Escape from Arylon

This book is outstanding. I am an avid fantasy reader, and while I have grown up surrounded by these types of books, they all share a common strand... many of them struggle to capture the minds of the "general audience." Similar to Harry Potter, this series brings together both the "real" world and the world of Magick. The author, Jo whittemore, does an outstanding job of making each of the characters realistic, to the point you almost forget you are in a fantasy world. We all knew the kind old neighbor, that "extra grandparent," or who was just a friend with great stories. We have all fought with someone we were friends with. Everyone has dealt with loss and change in their daily life, regardless of how much they fought it. This book brings all of that out in the characters, and more. Each one of us grew up knowing the "cool kid" or the "tomboy." Some of us may have been that person, yet we get the chance to see them in a different light. I am 29 years old. I have been reading fantasy since I could get my hands on a book. My wife is not a fan of fantasy. She likes Harry Potter, which is a start. So when I see her eagerly turning the pages of Escape from Arylon, I know that this book is one that can bring others to the genre.

This book was great and I'm glad I took the time to read it. I loved the characters Megan and Ainsley, since both had personalities were identifiable with someone we've either encountered or known. The popular guy that craves attention and affection, and the fiercely independent female that refuses to follow the flock just to be one of the sheep. I found myself really drawn into the Author's story about these former friends turned enemies, b/c part of me loved the idea of reuniting friends that had grown apart due to the differences in the personalities they were developing as teenagers. The teenagers encounter plenty of action and adventure during their trip to Arylon, so as the reader I was never left bored with long dead chapters. I do not usually read young adult fantasy, but I am very glad I did this time b/c the twist at the end of this has left me dying to continue the story. I'm so excited that Book two is coming in July, b/c I won't have to wait a year to continue the story. That rocks!

This book got me from the start when I realized that it was something people my age could relate to. With the best friends gone wrong situation to where they now pick on each other. The magic and well described places also made me love this book. Though there are a few minor (and by minor, I mean things that wouldn't really make a difference to how well the book is) mistakes but it is still great. The many different names and situations these two main characters get into are sometimes funny but it left me hoping that they will get closer. The places and difficulties that are described sometimes left my heart thumping or made me want to flip forward to see if everything turned out okay. I really would recommend this book to young readers and I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy.