Customer Reviews

A World Away (Quest of Dan Clay, Book 1)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed the original story line and the way Catholicism was presented. Where the Catholic references might puzzle a non-Catholic, I think they do a great job in affirming our young Catholics out there. In my own adolescence, I remember feeling quite alone since nothing of what I saw in books, TV or movies was Catholic (not in a positive, or even accurate sense, anyway). And being devout was, well weird--even amongst fellow Catholics.

Now, about the book: it was a great idea, but I was somewhat disappointed in the execution. I'm not sure if this is because I am reading from a 37 year old mother's perspective (as opposed to the target age group--which is much younger)?

The book starts off nicely with Dan's accidental entry into a parallel world through a portal in the mysterious woods that lies outside the town's outskirts. The first third of the book is centered on his determination to find out more from the local library and the town's "crazy old guy" that supposedly entered into this world many years ago. He's convinced that this is linked to his brother's disappearance thirteen years ago. As Dan puzzles everything together, the reader is both excited and apprehensive about learning more.

When the expedition begins, the cracks begin to show. In a nutshell, there needed to be more detail. E.g., more description about the character's surroundings--other than what just the eyes see. The author could've appealed to the reader's other senses (smells, sounds, textures--and not by simply saying, "it smelled horrible" or "it felt squishy"). All of this helps the reader lose him or herself in the author's world. Has Mr. Smith spent much time in the woods?

Also, we scarcely know what our characters look like, much less what they are like--other than Jimmy is a dumb jock. Sam is a father figure. Cindy is a pretty, tough version of a guy (puh-leeze)--I say this because the author makes no distinction between the quirkiness of women and men--especially when teenagers. And Dan is a geek. Sufficient character development is necessary to allow the reader identify and sympathize with his/her heroes. What are their thoughts besides their current quest?

Some of it, and understandably so, because it is fantasy, was completely unrealistic. The chapter about the "Female Warrior" was a little too Hollywood for my taste. I don't claim to be an expert in fighting or combat, but I thought that the more successful persons who are engaged in this sort of thing have to put their emotions aside in order to focus. Cindy, in a rage, fought every one off by herself (yeah, like in a Rambo movie). I don't mean to trivialize war, but I think of it like sports, or a parent tending to a child in an emergency; if a person is enraged (as is the case here) or panicked, his or her judgment can become clouded. Cool heads prevail in these situations.

The adventure part of the book is not terrible, even if just play-by-play. Much of the deeper part of the story is revealed up front, which is another shortcoming. I think giving too much away too soon keeps the reader from wanting more. Plus the author doesn't let the reader know much more afterwards. So there is little suspense other than what creature is to be encountered next. The chapters begin and end without much suspense.

The reader isn't let in on the parts where the characters "talk late into the night," or "discuss (something) at length." I was really disappointed in not knowing what they thought about what happened when the holy water spilled. All of this gives the books a superficial feel.

Maybe I would've felt the same way if I had read this as a teen...? I found myself forcing myself to finish the book (although the end picks up and gets interesting).

I will probably get this for my kids since it is a wonderfully novel plot. It is wholesome, without the base language or behavior that other books resort to to attract readers. It is a good message.

Finally, I do want to support the author in his effort to combat the allure of novels with occultism or atheistic themes that are appealing to our young. My hope is that the author will work on his weaknesses for the next one. Hang in there, Mr. Smith!

P.S. I know this is terribly secular, and this author is not trying to be another Tolkien, or Lewis, or whomever, but I read a Robert Jordan series (Wheel of Time) many years ago. I never finished (got to book six or seven and was tired of the author's seemingly determination to not want to finish--plus I didn't like where it was heading), but one thing that appealed to me was the way the Jordan seemed to understand the gender differences in communication, miscommunication, etc. Perhaps Smith wouldn't mind checking out just one of his books?

Smith has written a unique story with exceptional imagination and creativity. Visiting a world away, creapy creatures, ghoulish characters and fright fill the record of the four characters who face frequent frightening experiences seemingly without end. Not recommended for young readers, I continued to recall C. S. Lewis's style mixed with a slightly milder Tolkien imagination. A great read, I recommend forcing the author to produce books two and three as soon as possible. Buy this for teens and adults.

A World Away: The Quest of Dan Clay: Book One Choosing Christmas gifts for my 13 year old grandson and 16 year old Godson has become more challenging. Both young men enjoy fantasy video games as well as reading, but I had no idea how to go about finding the most entertaining and constructive fiction for this age group. When I first heard Mr. Smith discuss his book on Catholic radio, I had a feeling it would fill the bill for both boys. I bought 3 copies as I too wanted to read the book. I was extremely impressed with the elements of suspense which caused me to read much later into the night than usual. It sparked my imagination by using vivid characters and an unusual story line. Not only did I greatly enjoy the book, but both teenagers, who received the book from me for Christmas, enjoyed it so much that they said they are now anxiously awaiting the publication of Mr. Smith's next book. It is my hope that Book Two is available before Christmas 2008. It would save me a lot of shopping time!!

I bought this book for my son. He would stay up 'til the wee hours reading. "Loved" the end. We're waiting for the next book to come out.

