Patrick Carmen - The Genius Author

Patrick Carman is an American author of many books written for adults as well as children. His bestselling series include The Land of Elyon – The Dark Hills Divide, Beyond the Valley of the Thorns, The Tenth City, Into the Mist, and Stargazer (coming out this fall [September]), Atherton – House of Power, Rivers of Fire (coming out in May), and Third Atherton Book (coming out in 2009), and Elliot’s Park -- Saving Mister Nibbles, and Haunted Hike (coming out in August).

Carman was born in February 27, 1966, grew up in Salem, Oregon and graduated from Willamette University with a degree in economics (he doesn’t have an English degree). He went to Portland and ran an advertising agency. He also created popular board games as well. However, Carman wasn’t pleased with his work. “I mean, I actually did a lot of the design, but I never felt like I was really doing more than looking at what everybody else was doing and just kind of doing the same thing.” He decided to use his creativity to his maximum capacity, and to fulfill the dreams he had when he was in high school - to write a book.

Carman came up with the idea of the series when he and his wife decided that for one night of the week, Reese would have a night out, and Carman would hang out with the kids. Soon, his creativity again created the idea of a girl wanting to have adventures outside the walled city that she lives in. He kept a journal to doodle and write notes to keep all his ideas for the story. When Carman finally felt that he had done enough research, he began to write the story.

Patrick Carman lives in Walla Walla, Washington with his wife, Karen, and two daughters, Reese and Sierra. He also has two dogs, Taffy (mix-breed) and Otto (Chihuahua). Although Carman is very busy writing books, he still spends free time with his family.

Beyond the Valley of Thorns (Review)

The sinister forces in Land of Elyon have not died away just yet, and it’s up to the young Alexa Daley to save the Land of Elyon and maintain peace. Beyond the Valley of Thorns, published in 2005 by Patrick Carman and Orchard Books is yet again full of thriving events. Suspense fills every moment of Alexa and her friends’ adventure, along with a very special surprise at the end! I believe that this book is even better than the first book since this adventure proves to be a greater challenge than the last book and the new characters are very interesting and well-described.

Alexa’s new adventure soon began after Yipes gave her an old envelope from Thomas Warvold. From there, she again ventured on to the Dark Hills, and gained the last Jocasta. Alexa’s companions and Alexa herself traveled west, far away from Bridewell only to discover their path, the Valley of Thorns, to be full of monstrous giants. With the help from the giant - Armon, Alexa and her friend navigated through the Valley of Thorns and arrived at an old clock tower. They formed new friends and contemplated a plan to overthrow the tenth Victor Grindall. But most importantly, they have to prevent Grindall and his master’s malicious plans to destroy Elyon and bring darkness to the Land of Elyon.

Although this book’s plot is not very complicated, there still includes an extraordinary astonishment in the end (which I cannot tell you). Most part of the book is simply just escaping difficulties and heading for safely, but there are some events where Alexa and others triumph in their battle against the giants. Moreover, Patrick Carman’s creative ideas result the events to be original. The characters are also intriguing, and their personalities are well-described by Carman. Although the events in the book move by quickly, but I think it fits along with the plot with the rhythm of rushing. The simplicity of Beyond the Valley of Thorns makes it all the more enjoyable.

Beyond the Valley of Thorns is another refreshing book with a simple plot containing a huge surprise. Alexa must travel beyond the Valley of Thorns to prevent Elyon of being destroyed. Carman’s descriptive characters again bring the book to life as if you were observing every movement of the adventure. Beyond the Valley of Thorns is an exceptionally unique book and I strongly recommend it for others to read – both adults and children.