In INTO THE MIST, a prequel to The Land of Elyon series, Alexa and her good friend Yipes boarded a majestic ship captained by Roland Warvold. As they sailed toward their mysterious destination, Captain Roland captivates their attentions as he describes his and his brother’s adventures escaping a nightmarish orphanage and discovering their destiny.
Now, in STARGAZER, they finally reach their goal, the amazing colony called the Five Stone Pillars. Exactly as it sounds, it is comprised of five huge pillars sprouting out of The Lonely Sea. The community originated from the orphans rescued by Captain Roland and his brother as described in the prequel, and has grown to a thriving society of over 200 people and a handful of pet dogs.
Alexa and Yipes love getting to know this new place and her people, and explore the wonders of the three pillars that are settled (pillars four and five are uninhabited). Traveling among the pillars takes a bit of getting used to, not to mention a whole lot of bravery, as rope bridges swing a thousand feet above the crashing surf below. But it’s all part of the charm of this enchanting society. Alexa and Yipes quickly make new friends, including a woman by the name of Matilda, who stands just a bit taller than Yipes’s own tiny size. One pillar holds the farms to grow food, another contains fresh water, and they are especially thrilled with the third pillar that offers crisscrossed rope-like vines on which the citizens enjoy sliding; they call it skimming, and it rather resembles a zip line. However, Alexa and Yipes can’t get too comfortable because life on the Five Pillars takes a dangerous turn --- and it all started when they arrived.
Unknowingly, the evil Abaddon, in the form of a sea monster, has followed the ship to the Five Pillars. Abaddon is determined to rule this society, or destroy it in the process. Filled with guilt at leading him here, and disbelief that he still exists after their last encounter, Alexa takes on the overwhelming task of rescuing the Five Pillars. She joins forces with her new friends to try to figure out a way to defeat the evil and save their home. In the process, they risk a venture over to the deserted fourth pillar and make even more amazing discoveries. But they are quickly running out of time. Unable to reach the top of the pillars, Abaddon is pounding away the base of one of the pillars in order to knock it over and gain access. Will the people of the Five Pillars be able to defeat the evil in time?
Truly an amazing storyteller, Patrick Carman’s imagination runs full steam, never threatening to quit or run dry. Each chapter promises new excitement and even more colorful characters. He also writes with a unique style that encourages a positive outlook on life, one that truly shines through his amazing character of Alexa: “My strength was returning as we went on. It occurred to me then that it was in times of struggle that I found the best parts of myself --- courage, loyalty, an unexpected peace --- and I always discovered what I needed to break through and go on.” Fans will look forward to reading more from this talented author.
--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND
