Stargazer (The Land of Elyon Series #4)
A magical menace is on the loose . . . forcing Alexa to take to the seas and save a secret community located in a strange land known as the Five Stone Pillars.
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When last we saw Alexa Daley, she had defeated a threat in her homeland and was sailing with Roland Warvold across the Lonely Sea. She had no idea what adventures awaited her . . . until now. After a tragic attack by an evil force, Alexa and her friend Yipes are stranded in a strange community known as The Five Stone Pillars. Each pillar of rock has its own secrets . . . and its own challenges. As darkness descends, Alexa must risk everything to defeat it - even if it means taking to the skies. As he did in his bestselling Land of Elyon trilogy, Patrick Carman has created an exciting tale full of heart, humor, and heroism, starring one of the great characters in current fantasy literature.NARRATED by Ellen ArcherVOYAWhen last seen at the end of The Tenth City (Scholastic, 2006/VOYA October 2006), Alexa Daley defeated the evil Abadon and sailed with her uncle, Roland Warvold, to a strange place called the Five Stone Pillars. Unbeknownst to Alexa, her boon friend Yipes, and her uncle, Abadon has taken the form of a sea monster and follows their boat, looking for new lands to corrupt. As the boat arrives, Abadon strikes, killing Roland, but Alexa and Yipes—saved by the inhabitants of the stone pillars—find themselves in a place that is both strange and charming. When it becomes clear that Abadon is intent upon toppling one of the pillars in an attempt at conquest, Alexa and Yipes take it upon themselves to save both the people and the place. Carman writes a compelling story, marred only by a lack of characterization, but it is just a bit flat. Yipes, for example, remains a cardboard cutout, a bit reminiscent of Yosemite Sam and with all the nuance. Alexa has never been as fully fleshed out as she was in the first book of The Land of Elyon series, but all this will matter little to fans who have followed the previous four books. Whatever his deficits in characterization, Carman weaves a solid story with a strong sense of place and, invariably, a satisfying ending; this one ties all the loose ends together. It is a must-purchase for middle school libraries with either a following or a need for introductory fantasy. Reviewer: Ann Welton
\ Children's Literature\ - Jean Boreen\ This newest addition to "The Land of Elyon" series finds main character Alexa Daley traveling with her uncle Roland Warvold and her friend Yipes to the mysterious Five Stone Pillars. Roland is killed by an evil sea being that turns out to be Abaddon, Alexa's longtime nemesis. Alexa is rescued by Matilda and introduced to the citizens of the Pillars community. Alexa quickly learns that as Roland's niece, she is technically a princess there and, by default, their leader. They certainly need a leader, as Abaddon batters at the Pillars—literally and metaphorically—in an attempt to get to Alexa and to destroy both the girl and the community. As Alexa works on her plan, she happens across Sir Alistair Wakefield. The Five Stone Pillars' creator, he has long been thought dead by everyone in both Elyon and the Stone Pillar community. With his help and wisdom, Alexa and company devise a plan for bringing down Abaddon and helping those citizens who want to return to their homes find a way to do so. This series continues to be a solid upper elementary, middle school read that hooks younger readers with its strong adventure sequences and engaging characters. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D.\ \ \ \ \ VOYA\ - Ann Welton\ When last seen at the end of The Tenth City (Scholastic, 2006/VOYA October 2006), Alexa Daley defeated the evil Abadon and sailed with her uncle, Roland Warvold, to a strange place called the Five Stone Pillars. Unbeknownst to Alexa, her boon friend Yipes, and her uncle, Abadon has taken the form of a sea monster and follows their boat, looking for new lands to corrupt. As the boat arrives, Abadon strikes, killing Roland, but Alexa and Yipes—saved by the inhabitants of the stone pillars—find themselves in a place that is both strange and charming. When it becomes clear that Abadon is intent upon toppling one of the pillars in an attempt at conquest, Alexa and Yipes take it upon themselves to save both the people and the place. Carman writes a compelling story, marred only by a lack of characterization, but it is just a bit flat. Yipes, for example, remains a cardboard cutout, a bit reminiscent of Yosemite Sam and with all the nuance. Alexa has never been as fully fleshed out as she was in the first book of The Land of Elyon series, but all this will matter little to fans who have followed the previous four books. Whatever his deficits in characterization, Carman weaves a solid story with a strong sense of place and, invariably, a satisfying ending; this one ties all the loose ends together. It is a must-purchase for middle school libraries with either a following or a need for introductory fantasy. Reviewer: Ann Welton\ \ \ From the Publisher"Truly an amazing storyteller, Patrick Carman's imagination runs full steam, never threatening to quit or run dry. " - Kidsreads.com\ \
