harry potter meets septimus in socratic reality...can it get much better?

books:


	• The Secret Country (Eidolon Chronicles) Jane Johnson Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2006 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

highly recommended

Eidolon's Magic (by Micah)

This story is about a boy named Ben Arnold who is relatively normal, but then he buys a talking cat named Iggy. Iggy is from a magic country called Eidolon, where there's dragons, magic, talking animals, and fairies. Ben finds out that his mother is the Queen of Eidolon, so he is prince, even though is father is from earth. "The bad guy" in this book is the Dodman (who exists also in the human world) and Old Creepie (who is someone VERY close to Ben, but I won't tell who) and they are trying to take over Eidolon and it's magical creatures. This book was soooo good, I finished it in an hour because I just HAD to figure out what would come next! :)

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harry potter meets septimus in socratic reality...can it get much better?

Gotta love a "children's" story that introduces the basics of platonic ontology (not entirely guised, either!) to my kids! Started reading: ran into talking creatures, then a world that is "more" real (via magic) than the "shadow" world that our protagonist lives in (socrates' analogy of the cave), where suffering and evil conflict as compassion and love eventually engages and empowers our just-your-average-kid hero into a reluctant but necessary struggle to keep the powers of blinded brute force at bay. Started reading as bedtime story (anyone else use that excuse to keep reading our kids' books??) but had to finish book myself just because it was impossible to put down. From notes on author (whose other great gift to us was helping JRR T. get published?!) could expect no less...Still was completely blown away by how engaging the narrative was! Have read Magyk and Septimus of late, and found that this was an wonderful cross (between harry potter's England and the fantastical magical world of the former. BRING IT ON! Need more in this series please...and a couple of movies would be just honky dory fine. ENCORE! ENCORE!

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Courtesy of Teens Read Too

All Ben Arnold wants in life are Mongolian Fighting Fish. The day he walks into Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium with enough money to buy them should be the best day of his life. Except that he walks out with a cat. It's not really his fault. After all, the cat made him do it.

Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel, Iggy for short, also known as the Wanderer, has quite a story for Ben. He is from another world, a world called Eidolon. A world full of exotic, mythical, talking creatures. A world that is slowly dying and losing its magic. Someone is stealing creatures out of Eidolon and selling them in Ben's world. Each time a creature leaves, the magic is less. And each time one dies, which happens shortly after they enter our world, more magic disappears.

The most amazing part of all, aside from the talking cat thing, is that Iggy claims Ben's mother is the Queen of Eidolon! That's why Ben can understand Iggy, and the other strange creatures that are beginning to appear in random places. That means that Ben is a prince and his two sisters are princesses! And that's why Ben's mom is getting sick.

If Ben can go to Eidolon, he might be able to help save both the world and his mom. First, he'll have to escape Mr. Dodds and Awful Uncle Aliester, who are bad enough in the regular world and ten times worse in Eidolon. Not to mention Cousin Sylvia and her creepy hairless cat. Then he'll have to navigate a completely foreign land where he can't be sure who to trust.

Mythical creatures and huge battles are all well and fun in books, but living through them is a whole different story!

I love this book, in every way possible! The plot is interesting and moves along at a perfect pace, fast enough to keep you interested but not so much so that you get confused. It's written simply, but never in a way that makes you feel silly. The characters, even the creatures, are extremely interesting and realistic. The part I like best though, is that there is a great sense of humor throughout the story.

I love it. My six-year-old nephew loves it. My ten-year-old niece loves it. You can't ask for more than that.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

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Incredible! Can't wait for the sequel!

Though it may seem like something of a ripoff of Harry Potter, The Secret Country: The Eidolon Chronicles truly stands alone as a brilliant novel, seemingly 'inspired' by Harry Potter, Tolkien etc.
Written in third person, Jane Johnson A.K.A/ Gabriel King A.K.A/ Jude Fisher, takes the reader through an enchanting tale of the adventures of a boy named Ben Christopher Arnold, who, in his infancy, accidently changed the color of his right eye. Then, some years in the future, he sets his sights on two Mongolian Fighting Fish. When he finally raises the money, he is 'convinced' by a talking cat, to buy it instead. The cat, Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel, (you can call him Iggy) turns out to be from another world, and 'wandered' into Ben's (Note: This does take place on earth) world, where he was promptly kidnapped. Everything from there onward is perfect blend of adventure, humor, horror, possible romance, and friendship. This is a genius book for both boys and girls, and a sequel is in the making. This is a must read for anyone who likes: fantasy, action, cats, dogs, most magical creatures and talking cockroaches.

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Bravo Ms. Johnson!

