We have lived in this world for so long that we often forget to notice its beauties and terrors. Although a blossoming of flowers on a tree branch or the putrid smoke of factory pollution might be perfectly normal to us, there’s something incredibly special about them in different ways. In Born on the First of Two, Anya Geist crafts a otherworldly society that views the Earth with exactly this unique perspective, for this society lives above the clouds. The Land of the Clouds is a bustling, ever-moving network of people above the clouds. Although Maya should be just another eleven-year-old living in the Land, there’s always been something amiss in her life. Perhaps it’s because her parents mysteriously disappeared when she was young. While Maya loves the aunt she lives with, she can’t help the tension between them as her curiosity about her real parents grows. When Maya’s history teacher unintentionally drops a clue about Maya’s identity, however, everything changes. Suddenly, Maya is convinced that she is the one in a prophecy destined to fight a group of evil people named the OCT. And it adds up—on the back of her locket, the ones her parents gave her, is a street name on Earth: 15 Harding Street. In her eyes, this can’t be a coincidence. Now, Maya must embark on a journey to Earth to discover the importance of the elusive 15 Harding Street. Between “motion sickness” when she time-travels throughout Earth’s history to deadly voices preying on her, Maya is on a race against all odds to figure out who she and her parents really are—if the OCT don’t intercept her first. Geist’s debut novel is a riveting blend of bildungsroman and familial love, highlighted by the science fiction elements! It was powerful getting to see not only Maya’s self-exploration and development, but how much her aunt and her best friend, Scarlett, loved her as well. Although Maya felt alone and small for much of her journey on Earth, there were two people trying to find her the entire time. Although this is a girl from the Land of the Clouds, I felt like I could resonate with her so deeply in this aspect. Ah, Geist’s writing was simply delightful! The vivid description, especially of Maya’s time-traveling process, was a spelling series of events that truly allowed me to visualize the scene. It felt like I was there with Maya, seeing the gray, frothy beach and the Tunnel of Time right beside her. I also loved the idea of people living above the clouds, operating in tight-knit communities and schools similar to ours, but in an entirely different environment. I was, however, hoping for more world-building. It was unclear what the citizens of the Land of the Clouds looked like, what they did every day, et cetera, so it was difficult for me to understand the difference between people on the Land and people on Earth. In turn, when Maya visited Earth and expressed awe in everything, it made me confused about what was so strange to her. The lack of concrete world-building caused a sort of disconnect between the reader and the character at times. Overall, this was just a mind-blowing novel. Geist is such a promising writer who infuses heart and hope into her characters, no matter how dire their situations may be. Submerge yourself in this classic tale of soul-searching and internal courage—it won’t disappoint! Born on the First of Two by Anya Geist, selected Editor’s Choice of the Stone Soup Book Contest 2020. Children’s Art Foundation, Incorporated, 2021. Buy the book at our store, Amazon, or Bookshop.org.
Book Reviews
The Raven Heir, Reviewed by April, 13
Once, the Raven Kingdom was a place of beauty. Starflowers bloomed along the soft grass shared by nature and humans alike, ruled by a kind person who valued everything under their regime. Like most good things, however, the peace was temporary. It was not long before war broke out over the throne and the land was fraught with terror, suffering, and the cries of victims who had nothing but dirt to their name. From that moment, the land broke the crown into three pieces and hid it away, waiting for the moment it would be returned to its rightful heir. It seems the time has come when triplets are born in the heart of a forest. The eldest is destined to become the newest heir to the throne. However, frightened for that child’s safety, their mother refuses to reveal who the eldest triplet is. Instead, she hides her children away, fervently hoping the truth will never be revealed. Despite everything, Cordelia, one of the triplets, feels a call in her bones to explore the forest. Not only can she shape-shift into different animals, but she also has a wild streak unfit for being cooped up in a house. When she finally decides to act on her desires, everything changes…and in a world torn apart by war, the only people she can trust are her family. But can Cordelia really trust them when her heart is so different? Most importantly, can she trust herself? The Raven Heir was a spellbinding book bursting with tension, passion, and classic internal conflict. I loved the forest setting, which was absolutely spectacularly described in a way that immersed me into the story. It almost gives Disney’s Brave vibes, but honestly, the concept is so unique, it’s almost unfair to draw comparisons. Through prose and flashbacks, it was clear how the land in the story was affected by the constant warring of the people. Ah, the plot! It was so well developed and very easy to follow. It’s suitable for exactly its age group—middle grade—with fantastical elements I would have loved at that age and still adore now. There were constant twists and turns that made sense when you got to them, but also managed to hurt your heart, especially at the end. Personally, it was a little difficult to connect to the characters—they were all quite boxed in by one or two main personality traits for much of the book. However, the twists at the end definitely amped up the quality of character-building, providing much more insight into how they truly operated. The Raven Heir truly doesn’t disappoint in its execution toward the end. At once lovely, tense, and bittersweet, The Raven Heir is the perfect type of book for anyone of any age. From the bottom of my heart, I recommend this novel to reluctant readers and total bookworms alike! http:// The Raven Heir by Stephanie Burgis. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2021. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
The Austen Girls, Reviewed by Georgia, 12
How much would you give to gain a husband? That is the question surely floating around in many readers’ minds while they embark on the adventure of budding romances, false accusations, and rigidly unmoving expectations forced upon the main characters in Lucy Worsley’s original novel, The Austen Girls. Upon first glance, I wasn’t entirely sure about the book. How could a modern author capture the essence of the renowned Austen? Initially, I was slightly wary as I sat down to read it. But after only one chapter, I was sucked into the compelling story of Jane Austen’s nieces’ search for love and happiness. The story follows Fanny and Anna Austen, cousins and close friends, who are starkly different in personality and lifestyle. Fanny is quiet, timid, and always follows the rules set by her almost-rich parents. Anna, on the other hand, is loud, bubbly, and absolutely hates living poor and in the country with her father and stepmother. But the two young women both have equally important and stressful duties—to find a suitor who is ideal to their wants and needs, kind and loving, and most importantly: rich and respectable enough to hold up the Austen legacy. While going to balls and dancing with all of the eligible young men in the county may sound fun to many girls, it is also very tedious and troublesome. Will I ever be able to find love? What if I don’t want to? What is real love, anyway? These are the questions constantly asked by Fanny and Anna. And there is only one person they can go to for answers. Their stern, knowledgeable, and mysterious Aunt Jane knows more about love than anyone, and she is unmarried and perfectly happy. But not marrying doesn’t seem like an option for either of the Austens, does it? When catastrophe strikes, it’s up to the girls to figure out for themselves what they want for their future. Worsley’s vivid novel captures the essence and message of all of Jane Austen’s works beautifully, and masterfully weaves striking and important life lessons into the tapestry of the plot. Discussion-provoking topics such as women’s roles and treatment in old and modern society and the idea that we can all choose our own destinies spring up in the book. The book also manages to seamlessly include historical facts about people and lifestyles of the time period. The often forgotten family tree of Jane Austen is revealed to those who know little or nothing about it, and the lifestyles of both aristocrats and their polar opposites are described in rich detail. The book is quick, but jam-packed with important and intriguing details and facts. Not only is the book original and well thought out, but it is also a great starting point for readers interested in learning more about the Victorian era and seeking to read some of Jane Austen’s lifeworks. I would highly recommend this impactful book to anybody willing to go on a romantic and imaginative journey. Worsley’s The Austen Girls is a wonderful tribute to feminism, history, and the one question we should all ask ourselves: what do we truly want out of our lives? The Austen Girls by Lucy Worsley. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020.
