Fairalon
by T.J. Roberts
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Pub Date Nov 27 2015 | Archive Date Sep 08 2020
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Description
When Iris's Grandmother passed, she left behind her house and all her possessions, including 5 wooden fairy dolls. It was all very strange. Why her? She was only 11 years old. A house? Dolls? She didn't play with dolls anymore. The one condition for her to keep her new house was that she was required to live in it. This is the same house where all the weird things happened, and it was out in the woods, in a new town.
Being the “new kid,” in a new town is weird enough, especially moving into a house with so many mysteries. And it doesn't take long before things start to happen, unexplainable things, strange things. Before they even get there, on the way to the house, on the dirt road leading to it, she sees a little boy on a swing disappear in mid-swing, in a burst of light.
Of course she tells her Dad, they stop the car and look for him, but he's gone. He didn't see it. He doesn't believe her. She has no friends here and her Dad thinks she has “issues,” since the death of her mother.
What can she do? Who can she tell? Who would believe her? She wonders if she should try to find him? What if you see things all the time that nobody else sees? Are you crazy?
11 year old Iris uncovers her own strange past and learns that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. Come with her and find yourself in the magical world of Fairalon, but be wary of the strange creatures you meet there.
Fairalon explores themes of trust, loneliness, friendship, and self-reliance with a sprinkle of budding romance in this coming of age action filled story.
Fairalon is a MG/YA fantasy novel with 30 full color illustrations.
Advance Praise
Review by: RockinReader on Feb. 12, 2016 :
Wow! Wow! Wow! I so loved this book, it is magical and an absolute delight to read. I love books of this genre, with fairies and magic and I must say this is one of the best I have ever read. Iris is a wonderful character and her emotions and struggles felt so real to me. I love watching her discover the truth behind her feelings and her gentle heart. The other characters made the story perfect and the detailing is spectacular. It is written with a great flow and definitely keeps your attention. The illustrations are amazing and tied it all together in a neat little package. This is my first experience with this author but it will not be my last. T. J. Roberts is a brilliant writer with an incredible imagination and I want more of his amazing mind. I recommend this book to everyone; it is an adventure for the mind and will stay in the heart for a long time. It would be a great movie.
5 StarsReviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Fairalon is a fantasy novel for children and preteens written and illustrated by T.J. Roberts. Iris is tired of being picked on in school for being different. She doesn't want to be like the rest of the kids; she simply wants them to leave her alone. Ever since her mom died when she was six, Iris finds it necessary to do things, like tapping her legs and repeating actions three times to make sure she does it right. She still doesn't know, you see, if she had done something wrong to make her mother die. Now, her grandmother has died as well, making it even harder for the elevenyear-old to cope. At the funeral, the hair on her arms stood straight up, as it did whenever something strange was going to happen, and it almostseemed as though, at one point, her grandmother had raised her head and spoken to her. Most people dismiss Iris as being mental because she's on medication, but they're just not seeing what she sees. Gram left her house to Iris in her will, on condition that she live there. She also left five wooden boxes in her bedroom which is now Iris's, and there was also a note attached.
T.J. Roberts' fantasy novel for children and preteens, Fairalon, is an original and exciting epic fantasy. Roberts' 3-D illustrations are superb, and they work perfectly with the story to bring the characters and the marvelous world of Fairalon to life. Iris is a complex and engaging character whose comfort with herself, courage and curiosity are perfectattributes for a questing hero, and she takes on that role with aplomb. I enjoyed watching her spar with the Koan and negotiate with the goblins enjoyed watching her spar with the Koan and negotiate with the goblins as she sought a way to help Charles escape their clutches. Fairalon is well written and the plot is full of action, close calls, and the friendship of stalwart companions. It's a lot of fun, and it's highly recommended.
Kirkus Reviews
An effervescent middle-grade fantasy story about accepting oneself and others.
..Roberts' debut novel adeptly conveys the language, frustrations, and spirit of a preteen girl with sensitivity and humor. ...Wonderland-worthy characters, including ninja fairies, Bebb the Butterfly Boy, and riddle-obsessed mountains.....vibrant prose descriptions... everything clicks in a page-turning climax.
An often satisfying novel for young readers that hits most of the right notes.
Midwest Book Review
Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Eleven-year-old Iris already has strikes against her: she's the new kid in town, and her quirky behaviors involve repetitive rituals and actions that have, in the past, been labeled an illness.Now she knows they're something more: they are instinctive reactions to her strange and evolving abilities, and they hold the power to alert her of future disasters. That's why she was able to save a young girl from a peculiar car accident, and why she sees things others don't.
The first thing to note about this captivating fantasy is that it's liberally peppered with full-color (and well-done) illustrations that enhance its story line. From autos in the woods to strange mischievous beings, Fairalon is packed with visual interludes that enhance the story without taking it over completely. Middle-grade readers will thus appreciate the enhancements which create visual interest in Iris's adventures.
The second notable feature of Fairalon is an attention to supplementing a fantasy adventure feel with the realistic saga of a young girl's evolving perceptions of her powers, her world, and whom she can trust. Fueled by strong psychological insights and solid character development, it's a story young readers will empathize with as they read about Iris's unusual challenges.
Fairalon excels in a steady plot that offers several twists and turns and much insight on not just the origins of inherited traits, but choices in how power is wielded.
Middle school fantasy fans will be enthralled as Iris' world expands in unanticipated directions. It should be mentioned that its conclusion paves the way for more books, yet completes her story in a manner that is satisfying and exact, making for a fine introduction to what might become a series.
An exciting blend of adventure, psychological insight, and beautiful illustrations make Fairalon a prime pick in its genre.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780997007107 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Renee T, Librarian
Fairalon is one of those books that you have no really idea what it's about to be from the beginning. Fae and fairies are a common topic, especially in kids and teen lately, and everyone pulls from different sources that you never know what type you're able to get. These ones are decent, and the goblin lore is chill and makes a lot of sense.
The characters were cute, too, I liked Iris and Jeremy quite a bit as protagonists. They were decent to follow, and had a good energy throughout the entire book.
I wasn't altogether sure about this one at first, it seemed rather young for my liking. There doesn't really seem to be an age group it fits, if that makes sense. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just odd because you can usually tell these things fairly easily. The pictures actually kind of detracted from things for me, 3D just doesn't look great in book form.
Jackie K, Reviewer
I can honestly say that this book is one of my absolute new favorites. I really hope the author writes more books soon. Was not able to out the book down. I love how the author has a wonderful writing style. Definitely will recommend this!
Account D, Reviewer
this was a great read, the characters were great and I really enjoyed going on this journey, i'd be interested in reading more from the author
Lisa G, Reviewer
I decided to read a book that is intended for a younger audience (children's fiction/scifi fantasy), and I really enjoyed this! I thought it would be perfect for the audience it was intended for. As a child, I was always into books that could really grab me and intrigue my imagination. This story is all about fairies and goblins, and the power of the imagination of a child. I would absolutely recommend this book for those pre-teen aged kids out there! This author does not disappoint!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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