In this sequel to Scott Savage’s first Farworld book (Water Keep), Marcus and Kyja continue their quest in Farworld: Land Keep to recruit a member of each of the four elementals in order to save Farworld by opening a gateway to Earth.
There is no lack of action or suspense in this new installment of the series. Moreover, Savage effectively raises the stakes and delivers a suspenseful fantasy thriller sequel where the villains are more evil, the monsters are scarier and the magic is more spectacular. Despite the intensity, it is certainly appropriate for any children ages eight and above.
I particularly like the “jumps” by Marcus and Kyja back and forth from high fantasy Farworld to current-day Earth. It reminds me of all the times when the crew of the starship Enterprise travel back in time and visit our era on earth. It’s jarring, yet fun to see our favorite fantasy characters in familiar real world surroundings.
As Marianne Moore so insightfully expressed it, poetry (or fantasy for that matter) is either real frogs in imaginary gardens, or imaginary frogs in real gardens. What Savage has deftly done in this series is combined those two paradigms into the same story. The chapters that take place on Earth give us the imaginary frogs in real gardens, whilst the chapters on Farworld treat us to real frogs in satisfyingly imaginary gardens.
What more could a reader ask? I loved the book.
$18.95
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Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 374 pages
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (October 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1606411643
Craig Everett
