ABNA Expert Reviews...

The expert reviewers for Amazon's ABNA contest come from their Vine program. These folks review tens of products (especially TONS of books) for Amazon with the sole reimbursement of being able to keep the product.

In keeping with full disclosure, I happen to be a Vine reviewer, but I rarely participate in the forums. I do not know who reviewed my work nor will I likely ever.

I'd like to believe no nepotism was at play, but there are others who are certain there was.

Whatever.

While the reviewers do strongly influence who makes it to this round, they do not choose the winners.

All that said, I was pleased with my complete reviews. As I said before, I'm over having the kicked-in-the-gut reaction to any mention of Harry Potter. I seriously loved those books and many other YA fantasies as a kid and an adult and I seriously love my book.

I think there's room for Varuna on the bookshelves.

ABNA Expert Reviewer #1

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
If the author does not get too heavy handed with political overtones this has the potential to be quite a winner. The story is quite lucid and well told.

I also have an appreciation for the level of creativity exhibited by the author. It appears that she is going to create a alter-universe where her characters will reside.

What aspect needs the most work?
Not really an area that needs work, but I do hope that the story does not tread too closely to Harry Potter. Obviously within the confines of this excerpt Harry Potter is a comparison that is all too natural. I just hope that the author can maintain an independent voice and tell a different type of story. I am confident that the author will maintain the proper balance!

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
The author may hate the comparison, but this sounds like, "Harry Potter and His Adventures with Greenpeace." Not that this is a bad thing - but you can definitely see the environmental undertones being built early into the novel. This is a very strong entry in the ABNA.

ABNA Expert Reviewer #2

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
This excerpt is full of adventure. Varuna is reluctant to go away for training, but ultimately likable. The training that Varuna will be doing, and the powers she has are very enjoyable to read about. The "Boulay" transaction was well-thought out and strongly captures the reader's interest. This excerpt as a whole is very intriguing.

What aspect needs the most work?
The prologue and the connection to Varuna and Reed's dreams is still a little confusing at this point. What are Guardians of the Elements, and what do they do? The "ordes" and several other references seem reminiscent of Harry Potter. Sometimes Varuna's voice is so opinionated in her narrative that the thing she is talking about cannot be clearly understood (especially if they are other-wordly things). What are Reed's powers? What's Varuna's regular life like?

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
Varuna and her friend Reed are leaving on a year long trip to train as "Guardians of the Elements". But they can't stop dreaming about pirates... On Varuna's fourteenth birthday her parent's revealed to her that she has powers and that she'll be sent away to train how to control them. There are different planes in the world of this story: the Amaranthine and Evanescent. The "Boulay" system is fascinating. This story has a great setting(s). The reader needs to be more orientated into Varuna's unusual world...

Thanks to my reviewers, whoever you are :)

Peace

A Pink American

Varuna Kannon and The Caluminar's Cave at ABNA 2010