Official Review: Liliana and the Relics of Power

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 22 Sep 2019, 12:00

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Liliana and the Relics of Power" by Geoffrey M Noblitt.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Liliana is your average 12-year-old girl. She goes to school, plays with her friends, and loves to read. At the same time, she is also a famous leader in a land called Worthia, where over many years she has saved the realm from dangers and defeated villainous aggressors. One night, a dwarf appears at her bedside to bring her back to Worthia. A new enemy, the Dark Knight, is threatening the land and all who live there. She agrees to go with him and help. The only problem? She can’t remember anything about Worthia, its inhabitants, or her role there.

Liliana and the Relics of Power by Geoffrey M. Noblitt is a middle-grade fiction fantasy novel that is reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. Accompanied by dwarfs, elves, giants, and pixies, along with a particularly wise mouse, Liliana is sent on a quest to collect Worthia’s most powerful relics of power before her enemy recovers them first. This is a land where magic abounds, and each relic controls its own element: the earth, the sea, the wind, the trees, and even wisdom itself.

The area where this book most excels is in world-building. Worthia is a mystical but believable land, and the descriptions and imagery make it easy for the reader to picture. Everything, from the landscape to the clothing to the magical relics, is elegantly described and fun to imagine. The novel is also action-packed, and the reader is taken on a wild ride. It kept me turning the pages in anticipation of what might happen next. All the different races of Worthia are fun to learn about as well, as they each have their own values and traditions.

This novel is geared toward middle-grade readers, and it suffers from some of the deficiencies that I think are common in books for that demographic. The character development is a bit lacking. Liliana’s character does have some authentically emotional moments, such as when she is feeling homesick or is frustrated about not getting her way. Overall, however, she simply takes the necessary actions without letting the reader see her as a person with depth. The secondary characters are all flat. Her allies are likable, but their backstories are never touched upon in detail, and they lack defining personality traits.

In addition, there are some plot holes and areas where details are glossed over with insufficient information. For example, Liliana starts the book with no memories of Worthia. As her memories begin to return, however, the reader remains in the dark. A prior villain and battle are frequently mentioned but never explained. At one point, I stopped to check whether this is the second book in a series, but it is not. Nevertheless, the book provided enough information for me to get sucked into the story and root for the “good guys” to win.

The book appeared professionally edited, and I only noticed a few very minor errors. Because of the exciting plot and excellent world-building, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Although I, as an adult reader, was bothered by the lack of character development and the insufficient plot details, I think the target demographic would be less deterred by these elements. I would recommend this book to anyone aged 8 or older who loves adventure and fantasy. The book is a clean read for sensitive groups, with no profanity, romance, or graphic violence.

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Liliana and the Relics of Power
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Corina Elena · Post by **Corina Elena** » 23 Sep 2019, 03:34

I adore these typss of books, filled with fantastic creatures and an interesting plot. Great review!

Rachel Lea · Post by **Rachel Lea** » 23 Sep 2019, 12:00

The plot sounds really interesting, but it's disappointing that the characters weren't better fleshed out. This still sounds like a really cool book, though--I probably would have loved it when I was in middle school! Thanks for your review!

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 23 Sep 2019, 12:28

Thank you for your review. Being a book geared towards middle-school-aged readers, this one will not be for me. The story itself sounds similar to many fantasy genre books, but will most likely be good for those just starting them. Thank you for your recommendation.

Miller56 · Post by **Miller56** » 23 Sep 2019, 13:10

I have sometimes went back and read these types of books just for fun, because they happen to be in our house with my children. It is fun to get lost in the world of fantasy. However, I don't think I will add this to my list to read, but thanks for the review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 23 Sep 2019, 19:03

From your summary, I actually could see a few different novels in this. It sounds quite interesting; I'm already wondering why she can't remember! Thanks so much!

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 23 Sep 2019, 19:55

Liliana is a hero at 12! I can't help but compare her with Greta Thunberg, whom detractors are labeling the "climate puppet." Seriously, the youth can make a difference. We should listen to them.

inaramid · Post by **inaramid** » 23 Sep 2019, 20:08

The book cover looks very nice, and the plot sounds very much like a classic fantasy adventure story. (The Dark Knight did get me thinking "Batman!" right away

). Definitely sounds like something a middle-grade reader would enjoy.

