Review by Somniate -- The World of Ato by Patrick Borosky
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Somniate
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Review by Somniate -- The World of Ato by Patrick Borosky
[Following is a volunteer review of "The World of Ato" by Patrick Borosky.]
4 out of 4 stars
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On a hill in the kingdom of the Crimson Kingdom, a young girl named Ato lives alone. This wasn’t always the case, and while no one else shares her house, she isn’t friendless. Her neighbor Lyra and Lyra’s son, Reed, check in on and care for Ato, and have since her parents went missing two years before. Since then Ato has supported herself through paintings she creates, and for fun goes on adventures with Reed. One of their haunts is a collection of ancient homes in a forest, named the Azure Ruins.
The World of Ato introduces you to the characters, gives you needed context, and then starts in earnest. Ato finds herself in a part of the Azure Ruins that she didn’t know existed before. While trying to find a way out of an underground cavern, she comes across a temple. Inside, Ato unintentionally wakes a dragon from his sleep; Iro, a loyal new friend with an ego bigger than his body.
If you’re looking for a book that you can read and enjoy with your child or younger sibling, this is that book. It’s a young adult novel that doesn’t speak down to its audience or avoid problems any society can have. Especially if someone wants to start a dialogue with another about serious issues. Poverty, homelessness, loss of family, and corrupt authority figures play their parts in the novel. They’re never made to seem like they aren’t as bad as they are, but never does The World of Ato feel bleak or grim.
Ato and Iro have a wonderful friendship, something that made me smile while reading. They tease each other but never to the point of bullying. The other characters the duo befriend have their own chemistry, and you can see why they want to stay around. Never did I wonder why they were all tolerating each other, and it never feels forced.
The author does a great job at description, not only of physical things in the novel but of sensory details as well. When Ato’s paintings are related to the reader you can see them in your mind. When Ato is in an underground cavern, you can imagine the water and darkness.
Ato shines as the protagonist, and Peter Borosky captures the feeling of being a teenager. Ato has confidence, loves her friends and family, feels heartbreak, and sometimes acts impulsively. We get shown and not told how she feels, and you understand where she’s coming from.
Fans of portal fantasy, dragons, and magic will enjoy this book. Teenagers and adults both can read The World of Ato without it feeling like a chore. It certainly is worth giving a try.
On the other side of the last page, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Well written, clear without sacrificing style, and full of heart. The love the author has for it shows and carries to the reader. I had a lot of fun reading it, and I can’t wait to see the next book by this author.
******
The World of Ato
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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On a hill in the kingdom of the Crimson Kingdom, a young girl named Ato lives alone. This wasn’t always the case, and while no one else shares her house, she isn’t friendless. Her neighbor Lyra and Lyra’s son, Reed, check in on and care for Ato, and have since her parents went missing two years before. Since then Ato has supported herself through paintings she creates, and for fun goes on adventures with Reed. One of their haunts is a collection of ancient homes in a forest, named the Azure Ruins.
The World of Ato introduces you to the characters, gives you needed context, and then starts in earnest. Ato finds herself in a part of the Azure Ruins that she didn’t know existed before. While trying to find a way out of an underground cavern, she comes across a temple. Inside, Ato unintentionally wakes a dragon from his sleep; Iro, a loyal new friend with an ego bigger than his body.
If you’re looking for a book that you can read and enjoy with your child or younger sibling, this is that book. It’s a young adult novel that doesn’t speak down to its audience or avoid problems any society can have. Especially if someone wants to start a dialogue with another about serious issues. Poverty, homelessness, loss of family, and corrupt authority figures play their parts in the novel. They’re never made to seem like they aren’t as bad as they are, but never does The World of Ato feel bleak or grim.
Ato and Iro have a wonderful friendship, something that made me smile while reading. They tease each other but never to the point of bullying. The other characters the duo befriend have their own chemistry, and you can see why they want to stay around. Never did I wonder why they were all tolerating each other, and it never feels forced.
The author does a great job at description, not only of physical things in the novel but of sensory details as well. When Ato’s paintings are related to the reader you can see them in your mind. When Ato is in an underground cavern, you can imagine the water and darkness.
Ato shines as the protagonist, and Peter Borosky captures the feeling of being a teenager. Ato has confidence, loves her friends and family, feels heartbreak, and sometimes acts impulsively. We get shown and not told how she feels, and you understand where she’s coming from.
Fans of portal fantasy, dragons, and magic will enjoy this book. Teenagers and adults both can read The World of Ato without it feeling like a chore. It certainly is worth giving a try.
On the other side of the last page, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Well written, clear without sacrificing style, and full of heart. The love the author has for it shows and carries to the reader. I had a lot of fun reading it, and I can’t wait to see the next book by this author.
******
The World of Ato
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Somniate's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Betrayal of Faith by Mark M. Bello
