Unofficial Review - The Expatriates by Corinne O'Flynn
Posted: 11 Nov 2014, 15:31
Seventeen year old Jim Wales can talk to animals, 'tapping' them with his mind so he can... get them to help him do tricks in a travelling circus. Jim is happy with his life, he has his best friend and co-performer Sam, and a girl, Charlie, who helps look after the horses. But things all change when he gets a message from his father, his 'supposed to be dead' father, on the same day that armed strangers show up at the show and throw Jim into a quest that will send him back home, a home he was told was destroyed.
Right from the beginning it was almost impossible to put this book down, with genuine characters and an interesting magic system, this book has a lot going for it. The tale is an exciting mix of andrenaline-pumping action and magic, with a lot of drama, mystery and a little love thrown in. O'Flynn manages to paint a picture with her words that allows your imagination to run wild in the world she has created and it is a beautiful picture indeed. I found it easy to lose myself in the skies and forests of Bellenor and just as easy to see the stark, dead land of Sorcarralant. I think what I liked best about her writing was that O'Flynn managed to make her setting as real as our world without making a big deal about it. Yes, there are differences, but while those differences aren't always subtle, you find yourself letting go of your expectations of what should be and letting her surround you with what is.
When Jim 'taps' an animal it reminded me of the empathic connection between dragon and rider in Anne McCaffrey's Pern, with the difference being that Jim can link with any animal he sees, if they want to listen to him. I haven't come across this sort of empathy with animals before so I found it a refreshing way of making Jim 'special'. As the story is from Jim's perspective, the other magic users in the book seemed less well developed, with their gifts only being noted if they happened to interrupt the story with it in some way, however, from the foreshadowing in this title I fully expect that future titles will develop both the characters and the magic inherent in Jim's world with the same skill as is shown here.
I would say that this book is aimed at readers from about 14 - 15 years of age but looking at the language used, it wouldn't be a struggle for readers as young as 10 or 12. In my opinion the subject matter would be perfectly safe for a parent considering this book for a young 'young adult' reader. While the book deals with death in a couple of places, the focus is solely on Jim's reactions and how he struggles to deal with it, so it almost guides the reader through dealing with those emotions as the story continues. It is this sensitivity which makes me feel comfortable recommending this book to readers from 14 years old, but likely younger, if parents are willing to vet the book themselves first.
The Expatriates is the first novel by Corinne O'Flynn, a self-published author from Colorado, and is book one of "The Song of the Sending" series. Overall I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to anyone interested in a tale of magic and mystery. I will certainly be looking out for future releases by Corinne O'Flynn and would recommend you do too!
As a new member of the Online Book Club, I would appreciate any feedback you could give me on my reviews. If you don't feel comfortable commenting, feel free to PM me with any thoughts you have. Thanks!
Right from the beginning it was almost impossible to put this book down, with genuine characters and an interesting magic system, this book has a lot going for it. The tale is an exciting mix of andrenaline-pumping action and magic, with a lot of drama, mystery and a little love thrown in. O'Flynn manages to paint a picture with her words that allows your imagination to run wild in the world she has created and it is a beautiful picture indeed. I found it easy to lose myself in the skies and forests of Bellenor and just as easy to see the stark, dead land of Sorcarralant. I think what I liked best about her writing was that O'Flynn managed to make her setting as real as our world without making a big deal about it. Yes, there are differences, but while those differences aren't always subtle, you find yourself letting go of your expectations of what should be and letting her surround you with what is.
When Jim 'taps' an animal it reminded me of the empathic connection between dragon and rider in Anne McCaffrey's Pern, with the difference being that Jim can link with any animal he sees, if they want to listen to him. I haven't come across this sort of empathy with animals before so I found it a refreshing way of making Jim 'special'. As the story is from Jim's perspective, the other magic users in the book seemed less well developed, with their gifts only being noted if they happened to interrupt the story with it in some way, however, from the foreshadowing in this title I fully expect that future titles will develop both the characters and the magic inherent in Jim's world with the same skill as is shown here.
I would say that this book is aimed at readers from about 14 - 15 years of age but looking at the language used, it wouldn't be a struggle for readers as young as 10 or 12. In my opinion the subject matter would be perfectly safe for a parent considering this book for a young 'young adult' reader. While the book deals with death in a couple of places, the focus is solely on Jim's reactions and how he struggles to deal with it, so it almost guides the reader through dealing with those emotions as the story continues. It is this sensitivity which makes me feel comfortable recommending this book to readers from 14 years old, but likely younger, if parents are willing to vet the book themselves first.
The Expatriates is the first novel by Corinne O'Flynn, a self-published author from Colorado, and is book one of "The Song of the Sending" series. Overall I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to anyone interested in a tale of magic and mystery. I will certainly be looking out for future releases by Corinne O'Flynn and would recommend you do too!
As a new member of the Online Book Club, I would appreciate any feedback you could give me on my reviews. If you don't feel comfortable commenting, feel free to PM me with any thoughts you have. Thanks!