2024 the best fantasy novels review

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(as of Dec 16, 2024 08:00:10 UTC - Details)

"This story is a captivating blend of Christian science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. For 11-14-year-old readers who enjoy books such as A Wrinkle In Time."

"Do you believe in angels?"

"The Girl Who Captured the Stars, the first book in author L.B. Anne's Sheena Meyer series is fantastic! I like how Sheena figures out she has powers, and how she trusts her friends but wants to protect them also. Some parts of the story are sad. Some parts of the story are scary. But some parts of the story are so funny, they made me laugh out loud!" Amazon Reviewer

"What am I?"

Sheena Meyer is the girl who brings an extra lunch to school each day just in case someone doesn't have lunch. She's also the girl who questions and investigates everything, driving her parents and teachers nuts. She spends most days waiting for some grand event to happen and change her life, but she won't have to wait much longer.

The Murk is coming for her because of a gift she doesn't know she has.

Nine years ago an angel appeared in front of select kids all over the world. In Michigan, it appeared in a willow tree in front of a four-year-old little girl. She's the only child who saw it, the one with the gift. Sheena is now thirteen and has since forgotten what she saw. But things change when her father is in a terrible accident, and she witnesses a supernatural being save him.

"I saw what you did. Come Back!"

An elderly man, a peculiar new kid at school, and mysterious text messages will change everything Sheena has ever believed in, sweeping her out of a humdrum, teenage, existence, and setting in motion what one little girl's destiny can mean to the world.

★★★★★Safe, clean, great reads for middle schoolers! Amazon Reviewer

I have a 13 year old daughter who loves to read but we are really cautious over what she reads. She is also really picky about what she reads so finding something we approve and she likes can be a challenge. I read all 3 books in the series before giving them to her and loved them myself! They are a fun light read as an adult and they were safe but interesting for a middle schooler to read. The first day I had her start reading she read 11 chapters in The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars because she could not put it down! She can't wait to read more and says she will finish all 3 quick because they are so good and she has to know what happens! Also love that the main characters are black and they talk about curly hair, it is great for my daughter to read books with characters who represent what she looks like. Thankful I found these books for my daughter!

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (October 28, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 181 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1700075721
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1700075727
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years, from customers
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches
Reviewer: Kathryn Borgmann
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Ok, Wow.
Review: That book was amazing! It was actually more interesting than I thought it was. Normally I only read things that take place in a fantasy world/ setting, but I liked that book a lot! Really good. 😀

Reviewer: Kimmie
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: 5th time I’m reading this series
Review: I love this series so Much I can’t recommend this book enough it’s perfect for ages 12 and up love it soooo much

Reviewer: MK Tufft
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Captivating start to a series!
Review: I felt totally immersed in Sheena’s world as she gradually discovers her gift… and struggles with whom to share her secret, PLUS the responsibility and danger that goes along with it. Sheena has tough choices ahead.Warning… this ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger. So be prepared to binge-read a bit!

Reviewer: Jodi Cerda
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good but confusing
Review: My 12 year old loves to read. She said that the book was good but a little confusing at times. She also said that it could be a bit scary for younger readers.

Reviewer: mabg
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: well written
Review: Character-driven teen/preteen story about angels. Christianity is definitely in there, but not pushy, just as the ground of Sheena’s life. Sheena is an interesting person, at once strong for justice and caring about others, while also flawed and human. Her relationships with other kids are also outside the usual mode: she sees the cliques at school very clearly but also feels she shares something with all of them. She has few friends but lots of people she interacts with, and cares a lot for the little boy next door, while also sometimes wishing he’d leave her alone. It’s a more balanced portrayal than most, and her emotions and reactions feel age-appropriate and right for who she is. The author walks a fine line very skillfully. My one con is the book feels a little slow. The mystery is introduced around the halfway point, which is a little late, and Sheena doesn’t really get much further than understanding there are unusual spiritual forces interested in her. I wish we’d gotten a fuller picture than that of what was happening before breaking for book two. I’ll read another one because I enjoy the author’s portrayal of Sheena, and hope that more happens in the next entry.A very small niggle that has nothing much to do with the story:A Vow of Purity ceremony (a promise by a young girl to stay chaste before marriage, made to her dad) is mentioned early on and I thought, as I always do: “Why don’t evangelical boys take the same Vow of Purity to their moms? Isn’t a boy’s purity expected to be just as much a part of his faith as a girl’s is? And what better way to help remind a boy to respect women than by having him make a vow to his mother?” Doubt it will happen, but I really wish those expectations and promises were more balanced. . .

Reviewer: Leisa K.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Awesome series!!
Review: This series was requested by two students. Great for Middle Schoolers!!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Dream Come True
Review: Wow! What a riveting story. I have dreamt of a Christian fantasy and may have found it in this book series.I started reading this, as a 50+ yr old great aunt, to make sure it would be ok for my great niece to read and have ended up loving it myself! The characters are well rounded, the use of spiritual concepts so far are appropriate for youth and I appreciate that the parents and adults are mainly depicted as allies albeit protective. I hope this continues to be a book for young people that portrays parents and adults in harmony and protective authority over the youth in their sphere of influence. Cannot wait to read more. Excellent easy to read, and exciting adventure.So far, this will be on my Christmas list for a number of youth in my circle of friends and family.

Reviewer: obsmiller
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Book
Review: Exactly as described

Reviewer: Andrew Sibbald
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I particularly liked the relationship and comfortable chatter between Sheena and her mom.

Reviewer: Teresa Bagnall
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Thanks ☺️

Reviewer: Keshav Gupta
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I liked the cover and the story of this book, amazing

Reviewer: Brad k
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This book was purchased for our niece and she absolutely loved it!

Reviewer: Linz62
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Recipient pleased with book.