The Secret of the Stones, by C.K. Volnek (Review & E-book Giveaway)

5 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Trading places with a squirrel outside his window is the last thing twelve year-old Alex Ramsey expects to happen. Could the gift Aunt Norma gave him be magic? The Merlin’s magic he’d read about in the ancient diary? After he unexpectedly trades places with another animal, Alex realizes he must discover how this magic works, and fast. How had the trickery transformed him…and better yet… how did it turn him back into himself?

As Alex struggles to understand the how and why of his enchanted gift, he becomes painfully aware there is more to it than he first thought. Within the magic there is a great power, a power to control, a power so strong that another is willing do almost anything to get it. Can Alex protect the gift while solving the secrets to how the magic works? And can he make sense of the riddles in the diary, the riddles surrounding the prophecy of Merlin’s return? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

C.K. Volnek, author and storyteller, writer for children, MG & YA. I believe everyone has a story. Happy, sad, good, bad, all rolled up in the truth of who we are. We may think we are nothing special, but in fact we are everything to someone. We may just not know it.I grew up in the great upper plains, enjoying life in small-town USA; riding horses in summer and sledding the ginormous hills in winter. I was the official story-teller when I was kid, family and friends planted around the campfire, waiting for me to share my latest ghost story. I am married to my best friend and together we have three children and four Papillon fur-kids. What can I say...Papillons are like potato chips, you can't stop at one. I like to write, hike, watch movies, and dream about the 'what ifs' in life, thus spawning the many stories my muse wants to share. Visit her at her website - HERE 

MY REVIEW -
This was a wonderful, fun, adventurous, magical story! Its a book for middle school readers (I would say) and it certainly has all the things that a young reader would love. They will not get bored with this one. For a "young reader book" this was quite suspenseful.

I may be partial because I have always been a fan of Merlin the Magician. I think that is why I love books about magic and witches, it all goes way back to Merlin.

This story starts out with Alex trading places with a squirrel, which is significant if you have seen the Disney movie "The Sword and the Stone", which was one of my daughters favorites. The imagery was so good in this book. I almost felt like I was watching a movie in my head.

I love that the Author keeps it real and uses pieces from the legend of Merlin and King Author. She even mentions Lady Morgana LeFay (aka Morgan le Fay) a powerful sorceress, King Arthur was her half brother. There was lots of research done for the history in this book. I really like books that use real information in them. 

The character development was great. I easily got to know Alex and his friends - Gordy and Haley. What a cute bunch of kids! I kept comparing them to the kids that I watch after school. Even the dogs were portrayed well, and I am not a dog person!

THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all this was a very cute story meant for middle readers but interesting enough for adults! It is very clean, so definitely good for young readers. I would give this a high interest rate for kids who get bored easily. Recommended for girls and boys alike.


THE GIVEAWAY -
The author has offered 3 e-books! Yay! That is very generous of her - thank you!

 * To win a copy of this e-book, please fill out the form below.

Please only enter once!

* Winner will be chosen on 9/19/12

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond.