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The Book of Aon
When Elizabeth Knight meets a boy with a peculiar book on the streets near her apartment, she gets a little worried. When she wakes up the next morning in a totally different world, she starts to question her sanity. Elizabeth is whisked away to Aon, a kingdom of danger and mystery, with Edward, the boy from the streets. Turns out, he happens to be the prince. And that makes her a target by association. Before night falls, the peculiar book is hers, she's being called the 'Keeper' and she has a new enemy: the dark, hooded figure called the Night Rider, who wants nothing more than absolute power. Now, the only things in his way are Elizabeth, her book, and the boy from a secret place. As impossible secrets unravel, Elizabeth is left with the greatest challenge of her life. Can she protect Aon and the people she cares about despite the danger that awaits her? Elizabeth is faced with saving the kingdom and protecting herself, knowing that one accident could send her spinning through the darkness, leaving Aon behind forever.
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2016
About the author
K.M. Higginbotham
3 books39 followersWriter, reader, editor, traveler, obsessive-tea-drinker, self-proclaimed nerd, and a lot of other things you probably don't care about. Welcome to my corner of the internet.
My current WIPs include YA fantasy, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and dark academia. I also have book trailers that you can watch on my website!
My current WIPs include YA fantasy, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and dark academia. I also have book trailers that you can watch on my website!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 9, 2018
Wow. This was such a great book! I could hardly get out of it. Details:
-Romance: some kissing, forehead kisses, but mostly a lot of hand-holding, hugging, touching (not in an inappropriate way)
-Language: several words.. h**l and d**n mentioned several times along with a few other ugly ones.
-Violence: WARNING: extreme details of blood, death, breaking bones, and near death experiences.
Kate is a really great author! I live fairly close to her, so I couldn’t pass up the urge to read her book! Can’t wait for the others in the series to be released!!!
I found a few misspelled words (ex: ‘breath’ when it was supposed to say breathe) but that didn’t take away the power of the story!
I can’t say much without spoiling it, but Elizabeth is awesome. She and Joey crack me up. Edward was the sweetest character I’ve ever read about. So terribly heart-breaking the way things turned out!
Definitely would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and clean romance. As I said, only a few words, but no bad romance or anything I couldn’t read!
Great job, Kate, and I look forward to reading the others in the Keeper series.
By the way, the true identity of the Night Rider is so terribly shocking and horrifying at the same time.
I will be obsessed with this book for a long time!!
Overall: 4 stars to be fair
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:)
-Romance: some kissing, forehead kisses, but mostly a lot of hand-holding, hugging, touching (not in an inappropriate way)
-Language: several words.. h**l and d**n mentioned several times along with a few other ugly ones.
-Violence: WARNING: extreme details of blood, death, breaking bones, and near death experiences.
Kate is a really great author! I live fairly close to her, so I couldn’t pass up the urge to read her book! Can’t wait for the others in the series to be released!!!
I found a few misspelled words (ex: ‘breath’ when it was supposed to say breathe) but that didn’t take away the power of the story!
I can’t say much without spoiling it, but Elizabeth is awesome. She and Joey crack me up. Edward was the sweetest character I’ve ever read about. So terribly heart-breaking the way things turned out!
Definitely would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and clean romance. As I said, only a few words, but no bad romance or anything I couldn’t read!
Great job, Kate, and I look forward to reading the others in the Keeper series.
By the way, the true identity of the Night Rider is so terribly shocking and horrifying at the same time.
I will be obsessed with this book for a long time!!
Overall: 4 stars to be fair
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️:)
April 25, 2017
Keeper started out slow for me but interesting enough to keep my interest until it started to pick up the pace. I loved the characters that were created and how their relationships grew. The idea of being able to go into a story and live in that adventure and world is a dream of many, and this story actually persued exactly that! I loved it and can't wait to read more.
May 25, 2018
OH MY GOODNESS!!! This may be one of the best books I’ve ever read!!! The characters, world, conversations- everything is so well thought through and put together!!! It has fantasy, suspense, mystery, romance... SO GOOD!!!!! I could hardly put it down.
There are a few dirty words, violence, and a few things that weren’t the best, but I would recommend this book!!!
I NEED BOOKS 2 & 3 TO COME OUT!!!! WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!
I want to own this book now:) Thank you to my friend, Addy for letting me borrow it!!!! <3
There are a few dirty words, violence, and a few things that weren’t the best, but I would recommend this book!!!
I NEED BOOKS 2 & 3 TO COME OUT!!!! WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!
I want to own this book now:) Thank you to my friend, Addy for letting me borrow it!!!! <3
September 28, 2016
I have say I did really like Aon, the world that K.M. Higginbotham has created is very unique. I love that is more like your reading about an incredible dream, and not a book. Can't wait to see what happens in book two.
April 6, 2017
A world where the stories come alive. Just love it!!!
January 16, 2017
Actual rating: 4.5 stars (I rounded up because it was closer to 5 stars than to 4.)
Pros:
The premise of this book is somewhere along the lines of Inkheart meets Princess Bride (but don't ask my why I say Princess Bride, because I'm honestly not sure--probably the setting!). I'm a sucker for "real life meets fantasy," so I truly loved this book! If you are an Inkheart fan, you're bound to fall in love with Keeper. <3
Higginbotham's writing style is excellent and I was sucked in from the first page. The writing in Keeper is pleasantly colloquial, which makes this book an easy and quick read. The plot is well thought out and the characters are dynamic and engaging.
I actually surprised myself with how excited I was that the protagonist, Elizabeth, is 20 years old. In YA literature, you almost never have main characters who are out of their teens! In fact, YA often portrays characters that old as, well, old. Kind of insulting when the reader is in their 20s... ("Great, so basically I'm ancient and heading to my grave...THANKS.") But not only is Elizabeth 20, she is portrayed accurately (at least, in my oh-so-humble opinion.) It was a breath of fresh air!
Ahhhhh, good ol' heartbreak... No better way to put it! I don't like sad books, but I do appreciate when the writer can twist your heart between their fingers... It's a mark of a good writer! I confess I have a theory about that particular part of this story (no spoilers!), but I guess I'll have to wait until the end of the series to see if I'm right... Aaaaaand that's all I'll say so that I can keep up my "no spoilers" thing. ;)
I confess that it is killing me that the next book isn't out yet! I'm dying to know how everything works out. There are so many ways this series could go and I'm more than a little curious to see how it unfolds! I include this note under "pros" because it's always a good sign when you're going crazy waiting for the next book. ;) If you care that much (and I do!), then the first book must have been good. :D
Cons:
Most of the "quirks" in this book could easily be attributed to the "book". (Sorry, can't post spoilers. If you read Keeper, you'll see what I mean.) But one thing in particular that bugged me a bit is the odd use of magic. This is a fantasy, but magic isn't really a thing. No witches or wizards (so far), no magic wands or enchanted items. However, there's one character who has magic. ONE. Why?? That isn't fully explained and it either needs its own story, or it needs to be explained better! However, that was just a quirk and I don't feel that it was worth marking the book down for.
My main issue is that I found the ending to be a bit weak. It ends abruptly, which (naturally) makes you want the next book, but it also leaves you feeling a bit stranded. "Wait, we were doing fine just a moment ago and now THIS?" Ending with a plot twist is good (keep them readers hanging!), but this ending would profit from being fleshed out a bit. Honestly, this is the only reason I docked the star rating at all. There were also a few minor typos, but they didn't detract at all from the reading experience.
* * *
Bottom line? This book was fabulous and I highly recommend it! Be sure to check my spoiler-free rating scale below to get a fuller idea of what this book contains.
Content (10= extremely high focus; 0=non existent):
Adventure content: 7
Creepiness content: 2
Grief content: 5
Language content: 2
Religion content: 2
Romance content: 4
Sexual content: 0
Violence content: 4
Pros:
The premise of this book is somewhere along the lines of Inkheart meets Princess Bride (but don't ask my why I say Princess Bride, because I'm honestly not sure--probably the setting!). I'm a sucker for "real life meets fantasy," so I truly loved this book! If you are an Inkheart fan, you're bound to fall in love with Keeper. <3
Higginbotham's writing style is excellent and I was sucked in from the first page. The writing in Keeper is pleasantly colloquial, which makes this book an easy and quick read. The plot is well thought out and the characters are dynamic and engaging.