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 23 Sep 2019, 23:33

corinaelena wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 03:34 I adore these typss of books, filled with fantastic creatures and an interesting plot. Great review!

Yes, I always like them too. Thanks for your comment!

Rachel Lea wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 12:00 The plot sounds really interesting, but it's disappointing that the characters weren't better fleshed out. This still sounds like a really cool book, though--I probably would have loved it when I was in middle school! Thanks for your review!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

KDJ wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 12:28 Thank you for your review. Being a book geared towards middle-school-aged readers, this one will not be for me. The story itself sounds similar to many fantasy genre books, but will most likely be good for those just starting them. Thank you for your recommendation.

Yes, this will be great for older kids and young teens. Thanks for your comment!

Miller56 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 13:10 I have sometimes went back and read these types of books just for fun, because they happen to be in our house with my children. It is fun to get lost in the world of fantasy. However, I don't think I will add this to my list to read, but thanks for the review.

Thank you for commenting!

kandscreeley wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 19:03 From your summary, I actually could see a few different novels in this. It sounds quite interesting; I'm already wondering why she can't remember! Thanks so much!

It was definitely similar to other books but different enough to still be interesting. Thanks for commenting!

Miriam Molina wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 19:55 Liliana is a hero at 12! I can't help but compare her with Greta Thunberg, whom detractors are labeling the "climate puppet." Seriously, the youth can make a difference. We should listen to them.

Very good point! Sometimes kids have the freshest and wisest take on solutions to problems. Thanks for stopping by!

inaramid wrote: ↑23 Sep 2019, 20:08 The book cover looks very nice, and the plot sounds very much like a classic fantasy adventure story. (The Dark Knight did get me thinking "Batman!" right away ). Definitely sounds like something a middle-grade reader would enjoy.

Thank you for commenting!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Sep 2019, 07:45

This sounds like a book that middle-school children would love. I agree that I would want more character development if I were reading it, but it probably isn't as important for that age group. Great review!

Erin Painter Baker · Post by **Erin Painter Baker** » 24 Sep 2019, 16:21

Now I just need my friends' kids to be 8 or older.

This sounds like a fun middle-grade fantasy. I agree that many of the issues we have as adults with books written for younger kids, the kids don't think twice about.

rumik · Post by **rumik** » 25 Sep 2019, 16:06

This would be a great book for middle schoolers. I'm definitely intrigued by the summary. Thanks for the review!

Nisha Ward · Post by **Nisha Ward** » 26 Sep 2019, 07:46

This actually reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia a little, though it's a bummer that the memory loss isn't explained. Still, it sounds like an excellent fantasy read for kids that allows their imaginations to run wild.

Dentarthurdent · Post by **Dentarthurdent** » 27 Sep 2019, 04:14

I like how you explain the elements in character and plot development that you found lacking. In addition, how you phrase the 'pros' of this book make it sound like something I would've been all over when I was ten!
Great review.

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 27 Sep 2019, 11:44

Prisallen wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 07:45 This sounds like a book that middle-school children would love. I agree that I would want more character development if I were reading it, but it probably isn't as important for that age group. Great review!

Thank you for your comment!

esp1975 wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 16:21 Now I just need my friends' kids to be 8 or older. This sounds like a fun middle-grade fantasy. I agree that many of the issues we have as adults with books written for younger kids, the kids don't think twice about.

Yes, I think it will be a very fun read for that age group. Thanks for stopping by!

rumik wrote: ↑25 Sep 2019, 16:06 This would be a great book for middle schoolers. I'm definitely intrigued by the summary. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for commenting!

Nisha Ward wrote: ↑26 Sep 2019, 07:46 This actually reminds me of The Chronicles of Narnia a little, though it's a bummer that the memory loss isn't explained. Still, it sounds like an excellent fantasy read for kids that allows their imaginations to run wild.

Yes, I agree! Thanks for your comment!

Dentarthurdent wrote: ↑27 Sep 2019, 04:14 I like how you explain the elements in character and plot development that you found lacking. In addition, how you phrase the 'pros' of this book make it sound like something I would've been all over when I was ten!
Great review.

I agree, I would have loved this kind of book. Thanks for stopping by!