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As Eren and Aiden's relationship develops, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets-and many dangers. It soon becomes apparent that the untimely death of Eren's parents was no accident and that her life might be in danger too. Only time will tell if Eren can embrace her unwanted power and protect the only family she has left.
MissWolfdreamKL
Posted November 26, 2011
To me,personally, this book had the right amount of everything in it. My dad told me to read the book because he knows the author...So, I read about ten pages and did not put the book down until I finished that evening. I will never bore of this reading material. I will probably read the the book from time to time. I can't wait until the second book comes out!!! I just know the second book will be just as good if not better.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I've wanted The Secret of Spruce Knoll since I participated in a live chat with the author, Heather McCorkle. So I dove right into it when I received it in my mailbox. My intuitions about this novel didn't mislead me. McCorkle has penned an incredibly awesome story with amazing characters. McCorkle is a beautiful writer, by that I mean her writing flows with depth and strength and clarity. From the first page, I knew I was in for an intriguing fantasy with Eren and Aiden's story within the world of the Channelers. I also must salute McCorkle for her bravery-showing the reality of what teens face today, and then giving a positive way of dealing with it.
After the death of her parents, Eren moves to Spruce Knoll to live with an Aunt that she's never met. It doesn't take Eren long to figure out there's something strange going on, and Eren being the strong-headed girl that she is, is going to find out what Spruce Knoll's secrets are. Aiden is a drop-dead gorgeous boy that Eren starts to crush on, but she soon knows it's more than just a crush. Aiden is her forever and her destiny-that together, they have the power to save the Channelers, Humans, and the earth.
Eren and Aiden romance is definitely more than teenage hormones. This is where I have to give praise again to Heather McCorkle. Aiden's love for Eren is from the heart. He loves her as a person and respects her. Eren and Aiden romance is what I call true swoon and it's deliciously hot.
I do want to talk about one more character. Fane. I love this fourteen-year-old. He is the fun in this story. He's ready to take on the world and defend Eren's honor. Fane is so protective of Eren even Aiden has to be on his best behavior. I can't wait see more of Fane in the next book, he gave me lots of laughs.
The Secret of Spruce Knoll is beautifully written and has an awesome storyline. I highly recommend as a must read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 11, 2011
Absolutely love the creative twist on the 'coming into power' theme. Channelers, rectors, warriors, healers... it all works so well. Eren Donovan is a very complex protagonist, and Spruce Knoll proves to be much more than a backwater village.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 9, 2011
Great young adult story with a paranormal underpinning about a girl who discovers not only who she is, but that because of who she is, it's up to her to help prevent the decline of the earth itself into certain death.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Being the first book in the Channeler series by debut author Heather McCorkle, The Secret of Spruce Knoll presents readers with a refreshingly new type of paranormal - one that concerns the Earth and its inhabitants - a magical group of people called "channelers".
In this novel, our protagonist Eren Donovan is a teenager who has recently lost her parents. She has no other choice but to move to a place called Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. As she learns about her heritage and the different societies in the said community, she discovers that she is also one of the people with magical abilities, and that comes as both a surprise and a shock.
When she encounters a good-looking young man called Aiden, she realizes that being a channeler isn't too bad after all. It is later revealed that Aiden is an orphan as well, which makes Eren feel a deeper connection with him. As the story progresses, the plot thickens as well. Eren and her family members raise some suspicions about her parents' untimely death.
McCorkle captures the sweetness of Eren and Aiden's courtship, their sincere feelings for each other, and their differences, partly ¿ but not only ¿ because they are from different societies. Eren has been brought up in the city, and when she arrives in Spruce Knoll, the lack of "living necessities" (TV, cinema and such) surprised her to a certain degree. She is an outcast in school - almost no one wants to hang with her because of her "halfbreed" identity. As for Aiden, he is sweet and charming, but he holds a dark secret about himself. Aiden, being an Irish by birth, was adopted by a family from a different society since he was born. However, it seems that he hates it when Eren inquires about his family.
Even though this book is set in the world of adolescence, adults also play an important part - Aunt Sylvia always takes good care of Eren and is concerned of her well-being, Grandpa Zolin teaches Eren about their kind and gives her some exposure about the history of the different societies in Spruce Knoll. While being kind and loving, these adults are strict when it comes to Eren's relationship with Aiden. They young lovers are not allowed to overstep the limits of a healthy relationship.
The Secret of Spruce Knoll is a good introduction to the Channeler series, and I'm sure it will greatly appeal to fans of paranormal and young adult novels. Albeit being a work of fiction, this novel manages to highlight the importance of conserving and preserving the Earth - which earns some extra brownie points from me. However, the part where the teens (Eren and Aiden) channel together in their birthday suits more or less freaked me out. It just doesn't sound right to me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.b00kr3vi3ws
Posted April 12, 2012
Its actually 4.5 Stars!!!
Can I start by saying that I love the name ‘Spruce Knoll’? At first I thought that it was just weird! A place called Spruce Knoll! But by the end of the book -- I love it. Before I tell you why, let me tell you a bit more about the book and the storyline.
