I received a copy of both the 1st and 2nd books in the Magelica's Voyage series for free from the author in exchange for my honest review. Added bonus you get the review from my 5 year old daughter as well as I read both books out loud to her.
Magelica's Voyage:
My 5 year old daughters review: I really liked the book. I liked the pictures because they were pretty and took me on an adventure. I loved when she met Queen Raya and got the necklace with the silver feathers. I liked the necklace because it was magic and could take her back to the Isle of the Dreams.
My review: The illustrations in the book were very colorful and as my daughter said, "took me on an adventure." The colors are vivid and add to the story. Magelica, who was hatched from an egg and raised by her adoptive mom Gri, had always wondered where she actually came from and who her parents were. One night a loveable, fuzzy creature named Odin shows up and takes her on an urgent journey to the Isle of Dreams to help Queen Raya. The Isle of Dreams happens to be a village on the back of a huge turtle which has stopped swimming in the sea and Magelica has been brought to help the turtle. The story was simple enough for my 5 year old understand but creative enough to be a fun journey as I read it to her. The characters were likeable and full of fantasy and magic, a few times I did wish their was a little more description to the environment or what Magelica was thinking about, but overall I would recommend the book for a young child. It is a simple and engaging chapter book that children would thoroughly enjoy. I think the only thing that I wish was changed, and this is totally just me knowing how I feel in my bathrobe, is that Magelica is in her bathrobe through the whole book and as you'll find out also in the second book. My daughter also noticed this as she loves looking at the way the characters dress. Surely she had time for a wardrobe change?
Magelica's Voyage - The Rescue:
My 5 year old daughter's review: I really like the part where the Prince met Magelica because I think the boy loved her. I also liked that he also got a feather necklace so they could stay connected. I liked all of the pictures, they took me on an adventure too.
My review: Magelica takes us on an another magical journey after dreaming about something bad that was happening. This time Magelica is oof to help save the handsome Prince William who is lost at sea. Magelica continures to learn to believe in herself through the journey and keep confidence in her abilities. I like when she said, "If I really believe, if I really want it, it will work." What a good message for these young readers. I liked the bit of humor that the Prince also brought to this book. Another enjoyable character to get to know. He was also a good example of keeping your hopes up and staying positive. Beautiful, vivid illustrations that really take you on the rescue, however why is she journeying again in a bathrobe? She would seem a little more fantasy in a fairy-like dress. Once again great story and character building. Simple and yet engaging for young readers. I normally read to my daughter to help her fall asleep at night but she loved these stories so much that I could never get her to go to sleep because she would get so caught up in the story. I would recommend this book as a read aloud for younger children and as a simple chapter book for a reader.
