Shelly's Book Blog

The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens, channels The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe into a confusing and overly long mishmash fantasy adventure for three children named Kate, Michael, and Emma. Instead of a wardrobe, the magic conduit is a book known as "the Atlas," and instead of bringing them to a different world it brings them to a different time. I had difficulty keeping track of which characters were doing what, where, and when. Also, the story seemed to be drawing to a close several times but then it was extended by some crisis or another. 

It wasn't all bad -- not at all. There are likeable characters here. My favorite was Emma, the spunky youngest child. She is described as a fighter, fiercely loyal to those she cares about. She also is not shy about telling people (and fantasy creatures such as dwarves and monsters) exactly what she thinks of them (stupid seems to be her preferred adjective). I enjoyed reading about her relationship with Gabriel, the strong, quiet man who helps the children when they are about to be killed by the Countess's (this book's White Witch) army of Screechers. I also liked Miss Sallow, the cook/housekeeper at the orphanage near Cambridge Falls. She sarcastically calls the children "Yer Majesties," upbraids them about expecting "chocolates and cake to eat," and tells them that if her cooking is not up to their standards they may chop off her head. She really made me laugh! I'm afraid that many of the other characters seemed just a tad too familiar, though. I know that authors borrow, but I think readers are always hoping for something new and fresh, and I, for one, did not find that here.

I am very fond of time travel adventures as a rule, and this story certainly fits that bill, but the time travel genre is frought with built-in perils. There are so many conflicts to resolve, such as what happens when characters move through time and see their other selves. The author must plausibly explain how traveling to the past affects the present, which is the future of that past. See what I mean? It can get really complicated!  I was just not quite able to suspend my disbelief while reading this story. Almost, but not quite.

It seemed as though the author's editors had told him he needed to make the book at least 400 pages, so he was forced to keep coming up with ways to further complicate the plot to keep it alive. Readers are also subjected to the obligatory sequel set-up information, but I think the ending would have been more satisfying without the "here's what's coming so stay tuned" information. Not every story needs to be told in installments, but I suppose publishers and authors make more money that way. Sigh.