Water Keep by J. Scott Savage is the first installment of the Farworld Series. Each book is named after the four elements: fire, air, water, land. The artwork on the cover is very attractive. So attractive that a certain 10 year old of my acquaintance could hardly wait for me to finish the book so he could take if off my hands.
The story takes place both on Earth and a place called Farworld. There are lots of fantastical creatures, many of which differ from the typical fantasy offerings. The author has plenty of intense scenes involving encounters with these characters, but leaving out the gruesome details often present in other mainstream fantasy stories. This makes the book more appealing for parents of younger readers.
Another aspect of the book which works well for younger readers is the relatively short length of the chapters. Parents and children alike can enjoy reading this together in short segments. Any imaginary place with a map automatically goes up a notch or two on the pleasure scale. Love to see maps in books. One feature that would improve the reading experience is a pronunciation guide.
Overall, this was a fairly simple read with some as of yet unresolved complexities. Thank goodness there are three more books to follow. An enjoyable tale with some fun things for any fantasy fan. Grab a copy and enjoy spending time with your child in the land of Farworld.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Deseret Book
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Characters threaten others with bodily harm and or lethal injury; characters hit others with objects, including fists; characters are tied up; report of a battle which kills an entire city, no details; report of a character being bloodied and killed in battle; magic is used to kill others; child has injuries and it is implied a parent caused them; an eight page battle involving magic and characters turn to dust; characters in a car accident; short intense scenes in which fantasy creatures try to harm others.
Sex/Nudity: Character kisses another on the cheek.
Mature Subject Matter:
Abandonment, physical disabilities, child abuse.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
None
