“This novel kind of reminds me of those Magic Tree House books I used to love (anyone remember those? Or am I too old?). Except, with more sophisticated plotting and writing.
“There was a lot of suspense and mystery. The bad guys were terrifyingly bad and the good guys were cute and smart and good. Older readers may find that a bit too simple, but for the middle-grade category, this novel is up there with the greats.
“Conclusion: If you’ve ever wanted to go on a magical time travelling adventure with a pair of smart, inquisitive twins (or are doing some Christmas shopping for young, avid readers) be sure to check The Ravenstone out!”
Thank you to Dianne Bylo, Top 1% Goodreads reviewer, for this incredible Goodreads review! “Simply magical!”
“Diane Solomon and Mark Carey have created an atmosphere where one’s imagination can run free as two delightful characters are given the opportunity to help make a mark on the history of mankind.”
Was it fate, destiny or their own special senses that put twins Aidan and Nadia on a path that will lead them across time in a quest to save both their father’s visionary scientific work and the very future of mankind? It all started in the attic of the old home they lived in. A mirror, ancient and dusty suddenly comes to life when a wizard and his raven appear to show them a hidden artifact that will lead them on a magical adventure filled with mystery, challenges and the search for one special plant that will open doors for both their scientist father and the world at large.
Follow a tale of two young children who place family and honor before the usual concerns of contemporary tweens more concerned with the latest electronic gadgets and spoon-fed tales filled with violence that leave their imaginations starving for sustenance. High adventure, hidden secrets in the past and experiences that one can only dream about take Aidan and Nadia into the world of the past that will reveal more about their present lives than they ever could have imagined. Are their special gifts a twin thing? What of the other twins in their family? Do they know of the secrets of the mirror? Notice anything about these siblings’ names?
Diane Solomon and mark Carey have created an atmosphere where one’s imagination can run free as two delightful characters are given the opportunity to help make a mark on the history of mankind. The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain is perfect for family reading, reading alone and definite will hold the interest of even the most reluctant of young readers! What more can one ask for? Age appropriate, believable dialogue and a keen sense of adventure into the unknown in an atmosphere free of gore that is simply magical!
I received this copy via Diane Solomon and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Being creative is often a calling. Are you compelled to create, be it art, music, poetry, fiction? Then you must do it. You must do it to fulfill your passion in life. Without it you may feel dead, unfulfilled, trudging through the three-foot mudslog of life, day by day, without experiencing the joy of your own heart.
But, I hear you ask:“Will someone else like my artistic endeavor?” My answer: Who cares? Seriously. WHO CARES?
A few tips for artists and writers everywhere:
1) Dare to Suck (or Dare to Fail, for those of you appalled by the vulgarity.) As a singer/songwriter, I learned early (after an ego struggle) to trust the creative process and dive deeply into it. You have to dare to be criticized, dare to be silly, dare to be crazy, to be wild. You have to Dare to Suck.
About the book: Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved icon that glows with ancient light and pulses with shamanic power. This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, 13-year-old twins, who live in idyllic Cold Spring, New York. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck… or is it destiny?
If they succeed, what they bring back could change the course of human existence.
REVIEW:
Many thanks to Dii Bylo, a Top 1% Goodreads Reviewer for her 5-Star review
Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?
Diane & Mark: For the pure logistics, we are outliners. We use a large board, into which we stick pushpins to hold up postcard-sized cards with scenes, sections, or individual pieces of the story (or sections if non-fiction). Then we can physically see the jigsaw puzzle and move things around until they feel right.
Character is vital: We spend a long time on character development, and each day before either of us writes, at least at the beginning, we tend to read through all the notes and reacquaint ourselves with the character.
Diane: Yes, if I am beginning to live and breathe the character – if I am in the protagonist’s head, and she is in mine – she will write her own actions and words.
But, I want to bring up something else, something required for the writing process for me. It’s hard to define, but essential. My writing seems to stem from what my husband calls my “extreme heart.” My writing process only works well if heart is involved….
Many of the books, written for kids, feature main characters whose behavior is… well, appalling. Diane and I set out to create characters with heart and honor. We put the twins, Nadia and Aidan, in situations where they have to decide for themselves to do the right thing. They take risks for their family and they succeed in spite of their fears and flaws. Our kids don’t have to be snarky to be cool. As your kids read they accompany Aidan and Nadia on their adventure and are intrigued by the mystery they try to unravel. Plus, they learn, along with the twins, about; history, Native Americans, Celts, folk-lore, extinct plants and other environmental science, and more than just a little about morality.
The action is fast-paced. Our younger beta readers couldn’t put the book down. One Skyped us from Oregon to tell us how much he loved it. He even honored us with the comment, “This book is better than Harry Potter!”
We understand why you, as a parent, choose to teach your children at home. You may feel a level of concern about the academic quality of local public schools, quite justifiably! And you may feel that teaching them at home provide a higher level of moral instruction. Teaching them academic facts alone does not make them good people and we all want our kids to grow into people we can be proud of. Those kinds of lessons are difficult to get across to kids without seeming preachy. Here is where a book like The Ravenstone can entertain and teach at the same time.
A fun, suspenseful, entertaining book helps to teach those lessons! And a classic quality book becomes part of your child’s heart and mind, something she will remember her entire life.
EXCERPT: “It’s a magical, hopeful story full of loyalty, courage and heart.” “I appreciate this honor, this depth of character, in an age where so much of our media, books, TV, and movies are full of violence, darkness and a kind of “attitude” or “snarkiness.” I am tired of that! This is a family-oriented book, wholesome even, and very heartwarming.”
What a fun, suspenseful adventure! I got it for my niece, but read it myself first. I got hooked in and couldn’t put it down… It’s a magical, hopeful story full of loyalty, courage and heart.
The characters are well-drawn; the protagonists, Aidan and Nadia, are 13-year-old twins who are sent on a mission to help save their dad’s life work. But, they are also driven by the desire to achieve something great for mankind. They must take great risk, overcome fear, and survive great danger from a magic stronger than theirs.
I appreciate this honor, this depth of character, in an age where so much of our media, books, TV, and movies are full of violence, darkness and a kind of “attitude” or “snarkiness.” I am tired of that! This is a family-oriented book, wholesome even, and very heartwarming.
Mark and I received a Christmas present today: a wonderful review from Quills and Roses.
GOODREADS REVIEW:
Diane Solomon’s guest post for
