The Emerald Atlas – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Tuesday, 3 May , 2011 at 10:18 pm
Author: John Stephens
Series: The Books of the Beginning (Book 1)
Age Range: 10+
Publisher: Doubleday
ISBN: 978-0-857-53018-9
The Emerald Atlas is a wonderful story about 3 children taken from their parents 10 years previous, who find themselves on a quest. After being pushed and pulled between numerous orphanages, the children find themselves at Dr Pym’s orphanage in Cambridge Falls. It’s like no other orphanage they’ve been to. In fact, the town is like no other they’ve been to. Exploring the orphanage, the 3 children come across a book, a book which takes them on a journey they could never have imagined (well, apart from Michael, maybe!).
Kate, Michael and Emma are typical siblings – they squabble, annoy, love and protect one another – only they (and you – the reader) soon realise that they aren’t your average children. All three children are lovable: Kate is the protector, she’s promised to protect her brother and sister until their parents return; Emma is the little one who puts up a fight; but my favourite is Michael… how eager he is to learn, how excited he gets about dwarfs, his whole personality.
The Emerald Atlas is the first book in a new children’s fantasy trilogy called The Books of Beginning series, and if the first book is anything to go by, this could be the start of a very popular series. It’s fairly fast paced, imaginative, scary and magical all at the same time. There’s giants and dwarfs, villains and heroes, plenty of action and emotion, and a wonderful story you can easily lose yourself in. It’s only May, but if there’s one kids book I’d recommend this year it would be The Emerald Atlas. I already can’t wait for the next book from The Books of Beginning!
Visit The Emerald Atlas website (UK/US) to read a chapter from the book.
Buy The Emerald Atlas from the Book Depository.
Covers
|
 |
| (UK Cover) | (US Cover) |
Above are the covers for the UK and US markets. I much prefer the UK version (on my hardcover copy the starts are metallic and the title is embossed) and I even go as far as to think that the US version looks a bit outdated. What do you think?
In any case, this is a wonderful book for children, teenagers and adults alike, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
—————————-
Please note: I received this book from Random House Children’s Books for review purposes. However, this in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Comments (7)
Category: Books,Childrens,Fantasy,Reviews
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Meneame -
- Digg
Comment by Charles Ravndal
Made Wednesday, 4 of May , 2011 at 1:57 pm
Sounds like an exciting book and I’ll definitely check it out!
Comment by daystar12uk
Made Wednesday, 4 of May , 2011 at 8:41 pm
Picked this up while I was on holiday but wasn’t sure so didn’t buy it. Think I will now.
Comment by Imaginography
Made Thursday, 5 of May , 2011 at 12:33 pm
That sounds exactly like the kind of book I would’ve loved as a kid! Might even enjoy it as an adult too – after all there is a big kid in everyone 
Bobkat
Comment by Yvonne
Made Saturday, 7 of May , 2011 at 6:19 pm
Hi Nikki-ann,
Definitely the UK cover version for me.
It is rarely that I choose a US cover over that from the UK, generally our cover artists seem a bit more up to date and more visionary.
Comment by Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
Made Friday, 13 of May , 2011 at 2:26 pm
I tend to like the UK covers best as well, and I loved this book. The fun and readability of it ranks up with the HP books!
Comment by Enbrethiliel
Made Monday, 16 of May , 2011 at 5:39 pm
+JMJ+
I fell in love with metallic UK covers of YA novels when I lived in New Zealand, and I’m still a bit put out that I’m stuck with the US covers now that I’m back in the Philippines.
The US cover of The Emerald Atlas looks great, too, but I like the sense of mystery we get from the silhouettes of the children in the UK cover.
Comment by Bart
Made Thursday, 14 of July , 2011 at 12:42 am
Well, covers are up to the Art Director, and not the artist. Both are nice, but I like the US version.