I actually surprised myself with how excited I was that the protagonist, Elizabeth, is 20 years old. In YA literature, you almost never have main characters who are out of their teens! In fact, YA often portrays characters that old as, well, old. Kind of insulting when the reader is in their 20s... ("Great, so basically I'm ancient and heading to my grave...THANKS.") But not only is Elizabeth 20, she is portrayed accurately (at least, in my oh-so-humble opinion.) It was a breath of fresh air!
Ahhhhh, good ol' heartbreak... No better way to put it! I don't like sad books, but I do appreciate when the writer can twist your heart between their fingers... It's a mark of a good writer! I confess I have a theory about that particular part of this story (no spoilers!), but I guess I'll have to wait until the end of the series to see if I'm right... Aaaaaand that's all I'll say so that I can keep up my "no spoilers" thing. ;)
I confess that it is killing me that the next book isn't out yet! I'm dying to know how everything works out. There are so many ways this series could go and I'm more than a little curious to see how it unfolds! I include this note under "pros" because it's always a good sign when you're going crazy waiting for the next book. ;) If you care that much (and I do!), then the first book must have been good. :D
Cons:
Most of the "quirks" in this book could easily be attributed to the "book". (Sorry, can't post spoilers. If you read Keeper, you'll see what I mean.) But one thing in particular that bugged me a bit is the odd use of magic. This is a fantasy, but magic isn't really a thing. No witches or wizards (so far), no magic wands or enchanted items. However, there's one character who has magic. ONE. Why?? That isn't fully explained and it either needs its own story, or it needs to be explained better! However, that was just a quirk and I don't feel that it was worth marking the book down for.
My main issue is that I found the ending to be a bit weak. It ends abruptly, which (naturally) makes you want the next book, but it also leaves you feeling a bit stranded. "Wait, we were doing fine just a moment ago and now THIS?" Ending with a plot twist is good (keep them readers hanging!), but this ending would profit from being fleshed out a bit. Honestly, this is the only reason I docked the star rating at all. There were also a few minor typos, but they didn't detract at all from the reading experience.
* * *
Bottom line? This book was fabulous and I highly recommend it! Be sure to check my spoiler-free rating scale below to get a fuller idea of what this book contains.
Content (10= extremely high focus; 0=non existent):
Adventure content: 7
Creepiness content: 2
Grief content: 5
Language content: 2
Religion content: 2
Romance content: 4
Sexual content: 0
Violence content: 4
April 19, 2017
Wow. This book was great, amazing and so different (at least two me). Who wouldn't love a book where the heroine can book jump. umm hello, a life goal.
Elizabeth life is forever changed when she comes upon a young boy named Ed. Elizabeth has been alone for most of her life. She's a survivor, but what she has always wanted as family and people to care for her. She is drawn to Ed's mysterious book that will offer everything she has dreamed of, but at what price.
Aon is such a fun and dangerous world to be in, but what I love best about this world is the relationship between Elizabeth, Joseph and Ed. These three characters all have suffered through terrible losses and have found themselves orphaned at very young ages. Joseph and Ed have always had each other, but you can tell that their little family is incomplete. When Elizabeth drops into their lives, Joseph and Ed find the missing puzzle piece to their lives.
What I loved most about this book is the developing relationship Elizabeth, Joe and Ed. It is a rough and uneasy journey to friendship and love. Elizabeth has finally found someone and something to fight for and a place to finally call home.
However, Aon is not perfect and life comes crashing into our fearsome trio. As tragedy strikes. Elizabeth must decide to stay and fight for the people and home she loves or to give up and return to her lonely existence.
Elizabeth life is forever changed when she comes upon a young boy named Ed. Elizabeth has been alone for most of her life. She's a survivor, but what she has always wanted as family and people to care for her. She is drawn to Ed's mysterious book that will offer everything she has dreamed of, but at what price.
Aon is such a fun and dangerous world to be in, but what I love best about this world is the relationship between Elizabeth, Joseph and Ed. These three characters all have suffered through terrible losses and have found themselves orphaned at very young ages. Joseph and Ed have always had each other, but you can tell that their little family is incomplete. When Elizabeth drops into their lives, Joseph and Ed find the missing puzzle piece to their lives.
What I loved most about this book is the developing relationship Elizabeth, Joe and Ed. It is a rough and uneasy journey to friendship and love. Elizabeth has finally found someone and something to fight for and a place to finally call home.
However, Aon is not perfect and life comes crashing into our fearsome trio. As tragedy strikes. Elizabeth must decide to stay and fight for the people and home she loves or to give up and return to her lonely existence.
