Source: From the author for review.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
If you owned a pen that wrote the future, would you use it? What if the consequences spread like ripples in a pond? What if they raged out of control? What if the pen demanded tribute...in blood?
Thirteen-year-old Micah has found such a pen. One that’s ensnared him in a curse dating back generations. One that’s devastated two families and now threatens his whole New England village. But how can Micah destroy the pen when it offers him his only chance at the future he dreams of?
My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book!!!!! The most standout thing for me is the language that Isenhoff uses. Her writing and descriptions are sumptuous and juicy and her use of words is masterful and poetic. I found myself stopping to reread passages just so that I could savour them. This is the kind of descriptive writing that inspires me to try to be a better writer. I marked so many stand out sections, but I'll share a couple here:
The voice was cold as granite. On the far side of the table with the whole room under his eye, the figure of Micah's father presided over the meal like a medieval king. Like a statue of one, anyway, hard and stony. His brows pulled themselves into a heavy cliff that overhung narrow, unforgiving eyes. (p. 9-10)
He sometimes felt like a brooch his family adorned itself with. He'd much rather suffer the bumps and bruises of a well loved teddy bear. (p. 34)Can't you just picture the scenes? Feel the emotion? Understand Micah's loneliness?
Beyond the great writing is a sweet story. My one criticism might be that the idea of the quill pen and what it could do took a little while considering it is such a short book. However, Micah is is a great, sympathetic character who show weaknesses, especially when faced with dilemma's, but also shows growth. As a reader, I felt for him and rallied behind him.
I loved Gabby and her family, especially her father with all of his stories and wisdom. They were a great foil for the rest of the town and Micah's own family. The friendship that Micah and Gabby had was fun and, I'm sure, widened the appeal of the book to both boys and girls.
One thing I really enjoy in books is when they explore interesting ideas and this one focused on the idea of each action having rippling consequences. The notion of one simple action leading to a myriad of unexpected results is a provocative one and is shown here along with its surprising results.
I highly recommend this book to those who like middle grade fantasy and good writing. This is a book that I will keep for my own kids to read and I will certainly be on the lookout for more books by Isenhoff so that I can continue to enjoy her rich writing.
Here is The Quill Pen book trailer from YouTube:
To find the author:
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