Monday, June 3, 2013

Far World: Air Keep -- J. Scott Savage



The adventure continues…

It’s been six months since Marcus and Kyja obtained the help of the land and water elementals. But before they can get help from the mysterious air elementals they have to figure out how to open a box with no key.

Together, Marcus and Kyja travel into the Is, the Was, the Will Be, and the Never Was as they try to open the box, save their city, free Land Keep and Water Keep from water and land elementals who have joined the Dark Circle. Marcus still has to find a way to change the future, and save Kyja’s life, but there’s a catch; any changes they make in the Abyss of Time may destroy the doorway, trapping them forever…

Even with his physical disability, Marcus is able to accomplish great things. It is a story of determination and friendship, and of having the courage to make those hard decisions.

Another brilliant addition to the Far World saga. Although J. Scott Savage is in my critique group, I really had only previewed a few early chapters in this episode, so reading the book was an exciting adventure for me, filled with surprises, twists & turns, familiar characters, as well as new ones, and an ending that made me yearn to read Fire Keep right away. (In other words, get busy writing, Jeff!)

I have loved the Far World series from the very beginning. Kyja is a wonderful role model. She truly cares about people and would give her life to protect another. The frightening part of this trait is that in Air Keep, if Marcus’s visions of the future are right, she might just be called upon to do that very thing. Despite his fears and the limitations of his disabilities, Marcus will do everything he can to protect his best friend and maintain her trust.

Because I have used Far World: Water Keep as one of my key literature studies with my English classes, and because these students went on to read Land Keep on their own, there was much excitement at the release of Air Keep throughout my school. I arranged for a school-wide assembly by the author, which was very well received by students and faculty alike. I would highly recommend both the book series and the assembly for grades 4-9.

And, by the way, I was so excited to see the return of the ishkabiddle. I’ve love the fur-ball almost as much as I love saying its name!  


 

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