Twelve-year-old Benjamin Christopher Arnold (Ben, to his friends) has always been quite an ordinary boy. Like many other boys of his age, Ben is going through the typical gawky stage - long, gangly legs; big feet; hair that never stays in place. There is one thing slightly abnormal about Ben, however. The fact that he has one brown eye, and one green eye; the result of an accident when he was a mere child in a stroller, where he fell victim to a nasty bruise upon his head. And, after an emergency trip to the hospital, emerged with one brown eye, and one green eye. Peculiar indeed, but no cause for worry. Ben's ordinary boy status is thrown for a loop, however, the moment he enters the illustrious Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium. Drawn into the shop by an advertisement for Mongolian Fighting Fish, Ben sets his sights on the prize, and does everything in his power to earn money for the two floundering fellows - from doing laundry, to mowing the lawn. But when he arrives at Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium, clutching his freshly-made savings, Ben falls victim to a change of heart. And, as opposed to emerging from the store with his Mongolian Fighting Fish in tow, he purchases a scruffy, talking tabby cat by the name of Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel - also known as Iggy, or the Wanderer. It wasn't that Ben was interested in purchasing the cat. Quite the contrary, actually. But Iggy insisted that Ben take him home, and, feeling a sense of compassion towards the badly mistreated yowler, Ben hands over his savings, and retreats. According to the story Ben is told, Iggy has been kidnapped from his homeland known as the Secret Country. The Secret Country is a parallel world, where mythical animals run free, and beautiful scenery is plentiful. Teaming up, Ben and Iggy soon learn that Iggy is not the only resident of the Secret Country to find himself in the real world. In fact, it is quite obvious that various other creatures have become the victim of Mr. Dodds's get-rich-quick scheme of the mythical creature trade. In fact, with a little investigating, the two learn that Mr. Dodds has been stealing the creatures of the Secret Country, and selling them to England's rich socialites. It doesn't sound too horrible, but Ben soon learns that Mr. Dodds's actions are more harmful than even he realized. According to Iggy, the longer these creatures - whose connections to the Secret Country are quite more than skin deep - are away from their homeland, the worse things become for the Secret Country. In fact, as these creatures are removed, the Secret Country falls under an immediate threat, that could harm their existence. Ben doesn't want to see anything happen to these exotic creatures, but he feels that there is little he can do to assist them in their plight. When he learns that his mother is the long-lost queen of the Secret Country, and that Mr. Dodds's actions are contributing to her deteriorating health, however, he vows to save the creatures, and the country. Now, with his mother's in limbo between life and death, Ben accepts his role in the ancient prophecy of the Secret Country, and begins his quest to prove that he is more than worthy for his title as the Prince of Eidolon.

So often the synopsis on the back cover of a book promises thrilling adventure, spectacular characters, and a fantastical journey to an unexplored world. Yet, when you begin reading, you find that the story falls flat, and leaves you searching for more. So is not the problem with Jane Johnson's debut THE SECRET COUNTRY. Reminiscent of J.K. Rowling's lyrical language, Johnson has penned a tale that leaves you gripping the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Ben is an irresistible character, whose ordinary ways of life are relatable, and quite refreshing in a sea of novels depicting the "lifestyles of the rich and famous." His oddly colored eyes, and ability to see things differently through each one are imaginative and exhilarating to learn more about; while his penchant for succumbing to the pressures of the creatures and family around him make the reader not only sympathize with his character, but cheer on his bravery, as well. His oft-times tumultuous relationship with the snippy, bossy, yet totally lovable tabby, Iggy, is humorous, and quite refreshing. Iggy is fun, yet quite ornery at the same time. His determination to not only save, but to protect his beloved homeland is admirable; while his constant confusion regarding direction often makes the reader question how, exactly, he received the title of the Wanderer. While Iggy and Ben dominate the story, Johnson has also created a wide array of supporting characters, who certainly work to hold their own throughout the tale. From the evil Mr. Dodds - whom you can't help but love to hate - to the gorgeous selkie, Silver, whose unique identity, and ability to transform from seal to human girl - even if she's not yet a pro at the transformation yet - makes for an interesting character. Ben's family is also quite fun to learn more about. His father's constant cluelessness is humorous; while his Uncle Aleister is despicable in a way that makes you loathe and love him at the same time. And his mother - the long-lost queen of the Secret Country - is quite a confusing character, often causing the reader to raise their eyebrows as they struggle to learn more about the illustrious parent; while Ellie - Ben's older sister - and her love of garish make-up makes for a strikingly frightening, yet funny addition to the cast. An engrossing roller coaster ride that combines mythological and fantastical elements to create a thrilling debut. Bravo Ms. Johnson!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

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reviews: page 1, 2

Ben wants a Mongolian Fighting Fish more than anything. But when he goes to Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium with his hard-earned savings, he buys a cat instead. He doesn't have a choice, really. The cat insists.

Iggy (as the tabby likes to be called) has been kidnapped from his home, a parallel world known as the Secret Country. And as the two soon discover, Iggy is not the only animal to fall victim to the pet-store owner's devious scheme: Mr. Dodds is stealing the Secret Country's magical creatures and selling them to England's rich and curious. Being away from their homeland causes the creatures with any connection to the Secret Country to be under immediate threat. What's more, it seems Ben's mother is their long-lost queen.

With his mother's life hanging in the balance, it's up to Ben to play his part in an ancient prophecy and prove he's worthy of the title of Prince of Eidolon.

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