27 April 2009

Arrival. The Strangers of Paragor Book One

by Charlotte McConaghy

black dog books. Australian, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy. Paperback. rrp $19.99

When I first read the publicity blurb I thought – “I’ve go to read this one.” There are shelves and shelves of science fiction/fantasy books everywhere I go but very few are written by a young author for a young adult audience. And McConaghy started writing Arrival when she was fourteen years of age.

Arrival is brilliant! McConaghy has created a magical world where ancient beasts (sabre-tooths), mythical creatures (elves, dragons, unicorns and Gods) mix with humans in the world of Paragor. It is a place reminiscent of the early 17th Century - jousting, bows and arrows, heavy armour, kings and queens and knights. This fantastic story kept me reading oblivious to life around me. I only looked up when I came to the last page.

The prophecy states when six “strangers” or “Bright Ones” arrive from Earth through a portal, the world of Paragor will be saved. The problem is when the six 21st century teenagers jump through they have no idea how to save anything.

Jane, Anna, Mia, Harry, Luca and Jack are best friends on Earth. They have each been having the same dream about an angel and Gods. They decide to follow Harry’s wild idea that at the top of a small mountain just over the cliff there is a portal. When the six decide to jump through the portal they do so together, but when they awaken on the other side they are all separated and in strange places.

Arrival is the first book of what promises to be a mesmerising series. Arrival is the story of Jane, Anna, Harry and Luca as these four help the ruling Kings of Paragor and the Gods, to overcome Leostrial, the self-imposed King of Lapis Matyr. Mia and Jack, the other two “Bright Ones” story is not yet told – Book two, I am hoping, will tell us more.

So now, dear readers, we must await for McConaghy to bring out book two of the Strangers of Paragor. I only hope the wait is not too long.

11 comments:

  1. Great book! I hope the second one's out soon. :)

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  2. This book is amazing. I have never read a book like this one. Can't wait for more

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  3. I read it a while ago, and I'm still waiting eagerly (slightly impatiently) for the second book :)

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  4. too bad it was released 2009, now we've have to wait longer for book 2 :(

    GREAT BOOK! ;D

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  5. Oh My God! I LOVE THE BOOK! It's BRILLIANT!!
    Hope the 2nd book comes out soon :)

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  6. Amazing book. I was outraged to hear that the second book isn't out. I am extremely excited for the next book.

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  7. God! Does anyone know when the second when is coming out?? I can't find a release date anywhere!! But I loved, loved, LOVED the first book! And to think she started when she was only fourteen . . .

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  8. The orgigonal cover with Jane and Fern on it looked awesome... now there is wings... Bring back Jane and Fern! Yay for second book!!

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  9. Book 2, Descent, is out and keep an eye out for my review soon. It is just as good, if not better, than the first.

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  10. book 3!!! when will it be out!

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