Skip to main content

The Emerald Atlas


The Emerald Atlas is a middle grade fantasy novel and the first in The Books of Beginning trilogy by John Stephens.

For ten years Kate, Michael, and Emma have been floating from one orphanage to another – only the faintest memory of their loving parents in Kate’s mind to sustain them.

It had been a snowy Christmas Eve when their mother whispered her goodbyes and asked Kate to look after her two younger siblings. There was a vow of seeing them again. That was ten years ago.

Having taken her promise seriously, Kate has worked hard to make sure she and her siblings are not separated, and are ready to be found by their parents when that time comes. If it ever does.

But after being shipped off yet again as hopeless cases, the siblings find themselves as new residents in an entirely odd new orphanage. First of all, there seems to be no other children. Secondly, the mansion and mountains surrounding it were invisible until they got very close. Third, it doesn’t take long to realize that there’s something magical there.

After finding an emerald colored atlas, the three children are suddenly transported to the past – to a time that this land was ruled by a beautiful but dangerously powerful young woman that was desperately searching for something. With an army of horrifying creatures called Screechers, she uses her abilities to terrorize the town as she hunts for the item.

Kate, Michael, and Emma don’t know how or why they’re here – but they do know that they will take care of each other. Like they always have.

And this time they may need to help others too…

The Emerald Atlas was an admirably good fantasy tale.

I liked the sometimes absurd, adult-friendly humor that John Stephens provided at times. It’s great when middle grade literature can be read by an older set of readers pleasantly.

However, I did feel like the transition into the past was sort of… quick. I liked the story, but I never loved it. It jumped into everything quite fast, which I felt lessened the impact it could have had.

The siblings have a great, loving, relatively realistic relationship – and the mixture of fantasy, magic, and an epic quest to find the “books of beginning” that have great power was interesting.

I really did like it… I just wanted it be funnier, more suspenseful, more exciting… just more.

Perhaps a reread would do it more justice.

Even so, though, I do recommend it for fans of the genre!!

Comments

Charlotte said…
I felt kind of meh about this one on first reading, but then I got the sequel, and decided to go back and re-read it, and liked it much, much better second time! (The sequel was good the first time through). I'm not sure why it worked like that for me....
Angie said…
Hi Charlotte! You know, I really wonder if this would work for me, too. Sometime in the future, maybe once all three books are out, I'd like to do a full re-read. Thanks for the input! :)
I sensed type of meh about this one on first studying, but then I got the follow up, and made the decision to go returning and re-read it, and liked it much, much better second time! (The follow up was excellent initially through). I'm not sure why it proved helpful like that for me....
Double Your Money in a Day will teach you how to make money fast no matter which way the stock market is moving. The teachings from Double Your Money in a Day will be a lifelong investment that can help enable you for success.
No win no fee. said…
My Claims Centre is a team of highly professional lawyers, which offer our clients a friendly, personable and proactive approach. Our unique approach to the industry appreciates every client is different; every legal problem unique, as such we offer specifically tailored advice to suit you.

Popular posts from this blog

Author Q & A - Jan Eldredge Stops By!

Next Wednesday y'all will be getting my oh-so-humble opinion of Evangeline of the Bayou , the Summer 2018 Kids' Indie Next List selection! (That means it was picked via booksellers at independent bookstores countrywide.) Until then, I have a Q&A with the Louisiana born and raised author herself: Jan Eldredge! (Don't forget to come back next week for my review!!) A Conversation with JAN ELDRIDGE Author of Evangeline of the Bayou 1) The glossary in the back of the book is so helpful! Where did you learn about all these creatures? Which creature from the book is your favorite? I have a small, but growing, collection of books about mythical creatures around the world. If I couldn’t find what I was looking for there, I researched library books, online websites, and the occasional documentary. Something that really surprised me as I started learning more about mythical monsters was the number of different cultures that share very similar

First Step: Admit You Have a Problem

Hi fellow Bibliophiles! I have been rather neglectful to this blog... instead continuing to stay buried in a book as I have during the holidays. I'm hopeful that most of you have been doing this too and can easily accept my apology. Have I been reading? Um, yeah! (Translation: duh.) Just haven't been able to pull myself away long enough to actually WRITE about what I'm reading. Lol. But that's me, a bibliophile, an addict, an addict who's fallen off the wagon and fully embraced her love of reading - especially with all this free time to do so!!! I've also been watching awesome holiday movies, eating yummy, but bad-for-me, food and hanging out with the people I love best! You too? I hope! ;) Anyway, I will return with a new book review next week, most likely on Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for your patience and keep reading!!!

Promotion Celebration for Maximum Ride!!!

Do you love the series Maximum Ride ? How about James Patterson? Are you a huge fan of action-packed books? Well, I’m thrilled to bring to you an opportunity to stock up on some awesome reading!!! ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS! MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE. Read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series. On sale in paperback 09/01/09! Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction? Now for the rules : The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 200