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I was delighted when she read a whole chapter really well and was able to tell me afterwards what had happened. Even though I had her read from the middle of the sequel she was still able to tell me in her own words what had happened and what type of characters she had been reading about! My hat goes off to Alicia Rivoli for writing a fantastic modern-day magical, fun and adventurous fairytale! It is clear to the reader that the author has spent a great deal of time creating the wonderful world of Mere, as well as beautiful characters with princes, princesses, wizards, dragons, merpeople and an army of darkness with a traitor as their leader.
At the same time as being in a strange, magical land with dragons and wizards and trying to learn their own abilities, Preston, Chloe, Jason, Megan and Zach fight to be reunited again and to free the Kingdom of Mere!
I received both books from the author, Alicia Rivoli in return for an honest and fair review. DNF at around page The first ten pages or so were okay, but it rapidly started going downhill from there. The writing was bland, average, and lacking. The characters were so generic and two-dimensional, like mere illusions of what teenagers actually act like. The parents were equally stupid.
Last but not least, the plo DNF at around page Last but not least, the plot By about page 40, I wanted to throw this book across the room. By page 50, I wanted to rip it to shreds. I want nothing to do with Mere Enchantment ever again.
Yup Better written than some I have read lately. Would recommend to the people that I know are into this genre. May 20, Nic rated it really liked it. Preston has lived his entire life secluded from the outside world. He was born and raised in a cabin on the banks of a large lake, called Mirror Lake, in the Rocky Mountains.
When Preston was younger, his father would tell him stories of a fantasy world called Mere. Yet what happens if stories become reality? As a new family arrives at the cabin across from the lake, a storm blows in and the children are lured into the entrance to a secret kingdom. With no hopes of going back, they must work to Preston has lived his entire life secluded from the outside world. With no hopes of going back, they must work together in order to survive in a foreign land and help the kingdom from peril!
Mere Enchantment had a great start. The introduction was really well done and the families had a strong, believable relationship. The scenes given by the author were well described and that was what stood out. At no point in the story was I confused of the characters surroundings or what they were wearing. Sadly, I thought that the beginning could have used a little bit more pace and have gotten onto the next part of the story rather then build minimal suspense. For the most part I enjoyed the characters. They seemed to be realistic but sometimes they made me feel like they were somewhat bipolar.
The characters could bond together really well and then say that there little brothers were brats. That was excusable because aren't we all like that in our teenage years? So if you think about it, the author really did a good job with the moods and expressions of the characters. The amount were a bit useless. I believe that the novel contained way too many characters to begin with and even the parents names shouldn't had been necessary for this type of story. I had a hard time figuring out who was who and that was very confusing. What makes a fantasy world become a fantasy world?
Of course the magic does! This was a huge theme in the novel, and Alicia could not have done better! The spells and the background of the whole kingdom is very ingenious and while it still is a typical fantasy story, it contains that spark that keeps the reader from putting the book down.
Even the monsters and enemies were well done and there powers reflected off of their own personality. For my last point! I would like to point out the cover. The art work is so amazing and reflects so many scenes in the book! This is a kind of cover that attracts my attention and makes me want to read the first few pages. We give illustrators minimal credit and I would like to congratulate Danijel Firak for the beautiful art work. Children and YA fans of fantasy. This was a nice story with a lot of potential.
Alicia Rivoli certainly gives us a unique and interesting fantasy world full of magic and enchanting imagery. There are some intriguing characters, however the main characters fell a little flat for me. Based on their dialogue and actions I kept wanting to think of them as between the ages of 12 and 14 that is Preston, Megan, Chloe and Jason instead of their actual older ages. Also, I understand the premise that they were each born with natural ma This was a nice story with a lot of potential. Also, I understand the premise that they were each born with natural magical or fighting abilities, however it felt a little unauthentic and predictable.
For instance, Chloe and Megan are each able to almost immediately perform "complex" magical feats such as fighting with fire or making strong illusions. I also had issues with the writing. While I would never say it was bad, it definitely needs some work. I struggled when starting this book because it had the feel of just reciting facts.
It felt more like a children's book because of the simple writing style. I did feel that the writing got a little better as the book progressed, and hope the next in the series does the same. I hate giving negative reviews and I feel like this one is straying that direction, but I have to discuss my other major issue with the book. It felt totally incomplete.
Cliff-hangers are fine and it can usually be expected in a series, however Mere Enchantment just stopped and I felt like I should have only been half-way through. This leads me to think that perhaps the stopping place would have been fine if there had been more development along the way. I felt at the end that I had barely gotten a glimpse into this fantasy world and the characters. All of that being said, the story was interesting and I do want to finish out the series.