April 19, 2017
I absolutely adored this book!!! The characters were just so true and genuine, I honestly felt everything with them every step of the way! I really enjoyed being able to see from different perspectives and that really helped with the flow of the story - I wanted to see what the next person thought. There was a healthy amount of ups and downs along the way - I can understand that in this book everything happens for a reason but I still feel the hurt in letting certain characters go (which shows the attachment to characters I have lol). I'm of course disappointed in how it ended but ONLY because I want more!! I will definitely be looking out for the second book, you have my word. thank you so much K.M. Higginbotham for bringing us the world of Aon. It was beautiful and so was your story. Much love.
August 17, 2016
Elizabeth Knight turns out to be a knight. Or, more than a knight. She finds herself pulled between two worlds, thrust into the role of a protector, a friend, and it's amazing. You feel like she's real-- like you might know her, and the whole world of Aon is a fable, but familiar.
The Night Rider is utterly bad, and the land is under threat. The way that Elizabeth responds is brave, and kind, too. My favorite line from the whole book is "The lanterns melted in with the stars until I couldn't tell which was which."
That's how I felt reading Keeper. I knew there were two worlds, and that one was magic, but it felt real and very close. I can't wait for the next book.
The Night Rider is utterly bad, and the land is under threat. The way that Elizabeth responds is brave, and kind, too. My favorite line from the whole book is "The lanterns melted in with the stars until I couldn't tell which was which."
That's how I felt reading Keeper. I knew there were two worlds, and that one was magic, but it felt real and very close. I can't wait for the next book.
April 26, 2017
Beautiful story, well written! I would definitely recommend this book, for it doesn't follow the usual sappy love story plot. There's beautifully written heartbreaking scenes and characters you will instantly fall in love with.
April 17, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. I cannot wait for the 2nd book.
July 2, 2021
4.5
"That was it -- I was home. This was home."
As an aspiring young author, this book was super inspiring, especially because it was written by a fifteen year old. Not only was the world building absolutely stunning, all the characters have become people I'd protect with my life.
CHARACTERS
Edward: Ed is one of the few characters who I came to love like a brother. His kindness and wit was astounding! So sad how things turned out 😭😭.
Joey: It took me a little bit to warm up to Joey, but in the end I've come to love his character. This poor boy has been through a lot and, unfortunately, I don't think his trials are over. I just want him to have a happy ending! ❤️
Elizabeth: Liz is exactly what a hero should be; stubborn, quick to learn, not afraid to take a risk and yet flawed all the same. I can't wait to read more of her story!
Alec: This guy is a great friend to Joey, which is great. He's funny and often eases up the tension. A great character!
**
OVERVIEW
"When Elizabeth Knight meets a boy with a peculiar book on the streets near her apartment, she gets a little worried. When she wakes up the next morning in a totally different world, she starts to question her sanity. Elizabeth is whisked away to Aon, a kingdom of danger and mystery, with Edward, the boy from the streets. Turns out, he happens to be the prince. And that makes her a target by association. Before night falls, the peculiar book is hers, she's being called the 'Keeper' and she has a new enemy: the dark, hooded figure called the Night Rider, who wants nothing more than absolute power. Now, the only things in his way are Elizabeth, her book, and the boy from a secret place. As impossible secrets unravel, Elizabeth is left with the greatest challenge of her life. Can she protect Aon and the people she cares about despite the danger that awaits her? Elizabeth is faced with saving the kingdom and protecting herself, knowing that one accident could send her spinning through the darkness, leaving Aon behind forever."
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Liz always does what she thinks is right. Ed is a very kind person.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
None.
VIOLENCE
Several battles. Death described. Descriptions of pain and blood. Some gore may be too much for sensitive/younger readers, but I had no problems with it. There is a terrible fire. Several characters get injured.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Two kisses (little detail). Kisses on forehead and hands. Handholding, hugs and touching (nothing inappropriate). Mentions of feelings and emotions. Joey explains how he and his sister are illegitimate children.
LANGUAGE
Bastard is used in the literal sense and as an insult. "D--n" and "h--l" said (the character is then told to use better language).
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Wine is drunk at a meeting.
OTHER NOTES
Joey sometimes had a hard time with his anger and sometimes says things he shouldn't. Liz lies about reading the Book.
