Review: Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom by Teresa Schapansky

Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom by Teresa Schapansky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was absolutely charming, a story of a young girl discovering the truth about herself and her family. I am an absolute sucker for stories about someone who's ordinary finding out that that's not the case at all, and this was definitely one of those stories.

Imogene has lived with her aunt since she was five years old - an aunt that she has never particularly clicked with on that level that's so important when it comes to family, especially as a young child. Luckily enough she does mesh with Sampson, the butler, and he becomes her connection in a home that is very different from what she's used to.

Then the moment comes - the moment when Imogene finds out that not all is how it seems, and that there's a lot more to her parents than what she thought. She's drawn into a new and magical world, and on top of that, an adventure - for Imogene is more important than she realizes, and not all is peaceful in the new world she's discovered, either.

I quite enjoyed this book. It's charming and engaging, and has action and adventure as well - it's sure to be enjoyed by younger readers, and a book I'd recommend.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Dager of the Tasman Empire by Teresa Schapansky

Dager of the Tasman Empire by Teresa Schapansky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary: Ruthlessly torn away from his family at the tender age of three; subsequently sold as a slave, the little boy endures unbelievable brutality.

Thankful for his nightly dreams about magical, faraway places, and the constant companionship of his equally neglected farmyard friends, he survives.

Two agonizing years pass; he receives a mysterious message, and learns that he has a family that loves him. He also discovers that he has a name, and that his family has never given up hope of his eventual return. With resolve that he didn't know he had, the little boy puts up the fight of his life, to return to his home. 

Review:  What a sweet little book! 3.5 stars for this one.

This year hasn't been that great for reading, so the first thing I need to do is thank Teresa for being very patient with me as she's been waiting about three months for this review, now!

This is a fun little book full of whimsy and magic and the fantastical, a book about family and surviving and the things that both separate us and bring us together. The main character, Dager, is kidnapped from his family as a young child and subjected to a difficult upbringing far away from those who love him, and the book takes us through the journey he goes on to get back to them.

I would have appreciated a bit more depth to the characters, but I could still empathize with them and what they were going through, particularly the children. There's something universal about the desire of a child to have and be with their family, I think, and that's at play here.

Although the writing could be a little more fluid at times, I really appreciated the story that the author was telling. It's engaging and sweet and also more than a bit heartwarming. This book is a great one for younger readers, along with Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom, also by the same author.

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