Tanya Karen Gough

Brownies and witches and family lost...oh my! It's a mixed bag on the character cast list for certain but all your favorites are there, ready and willing to guide you through this topsy turvy adventure. The story line bounces between reality and dreams, landing squarely on the shoulders of the "somewhere in between". Just when you think you know which way its going, POOF...something else changes to alter your path. It was really quite GOOD!

Emma is a sweetheart! So brave and strong despite her slight size nd with love that knows no bounds for those that endear themselves to her. Her Dad is not one to forget either though his role in the story is more sideline than starring. He's one of those parents that is actually trying to do the best he can for his daughter...and their strong relationship is one of the reasons that Emily is able to find her way back when things get shaky.

I loved the counterpart aspect between Over and Under beings; exploring how their other halves lived was ironic, curious and sometimes down right funny! The blend of cultures and beliefs such as Roman and Greek gods/goddesses was interesting as well and showed how there's room for all when consideration for each other is given. The story takes curious twists and turns much like the roots that run beneath Emily's new home but they all lead back to one conclusion...a highly addictive story that will have readers of all ages smiling from the brownie banter, cringing from the Gorgeous Gang, fighting for those they love and in general...having a great time between the pages.

If you enjoy stories with a blend of reality and fantasy, filled with brownies sometimes think they know everything and evil witches out to make more than "little-girl-stew", this is definitely the book for you. Emily will capture your heart as will her new brownie friends as you journey from Over to Under in a life altering quest to save pretty much everything from falling into the clutches of evil.


**review copy received in exchange for my honest review - full post can be seen on my site**
… (mehr)

Root Bound is a Middle Grade fantasy about a young girl who moves around a lot with her musical father. Their new move is to a city and strange things are happening. There is a creepy old lady, a mysterious door that is randomly cracked open, and an old house that may have sneezed. Emma finds herself whisked away into a world she believed to be imaginary and people that live in it that she only thought were real in her dreams.

Emma is an adorable character, she is self conscious about how new kids see her in new places, but also very determined and strong when she ends up in the new magical world helping and fulfilling the Brownie's prophecy.

I found the Brownies funny and entertaining to read about and the evil witch was very creepy. Leading up to the action in the book, I found my heart-rate rising as the evil was gaining ground on Emma and her new friends, and curious about the mysterious door. The author did a wonderful job of creating this magical world.

The first few chapters of the book were fairly slow, and it was difficult to get through them, but all of a sudden the plot takes off and you don't want to stop reading. I think that young readers will enjoy this adventure. It reminded me of the Spiderwick Chronicles with the mythical creatures and maybe even The Borrowers.… (mehr)