Review: Storyteller by Edward Myers

Summary: All Jack every wanted to do was tell stories, and now he's left his poor family to seek his fortune out in the Royal City. And once he's there, he tells stories to anyone who will listen--That is, until the King takes him and his bird, Loquasto, captive. Through an incredible turn of fates, Jack becomes the Royal Storyteller. But that job entails more than he could have imagined, because Jack's storytelling could change the future of the kingdom.

Storyteller is full of mystery, fights, beautiful princesses and unruly princes. And most of all, it's full of stories.

Review: I liked it, I really did. It was really original and everything, but there was just something missing. There was no emotional attachment really. The only way I can explain it, is that it seems like it was written to be read aloud. This is the first book I've read that I think would be better as an audiobook.

It was fairly predictable at first, but did get more mysterious as it went on. There were some things left unexplained at the end (particularly about a character named Zephyrio), but not annoyingly so. 

The whole 'grandfather telling grandson story' was entirely too reminiscent of Princess Bride. That annoyed me more than anything.

But the story itself... I kind of liked it. It was different. But I would reccommend it for a bit younger audiences.

Stars: 3.5

Rating: G

Length: 288 Pages

Released: Yes

(p.s. there's one available used on Amazon for $2... just so you know)

Review: Ice, by Edward Myers

Seth is the killer. He’s suffering from the blame for the accident that lost him Frannie forever.

Jenna is the sister. She’s dealing with the anger, hate, and torment of seeing Seth live while Frannie is dead. 

Ice is the story of two teenagers, told from alternate perspectives. When Seth decides to join the volunteer EMT team, he’s not sure what he’s looking for. He enjoys the work, and it provides a release from the guilt of Frannie’s death that buries him at school. That is, until Frannie’s sister Jenna joins the team to see what he is up to. Working together doesn’t make anything easier for either of the two, but maybe it’s just what they need. 

Ice, by Edward Myers, started out a little slow and strange. The style is difficult to get used to, but as the pages progress and you get used to switching between perspectives, the story transforms into a smooth, rather bitter-sweet read.  Having served in an EMT team himself, Myers give a unique inside look that is definitely worth reading about and creatively weaved into the plot. The characters are believable and relatable, though Jenna did annoy me somewhat with her stubborn refusal to forgive Seth. But having never been through the situation Jenna encountered, I can’t really say that it isn’t realistic, as it most certainly could be. Seth's emotions, however, are wonderfully described.

I didn’t feel a full resolve at the end, but it leaves room for imagination—so whether the reader will enjoy it or not is up to them and their preferred style. (I liked it, but it annoys the heck out of some people..) Also, there wasn’t a very important climax. I was hoping something really big would happen, but it does make the book more realistic.

Overall, Ice is a quick, worthy read. It’s interesting, and if anyone is thinking about being an EMT, definitely read it. It makes me want to volunteer, and I’d never even considered it before. And now I want to go ice-skating. So, as Myers has written a book that has left me with emotions, interest, and has had an effect on my life, I say thumbs up :)

 

Rating: 4 Stars

Clean?: Clean

Awards: ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year