This new fantasy series features twelve-year-old Sam, a heroine who finds herself in an Alice in Wonderland type dilemma. She falls through a hole and ends up in a world underneath. Life hadn’t been that great to begin with—her parents died and it’s been one foster home after another. Still though she’d like to go back and make sure Aunt C is all right.
Returning won’t be easy given her little brother followed her down the hole and at every turn there’s more trouble. Snarling wolves and ugly giants are only the beginning of the fears she must face.
The third person narration moves along at a steady pace through 17 chapters and an afterword. The cliffhangers alone will keep you turning the pages. I particularly enjoyed the environmental themes.
Excellent secondary characters also come forth with the snarky Tonya, a mysterious Boyo, and the Great Hildinski. Even Gemini the cat makes frequent bold and brave appearances. But in the end it’s the compelling Sam who must find a way to return to her former life.
High levels of world building and a great fantasy story are the end result for SECRETS OF THE UNDER-UNDER WORLD: WATER. My only complaint: The font size is more in tune with an adult book. Easily fixable as the adventure series continues.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: October 26, 2020 PAGE COUNT: 138
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
P.S. Whatever lives in Vancouver, Canada and writes under the supervision of her two cats. Under her real name, she has written 24 television episodes of Lost Tales of the Brothers Grimm as well as other works of fiction and non-fiction. She is also a professional corporate writer and marketer.
Why does she write under a pen name? “I was born with one last name and traded it for another when I married,” she explains. “I’ve gathered many nicknames, which I can change into and out of like clothes. I finally realized that I could name myself – at least while writing – so I chose a name that expressed infinite possibilities. Whatever. I can make my way in the world, as the person I want to be, and do whatever makes my heart sing. And so can you.”
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I received an ARC for my honest review. Comments can be left below.
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The author sounds very interesting. Kind of like his/her attitude. A novel about the underworld sounds like an engaging read — especially with all of the cliffhangers. Unlike Alice in Wonderland, it sounds rather dark and mysterious. Sam sounds like a great heroine. Glad to see it will be a series.
Interesting rtake on a pen name. But I do like the cover. And being a short novel would entice the reluctant reader.
The book sounds interesting, but I find the cover off–putting. (Showing how different people’s opinions are.) It makes me think self-published.