Pink Think: “The first vision I had of this story was of a girl standing outside of her crude tent in the dark, playing a glowing blue flute under the full moon when a white wolf crossed the river and watched her play.” – Karen Hoover on what inspired her debut YA fantasy novel The Sapphire Flute
Update: Thanks to random.org, we have a winner. Congratulations to BJ of After the Blackbird Sings! He wins an ARC of The Sapphire Flute courtesy of Valor Publishing.
Today, I have the cool honor of reviewing Karen Hoover’s debut YA fantasy novel The Sapphire Flute. Karen, a talented writer, is also my friend and writer’s-group colleague.
The chapters alternate between the stories of Ember (a shapeshifter) and Kayla (the guardian of the Sapphire Flute), two girls who are just discovering their true magical powers. There are also occasional chapters from the point-of-view of the villain, C’Tan, who will stop at nothing to get the Sapphire Flute as it is one of the keystones for good…or evil.
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I was all set to read The Sapphire Flute one evening when my 14 year old daughter picked it up and said, “Can I look at it?” I said, “Sure.” I didn’t see it again until the next day. She had read it in one sitting. She gave me permission to share her thoughts on The Sapphire Flute:
Very good. Creative. Lots of the same elements as other fantasies (ex. Tamora Pierce), but is fresh and “clean” (no inappropriate stuff). I really like Ember. I liked the different colors and the white magic stuff. That was cool. The constant shift of view is a little confusing, but creative. I really don’t like the cover too much though…otherwise, I really enjoyed it and stayed up till 12:30 to finish reading it!
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I do not normally read fantasy, but, like my daughter, I was drawn into The Sapphire Flute‘s unique world.
My favorites: the running thread of musical metaphors, Ember’s shape-shifting abilities and her wolfpack adventures, and the explosive confrontation between Kayla and C’Tan, involving dragons (Yes, dragons!). The alternating points of view between Ember, Kayla and the villain, kept the plot interesting. The romance between Kayla and Brant didn’t ring true at times, but this romance junkie welcomed that sub-plot.
Bottom line: I kept turning the pages to see what happens next. Karen builds the suspense with plenty of twists and brings it to a satisfying conclusion. If you read this book, be prepared to stay up…unless of course your 14-year-old gets hold of it first.
You can read more about Karen Hoover on her blog, and her publisher’s website.
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GIVEAWAY!!! To be eligible for a drawing of an Advance Reader’s Edition of The Sapphire Flute, answer this question:
What musical instrument/s do YOU play? And/or what do you wish you could learn to play?
Entry deadline: Monday, March 8, 2010, midnight. U.S. addresses only. Thanks to Valor Publishing Group for the copy!
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