- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Anonymous
Posted March 19, 2013
I enjoyed this better than the first book, partially because I like Jasper more than Lilly.
Jasper is clever more apt to help the warring "moons". He is logical and able to think on his feet. Lilly is personable and charismatic, but I don't know how helpful that is.
Some plot points I'm eager to see resolve include; do the kids live? is the ring only attached to one "person"? What is Mr. Fixit making? What is the significance of that bonsai tree?
I'm very anxious to read the next installment. I hope this will be a short series, because I don't think I can wait to find out the ending.
Overall, very intriguing and active book. I couldn't stop reading and read in one sitting.
If you were a bit disappointed (like me) with the first book, I would recommend continuing on in the series because it gets better...so far anyway
Universe-in-Words
Posted November 30, 2012
After reading the first of the Moonrealm books, 'The Moon Coin', I knew I wanted to read the rest of them as well. Thankfully, I was allowed to and here I bring you the review of the second book.
I loved this book even more than the last. I realize that as a 19-year old I should perhaps not enjoy reading novels for the younger this much, but I feel that Richard Due really stepped up his game in this novel making it so much easier to just love it. The worlds seem much richer than before, now that we have passed the introductions in the first book. We get to see more of the different cultures of the different moons and more about their history. Especially for younger readers it is a great introduction into fantasy world building. Carolyn Arcabascio's illustrations really bring forward the intense colours of the different worlds.
It was great to get a bit more time with Jasper, as the reader. The last novel was mainly about Lily and her experiences and here we get to see how he deals with the Moon Realm. Richard Due truly created two different characters that are both their own character and yet recognizable for every child and adult who have ever imagined themselves on a fantasy journey. The fact that they're children isn't overlooked, as happens in many teenage novels, but highlighted and used to its best advantage. As children, they have restrictions but also certain liberties adults do not possess.
As a second novel in a trilogy, a novel often has to achieve multiple things. Not only does it have to keep the readers interested and maintain their relationship with the characters, it also has to find the right balance between answering questions and creating new ones, introducing new characters while maintaining the old characters etc. It is always a shame to see an author struggle, but it is a true joy to see it work. Thankfully, Richard Due is able to find the right balance and keeps the right pace of plot without leaving too many loose ends. It is clear a lot still has to happen and be explained but that is why I am looking forward to the next novel.
This is a great introduction to the fantasy genre for any child and a great opportunity for (young) adults to remember their first fantasy. The characters remain interesting and as you read the impression never leaves you that there is so much more to discover. I believe that in fantasy that is the most important thing, knowing that there is always more to imagine, to explore. And I would say that Richard Due achieved this very well.
I absolutely LOVE The Moon Coin (Moon Realm #1), and I have to say it is still my favorite. I really, really do like The Dragondain as well, but I think I just like the fresh, fantastical feel of The Moon Coin a bit better.
That being said, there still is a ton of fantasy involved in The Dragondain. The war from The Moon Coin is still going strong, but we’re also introduced to more citizens of Dain and even get a glimpse at a dragon, which I am anxious to get to know more about! It was also nice to get to travel between moons with Jasper this time, to get the male viewpoint of things for a bit.
In the end, we’re left with a lot of unfinished business and unanswered questions, which makes me all the more eager to get my hands on the next book to see what is going to happen. There are so many moons left to explore and so many new faces to meet. And we still don’t know where dear old Uncle Ebb is!
If you haven’t tried this series yet, you must! It is perfect for any age, in my opinion, but a great series to share with your kids. I’m looking forward to getting some paperback versions and reading them with my children. I know they will love them as much as I do!
Overview
Book Two in the award winning Moon Realm Series.
It's the middle of the night, you need to send your brother to the Moon Realm, and he won’t wake up. So you improvise. . . .
When a ...