I would encourage the author to really concentrate on the writing for the next book, and make sure it feels full and satisfying. Not bad for Alicia Rivoli 's first, and there is definitely room for the story and characters to grow. May 12, Martha rated it really liked it Shelves: Imagine your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, and taking them to bed or putting them on your knee to tell them a story. An enchanting story about mermaids and mermen, magic, lakes, caves, kings and queens, smart large red birds and many other fantastic creatures.
Imagine telling them a story about all these things and more. Now how would said child react? Begging you to tell them more? All of the above?
That is what I saw everytime I picked up this book to read some mo Imagine your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, and taking them to bed or putting them on your knee to tell them a story. That is what I saw everytime I picked up this book to read some more. Although I personally never had these types of stories growing up it certainly took me back to those story time days as a young girl.
I was reading this book at a friends house one night and when I fell asleep I dreamt of Chloe, Megan and the others. It was like I was there as an observer watching them go through these adventures. It was simply fantastic. The teens all start out young but quickly find out that they are all a little bit older then they'd thought and had been led to believe.
There were a few things I didn't like. Preston falling in love with Chloe so fast. I mean two days? I might have said that they felt like they knew each other from a past life or something so that it didn't seem so rushed. The fact that they all seemed to all accept so easily that they were from a a different world when they never seemed to have felt different before was a bit weird for me.
Also there were a lot of different POV's. It wasn't too annoying because it was very easy to tell who was speaking so that made it tons easier and a bit more entertaining. Overall I would recommend this book to parents, grandparents, and whoever reads to kids in general to pick up this book and read to their kids because I'm fairly certain these kids WILL have big round eyes simply from imagining all the adventures Preston, Jason, Megan, Chloe, and Zach go through.
Review of Mere Enchantment by Alicia Rivoli I received a review ebook copy from the author in exchange for my fair and impartial review. Preston, almost eighteen, has lived exclusively in a cabin on the lake which belonged to his grandfather, who also owned another cabin on the opposite shore. Preston of course always assumed these were bedtime stories, intended to soothe a fretful child to sleep.
Little does he realize they are factual. This summer Jack has rented the other cabin for the first time, to two families, each of whom has a son and a daughter. Preston, who is ordered into an arranged marriage as soon as he turns eighteen soon, instead falls for Chloe, one of the daughters. Almost immediately terrible things occur: Quickly he is joined by the four other adolescents, and an entirely new world unfolds to them.
Oct 12, Cassandra Giovanni rated it really liked it Shelves: Honestly, I did not believe that I would finish the book. The writing is great first off, but it's very technical. For me this caused the dialogue to feel choppy. The description was very intricate and detailed down to every piece of food the characters consumed. This was a bit much for me, and I found myself skimming many parts. The reason I didn't feel I would finish was because of the slow start and high levels of description. The storyline is great, and I really enjo 3.
The storyline is great, and I really enjoyed the ending. As I got deeper into the book I was able to become accustomed to the flow and detail level, but I also noticed that the character's maturity didn't match their ages-- especially once they reached Mere. One thing that struck me was the third POV, why? I normally hate it and here I didn't. It flowed well in this form and allowed for two stories to be made into one.
I loved the budding romance between Megan and Zachi. At first when I started feeling it, it was creepy. However, as you grow to see that he was her guardian, you understand. I'm also hoping that Chloe and Preston can be together, although their insta-love was a bit unrealistic to me. I can understand the instant attraction, but saying "deeply in love" after what accumulates to a few hours?
The title is very fitting-- the story is enchanting, and the ending made it so I know I will come back for more. This is more middle grade than young adult, and I can see a young boy really enjoying this. May 28, Jessica Tornese rated it really liked it. Rivoli's lengthy first fantasy book, Mere Enchantment, is a great leap for tweens and young teens looking for a read that is more in depth and detailed than the early chapter fantasy books one might find for this age group.
The imagination used is vast for this book, and the worlds the characters explore are diverse and well thought out to the tiniest detail. Air bubble tears under water! Rivoli gives the reader much foreshadowing in the beginning, using the reference to the lake to draw the r Rivoli's lengthy first fantasy book, Mere Enchantment, is a great leap for tweens and young teens looking for a read that is more in depth and detailed than the early chapter fantasy books one might find for this age group.
Rivoli gives the reader much foreshadowing in the beginning, using the reference to the lake to draw the reader in I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot, the development of the worlds and the specific characteristics for each one, and I think the progression into a sequel is obvious and intriguing. I would recommend this as a book for the age ranges of ; the language and content is suitable for all ages, but the length is for a hearty reader.
I can't wait to see where the sequel takes me next! Sep 03, Laurie Franco rated it it was amazing. It did take me a few chapters to really get into it, since the beginning was a bit Once into it however, I had a hard time putting it down. I liked the whole storyline, and thought it was cool the way the "siblings" turned out to be guardians. I'm Thoroughly enjoyable book.
I'm dying to know what will happen next, and even though I haven't read it yet, I will be willing to go out on a limb and recommend the entire series, however many books it might be, since Mere Enchantment was excellent and I would expect nothing less as Ms. Great job, and keep up the good work! Jun 28, Bree Wolf rated it liked it. It is a fantasy-meets-fairy-tale kind of book … dragons, mermaids, wizards to name only a few! The only thing I wished for when reading this book was more rounded characters. Every now and then their actions felt strange and not fitting to the situation.
But their journey through this magical land still had me captivated! I picked up the sequel the second the last page left me hanging in mid-air! Dec 07, Charity Bradford rated it really liked it Shelves: It took a while to get into this story--mostly because middle grade isn't my thing really. However, once I got used to the style aimed at people much younger than me, I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Rivoli does a great job building her fantasy world, and some of the items and explanations are quite ingenious. There are a lot of characters to get used to.
By the end I was concerned and even more curious about all of them. I have my guesses as to how some things might play out, but can't wait to s It took a while to get into this story--mostly because middle grade isn't my thing really. I have my guesses as to how some things might play out, but can't wait to see the twists and turns it takes to get there.
Apr 26, Kayti rated it really liked it. Was a great fantasy book, really liked it. Loved the story line and all the characters. I was not satisfied with the end, I was not happy that the story just dropped and left you hanging. I think you should have tied the story up a little more before ending it.
Mere Enchantment (The Enchantment Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Alicia Rivoli, Danijel Firak, Christine Leporte. Download it once and read it on your. Mere Enchantment: The Enchantment Series Book 1 (Volume 1) [Alicia Rivoli, Christine LePorte, Danijel Firak] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying .
I really can't wait until the second book comes out. I hope someday to write a book. May 25, Melissa rated it liked it. You can thank Jo and Harry for that rule. Heroes of Olympus, Kane Chronicles, Beyonders -- haven't even touched them yet. I've only broken that rule twice. The first was Miss. Peregrins Home for Peculiar Children. It was a fun book, but there was no warning that it would leave me hanging from a cliff of unresolved story, with no signs of book 2 coming to rescue me.
And so I continue to hang. The second violation was for Mere Enchantment, although this time I did with full knowledge of what I was getting into AND for a good reason. Alicia Rivoli is a friend of mine, and I was excited to know that she had finally finished her long rumored book!
Who wouldn't be excited to read a book written by someone you actually know? If only I could figure out a way for her to sign my Kindle book. Enough of my rambling, on with the review! I love the world Alicia has created! The story is original and fun--I felt like I was reading the dreams of every 8 to 14 year old boy or girl coming true on paper--or eInk anyway! When I found myself turning the last page, I felt a twinge of disappointment that I have to wait to learn the rest of the story.
Or maybe Alicia will give me a peak into the future of my new friends from Mere Maybe?
As an adult, reading Mere Enchantment felt very similar to the first time I picked up Fablehaven. Which also earned three stars from me btw, so Mere Enchantment is in good company! Like Fablehaven, there are inconsistencies that my perfectionist mind got hung up on, pacing that felt off, some grammar mistakes that can easily be corrected, and terminology that I might have wielded differently. Certainly all things that can and should be corrected in future editions--for me these elements distracted from the story.
Alicia, if you'd like a more detailed explination, I'd be happy to share my notes and thoughts with you. As a child, however, I suspect reading Mere Enchantment will also feel similar to reading Fablehaven--magical and exciting and hard to put down! Brava Alicia for seeing through to the end what has certainly been a labor of love.
I am completely impressed that you have created a new world and new characters and a story that is fresh and unique, but still feels familiar because view spoiler [finding out you are a prince or princess hide spoiler ] is the dream of every child! Thank you for creating a wholesome and uplifting story. I picture kids 8 - 14 and their parents enjoying your story for years to come! Alicia Rivoli has built a world that expands and grows like Harry Potters did. With new creatures and beliefs that she writes so well you don't question them for a minute.
The beginning of the story is developed as you learn who the four main characters are. They are meeting each other and then learn together through some rather extreme events who they really are! And then you go to Mere: I love Mere and the people already! The last half of the book was definitely the most exciting but it's a story worth getting to. It does have a part one feel, so be ready to move right on to Rings of Enchantment!
I haven't read that one yet but am thoroughly excited to see how these quickly growing characters are able to fill the huge destinies set out for them. It's a very engaging story with description that fills the imagination and makes immersing yourself in Alicia Rivoli's world as easy as opening the pages. Better written than some I have read lately.