I was reminded of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe a few times, and The Hobbit a few times, etc. I was reminded of E.Nesbit's stories as well throughout the book, mainly by the tone and the family loyalty theme.

I was reminded of Harry Potter, only kind of in reverse, with the opening scene of the children being taken away from their home. There was nothing I could really point to and say, 'Oh, he was inspired by THIS story here,' or anything like that, it was more just an impression that I had.

This story reminded me of other children's stories - but only little bits and pieces. Then, after missing their last chance at placement with a foster family, they are sent to Cambridge Falls, where they stumble on an adventure that has been both 15 and thousands of years in the making. Kate, Michael and Emma have been shunted from orphanage to orphanage for 10 years, since being removed from their parents' house one Christmas Eve with a kiss and a promise that they'll be reunited again. I'm actually a little disappointed that I'll now have to wait for so long to read the next book and see what happens. I requested this book thinking that it would be a fun and magical children's story aimed at 8-10 year olds, like with the Percy Jackson series, but I was really surprised by the complexity and depth in this book, as well as the darkness, and loved every minute of reading it. fast-paced, fully imagined fantasy.- Publishers Weekly Echoes of other popular fantasy series, from Harry Potter to the Narnia books, are easily found, but debut author Stephens has created a new and appealing read. And-if an ancient prophesy is true-what they do can change history, and it's up to them to set things right.Ī new Narnia for the tween set.- The New York Times a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem.

Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about. Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage. trilogy, invoking just a little Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events along the way.- Realms of Fantasy Binding: Trade Paperback ISBN: 037587271XĪ strong. Stephens, John The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning)īook Condition: New Publisher: Yearling, April 2012.

John stephens the books of beginning