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Brenden, seventeen, and happy to get away from his controlling father
for the summer. Upon stopping in a small town {L.O.S.T “Live Oak Springs
Township} heading for San Diego, his mother’s truck is stolen and he
enters a world that he never could have imagined existed. When all that
is familiar disappears and Brenden is L.O.S.T., he has no choice –
literally – than to depend on Jasmina “Jazz”, who takes him on an
adventure that he’s not sure he can handle.
Jasmina, sixteen, powerful, and Queen of the Witches. When she sees
Brenden, she knows that he is the only person to help her save her
people. He has an inner power that he doesn’t realize, and with their
powers together, they can defeat Nire, the ancient evil that is
determined to rule both worlds. Jazz vows that she won’t allow it to
happen and will do whatever it takes to save her people, and show Bren
exactly who he is.
Adventure, excitement and charismatic characters describe L.O.S.T. by
Debbie Federici & Susan Vaught. This is the beginning of a series that
I believe will be a hit among young readers, as well as adults. My
daughter {age 10} and I decided to read L.O.S.T. together, chapter by
chapter at every opportunity and we are very glad we did. With laughter,
gasps and “hurry, turn the page”, these authors take their readers on a
ride that’s exciting, intriguing and gripping.
TThe
story mixes the fantasy with paranormal, as well as a bit of romance, as
there is a strong attraction between Jazz and Bren. This is handled very
well by the authors, not too much which could have taken a more front
seat to the story, but also not too much that a ten-year-old could also
enjoy it without parents worrying about more aggressive content. Though
this is a tale labeled as for young reader’s grades 8 to 10, I chose
reading it with my daughter, who has an open imagination and would be
able to understand and handle it for its creativity and mystical world.
I believe I made the right choice. Told in the first person, from both
Bren and Jazz’s point of view, we learn so much about these characters,
what lies in the hearts and who they truly are and experienced
everything more personally with them as they grow.
This
is an amazing tale between good vs. evil, right and wrong and
fantastically written. As the first book of this series, readers will
be hungry for book two after reading L.O.S.T. Definitely a must read
for those that love a well-written, dramatic story, memorable characters
and magic. It’s also a great story to read with your child.
Reviewed by
Tracey West for The Road to Romance
June
1, 2006
From
ten-year-old, Ashley West, about L.O.S.T. ~ “I really liked Jazz. As
Queen of the Witches she was exciting and fun. Bren is a great boy who I
also liked and was surprised by his powers. Magic and witches are two of
my favourite things. I’m glad I have the next book already. I can’t wait
to read it.” |
