Tuesday, April 10, 2012

REVIEW: Amethyst Eyes by Debbie Brown

A few weeks ago I did a cover reveal for Amethyst Eyes by Debbie Brown. I mentioned that I will be reading the book and posting a review. Here it is.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

"The biggest thing on 15-year-old Tommy’s mind is convincing Mom to let him go to the drive-in, but when an accident claims his mother’s life and puts him in the hospital, the arrival of his estranged, alien father brings more changes than he had bargained for.
It doesn’t take his father long to figure out that Tommy knows nothing about who or what he is. Without any explanation, Tommy finds himself onboard his father’s spaceship where he is forced to trust a man he does not know in a world he knows even less about.
Adapting to his new life seems overwhelming, and his father’s solution may prove to be Tommy’s finest challenge yet…Jayden. A few months younger than Tommy, high strung and always in a mood, the doctor’s daughter definitely didn’t like being ‘told’ to help Tommy fit in. Jayden is not the most welcoming or patient of tutors, let alone a friend.
As fate would have it, Tommy quickly learns that none of these things compare to the peril that comes from being born with amethyst eyes."

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 For as long as she can remember, Debbie has been creating stories in her head. She hated to go anywhere without a pen and paper, just in case. As a graduate of the Institute of Children's literature, while pursuing yet another writing course, she finds herself doing what she loves . . . learning and writing. The course gives her an excuse to just sit down and write. Over the years she has worked as a nurse, a teacher, a martial arts instructor and a CIC officer in the Canadian Forces. Her hobbies have varied from woodworking, to auto-mechanics, with music, painting, karate, holistic medicine, gardening and camping thrown into the mix. Let's not forget reading. Debbie's perfect cure for a long winter's night is curling up in front of a fire with a good book while snowflakes drift slowly past the window. Never having been much of a city girl, she lives with two of her four children, her husband Jean-Pierre and their pets in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. She couldn't imagine life without the beauty found in the trees, mountains and lakes that surround her.

 MY REVIEW

Amethyst Eyes is the first sci-fi novel I’ve ever read and I enjoyed it very much. This is more than just an adventure into another world. Love and emotions are written between the lines on almost every page. The story is about a teenage boy, Tommy, whose mother dies in a tragic car accident. Tommy was very close to his mother and Debbie Brown gave the reader a little preview into their daily lives together before the mother died. In just a few pages Debbie made me hear the laughter they’d shared and allowed me to observe the strong bond between them. In just a few paragraphs, I got to know Tommy’s mother and grieved with him when she died. The impact was definitely a lasting one. I was worried when Tommy had to go and live with a father he didn’t know, a very important man on another planet. Tommy not only had to learn about different ways of doing things in a place far away from home, he had to build relationships with people who didn’t understand him or the world he came from. But Tommy is brave enough to give it a try and get to know his powerful father. This story develops and explorers the relationship between father and son and it’s both touching and heartbreaking to read.
Amethyst Eyes was especially a delight to read as Debbie Brown is such a talented writer and the pictures she created with the words she chose were just so vivid and alive. Some of the worlds she has created in Amethyst Eyes are alien to earthly beings but she invites the reader in and makes them feel right at home. I didn’t feel like I was on the outside looking in at all. With each word, I became part of the adventure. An adventure I invite you to join.
Thank you, Debbie, for crafting such an amazing story. I look forward to your upcoming novel, Emma, the story of Tommy’s parents.

OTHER REVIEWS (GOODREADS) 

Debbie Ashton-Mills rated it 5 of 5 stars
I strongly encourage you to pick up this book and join Tommy on his journey. You will not be disappointed. The characters come alive and you cannot help but feel for them as you share the adventure. From deep inner turmoil, to an adrenaline rush, or a truly touching moment, you will find it all here. The world created is impressive yet believable.
Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars 
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characters are deep and the action sequences are exciting. While the technology is interesting, it doesn’t overshadow the fact that this is a story about people living and growing while facing adversity. The book’s main character, Tommy, is thrust into a new and scientifically intimidating world because of tragic circumstances. I was drawn into Tommy’s exploration of his new surroundings and his growth and couldn’t wait to see what would happen to him next. The history and importance of his unusually colored eyes are carefully revealed by the author a little at a time, keeping the reader intrigued and eager to know the entire truth. This is a great book, for young and old. You’ll find it hard to put down. I can’t wait for the sequel.  
 
Ursula Walter rated it 5 of 5 stars  
From the first moment when you are dropped right into the action, through the different developments in the story, from the emotional journey to the physical one, the book grabs hold of you and won't be put down. You get to know and like an interesting and eclectic group of people who keep you entertained and curious about them throughout the whole story. The action never stops and takes you into some unexpected directions, that, in the end, all make sense and turn this into a complete saga of one young man and his very different coming of age story. Although written for a young adult audience, I think this well written book speaks to any age, man or woman, and can be enjoyed by all. An excellent and promising debut for this new author. Can't wait for the next one!

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