By Geoff Turner
Review by Susan Stradiotto
Let me first say that I finished this book in a single sitting. The story grabbed me from the very beginning and just drew me straight through the book. For an avid reader, it’s an easy read. After all, it’s geared for children. I’d highly recommend this book for a child in the 3rd-ish grade, maybe younger if the reader is advanced. OR, if you’re looking for a book to read with your children, this is the one! There are so many little nuggets in there that made it fun for me as an adult.
Here is one of the quotes that really just summed up this story for me:
“Even the tallest tale begins with a tiny shred of truth.”
Falco, Location 680
Summary (spoiler-free):
Archie has lost his father in an unspecific manner, and one night, he is sucked into the Land Beyond where he must go on an adventure to find his way home and defeat the antagonist (I won’t say the name, because that was a fun little reveal.). He is accompanied by his dog, Max who can speak in the Land Beyond–an aspect I just fell in love with right off the bat. Archie meets many people along the way and faces many dangers in his journey, and in the end, he battles to save the Land Beyond before returning home.
What I loved
What I absolutely loved about this story is that there are so many things to learn (for a child) while reading it and a few hidden surprises for the adults. Geoff Turner uses several plays on words, and he uses vocabulary in a way that teaches as well as entertains. As fun for the adults, Turner offers some homage to some classic authors: Burroughs, Kerouac, and Ginsberg. Additionally, he uses some nice literary techniques that will resonate with a fairly early reader, e.g. darkness personified, palindromes, and homonyms.
Another aspect that was done so well was the vivid depiction of the scenery. Here is a little (tiny) sample. It’s brilliant in its simplicity:
“Compartmentalized squares of field gave way to rolling hills and patches of dark green forest and woodland.”
Location 2413
What could have been better
There’s not much lacking for the nature of this work. I kind of wish I’d have known the name of the narrator up front, but that may have ruined one of the reveals later in the book, but maybe not. I was also a little sad that the aspect that hooked me right away didn’t get resolved in this book. I’ll leave that a bit vague as I don’t want to spoil the ride for other readers. And maybe it will be resolved by the end of the trilogy.
All-in-all
Definitely would recommend this book. It’s a cute, complete story, and it did leave me wanting to know about Archie’s next adventure. When is it coming out, Geoff?
Get your copy here:
If you missed Geoff’s interview where he discussed worldbuilding in the Land Beyond trilogy and gave a sneak peek at Dragonspeak, check that out here: WORLDBUILDER SPOTLIGHT: GEOFF TURNER
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