Hi guys and gals!
Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Well, you've made it through another week and so have I...sorta. Yeah, life is still a bit of a train wreck right now but I'm working through it. One day at a time. Anywho, enough about me, you came for the books...am I right? Of course I am! ^-^ Hey, who could blame you...
Today, we're playing host to an iRead Book Tours promotion starring a Young Adult Fantasy that will have your mind reeling, your thoughts spinning, and leave you contemplating TRUTH in its many forms. Curious? As was I, after reading the synopsis on this one, and with good reason. Ready or not fair readers, we're diving in head first (because we're daring like that) between the pages of today's book of choice...
by
Amy Neftzger
9781940894201
Fields of Gold Publishing, Inc
About the book...
Sometimes there's no better way to understand reality than through fantasy, and the best way to find truth may be in a book - if you can find the right one.
Battles against darkness, a quest for truth, and a search for the book that no one can read are all part of the fantasy adventure in The War of Words. As an evil sorcerer wages war by using mysterious shadows and seeks to gain control by confusing the residents as to what's real and what isn't, the fate of the kingdom rests in the hands of Kelsey and Nicholas.
As the youngest officer in the king's army, Kelsey fights the evil sorcerer s shadows on the battlefield as she explores the kingdom searching for the key to winning the war. Nicholas, a young sorcerer in training who is mastering his craft, discovers how the right words can change the course of the future.
Explore an enchanted maze, uncover the power of words, and learn about friendship in this whimsical tale.
Battles against darkness, a quest for truth, and a search for the book that no one can read are all part of the fantasy adventure in The War of Words. As an evil sorcerer wages war by using mysterious shadows and seeks to gain control by confusing the residents as to what's real and what isn't, the fate of the kingdom rests in the hands of Kelsey and Nicholas.
As the youngest officer in the king's army, Kelsey fights the evil sorcerer s shadows on the battlefield as she explores the kingdom searching for the key to winning the war. Nicholas, a young sorcerer in training who is mastering his craft, discovers how the right words can change the course of the future.
Explore an enchanted maze, uncover the power of words, and learn about friendship in this whimsical tale.
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It had moments of greatness with word play, wisdom, and wit, but there were also vast amounts removed from that spotlight altogether. Allow me to dig a little deeper...
Character wise, Kelsey was a strong leading lady, despite being young in years. She was brave and loyal, curious and truthful, never met a challenge she wouldn't face nor a foe she couldn't best. Her interactions with the Sisters of Wisdom proved the depth of her character, especially when a gift was bestowed upon her to help shield her from the chaos erupting all around. Nicholas was certainly pure of heart and intention, plus a huge help in attempting to solve the dilemma at hand, but I don't really feel like we grew to know him that well. I felt closer to Newton (his gargoyle sidekick) than I did to him, and considering he was more there as a sounding board and (at times) comic relief, that's not exactly what I was expecting.
Story wise, the linguistic ideas explored are where we get a bit muddy, heavy, and intriguing all at the same time. The idea of how not having a universal meaning of a word can disrupt more than a simple conversation is pretty big; the way it is portrayed on the battlefield may be startling but definitely gets the point across. It speaks to our desire to use our language but also the freedom with which we mold it to our liking. How often is there a new catchphrase going around? That's hot. So fetch! You're bad! None of which mean anything close to what is actually SAID. Enter...okay, not exactly chaos in those examples, but you get the picture. It shows how words have power and we best be careful how we use them lest they grow bigger than us or lose their wonder altogether.
In the end, it was a mixed bag for me. While I enjoyed the idea, I can't say the deployment of said ideas was as grand as I was expecting. Still, it can't be counted as a "loss" either because there were many times that I found myself wanting to capture a few phrases here, share an exchange there, and otherwise commemorate the event or understanding that was just revealed. It's simply a case of how the words spoke to me. Will your experience be the same? I can say "not exactly" with certainty because no two people can read the same book and have carbon copy experiences...it's the nature of the beast. So I say with a full heart, go forth and try it for yourself! Who knows? It may turn out to be your next favorite read!
Recommended for Young Adult fans of the teen to adult age group as it's pretty heady at times and though words can be wielded by anyone at any age, it'd be easier to follow with some experience under your belt.
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About the author...
Amy Neftzger is the author of fiction books for both adults and children. She has also been published in business and academic journals, as well as literary publications.
A few of her favorite things include traveling, books, movies, art, the Oxford comma, and gargoyles.
A few of her favorite things include traveling, books, movies, art, the Oxford comma, and gargoyles.
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Special thanks to Laura at iRead Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, THIS TOUR, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Fields of Gold Publishing, Inc., so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.
BEFORE YOU GO....
Until next time...happy reading!
1 comment:
Loving the cover.
Reading your thoughts on this one I can see why it proved such a mixed bag. Definitely a book that I'm curious to read for myself, I'll be sure to keep a look out for it.
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