Eric Kent Edstrom

I was given this book to read through the Making Connections YA ARR group, thank you.



I honestly don’t know where to begin my review with this story. Undermountain completely ‘wowed’ me.

We first meet the characters, six kids and their crusty guide, as they travel on a backpacking adventure through the Canadian wilderness. As the story unfolds two of the kids, Danny and Breyona meet a Bigfoot and a two-headed creature they call a ‘Shrieker.’ Danny decides to tell the other kids about the encounter but is laughed at. Soon all the kids and their guide Harvin are being chased by a Shrieker. Rescued by Bigfeet, five of the kids are taken to Undermountain where there’s a large population of Bigfeet. As the kids travel around Undermountain we find out that the Bigfeet are more technologically advanced than humans. The story unfolds as the kids try to escape and the council of ‘The Strict’, try to keep them from returning to the surface and revealing the existence of the Bigfeet, also known as the ‘People’. In the meantime the Bigfeet have an even larger problem on their hands, a revolt from the Tangoga and Tangeg, is creating havoc for the People.

The author wrote a fast paced, imaginative story that kept me mesmerized from the beginning. I have never read anything like this before. I was amazed at how the legend of the Bigfoot was transformed into so much more, creating a civilization that existed deep within the mountains that was almost completely self-sustaining. The environment, the characters, the action, everything, was all described clearly without the use of excessive words, making it very easy for me to visualize the world that was created.

All the characters had distinct personalities so that I had no trouble imagining what the characters were like. We get to experience the story through multiple POVs that are separated by chapter allowing us to see the changes that each of the characters are undergoing. By the end of the book all of the humans, and even Grizz the Bigfoot that rescued the kids, have grown.

As I read this story, I had to keep asking myself, “Is there anything wrong with this book?” But other than some grammatical errors, I couldn’t find anything that I would consider a big flaw.

Lastly I have to mention that I love the cover for this book. It's absolutely gorgeous.

The author created a truly unique world with Undermountain. Fast paced, entertaining with touches of humor, it’s an excellent young adult book that I’d recommend to everyone. I give this book 5 stars


… (mais)

Jacey awoke…and remembered.
.

How would you feel if you were bred, raised, educated and trained only to have someone else’s mind taking over your body? They are clones. Sounds pretty freakin’ creepy to me! Unless you’re the other person. Old, decrepit, on your last leg, and death around the corner. A second chance at life.

Child of Lies raises many ethical and moral questions, not overlooking the legality of it all. Of course, it’s only for the rich, so you blue collar workers may as well forgeddaboutit.

Jacey was not going to let that happen. She felt responsible for everyone.

I loved how all the characters learned to overcome their differences and function as a team. Their knowledge grew, as did their personalities.

This ”what if’ story could very well give you nightmares. The tension and suspense made me want to look ahead, but I contained myself. No peeking.

I am so worried. More than once, Eric Kent Edstrom had me saying, “Oh no, no, no.” Leading me on , making me fear for them all, even the not very nice Belle. Maybe she will learn something and be the better for it.

Nature or nurture? Can your environment form who you are? Would a clone have a mind of its own? A personality of its own?

About two thirds of the way through Child of Lies I ran across a wonderful surprise and a ray of hope put a smile on my face.

Child of Lies by Eric Kent Edstrom picks up where Daughter of Nothing left off, so the series does not stand alone and each book should be read in order. It gripped me from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down. Human nature and the worst circumstances show who we are and bring out the best or the worst in us.

To me this felt original, amazing and so creative and frightening that it stuck with me long after I finished reading. It runs the gamut that is good and bad about! humanity!

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Child of Lies by Eric Kent Edstrom.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (mais)

This book was a gift from the author. Thank you!
Kila Sigh comes from a family of thieves but only herself and her older brother Wen remain. After years of being her protector he has now fallen ill and depends on Kila to steal enough to buy food, shelter and medicine. One day she steals a sack containing a cat and a whole new life begins. Danger increases as she develops metal magic. She is noticed by powerful people with their own plans for her.
Although I like cats, I'm not sure from this introduction how much help they'll be as they continue to act just like cats! The characters and setting need a lot of expanding.… (mais)

I got this book from Making Connections for free, in exchange of an honest review.

The action started from the get go and it never stopped.
It has been so long since I enjoyed a YA novel this much and didn't end up wanting to hit every character over the head-well, maybe Shiv, at times!
My favorite character was Grizz for obvious reasons. TogYip were cute too.
The transformation that each teenager goes through by the end of their journey (as Harvin was kind to observe for us) made the story even better.
The romance or sprinklings of it was just the right amount.
There were a few spelling mistakes which I noticed though.
The descriptions of the city of Bigfeet were sufficient without being boring.

I loved every bit of it!… (mais)