Drea Damara

(I won this book on a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.)

This is the perfect read for people who like books about books and don't mind going on an epic adventure without leaving their home. That is basically what happens to the main character Sarah Allister when she falls asleep next to a cursed book written by one of her ancestors many years ago. She is a bookseller in Blinney Lane, Salem and along with the other shopkeepers she can't leave the small town because of an ancient curse. This idea is great and made me keep turning pages to know what would happen next. The story got a lot more interesting when Sarah's seventeen-year-old nephew Ricky came to stay with her for the Summer. Reading the interactions between he and his aunt and also bookworm Shelby was a lot of fun. ;)
As more characters were introduced and the action unfolded I felt as if I was with them in their adventures in Farwin Wood (the land of the cursed book). Nearing the end, I didn't want to finish the book, not because it was bad, but because I felt bad for leaving Sarah, Ricky, Shelby, Henry, Vasimus (and even Ranthrop) and the whole lot...
Overall, I loved this book and I wish there was another! :)… (altro)

It took me quite awhile to get into thiis book but I am glad I kept going. It was a slow start due to the author trying to set up the premise of the story. Once we actually got into the adventure and fantasy of the whole story things really came together. I liked the characters, and found them realistic in terms of how people really act. The ending was a little sappy, but not too bad. It didn't actually take away from the story.

I am intrigued enough to try the second the book in this series. If the author can get to the fun parts of the story a little faster I think its going to be a really good series.… (altro)

Stunning...
An age-old curse is unleashed when Franci dresses up as her favorite movie star and now it is up to her friends to find a cure. Through magical worlds and mythical beasts, will they be able to find a cure and save their friend before it is too late?
Okay let's start at the beginning here. Let's begin with the cover art. I think the word that I used "stunning" refers mostly to the cover that you see when you first pick up the book. Brilliant use of color and hints of magic behind every corner. You can almost smell the earth and water mingling together as you stare at the design.
This book flows well from beginning to end with no chop when the characters are traveling from world to world which is very difficult for most authors to do but somehow this author pulled it off.
The creatures that she describes in this tale are more than magical they are imaginative! And the world that they live in seemingly takes your breath away.
Still, I feel like I am missing something by not having read the first book (as this is the second book in the series). The author writes obviously strong characters but they are seemingly built up in the previous book which I have unfortunately missed. But never fear with this novel, because by the end of page 50 you are so enveloped in the story and the characters that you want to continue to read. And indeed are rewarded for doing so.
Absolutely phenomenal book inside and out.
I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy fans or those who like a good epic adventure.… (altro)