Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!, March 2, 2011
This review is from: Running from Secrets (Kindle Edition)
This story was fantastic. Full of plot twists and suspense! The characters are lovable and there was just a perfect hint of romance :) My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. I could read about Chime's world and Bethanys place in it for ever!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Running With Secrets by Stephanie Void, October 3, 2011
This review is from: Running from Secrets (Kindle Edition)
Running From Secrets combines the magic of writing and the merging of the real world and the imaginary for a fun read. While Bethany's character wasn't exactly defined, the characters in her made-up world where and the world building was equally as fleshed out. Though there are some hiccups in the writing, Running From Secrets is an easy read with good pacing and an interesting plot. As the lead, I'd have liked to see Bethany fleshed out a little more. She comes to life when she's in her imaginary world, becoming bold, but in her world she does flounder a bit. I'd have liked to see her grow a bit more as a main character, particularly with the secret she's harboring. Otherwise, I did like her imagination and willingness to believe and fall in love with the gift she was given. The characters in her imaginary world, Nvetherland, are vivid. I was particularly pleased with Dulgue's, The Resident Dark Lord, story arc and I liked the romance that sprouted up between him and Chime. The Dark Lord was by far my favorite character. I loved how inventive and intelligent he was. Where this novel really shone was the world building. As I'd mentioned before, the real world bits fall a little flat but Nvetherland is vivid and felt whole. I was always pleased to be back there and see more of the imaginative qualities that were there. From Vault 5 (that knows your fears) to the Minion Army that doesn't do anything to David and his faun friends, it all felt like it was whole. One scene in the real world that stands out to me is when Bethany stumble upon a minitaure verison of the same castle in her world. It was at that moment that the magic of the other world bleed into Bethany's real world. The plot is fast paced but again, I felt like the one in Nvetherland was much stronger than Bethany's real life and particularly at the end, Bethany's real life was sacrificed for the Nvetherland plot. Because of that, I don't feel like she was able to grow and learn as much as she possibly could. Also, things did fall into place a little too easily for Bethany and Chime. Funnily enough, in Bethany's world she had to work much harder for things. For the most part, the writing was solid but there were a few hiccups along the way. Running From Secrets did have its flaws but it was told in such an interesting way that I think it is worth having a look at. The world building is creative and vivid and it's hard not to root for the characters.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book For Narnia Fans :), May 11, 2011
This review is from: Running from Secrets (Kindle Edition)
Running from Secrets was an interesting story, and it was told in a fascinating way. Bethany recently lost her twin sister Antonia, and so she and her family move to a new place to help themselves cope with their loss. Shortly after they arrive in their new house, which is surrounded by forest, a strange man rings the door bell and when Bethany opens the door he warns her that the forest is evil.
Soon Bethany begins feeling a desire to write, and she is quickly enthralled in the written world that she has created. Her parents become worried and her mother suggests that she take a class at the community college because she's a smart girl. Being at school gives Bethany a chance to learn and meet new people, yet for a huge chunk of the time that she is at school she's still completely absorbed by her story. Over time, Bethany realizes that her story isn't what it seems. She has vivid dreams about the characters and even interacts with them, and she realizes they aren't dreams at all. She is really in New Velerethland with her characters! The fact that she can actually go into the story was the thing that fascinated me about this book the most!
I thought that Bethany was a great main character, she was smart and strong, and she adapted quickly. the only thing that I didn't think fit with her was her age. She was supposed to be 17 and she just didn't act like it at all, but I guess not at 17-year-olds act the same, so it wasn't a huge thing. Some of the dialogue was a little awkward, but it didn't detract away from the story. I absolutely loved the characters from New Velerethland, they were my favourites! Chime and Deluge particularly! Then there was the Queen Numuriu who was possessed by evil spirits, and the faun David, who I thought were both fantastic! Chime was the Queen's cousin, and Deluge was the Dark Lord, or the Queen arch-nemesis. Overall, I thought that the characters were fantastic and that Stephanie did a great job developing them!
It took a while for the plot of the story to develop, but once it did I thought it was fabulous. Bethany was being brought to New Velerethland to save them all, and I won't tell you if she succeeds, that's something you'll have to find out for yourself!
Running from Secrets was a great story, with a solid cast of characters, and I think it's something that fans of Narnia will like as they have the whole being able to go into another world aspect in common., plus they both have fauns and Queens! :D
***I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
