Rhys A Jones

I'm still torn on whether this story is aimed at an MG, or a YA audience. It's true that The Obsidian Pebble features an 11-year old protagonist. However these characters don't act, think, or even talk like most 11-year-olds that I know. On the one hand, I loved that. I adore when authors don't think they need to talk down to their audience. On the other hand, this may be a difficult read for younger readers to get into at first. Just something to think about before you put it in your reader's hands.

Yes, The Obsidian Pebble does take a little while to get up and moving. It makes sense though. Rhys A. Jones uses the first few chapters to introduce the reader to Oz's town, his amazing home, and give the reader some back story on how he came to live there. I was enchanted by the idea of Penwurt. This massive home, big enough to house boarders even, came to life in my mind. What better place to have an adventure? What better place to uncover a dark mystery? Penwurt became a character in its own right, and I ate it up.

Oz and his friends were also great characters. They were funny, bantered like best friends should, and were extremely smart. I couldn't get over how quickly they managed to sort out any problems that came their way. My only gripe is that I didn't get to know them as much as I would have liked. The author does a great job of quickly introducing each one, and showing how they work as team. I just wasn't as invested in them as I thought I should be. In the story, yes. In them, not so much. The mystery really pulls the story forward.

I honestly ended up enjoying The Obsidian Pebble in the end. It did take me a little while to become immersed in the story, but once things picked up in the mystery department I was hooked. Again I say, just keep reading on. The story does pick up! By the ending, I was ready for more. I think this would be a great read to share between a parent and a child.
… (meer)

This is a wonderful book a bout a ten-year-old boy, Sam, who is getting bored with doing "kids' stuff". He is even becoming too old to enjoy spending time with his grandmother. He wants something exciting to happen. And when it does? It seems as if he if in far over his head.

Sam turns out to be quite the adventurer, though. I won't say too much here, so I don't spoil the surprise, but I have to say I did enjoy following him as he gradually solves the mystery of the strange goings-on.

Recommended for kids of all ages, especially the ones looking for a slightly scary story.… (meer)

This is the second book in the Artefact Series. Although I have't read the first book in the series The Obsidian Pebble, the second book was easy to pick up on and catch up quickly. In the first book, they deal with tragic loss, while trying to solve a mystery. The second book picks up on their search for more artefacts, like the ones they originally found in the first book.

The beginning of this book was a bit hard to get into, but I think that's because I hadn't read the first book in the series, but eventually I did catch myself up. So I would recommend that you read the first book in the series but it's not vital.

These books are written for a younger reader, which made this book a breeze to get through, and readers of all ages can enjoy the plot. Not only do the characters have to figure out their bigger conflicts outside of the normal lives they lead, when they are out solving mysteries. They also have average teen issues still getting them in school and at home. It made the characters very realistic and relatable to kids of that age.

What was really great about the characters was their relationship with one anotherIt doesn't matter where the issues arise, this group of friends are there for each other in a way you don't always find at that age. It's good to have a friend(s) that can be there like they are in every situation, just as they are.

Overall I give this book 5/5 for it's magic, adventure, thrill, and mystery aspects that mix and blend well in the plot.… (meer)

Ten-year-old Sam Jones has about had it with getting shuffled off to Gran's house whenever his parents go on hiking vacations: she's superstitious, has tons of nonsensical rules (no whistling after dark), and never has any interest in letting him do anything fun. But one day while they're on "vacation" together, her car breaks down, and a girl appears in the mist from their radiator, asking for Mother Merryweather's help. The Dreables have returned...

This book, a very enjoyable read, walks a fine line on the lesson of being polite. There are some real stinkers of kids' books out there that all they do is preach, preach, preach. This isn't that kind of book. While it looks like, in the beginning of the book, that it's going to be about the value of being nice and polite, it's not. If there's any real lesson here, it's that sometimes old people are more interesting than your parents, and have awesome things to teach...as long as you can get them to open up. Despite going off about the value of politeness, Gran isn't the nicest, most perfect, most trusting soul out there. She's a glutton for sweets, thinks Sam is nothing but a brat, doesn't want to get dragged into saving other people...and doesn't listen to the animals around her, after making a big stinking deal about how they just "know" the truth about people. Gran has to learn as much, if not more, than Sam does, and it's interesting (as an adult) to watch her have to grow and adapt.… (meer)