Leandra's Enchanted Flute

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute is one of the most unique stories I have read for some time.  It is the kind of story that could be turned into an enchanting BBC special for older children or any young of heart lover of sweet fantasy.  Leandra and her flute are chosen to join a prince and some talking birds in a quest to heal a world that has been blighted.  Leandra is specially chosen to journey to Finian Jahndra because she has fought and won a battle with cancer on earth. Leandra has a spiritual connection with the world of Finian Jahndra that causes her to rejoice in its places of beauty and feel a deep sense of grief when the world is impacted by the canker that is blighting it.  

There was one place in the book where I wondered if I had skipped some pages.  The raven Eyepecker goes too quickly from being a suspected enemy to a friend.  I was left with the feeling that there was dialogue missing. 

However, all in all the book was very well written. Katy Huth Jones is a gifted writer.  I think this book would be widely acclaimed if it were not for the great many books being published at this moment in time.  

The Gypsy Pearl

The Gypsy Pearl by Lia London

The Gypsy Pearl was a very enjoyable read.  It was quick moving and action packed.  Lia  London quickly drew me in with this tale of a 14 year old girl who lives on a space station. 

Caz is bored and longs to visit the surface of the three worlds that the space station visits in its cycle. She constantly gets into trouble in her search for something more.  Cas is accused of having no respect for authority, trespassing in areas where she doesn’t belong, and being disruptive in school.  Fights with other students result in injury to two of them.  When the second student is injured Cas is sent to a reformatory on the surface.  Cas begins a journey that will help her find what she is truly looking for; a life with meaning and purpose.   

Cas is chosen to receive special gifts by a strange creature who is the travelling companion to gypsies.  The Fanep’s people have been subjected to oppression and taken into captivity.  The Fanep gives Cas gifts so that she can help the creature rescue his people.

Cas appealed to me as the teen who never quite fit the life other expected her to live. She appealed to me as someone who was determined to be her own person.  I appreciated her growth as a person to become someone who was able to care more than just herself. 

This book is a great read for younger teens, but it is also a book that people of all ages will enjoy. From beginning to end it is a captivating story.  I look forward to reading the sequel.