If you love the 'Chronicles of Narnia,' you'll love 'A World Away, the Quest of Dan Clay.' Steeped in adventure, with a unique story line, this Christian adventure is destined to be a hit with Christian parents and home schooling parents, who want to offer their children wholesome literature with no inappropriate scenes or language. The story will also captivate adults, who are searching for a 'white-knuckle' suspense and adventure novel. Definitely 5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book. The author is my friend's uncle, so I got to read the books when they were still manuscripts (which was cool).
One recommendation I have for anyone thinking about buying this book: buy all three at the same time. It has a really cliff-hanger ending, and after you finish it, you will want to start right in reading the second, and then the third. My dad read the books aloud to our whole family, and I think we finished book three in less than a week, we were all so worried about how it was going to end!
So, I really recommend this book. It would be a great gift for any Catholic teen in your life!

A World Away is very exciting and pretty intense. I love the way it portrays the Catholic Faith. It might be a little too much for young readers, but is great for teens. Anyone looking for a good Catholic mystery, or just anything exciting, will enjoy this. It is full of suspense and adventure. I can't wait to finish the story!

This is an excellent work for readers who want good, clean, interesting, exciting mystery/sci-fi. The writing is very colorful and paced quickly. This should be on you short-list for must-reads this summer.

My daughter, age 14, read this book and enjoyed it immensely. My aunt also got us the audio version read by T.J. Smith. The entire family (also have sons that are 11 and 8) listened to this when we were driving in the car on vacation. It made the time in the car enjoyable and kept us on the edge of our seats! We are not Catholic, but were able to enjoy the adventure just the same. We just received Book 2: The Harrowing Escape, and we are excited about doing some family reading time together!
The characters in the book are solid and there is a comraderie that inspires the reader to engage in lives of Dan Clay and his fellow travelers.

A World Away is author T.J. Smith's first book of the Dan Clay's leap of faith saga to save his missing older brother, William, from an evil parallel world.

The book cover shows a gloomy castle standing on the top of a mountain surrounded by creepy trees and a bewitched full moon saying to uninvited visitors: beware, beware, beware...!

Dan Clay is a high school senior who looks like a nerd. He is smart, shy, wears glasses, and his non-athletic body makes him the perfect target for the two known school bullies, Sur and Malice.

When Dan finds his science project trashed all over the school's gym floor, all his dreams of obtaining a scholarship are crushed. He storms out of the gym and wanders around town trying to cool-off his rage. Dan is so absorbed in his thoughts that he, unknowingly, enters the forbidden and mythical Eldritch Forest. It's dark and suddenly Dan realizes he is lost. All of the childhood stories he had heard about demons and mythical beasts among the trees and rocks of the forest start to become real to him. He trembles of fear. He then sits on a fallen tree, looks around and sees a large oak tree. It seems familiar to him, so he walks over to the tree and touches it. Upon touching the tree, his hand penetrates the tree's surface. Curiosity takes the best of him and he places his hand deeper into the tree, when suddenly he hears a loud noise behind him. He gets scared and his glasses fall on the floor. Dan bends down to pick them up when he is pushed into the tree by an invisible force.

Dan is confused and after hearing more noises in the forest, he decides to rush back home. He is more amazed and puzzled after he sees his family celebrating William's 18th birthday. Dan quickly analyzes all the events and concludes that the ''tree'' plays a key role in his ordeals.

During the first three chapters of the book, Dan is gathering information about his brother, the town's history, and the history of the Eldritch Forest's legend. The author uses Sam White, an old lunatic homeless man, to share with Dan information about Eldritch Forest and the ''world beyond the oak tree''.

Dan secretly plans to go back to the forest to rescue William. He decides to seize the opportunity while he prepares to attend an after graduation survival camp. The day of the departure, Dan walks to town with his friend and next door neighbor, Jimmy. At the meeting place, after he registers with the bus driver to go to camp, Dan takes advantage of everybody's distraction and walks to Eldritch Forest. Jimmy notices Dan walking away with his bag. He grabs his bag and follows Dan closely. Cindy, a classmate and friend of them, also notices their odd behavior and not wanting to go to survival camp either, follows them from a saved distance. After sharing enough information about Eldritch Forest with Dan, Sam is suspicious and also has a hunch that Dan might venture to return to the other world to save his missing brother, William. On the day of departure to survival camp, Sam keep a close eye on Dan.

Dan goes through the oak tree into the other world and as he is recovering from the experience, suddenly and unexpected falling from the tree come Jimmy, Cindy, and Sam. Dan has no choice but to let his friends stay and join him in his quest. There in the ''other world'' Sam calls Dr. Mark O'Brien, an old friend of his.

The remainder of the book takes the reader back and forth between both worlds. While Dan and his companions dare to go further and further into the forest, the parents in the other world are devastated about their children sudden and unexpected disappearance.

My hat goes off to this author, whose imagination and creativity will keep the reader engaged in this God forsaken world as Dan and his companions encounter tree nymphs, purple frogs with teeth and very long tongues, a carnivores grass, mean looking moles, a huge snail, a giant spider, a three headed Siberian Tiger, trolls, in addition to other prehistoric and mythological creatures.

This Young Adult (YA) fiction story is entertaining for middle schoolers, as they will be able to identify themselves with the dilemmas, predicaments, and personalities of the characters. The book, however, is not suitable for younger children as they might get scared by some of the situations.

Will Dan and his companions ever reach the castle where he believes his brother William is trapped? Will they survive all the tribulations of their journey? For the answers to these and other questions, join Dan, Jimmy, Cindy, and Sam as they travel into the unknown in ''A World Away.''

Review written by the author of The Window To My Soul : My Walk With Jesus