5.0 out of 5 stars
By Leila Lodencraft
The Crimson Orb is the story of a
Quest. Two siblings, a brother and a sister set out to find their
mentor, tutor and friend who not only knows about the world but also
knows a bit of magic. Nissa, our heroine, is longing to do more of
what the boys do, fight with weapons and go on adventures. Little
does she know that she's about to do just that. When her friend and
mentor, Madoc fails to return from a journey, she and her brother go
in search of him. Together they traverse land and sea, meeting and
overcoming obstacles as well as meeting and becoming fast friends
with Madoc's siblings who join there search.
As they search for Madoc, others are
searching for the Crimson Orb, a magic item that does ...something.
No one is certain but the legend of what the orb can do grows as does
the lust of those who want it to gain power.
As their search takes them far to the
north, the grow in both experience and in character, find out about
themselves and others in their world around them. Some of what they
learn is happy, other lessons are sad.
This is a great start to what promises
to be a fun series for the younger set. It's filled with excitement
but also things that you can learn at the same time you enjoy NIssa's
adventure.This is also a book that you can give an older child
without worrying about inappropriate content..I recommend it highly
for anyone who likes to "go walkabout."
5.0 out of 5 stars Eminently Readable
Otherworldly Adventure, Well Told... June 18, 2014
By Cynthia Reed
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I bought the Kindle edition of this
book to pre-read on a long weekend away before gifting my book-hungry
grandchildren with a hard copy. I wasn't quite certain which of them
would enjoy it AND I wanted to make sure it was suitable (fairly
stuffy parents lol). I've concluded that it's bound for two out of
the three of them, one a teenage boy (the swordplay! the wizard!} and
one a pre-teen girl (the heroine! the cat! the magic!). I suspect
that the third one, who's just nine and still utterly soccer-crazy,
will be along to read it in due course.
The fun begins on page one, when our
heroine, Nissa, sitting and petting her cat whilst (jealously)
watching her brothers practice swordplay, is joined by Holm Manor's
wizard, Madoc. Need I say more? A girl who yearns to master the
sword, and wizardry? And probably some rapid beating of the young
heart along the way? And pesky sisters, too? Yes, you've got it.
By the end of Chapter One, I'd learned
the difference between magic and wizardry and that, even in Nissa's
world, girls haven't been allowed to do the same things as boys. Bah!
But is she going to put up with that? I think not, would you? The
story of Nissa and Master Madoc, the wizard (and more), was
definitely my favourite part, and central to the story. When Madoc
goes missing, the quest begins.
Ever wonder if a wizard is a such a
good wizard, why he can't free himself when the baddies get him?
Yeah, me, too. Now I know; I think that was somewhere along about
Chapter Twenty-Four.
By the end of Chapter Forty-Three, I'd
learn how to turn a skirt into wide-legged riding britches, who
didn't make it across the Frozen Tundra, where the Crimson Orb was
(but how to get it???) and what the swamp inhabitants were doing with
it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Joyce Hertzoff Has
Real Talent June 23, 2014
By Gorblimey2
What does the Crimson Orb do? We aren't
sure and no one else is either, but everyone knows it does something.
We follow our heroine, Nissa, on a grand journey to find her mentor
and, along the way, the Crimson Orb. She finally gets her wish, to be
the equal of the males in her group. Nissa has a lot to learn and
faces many battles and challenges along the way. You fall in love
with her pluck and intelligence. This is a good story for everyone,
but a great story for girls and women. Very empowering.
Joyce Hertzoff did a wonderful job
developing the characters and giving us plenty of people to cheer and
several to boo. I liked this story a lot and can't wait for the
sequel...which I hope will be soon.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Crimson Orb June
17, 2014
By Leona Pence
I thoroughly enjoyed the Crimson Orb by
Joyce Hertzoff. The quest of Narissa and her brother, Blane, to find
their friend Madoc the wizard, was fraught with peril. They braved
the inclement weather of The Frozen Tundra, kidnappers, people
obsessed with the Crimson Orb, and yet knew the pangs of budding
romance.
This book held my interest as an older
person just as much as it will for the younger generation. Kudos go
to Joyce for an amazing first novel. I’m looking forward to book
two of the series.
