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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I didn't even know this book existed before picking it up at the library and I'm so glad I did. Such a fun book
Meet Arlo Finch, his world is about to go topsy-turvy when he finds out that magic is real... and that someone is after him.
I have been trying to write a review for 6 days, but it just isn't working. May also have to do that I am sick as hell, and just want to sleep all day. I still want to give my thoughts on this book so I will write a good/not so good review.
Good:
-The scout stuff. Man, I wish my scout days were this awesome, I would have been way more enthusiastic about it. Magic, learning all sorts of epic unknown knots, sled racing, learning all about the woods and what is in it. Sign me up! And then there are all sorts of levels and with each one you get more epicness. *dreams*
-The town and the surrounding area. It sounds like a wonderful spot, I am not sure if I can hold it out there long, I didn't read about any bookstores or libraries, but if it had both those with a good stock, sure, sign me up to live there. Though, I would also like some internet. For my blog. To keep up with my friends and family. The woods are a slightly bit creepy, but I can live with that. It is a shame I am an adult and apparently adults seem to forget about the epic stuff happening in the area, but I just hope that I can still see things.
-The mystery. There is a ton of mystery, because someone is after Arlo. He is also seeing his patrol leader's missing (or is she) cousin and she talks to him and warns him. It makes me very curious as to what is up with Arlo. Why is he so special? What kind of powers does he have?
-I just love the new kids in town trope. Seeing the kids adapt to a life in the midst of nothing with weird things happening nearby is great fun. At first you see them struggle and they are angry for having moved so far away (especially Arlo's sister had that), but then you see them make friends, discover something special in this new space.
-The scary/exciting/OMG things that happen. You won't be bored as soon as the story takes off. It will keep you on your toes the whole way in, you will be right next to Arlo, as eager as he is with finding out what is going on.
-Arlo's new friends. They were just so sweet and I loved how they and Arlo clicked together. They quickly formed an amazing bond and I was smiling that Arlo found new friendship so fast.
-The fact that these kids in the town think that it is like this everywhere. While in fact Arlo has no clue on what they are talking about for about 99% of the time. :P
-Arlo. He will also make an appearance in the next part. I quite loved seeing him grow. From a new kid who is unsure about how things work and how to deal with this new situation to someone is getting stronger and more sure about things. He was brave, he never quit, and he made sure his friends and family were safe and OK.
-The cover is just amazeballs.
-The whole deal with Arlo's dad. I was saddened that he wasn't able to be with his family, but I am happy that they had a chance to at least talk to him each week. It made me feel very happy and warm inside each time they opened that laptop and had a good chat. Talking about anything and everything. I do hope that Arlo's dad is able to come back one day.
Not so good:
-A very slow start. It took me quite a bit to get into the book, but once I did I was totally immersed in the story.
-Arlo. Arlo was also fun, as you can see in the good part of the review. But at times he was just so dumb. He is 12 years old, but at times he acts more like an 8 year old. He didn't know some very basic and common things, he thought his sister was possessed when she started dating, and some other things. I was just shaking my head and wondering if Arlo was missing something in his head.
I still have questions, what connects Arlo with Rielle (their eyes at least, but there is more)? What happened to the yellow team on the scouts? What is hiding in the woods? Will Arlo be able to do more magic? Learn more magic? Will his dad come home? What is up with his uncle? I will be getting book 2 soon, I need it in my life.
This was a really fun, magical, amazing story and I would recommend it to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have been trying to write a review for 6 days, but it just isn't working. May also have to do that I am sick as hell, and just want to sleep all day. I still want to give my thoughts on this book so I will write a good/not so good review.
Good:
-The scout stuff. Man, I wish my scout days were this awesome, I would have been way more enthusiastic about it. Magic, learning all sorts of epic unknown knots, sled racing, learning all about the woods and what is in it. Sign me up! And then there are all sorts of levels and with each one you get more epicness. *dreams*
-The town and the surrounding area. It sounds like a wonderful spot, I am not sure if I can hold it out there long, I didn't read about any bookstores or libraries, but if it had both those with a good stock, sure, sign me up to live there. Though, I would also like some internet. For my blog. To keep up with my friends and family. The woods are a slightly bit creepy, but I can live with that. It is a shame I am an adult and apparently adults seem to forget about the epic stuff happening in the area, but I just hope that I can still see things.
-The mystery. There is a ton of mystery, because someone is after Arlo. He is also seeing his patrol leader's missing (or is she) cousin and she talks to him and warns him. It makes me very curious as to what is up with Arlo. Why is he so special? What kind of powers does he have?
-I just love the new kids in town trope. Seeing the kids adapt to a life in the midst of nothing with weird things happening nearby is great fun. At first you see them struggle and they are angry for having moved so far away (especially Arlo's sister had that), but then you see them make friends, discover something special in this new space.
-The scary/exciting/OMG things that happen. You won't be bored as soon as the story takes off. It will keep you on your toes the whole way in, you will be right next to Arlo, as eager as he is with finding out what is going on.
-Arlo's new friends. They were just so sweet and I loved how they and Arlo clicked together. They quickly formed an amazing bond and I was smiling that Arlo found new friendship so fast.
-The fact that these kids in the town think that it is like this everywhere. While in fact Arlo has no clue on what they are talking about for about 99% of the time. :P
-Arlo. He will also make an appearance in the next part. I quite loved seeing him grow. From a new kid who is unsure about how things work and how to deal with this new situation to someone is getting stronger and more sure about things. He was brave, he never quit, and he made sure his friends and family were safe and OK.
-The cover is just amazeballs.
-The whole deal with Arlo's dad. I was saddened that he wasn't able to be with his family, but I am happy that they had a chance to at least talk to him each week. It made me feel very happy and warm inside each time they opened that laptop and had a good chat. Talking about anything and everything. I do hope that Arlo's dad is able to come back one day.
Not so good:
-A very slow start. It took me quite a bit to get into the book, but once I did I was totally immersed in the story.
-Arlo. Arlo was also fun, as you can see in the good part of the review. But at times he was just so dumb. He is 12 years old, but at times he acts more like an 8 year old. He didn't know some very basic and common things, he thought his sister was possessed when she started dating, and some other things. I was just shaking my head and wondering if Arlo was missing something in his head.
I still have questions, what connects Arlo with Rielle (their eyes at least, but there is more)? What happened to the yellow team on the scouts? What is hiding in the woods? Will Arlo be able to do more magic? Learn more magic? Will his dad come home? What is up with his uncle? I will be getting book 2 soon, I need it in my life.
This was a really fun, magical, amazing story and I would recommend it to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Such a fantastic story about friendship, loyalty, bravery, and a young kid finding his place in the world.
My kids love this series! I like the idea of a series with inspiration from scouting
Fun book for adventurous kids. Kid can’t wait for the sequel.
This is the other title that came in my first Amazon Book Box for kids - I love being introduced to new books! Also, so many have been written and published and well-loved since I was this age group, I'm loving reading a whole new generation of titles.
Arlo Finch has moved to Pine Mountain, CO with his mom and sister. It's the last move, hopefully, in a string of moves since his Dad fled to China. Pine Mountain is where his mom grew up and his Uncle, whom he has never met, lives in the family home. As they drive up to the house his sister makes the comment that it looks like a "murder house" and Arlo wonders what they have just entered into.
But it isn't that bad really. His first day of school he gets invited to Rangers, a co-ed group of kids similar to Boy and Girl Scouts but with a twist that Arlo can't quite put his finger on. As he gets more involved with Rangers, however, the twist becomes apparent and Arlo is fascinated. A series of events specific to Arlo leads the patrol he's a part of to wonder if bigger forces aren't at play. And at the Annual Alpine Derby everything comes to a conclusion. Arlo is braver and bigger than he ever thought.
This is a great read for kids interested in action and supernatural events. It's the first in a series, the second one scheduled to be released any day now (or perhaps it already is.) I love that August has created a "Scouts" group that is 1) co-ed and 2) magical. While I am reluctant to make a connection I couldn't help but think of it as containing some Harry Potter like qualities. Arlo and his friend group, the magic, the larger purpose. But it is nothing like Harry Potter - it just had a few qualities in common. I'm definitely passing this along to my littles and hope they enjoy it as much as I did!
Arlo Finch has moved to Pine Mountain, CO with his mom and sister. It's the last move, hopefully, in a string of moves since his Dad fled to China. Pine Mountain is where his mom grew up and his Uncle, whom he has never met, lives in the family home. As they drive up to the house his sister makes the comment that it looks like a "murder house" and Arlo wonders what they have just entered into.
