Customer Reviews

Crystal Doors #1 Island Realm (hardcover)

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4 star:		(3)
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I think this a great book!it had all the stuff i want in a book Magic,Imagination(on the part of the Authors),Some Fight scenes, And of course Suspense!I would certanly recommend this book.i think it probably for kids/teens around 10-13.the only problem i have with this book is the fact it's so short.Other than that i say bring it on!

Fourteen-year old cousins Gwen and Vic Pierce are almost nothing alike. Where Gwen is serious, scientific, and analytical, Vic is fun-loving, spontaneous, and outgoing. Older by a mere five hours, Gwen likes to think of herself as the one in charge. Vic likes to use his love of fun to rile his cousin up. Since they both live with Carlton Arthur "Cap" Pierce, Vic's father and Gwen's uncle, things often times get interesting. Gwen's father, Reginald "Rip" Pierce, was Uncle Cap's twin brother. And her mother, Fyera, was the sister of Vic's mom, Kyara. The two brothers met the two sisters on a dig in the Yucatan Peninsula and were instantly smitten. They soon married, and Gwen and Vic arrived on the same day, only hours apart.

Now Gwen's parents are gone, victims of a mysterious car accident. Even Vic's mother, Kyara, is no longer in the picture, having vanished into thin air two years ago only one week after the death of Gwen's parents. Now it's just Cap and the cousins, and the three attempt to make the best life together that they can. Gwen and Vic are raised almost like brother and sister, with Cap as their father. Although Gwen sometimes feels guilty for this new "family," her dreams of one day being a marine biologist keep her reaching towards her goal.

After a nearly disastrous trip to Ocean Kingdoms, the kids are surprised by Cap's strange behavior. He informs them that their family will be leaving the very next day, to avoid danger. Having no idea what he's talking about, Gwen and Vic spend a night of fitful sleep wondering what's gotten into their uncle and father. They awake the next morning to a solarium full of mirrors, crystals, and prisms, and suddenly their world gets a whole lot stranger.

Gwen and Vic find themselves falling through the light that Cap has created, almost as if it were a door. And when they land, they're no longer in a place that they recognize. The kids have come through a crystal door and ended up on the island of Elantya, the center through which all crystal doors unite. Although both bewildered by this new place and uncertain as to how they'll return home, Gwen and Vic are both excited by the people they meet on Elantya--Lyssandra, an interpreter and a telepath; Ali el Sharif, a novice at the Citadel who comes from the flying city of Irrakesh; and Tiaret, a young warrior girl who came from Afrik to also study at the Citadel.

As Gwen and Vic learn that the Elantyans are in the midst of a war with the Merlons, vicious creatures of the sea, they realize that getting back to Earth may be the least of their problems. The two teens will have to work together with their three new friends to protect Elantya from its enemies--and one such enemy might just very well be someone within the Elantyan's own midst.

The first in a trilogy, CRYSTAL DOORS is a highly entertaining contemporary fantasy that readers of all ages will enjoy. I look forward to reading more about life in Elantya, and finding out the reason that Gwen and Vic were brought there. A great read that you'll definitely enjoy!

i read this as an advanced review and i have to say i'm super glad they changed the cover! cousins Vic and Gwen are a little naive and not that believable as teens (especially city kids). i also felt that the mystery element with the parents was a little forced. however, this book has other very excellent qualities like the magical world of Elyanta and all of the strange and amazing creatures Vic and Gwen meet. it is fast paced and very interesting, the world and just come to life in a way that will grab teen readers and hook them (unlike that aweful first cover).

Though promoted as a Middle Grade Book (usually age 8+) this is for sure directed towards the oldest of the range (10-12). The world building in this is wonderful - the authors brilliantly described this *almost* earth like world with details that are full, but not boring. The new twist on old creatures, namely mermaids, is well done. None of them are copies of Disney's Ariel, these are mean, kickbutt, stab-you-for-fun type creatures. Some of the underlying themes will go unnoticed by younger children. But at 292 medium print pages, its an interesting read.

This book is just the first book in the trilogy. It starts off when Cousins Gwen and Vic fall through a mysterious crystal door to an island of magic, Elantya. From there many journeys start to open new doors for them. As the frantically try to get back to earth to there home and their father they get caught in a war with the hideous sea-dwelling Merlons. Only to find out that Elantya is the safest place for them as an evil magician Azric is trying to destroy their family and go through closed door that were said to be closed locking him away from his powerful army. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait until the next two books of the trilogy come out!