The Reading Tub Teen Review
I just got a review for The Other Side of Yore from the reading Tub. The online publication does two reviews for each title. One is a “Big Kid” review via “The Teen Star Review,” which is made up of teenagers, and the other is a “Little Kid” review done by the parents of a younger child. The following was the “Big Kid” reaction, the “Little Kid” reaction has not come out yet. Though it was overall a favorable review, it was my first non-rave review, which I can appreciate since we all have different tastes and preferences. But some of it I found a bit perplexing, so my comments are at the bottom.
The Reading Tub Review of The Other Side of Yore
Summary: Frawg Findig III is an herbalist who collects herbs, spores, spices, and plants. Once a year, he sails to Terramore to sell his herbs and spices to doctors, farmers, and fellow herbalists. This year, the dandelions and other important plants and herbs are disappearing and citizens of Terramore believe that Cobraxas, the powerful serpent leader of Mudgunkland, is the culprit. Frawg is chosen to lead a military expedition to get rid of the snakes. Can Frawg and his brave comrades meet the challenge? They are not experienced soldiers. What will happen to Terramore if they fail? Amphibians rule in this fantasy adventure for pre-teens.
Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, read aloud book, advanced reader
Recommended Age: 8 to 12
Age of Child: Teen STAR Review Team, Be the Star You Are!™
Little Kid Reaction: Review pending.
Big Kid Reaction: This book offers another variation on the Harry Potter theme, albeit with a conservation twist. While the fantasy is intriguing, the author risks losing the reader’s attention and engagement due to “adventure” over-kill.
Pros: The author gives teen readers an intriguing fantasy, as well as some sober reflections on the importance of preserving the environment natural and man-made.
Cons: Though Frawg and his associates successfully met the various challenges circumstances presented, there were too many such incidents.
Borrow or Buy: Definitely borrow from your school or public library. While it is an acceptable and enjoyable read it is one of hundreds of similar fantasy adventure stories.
Educational Themes: The main story is essentially a David-vs-Goliath tale. The subliminal plot focuses on natural habitat and the role all living creatures play in maintaining a sustainable environmental balance. There is a lot of material here for engaging readers on habitat, environmental issues, self-confidence, and creative problem solving.
End Review
Well this was the part I found a bit confusing:
“This book offers another variation on the Harry Potter theme…”
I’m not sure what the Harry Potter theme is because I only started reading my first Harry Potter recently. I wrote The Other Side of Yore before I’d ever even seen a Harry Potter movie. I don’t know what my book has in common with Harry Potter, because there are no teenagers or kids in it and no humans either (it’s about amphibians and snakes, mostly). There is also very little “magic using” in Yore. Really, the only similarity that I can think of is that both books are in the Young Adult Fantasy genre. Surely “Watership Down,” “Redwall,” and “The Hobbit” aren’t “variations on the Harry Potter theme” as well?
But I guess if I’m going to be compared to someone, it can’t hurt to be compared to J.K. Rowling! Especially in the current book purchasing climate….
The other criticism I found perplexing was this:
“While the fantasy is intriguing, the author risks losing the reader’s attention and engagement due to “adventure” over-kill.”
and
“Though Frawg and his associates successfully met the various challenges circumstances presented, there were too many such incidents. ”
Again, if I’m going to be criticized, saying that my work has too much adventure in it is pretty good criticism. I’ve just never heard that cited as a drawback for a book before, or even a movie. Of course, in my opinion, even Die-Hard With a Vengeance wasn’t too action-packed.
Maybe I should go back and throw some boring parts in?
Just kidding.
But what do you guys think?
Is there a similarity in “Yore” to “Harry Potter” that I’m missing?
Does “Yore” have too much adventure in it?
Anyway, here’s the link to the full review: