Official Review: Anything Is Possible by Krystle Duke

[kio]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Anything Is Possible" by Krystle Duke.]

---

2 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

In the town of Gloomy Haven, werewolves, vampires, witches, and unicorns live together in peace. One of the town's residents, however, doesn't fit in. Zyvanka is a teenage vampire with blonde hair, olive skin, and a love of bright clothes. Since most vampires have raven-colored hair and pale skin, Zyvanka sticks out like a sore thumb. Her dad accepts her, but her mom doesn’t understand her and the kids at school bully her.

When Zyvanka discovers another vampire’s plot to get rid of all the unicorns and to start a war among the town’s residents, she knows she’s the only one who can stop it. With time running out, can Zyvanka save the town? Will she ever be accepted?

The character Zyvanka is well developed and likable. Her spunky personality easily draws the reader into the world of Gloomy Haven and its residents. Her inability to fit in adds a few unique twists to the story and creates a character that is easy for young readers to relate to. Her friends, Rowe and Leda are likable as well, but tend to act a little out of character at times throughout the book. The other characters in the novel also seem a little under developed. Adults’ motives and personalities are stiff and hard to believe. The villains of the novels are fun and easy to dislike, but their true motives are never quite revealed. Why do they want to start a war? What’s their issue with unicorns? This however might be a pick-up point for the next novel.

The plot is engaging and is entertaining. There is a good mix of humor, paranormal, mystery, and action. The main character’s first take on the human world is entertaining and fits how a teenager might react to a new situation. It could, however, use a little more depth and expansion on the mystery part of the story. Although it doesn’t have much in the way of a subplot, this is to be expected with what I would project the reading level to be (early chapter book for 2nd to 3rd grade).

The text is simple enough and does a good job of staying within the average vocabulary capabilities of a 2nd to 3rd grade reading level. It would, however, have been fun to see a few illustrations of the characters mixed in to go with the excellent imagery descriptions.

My favorite part of the book was the ending. It was nice to see Zyvanka’s family stepping up the plate to help save the unicorns. Instead of being neglectful parents, the reader begins to understand more about where the parents are coming from. Although, as mentioned before, it would be nice to see a little more fleshing out of their personalities and background, the reader definitely has a greater appreciation of her family by the end.

Overall, I’d rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. This book had a lot of potential and I would definitely read a sequel. I love the ending and how the book draws the reader into the book. Even for an early chapter book, however, the secondary characters’ motives and personalities felt a little off or under developed. The book is a good length for the intended audience, but most chapter books in this age range usually have at least a few illustrations. For these reasons, I think the audience might be a little more limited than those books that I would give a rating of 3 or 4 stars. Readers who like early chapter books that are paranormal stories, friendship fiction, or stories dealing with good versus evil, however, should definitely pick this one up.

******
Anything Is Possible
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like kio's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Ursula_Minor]

Hmmm. I'm curious about a few things from reading your review. First, is this the kind of book that you'd recommend a parent and child/babysitter and child read together, or does it seem like it might be boring for the parent, or might seem heavy handed in its morals in that context? (Just curious about what you think, no worries if you're not sure!) Second: how seriously does this book take itself? I can't tell from the review if it is more of a Goosebumps types fantasy world situation (book for children that takes itself very seriously), or more like the Bailey School Kids series ("Vamipres don't wear Polka Dots," "Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp" etc), which doesn't take itself very seriously, and is still very enjoyable. Let me know!

[zeldas_lullaby]

Great review! It gave me a good sense of the strengths and weaknesses.

[kio]

Hmmm. I'm curious about a few things from reading your review. First, is this the kind of book that you'd recommend a parent and child/babysitter and child read together, or does it seem like it might be boring for the parent, or might seem heavy handed in its morals in that context? (Just curious about what you think, no worries if you're not sure!) Second: how seriously does this book take itself? I can't tell from the review if it is more of a Goosebumps types fantasy world situation (book for children that takes itself very seriously), or more like the Bailey School Kids series ("Vamipres don't wear Polka Dots," "Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp" etc), which doesn't take itself very seriously, and is still very enjoyable. Let me know!

Great questions, @Ursula_Minor. I'd say it's in-between the seriousness level of Bailey School Kids and Goosebumps. It's a little more serious, but does has some less serious, more humorous parts. I do think the average adult, however, would get bored and tired of the portrayal of the adult characters. Moral-wise, it's not quite as heavy-handed as it first lets on. It lightens up a bit on the moral end towards the middle of the book. Overall, I think this would find itself better suited towards a read alone for a child or a read aloud if the adult is more open-minded and can suspend a little disbelief. Let me know if I answered your questions.

-- 14 Sep 2015, 20:48 --

Thanks @zeldas_lullaby. I'm glad you liked the review and thanks @Ursula_Minor for the deep thinking questions.

[Ursula_Minor]

Thanks so much for a detailed response! I really think you've read this text closely, and I've added it to my list of "books for my oldest niece" based on your detailed feedback!

[kio]

I'm glad to hear that @Ursula_Minor. Although it needed some tweaking, your questions did make me think that it could appeal to a younger reluctant or avid reader looking for something in-between a Bailey School Kids type book and a Goosebumps-type book. The main character adds a few lighter elements than Goosebumps that offsets the higher stakes, slightly darker plot than you'd see with a book like Bailey School Kids

[gali]

Intriguing premise! Thank you for the lovely review.

[kio]

Thanks @gali

[Heidi M Simone]

@kio, I really enjoyed reading your review! It seems like it would be an interesting read for kids. I agree with books having pictures on 2nd/3rd grade level. Books with come pictures are more entertaining, and it can assist kids at that age to really visualize those descriptions. Overall, nice review!

[kio]

Thanks @hsimone