Amazon – August 27, 2018
What a wonderful storyteller this new author is!
A book and animal lover friend of mine shared this book with me and what a good surprise and gift it is. The story drew me in right away and I was taken by how believable the animal communication and spirit world were in the dialogue and thoughts of the main boy character, Johnny, and how original this plot and theme were going to be. It has both an old fashion family setting and story feel to it as well as the supernatural, and asks futuristic questions about science, morals, and philosophies of life on Earth as we know it. Her writing moves you right along without wanting to stop until the end and left me wanting to read more.
ML Franc
Fresh and Enjoyable “Modern Pastoral Fantasy”
I read this book with a bit of trepidation, having received it as a gift from someone who knows the author. But I ended up really liking it.
In a day when much of the fantasy aimed at young adults is post-apocalyptic dystopian, or Yet Another urban fantasy, “Johnny Outlander” is a pleasant sort “modern pastoral fantasy”, incorporating awareness and use of modern technology while being set in a rural environment with classic non-tech fantasy elements (like communications with animals, and magic.) It reminded me a bit of Simak’s “Way Station” (which is high praise – that’s one of my all time favorite books.) There was a collection of likeable characters, the story was well paced and interesting, and relatively uplifting, and it managed to present some philosophical ideas without being as “pushy” as a lot of other books in the genre…
Fresh, different, and enjoyable!
WW
Get your thinking cap out!
Fascinating book. Touches on the paranormal (people with “gifts”, aliens) without being campy. I was pulled in within the first two pages. When it ended, I was shocked the story was over. Great plot, good setup of characters, well written.
I would read other books by this author.
Kindle Customer
Johnny Outlander, what a beautiful adventure from the preface to the epilogue, with a few goosebumps thrown in for good measure. I can’t wait for the story to continue. Johnny has already discovered so much as a young boy on his journey to learn what his purpose in life is. With a loving grandmother to help guide him, Johnny’s amazing “gifts” will flourish. Mother earth has a new Steward, Johnny Outlander!
De Linda
L
It is an excellent read full of good idea’s and makes you want to learn more
The readability is excellent. The book is written so well that it difficult to put the book down. I read the book in two to three chapter increments over four days. That was after I first read straight through for four hours. I have read the book twice in less than a month since I received the book. Since that time I have purchased ten more editions and distributed them all out for Christmas presents. It is that well written. An issue some people will find is that it is written in English. So, that said, there are some words that are not in common usage, such as termagant; which I had to look up and learn a new word. That to me is excellent, I like learning new words and concepts.
Content: The book covers a number of concepts and ideas which may cause you to think.. Overall, to me the book is about coming of age. It is not just about a young man moving into adulthood, but it is also about human kind moving from user and abuser of the earth to actually caring about the earth. Then doing something about retrieving the Earth. Another concept is the possibility of intelligence not of earth. This idea has been around since the dawn of man and continues in various forms or technologies and spiritual forms today and in the fore-see-able future. Then there is history. The history that has been observed in frozen ice, tree rings and the actions of people and animals.
Observations from the book: We all have to mature and take our place in the world. It is how you use your gifts and how they affect others that is paramount. If you have a gift of numbers, how are you going to use the physics to better the world or damage the world? If you have the gift of making things grow, how are you using those gifts to feed more of the world and not just human beings but the animals and the earth? Bottom line! This book will make you think.
Michael C.
Amazon – December 30, 2017 – Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
The story line went in directions that completely wowed me.
Daniel F.
A Fascinating Book with Major Relevance and a Fun Read
This is a must read for people that want to make a change in our relationship with this planet! Very readable and I found I could not put the book down until I had finished reading it.
A call to action to transform our relationship from consumers of earth to stewards of the incredible bounty that we inherited. The book also includes aspects of mystery and fantasy.
This book feels like the beginning of a major series of books. if so, I am already waiting for the next book in the series.
I strongly recommend this book!
Phil J.