**
Well done Ms. Higginbotham! I can't wait to buy the next book. ❤️❤️❤️
Highly recommend for anyone who wants a new angle on fantasy!
"That was it -- I was home. This was home."
As an aspiring young author, this book was super inspiring, especially because it was written by a fifteen year old. Not only was the world building absolutely stunning, all the characters have become people I'd protect with my life.
CHARACTERS
Edward: Ed is one of the few characters who I came to love like a brother. His kindness and wit was astounding! So sad how things turned out 😭😭.
Joey: It took me a little bit to warm up to Joey, but in the end I've come to love his character. This poor boy has been through a lot and, unfortunately, I don't think his trials are over. I just want him to have a happy ending! ❤️
Elizabeth: Liz is exactly what a hero should be; stubborn, quick to learn, not afraid to take a risk and yet flawed all the same. I can't wait to read more of her story!
Alec: This guy is a great friend to Joey, which is great. He's funny and often eases up the tension. A great character!
**
OVERVIEW
"When Elizabeth Knight meets a boy with a peculiar book on the streets near her apartment, she gets a little worried. When she wakes up the next morning in a totally different world, she starts to question her sanity. Elizabeth is whisked away to Aon, a kingdom of danger and mystery, with Edward, the boy from the streets. Turns out, he happens to be the prince. And that makes her a target by association. Before night falls, the peculiar book is hers, she's being called the 'Keeper' and she has a new enemy: the dark, hooded figure called the Night Rider, who wants nothing more than absolute power. Now, the only things in his way are Elizabeth, her book, and the boy from a secret place. As impossible secrets unravel, Elizabeth is left with the greatest challenge of her life. Can she protect Aon and the people she cares about despite the danger that awaits her? Elizabeth is faced with saving the kingdom and protecting herself, knowing that one accident could send her spinning through the darkness, leaving Aon behind forever."
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Liz always does what she thinks is right. Ed is a very kind person.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
None.
VIOLENCE
Several battles. Death described. Descriptions of pain and blood. Some gore may be too much for sensitive/younger readers, but I had no problems with it. There is a terrible fire. Several characters get injured.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Two kisses (little detail). Kisses on forehead and hands. Handholding, hugs and touching (nothing inappropriate). Mentions of feelings and emotions. Joey explains how he and his sister are illegitimate children.
LANGUAGE
Bastard is used in the literal sense and as an insult. "D--n" and "h--l" said (the character is then told to use better language).
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Wine is drunk at a meeting.
OTHER NOTES
Joey sometimes had a hard time with his anger and sometimes says things he shouldn't. Liz lies about reading the Book.
**
Well done Ms. Higginbotham! I can't wait to buy the next book. ❤️❤️❤️
Highly recommend for anyone who wants a new angle on fantasy!
October 9, 2020
Great book. I'm so excited for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 6, 2017*I WAS SENT THIS BOOK BY THE AUTHOR IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
Proper review coming soon guys!
The first time I tried to read this I sadly had to DNF it...
Before and around christmas my fantasy reading had started to fall down into a bad friendship. I still currently cannot read any fantasy as I cannot get into a book and find it intresting..
As soon as I get back into fantasy I will reread this book! I have high potential for it.
Proper review coming soon guys!
The first time I tried to read this I sadly had to DNF it...
Before and around christmas my fantasy reading had started to fall down into a bad friendship. I still currently cannot read any fantasy as I cannot get into a book and find it intresting..
As soon as I get back into fantasy I will reread this book! I have high potential for it.
November 19, 2016
This book was kindly sent to me by Higginbotham for me to review. Overall I liked the book. It was nice but there were some things that I felt was missing.. there is more on all this in my review if the book on my blog here: https://siamybooks.wordpress.com/2016... enjoy ❤️
January 11, 2017
Kate,
I am a really good friend of Tess' and as soon as she told me that you were writing a book, I knew that I had to read it. I finished reading a long time ago but I just got a goodreads account and immediately went to look for your book. It was amazing and the suspense and plot twist made it even better. I can't wait for September!!
❤️-Claudia
I am a really good friend of Tess' and as soon as she told me that you were writing a book, I knew that I had to read it. I finished reading a long time ago but I just got a goodreads account and immediately went to look for your book. It was amazing and the suspense and plot twist made it even better. I can't wait for September!!
❤️-Claudia
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews