just not the kind of person it is written for. If I were a member of the main target audience (young, female) I would at least rate it 3, most probably 4 stars.

Gretel is born in Austria but soon moves to the USA with her brother and father where they live on a remote farm. She is told that her mother died when she was still young and that she and her whole family are special. As years go by questions arise. Why do they have to live in isolation, avoiding contact with others as far as possible? What does her father mean when he tells her she is special? Was she really told the truth about her mother? When something bad happens to herself and her brother she starts to understand. Now she wants to learn everything about her own identity as well as the history of her family and their ancestors and so she starts on a journey to reveal all the secrets.

I really liked the adaption of the fairy-tale "Hänsel and Gretel" in one chapter. In Austria all the children know that story and it was funny to unexpectedly read a modern version of it. It was skillfully integrated into the plot.

What I did not like was the connection of Gretel's people with Hitler. It did not fit into the general atmosphere at all but luckily it was just mentioned on one single page. (Plus: I never really liked that guy anyway and I do not want him to show up out of nowhere in a book like this.)

"Gretel – The Children of the Sun" is part of a trilogy but I think you can as well enjoy it as a stand-alone.

[★⋆Devin⋆Blakeney⋆★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mythological fairytale in modern times. It is an easy read that you can really sink into. Following Gretel`s story is beautiful and a little dark at times.
I loved that Gretel and her family are "special" but still are normal in their desires and personalities. The book has a really good flow going through Gretel`s life.
It felt a little slow in the beginning but once things got rolling I couldn't put it down. I wish there was more about her travels, it felt a little rushed at times. Basically, there isn't anything I would want to change about the story but there should be more.
The story kept me on edge as the information about Gretel`s heritage came out in pieces. I really connected to the characters but that might just have been because I looked in the eye on the cover.
I felt satisfied with how the story was wrapped up but still left me with lots of questions. So, as this story has become my new obsession, the only downside is waiting for the next book to be released. I won this through Goodreads First Reads.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gretel: The Children of the Sun is a captivating tale that reveals the rich history and ominous future of a fictional human race, the Sunnas. As disclosed through a combination of old journals and ancient voices, the Sunna people share special persuasive and communicative powers. Gretel, the authoress of these journals, is the youngest purebred Sunna who gives birth to a hybrid child before disappearing. This daughter, Margaret Allen, grows up believing that her mother is dead until losing her grandfather and discovering the diaries. Now an adult, Margaret is uncertain.

I received a revised first edition copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program and finished it in a day. It evoked so many childhood memories that I had a difficult time setting it down to attend to daily tasks! In rating this book, however, I took into consideration other factors such as plot cohesiveness, writing style, and over all structure.

Firstly, the plot seemed somewhat contradictory and rather disjointed. If the Sunna were so persuasive, then why could they not affect their captors or aggressors? The storyline also contained other gaps that may or may not have been intentional. Additional details, or at least hints, could have improved its flow.

In evaluating style, I tried to keep in mind that journals tend to be simplistic. Certain imagery found within Gretel’s story was so powerful, however, that the repeated use of certain descriptors, such as ecliptical, skewed, and fairytale, was noticeably incongruous. While a minor issue, it disrupted my reading, as did some unrelated editing oversights.

The structure of this saga also raised my eyebrow. While delivering Gretel’s autobiography was the book’s perceived intention, I felt that the effect of this information upon Margaret deserved greater attention than it received. Margaret was the recipient of the Sunna “torch,” yet she remained a flat, silent, background character. If so little about her was to be revealed, then why afford her anything more than a dedication? The breaks between Margaret’s reading of each journal provided easy dimensional opportunity.

Over all, I liked this book and hope to read more about the sun/sunflower children soon.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it difficult to put this book down; in fact, I read it in its entirety on one very long, hot day. Although I suppose it’s actually a work of fantasy -- some characters are able to read and manipulate minds -- most of the situations are very easy to relate to(very “real”). Two of the main characters, Margaret and her mother, experience very normal human feelings such as loss, regret, and a desire to fit in. It was easy for me to identify with Gretel, which is how I became so taken with the novel. It is well written, although I did find what I think is one minor flaw in continuity -- but perhaps I’m mistaken? At any rate, I was easily lost in Gretel’s world, and I will anxiously await the next book in this series, which I believe is due out in 2014.

Thank you, R. Matthew Simmons, for an enjoyable read!(less)

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gretel: The Children of the Sun by R. Matthew Simmons is a very different book. I couldn't make up my mind whether or not I liked it. All in all, I'll have to say I liked it. There was an undercurrent of melancholy while reading it. Too many missing people, assumed harmed in some way, perhaps even murdered. There is no clue given as to whom is responsible. It is only hinted. It's a story of a young girl discovering her mother thru journals she left behind. She inherited her grandfather's farm and found them. They revealed her mother Gretel's secrets and her heritage. She learned of her Uncle Hans and his mission. She discovers herself. This is a first reads win and I have given my honest review.

[Alyssa Greatbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story written as the diary of Grethel. A well-written book, there was just enough of a fantasy element to make it different, but not too much that you could still relate and feel for the characters.

I felt that it could be a good stand-alone book. I may or may not read others in the series, but the book does a good job of leaving it open to do either way.

A nice read, not too long, simple enough that the premise of the Sunna is easily grasped.

I recieved this book through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This has not affected my review in any way.

[Courtney Klein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept with a few passages that would make good quotes, but it seemed really drawn out and a bit repetitive in areas. It's a short book but it took me a VERY long time to get though. Then it ends only to be continued. I will not be continuing the story.