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Penumbras (2013)

by Braden Bell(Favorite Author)

4.62 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

146211220X (ISBN13: 9781462112203)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Sweetwater Books

series

Middle School Magic

review 1: Ok, first of all I need to say that the author is a friend of a friend, and I promised to review for him after reading it. I hadn't read the first book in the series yet, The Kindling, so I read that as well. That said: I truly enjoyed this book, and it is my intent to review it as if I had picked it up at the library, instead. I liked the first book, The Kindling, but it isn't until this second in the series that Mr Bell's characters really begin to come to life. While the first book was a great beginning, and introduced the characters to us, the action moved more quickly, to me, than the depths of the characters could sustain at times. When it ended, I felt that there was more, like it was half of the first book, instead of the completed book, a prologue to the series.... more That is not to say that i didn't enjoy it! It was a very satisfying book, and I would happily recommend it to young readers, even those as young as nine. That said, keep reading, because I truly enjoyed Penumbras much more even, and am looking forward to reading both of the first two books in this series aloud to my children, (5, 10, and 12, although my five will be a tag-along listened in this case.) In Penumbras, Bell's imagery and symbolism become more full-bodied, and his characters much more dynamic. There's the same jump into action as in the first book, but in between the action, Bell's imagery and descriptions of the scenes leading up to the action become more fulfilling. Kind of like the difference between enjoying a scoop of ice cream, and enjoying a scoop of homemade ice cream... both are good, but the flavor of the second is more intense, with afternotes of different ingredients. This book, too, has afternotes of pleasurable topics and things to think on later, which is one reason why I'm looking forward to sharing it with my children. As we learn more of their history and families, and as little hints in the first book become more amplified, even if left unanswered (as most good series have unanswered trails within them...but they become more developed with time, as Bell is progressively doing in his series., we figure out more of this battle between good and evil, and the heroes quest set out for the twins, Connor and Lexa, and Melanie, a school friend. While written clearly enough for the younger preteen reader, Penumbras is stronger in a multitude of tiny ways than Kindling- the strengthening of the character's personalities and relationships with each other, the addition of "side characters" who seem like they will become more important as the book progresses, the addition of a fulfilling romp through a world within our own,yet separate from it- a both fantastic, yet plausible, symbol of good versus evil, and all the deception and confusion that comes along with trying to choose the right side in the battles that both our protagonists and our children face daily. My preteen daughter, who is still in the "romantic-ness is sooooooooooo embarrassing, let me run from the room if people kiss on TV" stage, isn't bothered by the budding romance between two of the characters, because Bell's handling of teen romance is hearkening back to a better time- acknowledgement of hormones, but not dangling into lust, and allowing the characters to be true friends, not true lovers, as seen in many series for this age group. I also love that the strongest characters, the most powerful magically, that is, show strength through the development and use of their natural talents, and link into their powers through the use of those talents, which vary from mathematics and musical gifts, to foreign languages and the liberal arts. I love that it is set is a "normal" middle school (well, at first it appears normal, as far as any middle school can be normal) with all of the associated risks and frustrations, and yet the main trio of characters are seen as not perfect and beyond having trouble nor victims wallowing in sorrow, nor noble knights on pedestals, unable to do any harm or cause any sorrow. In this second book, they have become real people, real children truly fighting against evil in a frustrating, dangerous world. I think that any young person, likewise fighting against frustration, temptation, anger, angst, and all of the other difficulties in the world, will find solace, humor, and some comfort in this series. There's a bit of a cliff hanger....but all that means is that I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing the next in the series.
review 2: This is the 2nd book in the series, with more yet to come. When three junior high age kids start to experience some weird and mysterious things the fun really begins as they kindle or transform into Magi. As a Magi they are part of a group who use Light to fight Darkness and evil.In this book, the kids continue to develop and learn how to use the Light to fight evil.Even though these books are written towards a young teen audience they really sucked me in. The characters are likable, with at times slightly annoying junior high traits. The story moves along at a great pace with great character development and believable victories and setbacks (as believable as sci-fi type books can be). While these books deal with Light fighting darkness, they are done in such a way that get you thinking and involved but aren't too "dark" and remain great and clean for younger readers. Even if you aren't a sci-fi fan but like books with a little magic you will really enjoy this series and I definitely recommend it for pre-teens on up. This book is especially filled with a great lesson about forgiveness, of one self and others, and overcoming darkness. less

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