Review by Crystal Bechler -- The Six and the Crystals of...

[Crystal Bechler]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Six and the Crystals of Ialana" by Katlynn Brooke.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Sometimes we seek adventure and long to escape into a new world full of vivid scenes and lively characters. That is what The Six and the Crystals of Ialana by Katlynn Brooke delivers. With danger around every corner and tunnel Brooke takes the thrill seeker into an engrossing fully detailed world called Ialana.

From the beginning of the book we are introduced one by one to the six. This unlikely band of heroes includes Jarah a baker's son who wants more than the life he was given in small Meadowfield and Djana a spirited independent teenager from the other side of the Osgoi mountains. We learn of the evil reptile like King Amrafalus from Rhiannon and his penchant for twisting men into what are called the Trueni who are part animal. We follow them down the tunnels and across rough waters facing certain death at each step of their journey toward the evil Amrafalus.

The part that I enjoyed the most was meeting all of the interesting characters. The introduction of these unique heros kept the book flowing forward during the first half. The last half of the book kept the momentum and built at an ever faster pace by bringing the action closer and closer to the enemy.

This book did contain some sections that could have been left out that did not move the action forward. Discussion of bodily functions in my opinion is unnecessary and revolting. Some sections contained authorial intrusion where the author insisted on telling us exactly why things were possible. One instance was why Irusan, a helper of the group, could survive where he does. The long authorial descriptions took away from the joy of experiencing Ialana.

These descriptions did subside during the last half of the book which flew by. They were replaced with character monologs and engrossing dialogue revealing the story with crisp visuals. The tension built upon itself with the characters experiencing who they were meant to be.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because of the overall impression that it left with me. I think that young adult readers as well as fantasy fans of any age would enjoy this book. When the story had been told I felt for the characters and wondered what the future would hold. Fortunately for me and you Katlynn Brooke has a series and The Six and the Gardeners of Ialana (The Ialana Series) (Volume 2) is patiently waiting for us to open it and experience the land Ialana once more.

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The Six and the Crystals of Ialana
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