Review by Abacus -- The Sparrow by Denna M. Davis
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Abacus
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Review by Abacus -- The Sparrow by Denna M. Davis
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Sparrow" by Denna M. Davis.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Amanda is a typical teenager and when she has to hang around with mom and dad or Mimi - grandma, she finds it soooo boring. She is nearly 17 years old and staying with Mimi in Nemadjii, Minnesota for a month so that trouble at school can calm down before the next year begins. Denna M. Davis has written a fantasy par excellence: preeminent, quintessential, and supreme. All 318 pages are described in such visual detail that we are authentically in Davis’s fantasy world throughout the book. The story is real, and we suffer every drama, every fear, every joy, every joke, every feeling with Amanda - the Sparrow or Ha’Ankor.
But if Amanda’s parents want to keep her out of trouble awhile, was it a good idea to send her to Mimi? Mimi possesses a secret, and it concerns Amanda, but she doesn’t tell Amanda or her parents about it. Once Amanda arrives at Mimi’s house, Mimi wants Amanda to follow her down into the cellar. There is a portal to go through. Mimi goes first, and Amanda follows on to the most frightening experience of her life, she discovers enemies, love, cruelty, friends, and magic in a world called Emaji Nation with Shomerikiya – sky protectors with wings, Shomemain – water protectors with gills and Shomeadmamah – earth protectors. Emaji means Powerful Children of God.
Amanda encounters Solomon who knows that Amanda is prophesied to be his wife, but Amanda does not know this. And Solomon keeps upsetting her, even though he is trying hard not to do so. Another thing about Solomon: he has wings, and he is beautiful like a native Indian.
I appreciate Amanda. She is a feisty, intelligent girl, finding herself truly alone with momentous decisions to make. Whom should she depend on, in this unfamiliar world? Are people who they say they are? Should she go back to Earth and be safe? Davis writes like a painter; her pen or word-processor produce pictures of the landscape, buildings, rooms, people, and furniture. It’s like standing in a 3D world. Everyone in Emaji is a unique color or pattern, and yes, I see Shia, Gilade, Yitsha, and Shiloh - to name but a few - as though I was in the room with them.
Davis’s talent is pure serendipity. I treasure it. I have never read a book before which continues with the intensity of The Sparrow. Every page provides a new location that feels completely realistic and alive. I congratulate Davis on the re-writing of book I so that it comes up to the standard of book II; this beautiful result is worth every ounce of effort. There are many creative writers in this world today, but I think Denna M. Davis belongs in the top echelon. I will read any other book that she writes, and I feel confident, I will never feel disappointed.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for its sheer fantasy perfection. I do not rate it 3 out of 4 stars because it is professionally edited and I found no errors. I recommend this book to children, Y/A, fantasy lovers and people who enjoy words to a delightful purpose. This book would be appreciated by children from ten to 100+ with no exceptions.
******
The Sparrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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Amanda is a typical teenager and when she has to hang around with mom and dad or Mimi - grandma, she finds it soooo boring. She is nearly 17 years old and staying with Mimi in Nemadjii, Minnesota for a month so that trouble at school can calm down before the next year begins. Denna M. Davis has written a fantasy par excellence: preeminent, quintessential, and supreme. All 318 pages are described in such visual detail that we are authentically in Davis’s fantasy world throughout the book. The story is real, and we suffer every drama, every fear, every joy, every joke, every feeling with Amanda - the Sparrow or Ha’Ankor.
But if Amanda’s parents want to keep her out of trouble awhile, was it a good idea to send her to Mimi? Mimi possesses a secret, and it concerns Amanda, but she doesn’t tell Amanda or her parents about it. Once Amanda arrives at Mimi’s house, Mimi wants Amanda to follow her down into the cellar. There is a portal to go through. Mimi goes first, and Amanda follows on to the most frightening experience of her life, she discovers enemies, love, cruelty, friends, and magic in a world called Emaji Nation with Shomerikiya – sky protectors with wings, Shomemain – water protectors with gills and Shomeadmamah – earth protectors. Emaji means Powerful Children of God.
Amanda encounters Solomon who knows that Amanda is prophesied to be his wife, but Amanda does not know this. And Solomon keeps upsetting her, even though he is trying hard not to do so. Another thing about Solomon: he has wings, and he is beautiful like a native Indian.
I appreciate Amanda. She is a feisty, intelligent girl, finding herself truly alone with momentous decisions to make. Whom should she depend on, in this unfamiliar world? Are people who they say they are? Should she go back to Earth and be safe? Davis writes like a painter; her pen or word-processor produce pictures of the landscape, buildings, rooms, people, and furniture. It’s like standing in a 3D world. Everyone in Emaji is a unique color or pattern, and yes, I see Shia, Gilade, Yitsha, and Shiloh - to name but a few - as though I was in the room with them.
Davis’s talent is pure serendipity. I treasure it. I have never read a book before which continues with the intensity of The Sparrow. Every page provides a new location that feels completely realistic and alive. I congratulate Davis on the re-writing of book I so that it comes up to the standard of book II; this beautiful result is worth every ounce of effort. There are many creative writers in this world today, but I think Denna M. Davis belongs in the top echelon. I will read any other book that she writes, and I feel confident, I will never feel disappointed.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for its sheer fantasy perfection. I do not rate it 3 out of 4 stars because it is professionally edited and I found no errors. I recommend this book to children, Y/A, fantasy lovers and people who enjoy words to a delightful purpose. This book would be appreciated by children from ten to 100+ with no exceptions.
******
The Sparrow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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