The story revolves around Eren and Aiden. Eren, whose parents are recently killed, moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Moving from a big city to a small town, Eren was in for surprises. But the basic difference was nothing compared to the much darker secrets of the town and the people living in it. But it is also where she first meets Aiden. Also an orphan, Aiden had grown up with his adoptive family and had a few secrets of his own. Together, Eren and Aiden work through whatever is thrown at them.
The best part of the story is, not the plot and not the magic (though I loved them both) but the relationships portrayed. Eren and Aiden’s relationship is totally ‘dreamy’ (that’s the only word I can come up with to try and explain it) and Eren’s relationship with her aunt is also amazing. Now coming to the second and third best parts of the story, the plot is just amazing and so is the magic described in this book. It is only after coming to Spruce Knoll that Eren realizes that she has magical ability. I love the way Heather has developed her character and portrayed her dealing with this ‘gift/ability’. Besides the protagonists, the author has also created a few very lovable characters – like Sylvia and Fane.
I had started reading this book with the thought – a place called ‘Spruce Knoll’ – seriously? But now I love it simply because it has grown on me along with the characters and the plot of the book. It’s unique and special, just like the book!
Artistadonna
Posted March 31, 2012
It all begins when Eren moves to Spruce Knoll (love the name!) to live with an aunt she’s never met.She immedialtely senses something is not right about the small town. She learns that everyone in Spruce Knoll are channelers and she is one of them.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Larya
Posted March 18, 2012
If I lost my parents suddenly, in a wild animal attack, I sure would learn how to keep my distance. I mean, I would have just experienced someone I love being ripped away. Well, that is exactly how Eren feels as she goes to live with her aunt in Spruce Knoll. But after running into Aiden, an attractive boy with whom she forms a fast friendship, she realizes that forming attachments again might not be so bad. However, with her aunt and newfound "friend" acting so strange, Eren quickly realizes that here in Spruce Knoll all is not as it seems.
This book is downright magical... no, really. A huge portion of this book is about magical powers and abilities. Many of the struggles Eren faces have to do with coming into and developing her own powers, but magically is only one of the ways Eren changes in Spruce Knoll. I really love Eren's growing connection to her newly-discovered family. They have a very laid-back relationship that is easy to envy. One of the things that I truly admire about The Secret of Spruce Knoll is that if I take out all the magical parts (not that I would ever want to), McKorkle still delivers a good story. The characters' development, as individuals, families, friends, etc., is wonderfully done, and it really ties me emotionally to the characters.
One thing that stands out to me is that this book is well balanced. While her aunt and grandfather accept her, and they all get along seamlessly, the rest of the town is bitter and discriminatory. Eren's new life in Spruce Knoll isn't all roses and kittens and, for me, that makes this story more realistic and much more enjoyable. McCorkle also did a great job maintaining consistency within The Secret of Spruce Knoll. For example, the channelers are supposed to be tied to the earth so, when they go into the city, Eren starts to feel sick. Little details like this, which could easily have been overlooked, are worked into the story. Eren and Aidens relationship is a thing to behold and I cannot wait for book two!
The cover:
There is a newer cover for The Secret of Spruce Knoll. This cover is for a very special purpose. Here is what Heather McCorkle's website has to say about it...
"This is a special edition that contains an extra chapter and deleted material not published in the Abbott Press version. But what makes this version special is that a percentage of the proceeds from every copy of the special edition sold~digital and bound book~will go to my favorite charity that specializes in protecting endangered species. I hope you'll join me in trying to raise $10,000 for the charity by December 12th of 2012 by ordering a copy of the special edition for yourself or your loved ones. You can pre-order a signed copy now by clicking on the 'buy link' on the left sidebar. We can make a difference."
I think that the new cover, charity donation, and EXTRA CHAPTER incentive are all wonderful ideas, and I hope they raise the $10,000!
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars: Very Highly Recommended!
lndgry
Posted February 20, 2012
McCorkle's teen channelers have a lot to learn about themselves and each other, and the exploration is packed with action, discovery, danger, hormones, power lust, responsibility, and yes, the 'L' word (love). A great story of self-discovery and overcoming loss.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Karlene54
Posted February 20, 2012
The Secret of Spruce Knoll was a delight to read. This book pulls into life the challenges of teens and creates an awareness of the state of our earth and endangered species... without preaching. Who would know that endangered species would be a group of people? Kids and Mom's alike will love the story of Secret of Spruce Knoll. A must read for any YA reader who wants to take a journey of adventure, with a little romance, and protect endangered species.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 27, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted November 28, 2011
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Overview
Following the death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with an aunt she's never met. Little does Eren know, the entire population are channelers-magical people who immigrated there when they were driven out of their homelands. Channelers are tied to the fate of the world, and as it slowly dies, they are going extinct-and they alone have the power to save the earth. Soon, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad though.As Eren and Aiden's relationship develops, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets-and many dangers. It ...