Title: The Secrets of the Woods: Book 1
Author: Sara Beth Harper
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781543410723
Pages: 228
Genres: Young adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy
Reviewed by: Jennifer Weiss
Pacific Book Review
Lia, Zac, Michael, Elijah, and Justin thought they had escaped their harsh lives in the streets and found refuge in the safety of the woods beyond. But ultimately what they found within the woods is more danger and evil than they had thought. They now find themselves hunted by orcs and their dogs, and goblins who wish to obtain a magic item the children acquired when Michael promised a dying boy that they would deliver it to a place called Camelot. When the promise was made, they were unaware of the dangers which would follow their footsteps. Now, while they are scared, lost and confused, they must find their way to Camelot and seek the answers they are looking for. There is no one they can trust. As they struggle through the days, they discover their inner strength as a group, as well as individuals, and build the determination to survive the perils they face. As they overcome their fears and hatred, they find love and happiness in unexpected places – as they discover they indeed have more friends than enemies. They finally discover the purpose for their journey as their identities become revealed.The prologue of this novel is a little bit longer than normal, but it builds the tension of what readers will discover within the coming chapters. This is the first book in a series and author Sara Beth Harper does a great job at introducing her characters and story. While the first chapter throws readers right into the action with Lia being chased, Harper builds on the action and develops her characters through their interactions with one another as well as outside forces. Young adult readers are able to find something relatable within each of the characters.
In The Secrets of the Woods readers will find a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and self-reliance. Each of the characters are written with strengths and weaknesses, and as the plot progresses they all learn how to grow together, create bonds, learn how to utilize their strengths and how to work with their weaknesses. There are nature photographs interspersed in with the story that adds a certain quality to the quest of the kids. They help readers gain a clearer picture of the world Harper created in this book. The Secret of the Woods is a novel that lingers in the back of your mind and creates a sort of kinship with the characters.
Join the young adults on their quest to not only fulfill a promise made, but discover their true selves. The writing is well done; the storyline is engaging and makes the reader want to find out what will happen next for the group. There are many books on the shelves of young adults and young readers that rekindle a love for reading, and this is one which will stand out above most of those other books.
