Customer Reviews

GoneAway Into the Land

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gone Away Into The Land....by Jeffery B. Allen. Truly a vacation spot that takes you to depths of the unexpected. The more that you read, the deeper this story gets while remaining light hearted and fun to read. This book leaves you with a feeling of yearning for more. As you travel throughout the land with John and his mother, Ellie, you are on a journey to places that you only dare to imagine. Mr. Allen has found a way to depict self exploration, our journey through life, the wonders of the afterlife, intense life lessons and the wonders of youth masterfully hidden within a light hearted story. Find yourself in a world where not only is it impossible to forget the pleasures of your childhood; but a place where you can embrace them and make them part of your soul.

I thoroughly enjoyed - in fact, lost myself in - this riveting tale of a young hero's epic journey through the most amazing place an imagination could conjure, while facing the most sinister of foes. The imagery was so deliciously described, I felt as though I was there!! A truly unique story!

This is an amazing tale for many reasons. But one thing that sets this book apart from others is this:
In order for the story to be told and understood in the context intended by the author he continuously provides the reader with a stream of visions about what this Land is all about. The attention to every detail of the Land, it's inhabitants, topography, culture, and all the incredible mind blowing intricacies of this parallel universe are all revealed as a backdrop, a stage, to support the real story of the heroes and villains.

Multiple story lines are weaved into a concert of reality and fantasy and always being supported by author Jeffery Allen's knack for letting the reader get a good visual fix on the physical surroundings of the scene. His descriptions are so real and detailed it seems like he grew up in the Land.

It's a great read and an escape into a world that will stay in your memory for a lifetime.

I just finished reading this book called "GoneAway Into The Land" by Jeffrey B. Allen. The author contacted me on Facebook and asked if I would review his book. I am so glad he did! It's an amazing story told with wonderful imagination.

GoneAway is the story of John, who is twelve years old and a victim of the abusive wrath of his father whom John renames, the Beast. The Beast takes off with John's younger sister, Marny. In order to save Marny, John and his mom venture into the Land. It is during their desperate search to find her that John decides he must destroy the Beast. Not only to protect himself and his mother from future abuse but to save his sister and the friends he has made in the Land. An evil plot developed by Minister Mengus may destroy the Land and everyone in it. Will John be able to save his sister and this new land he's come to love?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who was once a kid. You will not be disappointed!

I just finished the book...

Amazing. Jeffrey B. Allen has totally succeeded in creating a fantastic world. He writes very convincingly about it almost as if he has lived there. As a sci-fi fan, I relish in being transported somewhere else. I particularly enjoyed the last 100 pages or so. The intensity escalates there and made it very easy to read in one sitting. The whole thing was hard to put down. Very good management of multiple plot lines without confusion. Great depth of character, very believable. I also appreciate the "epic" nature of the whole story. It's got something for everyone. I think kids and adults alike can take something from what he's written. I keep trying to envision these characters and landscapes in my head. It's quite a unique world... illustrated version in the future perhaps???!!!! It's a must read!

Remember, in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, when Willy Wonka took the children and their guardians for a ride in a boat? Remember how the boat ride suddenly because dark and sinister, and you sensed there was something seriously evil afoot in the chocolate factory? Keep that boat ride in mind, and you'll have some idea of where GoneAway Into the Land (2008, Wandering Sage Publications) is going to take you.

"His name was Danny Greber, Daniel Johannes Greber, but I named him the beast." From its opening line, GoneAway crackles with danger. Author Jeffrey B. Allen creates a vivid, animated world in which trains breathe and an attic full of discarded housewares plots its revenge. Clearly, Allen has a poet's eye. His young hero, thirteen-year-old John, has a poet-warrior's heart. Imagine Harry Potter if, instead of the slightly unpleasant Dursleys, Harry had been raised by a full-grown mountain troll.

John's beast of a father is unpredictable and dangerous. He takes the story book villain to a whole new level of greed and ignorance.

"The beast" finally goes too far when he disappears, taking John's little sister, Marny, with him. The search for Marny leads John and his mother, Ellie, in the Land, a place they couldn't have imagined in their wildest dreams. (Think of Candyland crossed with Gregory Maguire's vision of Oz and you'll have something of an idea.) Allen skillfully combines the everyday world with the fantastic, a seemingly seamless combination which reminds the reader of the very best of fantasy novels. Yet, GoneAway never imitates the style of other fantasies. It remains fresh and surprising, giving the reader little thrills of recognition but never descending into fairy tale cliches.

A note at the end of the book promises the GoneAway series will continue in a second book. The GoneAway series promises to be a fascinating one, as the first book ends on notes of hope, but also of missed opportunity. It will be rewarding to see how the series develops.

GoneAway Into the Land is a highly satisfying reading fix for older children. It will not disappoint adult fans of fantasy, either. Readers who enjoyed Keith Miller's The Book of Flying and other fairy tales for grown-ups will also appreciate GoneAway.

"Goneaway into The Land", by Jeffrey B Allen, is a delicious fantasy adventure book. John, a twelve year old, travels into a fantasy place with his mother to battle the Beast and save his sister, Marny. The Beast was his father, a violent, abusive, and psychotic man. In doing so he meets his twin sister, Sara, who was thought to be stillborn but taken into ZingZongLand to be raised. After defeating the Beast in a climatic finish, John fulfills his surprising destiny as the Purveyor, the being/person who is the intermediary between the world and ZingZongLand (ZZL). The two villains who brought the Beast and attempted to take control over ZZL, Mengus and Maraska were captured and exiled to an island to await their death.

ZingZongLand is world where the inspirations for sweets come from. Think Willy Wonka's candy factory turned into a vast land, only better. Jell-O ponds, jellybean rains, chocolate cake mountain, peppermint trees, a cacao river, with steam train connecting the different parts of the land which compete in producing the inspirations for all the deserts and candies that the world has. The history of ZZL is briefly outlined as well as why it exists and its place in the big scheme of everything. I read some of Allen's descriptions of ZZL to Jim and Nona, my children, and we all agreed we want to visit!

The book opens with scenes of domestic abuse which provides the counterpoint to beauty of ZingZongLand and illustrates how both intertwine. Because of the description of the reasons of the forced marriage of Daniel and Ellie, John's parent, and the Daniel's beating of his wife and John, parts of this book are not suitable for children.

This was a great read! For me, the first few chapters invokes memories that almost kept me from reading the rest of the book. Fortunately, I kept on and was treated to an exciting and amazing adventure, full of twists, turns, and colorful characters, and a couple of nasty villains. Jeffrey Allen is writing Book II, 'Into the World', that continues with Mengus and Maraska and their exile.

(Review by Steve, my husband.)

"GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND" is a unique story that takes the reader on a
journey through life as we follow the footsteps of John Greber, a
young hero. At age twelve, John was brave enough to travel into the
land of the unknown to confront his father face-to-face, better known
as "The Beast" through John's eyes. John made a secret vow to seek
revenge on his abusive father, rescue his sister, and help his mother
during a Civil War that threatens not only the land, but the world.
As John guides the reader through the battle of horror, with survival
as the ultimate goal, he becomes stronger each step of the way as he
shares his strength with Ellie, and Marney. The reader can feel his
strength as we continue a journey through the wonders of youth,
learning life's intense lessons, while absorbing the pleasures of
childhood. Can the reader relate to any of the dramatic events that
take place in the land of evil? Does the reader feel hope as the
journey continues? Can a parent read through the mind of Ellie?
Does Marney learn to treat John with respect, and admiration? I
recommend this novel to teens, adults, and all fantasy lovers. Jeffrey
B. Allen created a Masterpiece, a captivating story the reader can
never forget. The author's wild imagination draws the reader in,
like a magnet. The plot is superb, and his charismatic characters
come to life. "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND" is a riveting tale of not
just John's epic journey, but also our journey through life. The
vivid description of "The Beast" is incredible. The remarkable
journey is chilling, haunting, and mysterious as it takes the reader
to a place with unforgettable consequences. John Greber tugs at the
reader's heart as much as Trevor does in "PAY IT FORWARD." Jeffrey
B. Allen's "GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND" transforms into an action-packed
adventure that explodes with spectacular special effects, and the
reader will indulge into an awe-inspiring experience as if viewing
one of Steven Spielberg's finest!



Geraldine Ahearn AIOM HonDG
Author of 6 books
Founding Member ABI Women's Review Board
CCRN/ Author Geri Ahearn, INC

I must tell all.

This book is a galley copy. It has not been edited and it has the wrong cover. It was pirated. The book to read is the one with the yellow cover. They are like night and day. I know the author had no intention of releasing an unedited book and the pirating publisher who put this out is wrong to have done so. I must rate it 5 star because i read the edition printed with the yellow cover. It was fantastic.

This addition is being sold after the contract with the publisher was terminated. See the new addition under a new publisher. It is a better value and much cleaner on the re-edit.

Thank you