Customer Reviews

Annie Clark And The Pearls Of Wisdom

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Annie Clark and the Pearls of Wisdom" is a magical fantasy for children of all ages. The author gets us right into the story with great economy, gradually revealing Annie's back story as we move forward in action. We sympathize right away with Annie, who tries to cope with the shocking news that she is not at all who she thought she was. Browne does an excellent job conveying Annie's mixed feelings of curiosity, excitement and anxiety over the new magical world that flamboyant Grandma Rose pulls her into. The promise of a centaur ballet and hints that Annie has not been told all there is to know about her own history keep us hooked to the story. I hope I get a chance to read the rest.

Last night, my wife and almost 12 year old daughter read this together - here is their review...Neither one of us are huge fans of fantasy but we have to tell you, we were loving this story. We both found the cast of characters very easy to get to know and very entertaining. We also had several good chuckles which balanced the seriousness of the ill animal plot. When we were nearing the end and read aloud the last word, we so wanted more. Today my daughter is brining the story to school so all her friends can read it. We sure hope to get more of Annie Clark - this is a winner for all....please don't keep us waiting too long !!!

I am a big fan of fantasy and fairy tales and this book hooked me with the first few lines. Not only is it an enjoyable read, but the excerpt also does a great job of laying the groundwork for a fun story that engagingly deals with issues often faced by young girls. The author's fluid style and imaginative descriptions make it easy to picture this new world, and I am looking forward to the promised adventures yet to come. I can't wait to read the rest of it!
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It's now a day later and I just had to come back and say that I can't stop thinking about the book. That's when I know a book is good!

The most interesting aspect of this presumably coming-of-age tale is the familiar family dynamics in the unfamiliar environment of a magical world. More than hearing about the fairy world itself, I am interested in knowing more about the stories of Annie's family members. A great deal of humor and pathos can be gleaned from Annie's struggles to deal with the news of her adoption, prove herself to these new family members, and learn to love this family she has never known--things girl readers may also be dealing with, but with a magical twist. Where will Annie place herself in the tension between the human heritage she gets from her father and the magical one from her mother? Who is she, and where does she belong?

At the beginning of the tale, some of the description (watch the alliteration, it's a bit much!)takes away from the narrative and distracts from the adventure taking place. Nonetheless, Ms. Browne has the makings of a wordsmith with creations such as "haviary". While places in the story could use improvement, I am interested to see how she will develop as a writer.

When I first started reading the story, it was with the opinion that I was trying to see if it would make a good gift for pre-teen girl relatives. I was therefore, surprised to find myself quite caught up in it, and wanting to read more after the small portion that is available for this contest. Laura Browne throws in puns and play-on-words enough to give the older reader a chuckle, as well as weaving the story to interest her actual target audience. I will certainly look for this book in its entirety, hope to find it here one day.

Our daughter loved the fantasy of this book, found it fun to read, and sped through it at one sitting. She says it was just the right length, well written, and easy and quick to read.

I think she also resonated with the central character Annie, because she too is an adopted child, and she found it fascinating how it might be possible to find her birth family.

Our daughter also loves and rides horses, and so she strongly related to that element as well. The magic school aspect was a bonus.

Describing the book as "really good," she rates it "5 stars" and would like to read another similar book by Laura Browne.

Upon reading Laura Browne's - "Annie Clark and the Pearls of Wisdom", I was able to see it taking place in my mind. I envisioned Tornado the neighfly with his beautiful expansive wings. I wanted to visit the magical kindgom of Wistmera, and be a part of the celebration. Mrs. F would be cool to hang out with. This is truly an interesting and enjoyable story that begs to be told. I want more time with Annie Clark, please.

Laura's story of a magical world is wonderful! By the time I finished the first few pages I was hooked into the story and wondering what comes next. This story promises to be a lot of fun and good reading for magic lovers everywhere. I can't wait to get the finished work! Way to go Laura!

I was immediately immersed in this story. Laura Browne has a definite knack for engaging her reader. Her details are crisp and clear, neither too thin and diluted nor too lengthy and burdensome -- like Goldi Locks' pooridge, just right. Laura gives the imagination precisely the quantity and quality of information needed to whet the appetite for more, more and more. I can't wait to read the rest of the story. My mind is jumping with curiousity for what happens next and who/what else I will meet along the way as I travel through this adventure. This is good clean fun for readers of all ages, because you never outgrow your imagination.

Laura really gives us a window on a lyrical and amusing magical world full of flying horses, talking cats, a stylin' witch grandma, centaurs, fairies, and the mystery of the elfin heroine's true identity. This is a tale all young fans of Tamora Pierce, Gail Carson Levine, and Jackie French Koller will find intriguing and delightful. Laura's amusing tone and capricious images make her stories a pleasing romp in the world of fantasy.