Fast-paced magical tale for readers young and old

Author Valinoria Troy delivers an enthralling middle-grade fantasy adventure full of bravery, love, and magical creatures in book 3 of the Lucky Diamond Trilogy. The Great Forest continues the adventures of the twins Cathy and Alan and their siblings with the help of the magical gifts left to them by their parents. 

About the book: The Great Forest

This book opens with the children living in the castle. The king of the diamonds has asked the twins to enter the Great Forest on their eleventh birthday to finish the cleansing of the land following Queen Rose’s demise. But before they even have their birthday party, the castle is attacked by boars, and the twins are kidnapped and carried into the hostile Great Forest surrounded by deadly plants.

While all this is going on, Susan and Vicky accompany King Paul (to town) and find themselves fighting a deadly black fog that eats people and Yvonne finds a counterfeit note from the twins and doesn't know they've been kidnapped!

Book review: The Great Forest by Valinoria Troy

While The Great Forest’s targeted audience is 8–12-year-olds, I'd say this book is for anyone who is never too old for magical fantasy, fighting monsters, and a whole host of magical beasts, including the cursed trees of the Great Forest and a black fog ready to devour every living thing in its wake.

If you’ve read the first two books in this trilogy, I can tell you that this one is faster paced from the get-go with adventure at every turn. When the story does slow down, it is typically for something that tugs at the heartstrings. I love the characters. Troy did an incredible job developing her characters. Throughout the series, they continue to grow in depth as they work through the barrage of challenges thrown at them.

While this book is written for middle schoolers I recommend it to all ages, especially those who enjoyed the action of the Pendrangon series or the magic of Narnia. I am happy to give The Great Forest 5 stars and recommend the entire series to the whole family.

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As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Blackberry Book Tours. I have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

About author Valninoia Troy

Valinora Troy has been writing since she could read, if not earlier. Her first book, started at the age of six, featured a girl finding a magic diamond. It took her all summer to write the first few pages. Since then, she has written many stories, both short and full length novels. THE LUCKY DIAMOND, her first full length middle grade children's fantasy, was published November 2021. Its sequel REVENGE OF QUEEN ROSE followed in June 2022.

Paranormal urban mystery and suspense

The Beached Ones by Colleen M. Story delivers an eerily haunting story around Danny, a young man who grows up in a rundown Butte trailer park with his single mom and younger brother Tony. Danny is the responsible one in the family, doing his best to protect Tony from the dysfunctional consequences of a mother who drinks, works longs shifts, and entertains an endless line of no-good boyfriends at the expense of her children.

When Danny graduates from high school and can finally escape the trailer they call hell-hole, he is torn about leaving Tony behind. But it is the only way things can change. Danny leaves and achieves his dreams but then something happens. He wakes on a beach littered with stranded whales and has no memory of how he got there. As he searches for answers he runs into one strange occurrence after another. Clues are cleverly delivered from Danny’s POV that take him on a bizarre trip as he pieces together his past and present to figure out what is going on as he races against time to pick up his brother from camp.

@donnasundblad Beached Ones #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #booktok #bookworm #booktour #paranormal #urbanfantasy #thebeachedones ♬ original sound - Donna Sundblad

Book review: The Beached Ones

The glue of this story is the unbreakable bond between Danny and his younger brother. Colleen Story’s masterful sensory details offer subtle clues to help figure things out, as she weaves Danny’s memories of the past with the present into the unpredictable with page-turning urgency as he meets up with his ex. A girl who see ghosts. Story delivers the coup de grâce as all the emotionally charged pieces come together with a clear resolution.

I award The Beached Ones with a strong 4 stars and recommend it for readers who enjoy paranormal, vampire, drama, and suspense. However, I do add a caveat for those who are sensitive to the topic of suicide. Those who have been touched by this tragedy may not enjoy this book, but others who have contemplated taking their lives may find it helpful. I can’t predict which for every individual. For me, it left me feeling melancholy but found it a very good read. 

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I received a copy of this book through Black Phoenix Book Tours and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

About the Author

Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. Her latest novel, "The Beached Ones," released from CamCat Books on July 26th, 2022. Her previous novel, "Loreena's Gift," was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others.

Colleen has written three books to help writers succeed. "Your Writing Matters" was a bronze medal winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2022). "Writer Get Noticed!" was a gold-medal winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards and a first-place winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2019). "Overwhelmed Writer Rescue" was named Book by Book Publicity’s Best Writing/Publishing Book in 2018.

With over 20 years as a professional in the creative industry, Colleen has authored thousands of articles for publications like “Healthline” and “Women’s Health;” worked with high-profile clients like Gerber Baby Products and Kellogg’s; and ghostwritten books on back pain, nutrition, and cancer recovery. She continues to work as a full-time freelance writer, helping clients create informative and inspiring communications in a variety of media formats.

Colleen frequently serves as a workshop leader, writing coach, and motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers.

A lifelong musician, Colleen plays the French horn in her local symphony and pit orchestras. When not writing, she’s reading, practicing yoga, listening to music, exploring the beautiful Northwest, and making up more challenging games for her smart German Shepherd to play.

Find more at her author website (colleenmstory.com), motivational website (writingandwellness.com), and mystical blog (lifeandeverythingafter.com), or connect with her on Twitter (@colleen_m_story) and YouTube (youtube.com/c/ColleenStoryteller).