I actually had Book 2 in the series recommended, but I went and read Book 1 first.
First things first – I loved it. I found myself relaxing in to it. It’s a story of a mysterious coin purse, a magical ring, extra dimensional beings and, well, all sorts of good stuff.
I get the feel that it is aimed at a young adult market, and the language used is very straightforward and streamlined and there is a wonderful clarity in the descriptions. This balances out a plot that intertwines intricately between different viewpoints, time periods and even worlds.
To be honest, sometimes I got a little lost in names, but a sneak peak at the next book shows a ‘who’s who’ and I think I will be referring back to it. And I am looking forward to learning how this world works as the series unfolds as Marianne Madson doesn’t dump a swathe of information on you but teases glimpses in as you read the book.
Perhaps my favourite passage, because it is so vivid and intriguing:
An old childhood memory of her Father comes to mind.
It’s of a moment she had forgotten but now can clearly recall.
Her Father is staring at her with his own grey gold flecked eyes.
He touches her forehead with the tip of his right index finger while saying in a hypnotic tone.
“Remember to act when you find the Red coat, Rose, DON’T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY SLIP AWAY!”
It is a story with a lot of light and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