But it isn't that bad really. His first day of school he gets invited to Rangers, a co-ed group of kids similar to Boy and Girl Scouts but with a twist that Arlo can't quite put his finger on. As he gets more involved with Rangers, however, the twist becomes apparent and Arlo is fascinated. A series of events specific to Arlo leads the patrol he's a part of to wonder if bigger forces aren't at play. And at the Annual Alpine Derby everything comes to a conclusion. Arlo is braver and bigger than he ever thought.
This is a great read for kids interested in action and supernatural events. It's the first in a series, the second one scheduled to be released any day now (or perhaps it already is.) I love that August has created a "Scouts" group that is 1) co-ed and 2) magical. While I am reluctant to make a connection I couldn't help but think of it as containing some Harry Potter like qualities. Arlo and his friend group, the magic, the larger purpose. But it is nothing like Harry Potter - it just had a few qualities in common. I'm definitely passing this along to my littles and hope they enjoy it as much as I did!
I liked this well enough, but the plot was a little bit too much on rails for me. Too much stuff just happens and Arlo as a character didn't really come together. The podcast about the book's creation was great, though.
„Während seiner kurzen Zeit in Pine Mountain war er wunderlichen Wesen und geheimnisvollen Kräften begegnet. Beinahe wäre er sogar getötet worden. Aber ohne es auch nur richtig mitzubekommen, hatte er zwei beste Freunde gefunden.
Das war die größte Überraschung.“ (S.96)
Arlo zieht mit seiner Mutter und 3 Jahre älteren Schwester Jaycee zu Onkel Wade nach Pine Mountain, einem winzigen Dorf in den Bergen, dessen Ampeln man an einer Hand abzählen kann. Dass die Dinge hier anders laufen, bemerkt der Junge schnell, er sieht Dinge, die sich nur mit Magie erklären lassen. Ein Glück findet er schnell Freunde und schließt sich den Rangern der Stadt an, die ihm bei der Suche nach Antworten zur Seite stehen und ihn mit den Wäldern, ihren Bewohnern und Gefahren bekannt machen. Allerdings verbergen diese mehr Geheimnisse, als sie zunächst geglaubt haben..
Da ich im Herzen junggeblieben bin und neben New Adult auch unglaublich gern Fantasy- und Jugendbücher lese, war ich sehr glücklich, auch zur Abwechslung mal was für die Jüngeren lesen zu dürfen. Konkrete Erwartungen hatte ich eigentlich nicht, ich habe die Geschichte abgesehen von der Leseprobe einfach auf mich zukommen lassen und war positiv überrascht, wie sehr dieses Buch meinem Lesegeschmack entsprach.
Erzählt wird aus der Sicht auf den 12-Jährigen Jungen Arlo. Sprachlich gesehen ist das Buch sehr einfach und damit angemessen für die Zielgruppe gestaltet, und es liest sich entsprechend flüssig und angenehm. Die Kapitel sind passend für ein Kinderbuch nicht zu lang, sodass der nächste Abschnitt, falls man das Buch unterbrechen möchte, immer schnell erreicht ist. Auch das hat mir gut gefallen, da ich es nicht mag, wenn das Buch gefühlt nur fünf Kapitel hat und man es mitten im Satz beenden muss, falls man mal eine Pause braucht.
Die Gedanken und Handlungen eines Kindes zu verfolgen finde ich immer sehr spannend, da diese manchmal so ganz andere Beweggründe haben als Erwachsene. Arlo war mir als Charakter total sympathisch, er sieht die Welt auf seine eigene Art und Weise. Er wirkt wie ein ruhiger, eher in sich gekehrter Junge, ist immer sehr umsichtig und versucht, es seiner Familie und seinen Freunden recht zu machen. Arlo ergänzt sich perfekt mit seinen beiden Mitschülern und Rangerkollegen Indra und Henry Wu.
Auch Onkel Wade, ein griesgrämiger, verschlossener Geselle, ist mir sehr ans Herz gewachsen. Sein Job lässt zwar zu wünschen übrig, aber er hilft Arlo wo er kann, womit er sich viele Pluspunkte verdient hat.
Ich muss sagen, dass ich ein wenig gebraucht habe, bis ich die Zusammenhänge zwischen Pine Mountain und den Long Woods verstanden habe, und was das alles mit Magie zu tun hat, die eigentlich gar keine ist. Aber das Abenteuer von Arlo und seinen Freunden war gleichzeitig spannend wie zauberhaft, und auch mal in den Alltag der jungen Ranger, die eher den Eindruck erwecken, Pfadfinder zu sein, reinzuschnuppern, war mal was neues für mich. Besonders den Wettkampf habe ich gespannt verfolgt und war mit dem Ausgang dessen sehr zufrieden.
Mein Fazit:
Ein gelungenes Buch, dessen Fortsetzung ich bereits freudig erwarte, auch wenn das noch bis 2019 dauert. Nicht nur für kleine Leser, sondern auch für die älteren ein großer Lesespaß, also von mir eine klare Leseempfehlung!
Das war die größte Überraschung.“ (S.96)
Arlo zieht mit seiner Mutter und 3 Jahre älteren Schwester Jaycee zu Onkel Wade nach Pine Mountain, einem winzigen Dorf in den Bergen, dessen Ampeln man an einer Hand abzählen kann. Dass die Dinge hier anders laufen, bemerkt der Junge schnell, er sieht Dinge, die sich nur mit Magie erklären lassen. Ein Glück findet er schnell Freunde und schließt sich den Rangern der Stadt an, die ihm bei der Suche nach Antworten zur Seite stehen und ihn mit den Wäldern, ihren Bewohnern und Gefahren bekannt machen. Allerdings verbergen diese mehr Geheimnisse, als sie zunächst geglaubt haben..
Da ich im Herzen junggeblieben bin und neben New Adult auch unglaublich gern Fantasy- und Jugendbücher lese, war ich sehr glücklich, auch zur Abwechslung mal was für die Jüngeren lesen zu dürfen. Konkrete Erwartungen hatte ich eigentlich nicht, ich habe die Geschichte abgesehen von der Leseprobe einfach auf mich zukommen lassen und war positiv überrascht, wie sehr dieses Buch meinem Lesegeschmack entsprach.
Erzählt wird aus der Sicht auf den 12-Jährigen Jungen Arlo. Sprachlich gesehen ist das Buch sehr einfach und damit angemessen für die Zielgruppe gestaltet, und es liest sich entsprechend flüssig und angenehm. Die Kapitel sind passend für ein Kinderbuch nicht zu lang, sodass der nächste Abschnitt, falls man das Buch unterbrechen möchte, immer schnell erreicht ist. Auch das hat mir gut gefallen, da ich es nicht mag, wenn das Buch gefühlt nur fünf Kapitel hat und man es mitten im Satz beenden muss, falls man mal eine Pause braucht.
Die Gedanken und Handlungen eines Kindes zu verfolgen finde ich immer sehr spannend, da diese manchmal so ganz andere Beweggründe haben als Erwachsene. Arlo war mir als Charakter total sympathisch, er sieht die Welt auf seine eigene Art und Weise. Er wirkt wie ein ruhiger, eher in sich gekehrter Junge, ist immer sehr umsichtig und versucht, es seiner Familie und seinen Freunden recht zu machen. Arlo ergänzt sich perfekt mit seinen beiden Mitschülern und Rangerkollegen Indra und Henry Wu.
Auch Onkel Wade, ein griesgrämiger, verschlossener Geselle, ist mir sehr ans Herz gewachsen. Sein Job lässt zwar zu wünschen übrig, aber er hilft Arlo wo er kann, womit er sich viele Pluspunkte verdient hat.
Ich muss sagen, dass ich ein wenig gebraucht habe, bis ich die Zusammenhänge zwischen Pine Mountain und den Long Woods verstanden habe, und was das alles mit Magie zu tun hat, die eigentlich gar keine ist. Aber das Abenteuer von Arlo und seinen Freunden war gleichzeitig spannend wie zauberhaft, und auch mal in den Alltag der jungen Ranger, die eher den Eindruck erwecken, Pfadfinder zu sein, reinzuschnuppern, war mal was neues für mich. Besonders den Wettkampf habe ich gespannt verfolgt und war mit dem Ausgang dessen sehr zufrieden.
Mein Fazit:
Ein gelungenes Buch, dessen Fortsetzung ich bereits freudig erwarte, auch wenn das noch bis 2019 dauert. Nicht nur für kleine Leser, sondern auch für die älteren ein großer Lesespaß, also von mir eine klare Leseempfehlung!
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced