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.

The Tenth City (Review)

The fate of Land of Elyon lies on Alexa Daley’s hands. The third book of The Land of Elyon series, The Tenth City, is published by Patrick Carman and Orchard Books in 2006. This book’s style is filled with appealing adventures followed by a miracle, and an unbelievable surprise. The Tenth City is one of my favorites in the Land of Elyon series because the second part is covered with more depressing news with each following second until the point where I had tear rolling down my cheeks.

Alexa and her companions are drifting on the Lonely Sea with the hope of reaching Bridewell within three days in order to save Yipes from Grindall’s clutches. Elyon guides Alexa along as she and her friends try their best to defeat Grindall. They faced the strength of the Lonely Sea, and they experienced the feelings of being betrayed by a close friend. With all that they went though, will Grindall and his ogres finally be defeated? Will the Land of Elyon finally be left in peace?

Carman’s eloquent details make this book even better than the rest, especially the descriptions about Victor Grindall. The vivid vocabulary he uses illustrates pictures after pictures. “‘She must show herself by tomorrow or I’ll have to throw you out the window,’ Grindall threatened, his wicked voice echoing off the walls…” Carman makes Grindall be like those evil sorcerers that’s presented on TV without the need of showing a single picture. It feels like watching a movie instead of actually reading a book.

This book is once again written on a basis of an intricate plot. With Grindall and his ogres waiting for Alexa’s arrival at Bridewell, the story already begins with a complex situation. To me, the plot is somewhat similar to the second book. It begins pretty straight forward with sudden twists and turns nearing the end.

Patrick Carman’s creativity and originality yet again created another distinctive adventurous book to children as well as adults. Its intricate plot develops on to become even more intriguing adventures that Alexa has to take to protect the Land of Elyon. What is the fate of the Land of Elyon, and what is the secret that Alexa is about to discover? Its secret is revealed in The Tenth City.