Victoria Simcox

I just finished reading The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox and it is a fabulous story. I liked Kristina right away and could relate to her love of sleep and the fact that she often oversleeps and misses the bus. The pace of the story is excellent! The author created a magical new world with creatures that I could easily picture and a storyline that I thought about when I wasn’t reading. I especially liked Kristina and the strength that she shows throughout the book. I would definitely want her on an adventure with me and I liked to see the way she solved problems and treated others. Throughout the book there were drawings to accompany some of the text and they added to my enjoyment of the story. I loved imaging what was happening and the illustrations only made the story better! I think that this book would be great for kids in grades 4-8. Even adults will love it! Anyone that likes a good fantasy story will fall into the pages of this wonderful book and go on a journey that will stay with them after they turn the last page. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The Black Shard.
… (mais)

What first attracted my attention about The Magic Warble was the mention of dwarfs, gnomes, and all other manner of fantasy creatures. Ever since I was a young reader these beings were the stuff of magic for me. I was anxious to see where Victoria Simcox would take us. What next drew me in was of course the cover. Hand drawn covers are few and far between now, so it was a breath of fresh air for me.

From page one I fell in love with Kristina, our main character. Very much the underdog in this story, I see a lot of younger readers identifying with her. She is a bit quiet, smart, but doesn't seem to have many friends. Lucky for Kristina she has an amazing teacher that she looks up to, as well as a tried and true pal in her friend Raymond, who also happens to be a rat! Kristina is feisty, but still believable as a twelve year old girl. There are moments of bravery, and moments of weakness, just like any human character. However she still shines through as a hero, and that's what is important.

Now comes the part where I was a little bit torn. Besides Kristina, all the other characters seemed to be a little bit flat to me. Almost as if Kristina was the only character who really mattered when, in actuality, many of them are very important to the story. I admit that I am an older reader who is very motivated by character development, so this was a big deal to me. However, after I took a step back, I saw that perhaps a younger reader wouldn't really see what I saw. Kristina is, after all, the hero. If she takes the spotlight then I suppose that's what the hero is supposed to do. It slightly hampered my own reading of the book but then again I'm not the target audience.

The other element that really made it difficult for me to fall in love with The Magic Warble was the writing. It is very simplistic, which would likely be fantastic for young readers but was difficult for me. There were multiple times in a paragraph that a sentence would start with the same word, which created a very repetitive read. Also, the dialogue between the characters felt very one dimensional to me, and devoid of any emotion. You know the inner voice that we readers have? The one that dictates how we would read the book out loud? It was rather monotone, and that saddened me. I would have loved to see feisty Kristina come alive on the page as she fought to save the day.

In terms of setting, however, the world of Bernovem is rich, vivid, and really the key factor in my rating for this book. When I read a fantasy book I want to be whisked away into another place. I love to see somewhere new and exciting bleed off the pages and into my imagination. I truly believe that Simcox accomplished this beautifully. Bernovem is populated with all types of fantasy creatures, and readers will love learning about the land as they follow Kristina on her adventures. The black and white illustrations that pepper the book really help bring it all to life.

Overall, what I'm trying to say in this very rambling review is that I did enjoy The Magic Warble as a whole. I read a lot of middle grade fiction, and I can honestly say that this would make a happy home in any child's library. The crossover appeal may not be there entirely, but I would say that a book like this would be perfect for a family to read together. Just enough adventure, the right amount of bravery, and a little bit of love. That is the recipe for The Magic Warble, and I thank Victoria Simcox for giving me the opportunity to find that out.… (mais)

Do you know someone who thinks his or her name is horrible? If so, why do they believe this? In Author Victoria Simcox’s latest novel, ’Tis the Season (Norma Elliot’s Secret Journal Book 1) we meet 4th grader Norma Elliot, a character you won’t soon forget. Norma is not happy with her “old lady’s” name she calls it. She’s named after her dad, Norman, who really wanted a boy instead of a girl when she was born. Not a great way to begin your life. But her name is the least of Norma’s problems. Being the spunky girl that she is, Norma deals with each situation she faces in her own unique way.
One part I especially like is Norma’s journal where she writes her “true feelings” to God. A scripture is on each page to help her. She also knows that she cannot hide what she does from God. Norma is priceless, sarcastic at times, serious at times, and fun at times. Her relationship to her older sister, younger brother, and parents may remind you of your own family or families that you know. They don’t always get along with each other, but the love is there.
’TIS THE SEASON is a beautiful story about family, friendship, and following God’s will. I am so excited to see that there will be other books about Norma because I’m curious as to what she will do next. This book would be ideal for school libraries from elementary to middle school, as well as public libraries and your own personal library. Norma is a character you really should meet. You’ll never forget her. Happy Reading.… (mais)

When I started reading THE PROPHECY, The Bernovem Chronicles Book 4, by Victoria Simcox, the story reminded me of the fairy tales I loved when I was young. Magical stories with fascinating characters have always intrigued me, and THE PROPHECY has plenty of both.

I enjoyed meeting Kristina again, along with James, her former childhood friend. She thinks of earlier times with James, but things have changed and they aren’t too crazy about each other now. Nevertheless, she and James are on a quest to find part of Bernovem’s Book of Prophecy. Along the way they encounter danger of every kind imaginable.

The author describes each scene so vividly, I almost felt as though I were there, in the freezing water when the boat sank, smelling the fish guts. No kidding. And in other scenes where characters changed their appearance, I could envision what they looked like. Victoria Simcox has a vivid imagination that brings to life this magical world where good and evil clash. Who will win? Will Kristina and James be successful in their quest? Recommended for middle-grade readers and up, and also for the young at heart.… (mais)