Review by Azura_Cat -- The Sparrow by Denna M. Davis

[Azura_Cat]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Sparrow" by Denna M. Davis.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Welcome to Emaji, a planet not too different from Earth. The people are the same if one chooses to ignore the magic, the gills, the wings, and the extremely colorful skins of the Emajian people. This fantastical and beautiful world is described within book one of Emaji Nation: The Sparrow by Denna M. Davis. The 16-year-old protagonist named Amanda suddenly finds herself transported onto this amazing planet through the encouragement of her grandparents. Dazed by the change and shocked by the beliefs of the people, Amanda’s initial goal is to return home safely. Eventually, a mixture of romance and danger motivates her to learn more about Emaji and the true meaning of being The Sparrow.

Without hesitation, I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. The professional editing refines the novel and ensures that readers can thoroughly immerse themselves into the book. However, it was the worldbuilding itself that kept me hooked. The genres of fantasy and romance fell perfectly into my strike zone for novels, but the number of details that were provided just made me appreciate the novel even more. Readers can be introduced to a new language without it being overwhelming and meet many different characters that help build up the plot.

I do not have any large complaints about the book. It was well-written, had likable characters, and enough worldbuilding to give readers a solid background. The only thing that I might take issue with is that some characters do not have enough motivation for their actions. This may just be my own opinion, but I was still left wondering for some of the Emajians. Perhaps the sequel will explain further.

When I first started reading the book, I was thinking that many readers could enjoy this novel. Its fantastical and faintly religious aspects remind me of books like the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time series. As a result, I still think that many people of all ages can enjoy this book, but I think the audience that would most enjoy the novel would be teenagers and young adults. There are some more violent aspects that are not overly descriptive, but these parts would still make me hesitate in referring the novel to readers younger than twelve. However, I am more conservative in my recommendations for younger readers, so other readers should use their own judgment after reading this book.

I loved The Sparrow and the world, beliefs, and characters that were introduced. Denna M. Davis has done a wonderful job at engaging the readers and keeping us prepped for another novel. I plan on reading the continuance and look forward to following Amanda’s new adventures in Emaji. For potential new readers, I hope that everyone enjoys themselves as much as I did.

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The Sparrow
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