Root Bound

Emma and the Elementals #1

by Tanya Karen Gough

"A lighthearted, whimsical confection that will delight both kids and their parents’ inner child." -Kirkus Reviews

How far will you go to find your way home?

Emma and her father are always on the move, travelling from place to place as her father’s work demands. Their new home, however, is different. There’s a frightening woman who lives down the hall: she bears an uncanny resemblance to a witch. A mysterious light comes from her apartment, and a small boy seems to be trapped inside.

School in this town is no happy place either, with an odd principal and a gang of girls who make tormenting Emma their special project. And strangest of all is the fact that there seem to be brownies - basement brownies, in the air vent in her bedroom.

Haunted by visions of her mother, Emma travels through the brownie burrow to the valley of Hades to visit with the goddess Ceres, following a series of clues that lead her across the sea of memory to the centre of the world.

There, on an inhospitable rock floating in a sea of steaming lava, Emma must find a way to release her mother from the sea of memory and restore magic to both the brownie burrow and the human world above.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade, Mythology, Science Fiction Fantasy

251 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2012

About the author

Tanya Karen Gough owned and published The Poor Yorick Shakespeare Catalogue from 1997-2007, earning a strong international customer base of world class academics and high school educators. She was also a contributing editor for the Internet Shakespeare Editions at the University of Victoria (BC), audio advisor for the Sourcebooks Shakespeare textbook series, and theatre reviewer for Playshakespeare.com. Tanya grew up in New England and currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

[Stella Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic new work for tweens. Ms. Gough incorporates fantasy and mythology in a way that is fresh and engaging in a field that is crowded with tropes and predictability. Emma is a smart, complex yet sympathetic new heroine. Can't wait for the next installment!!

[Sandra W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Root Bound is a really great read. It's highly creative, with an exciting plot that keeps you wanting more. I don't normally read a lot of fantasy stories, but this one was really fun and entertaining. I shared it with my 12-year old grandson (he's a big fan of the Rick Riordan series), and he loved it too. We can't wait for the next installment!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a book giveaway and got a lovely card from the author! I love young adult fiction and this was a fun book! I was not expecting to like it as much as it did as this type of fantasy fiction I do not usually gravitate too but this one is definitely worth the read!

[Giselle]

Love fantasy? Sign up for this tour!! http://www.xpressobooktours.com/2012/...

[Lance Schonberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Emma. Dragged from city to city, always hoping her father’s new job will turn out to be the one that gives them a permanent home. When they arrive in a new town, it’s the same old thing for Emma, but something is different this time. It might be the sad old apartment building. It might be the crazy woman down the hall. It might be the new school or the Gorgeous Gang of bully girls who think they run it.

Or maybe it’s the voices in the walls.

Well, not exactly in the walls, but it isn’t long before Emma finds herself dragged into an adventure that has her running to keep up, mixing magic, mythology, and her own memories. It’s a crazy Underworld, and it needs her help.

Root Bound is a fun story, a fairy tale wrapped in a girl’s desire to find somewhere she can call home again. Smart and engaging, it’s a great ride through a new world with enough action and wonder to hold your attention. A wonderful read, and even better when shared with one (or more) of your kids.

We’re very much looking forward to the next volume.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review and more reviews can be found at: http://framed-in-words.blogspot.co.nz/

Final rating: 3.5 stars

This is an adventurous and meaningful book written well for middle-graders mainly. I was quite excited to read this after reading the synopsis for the book. Adventure, magic and a coming-of-age book? What more can I ask for? This book certainly is a pleasant break from the YA books I have been reading and reviewing lately. The innocent tone of the book as well as the building friendships really brought the story close to me.

Tanya hooked me right in from the first page. Unlike some of the middle-grader books I have read, there's no boring banter or useless introduction, action starts right off. The reader immediately meets the main character Emma. As soon as I meet her, I can feel how lonely she is and the fact that she doesn't like to be on the move all the time with her dad. As a reader, I can relate very deeply with the fact that she has to re-start everytime she moves, therefore being the bottom of the social food chain without any lasting friends. When I was little, my family moved around quite a bit too, so I had personal experience at making a new beginning and new friends. Sadly, not everyone is nice and I too, felt lonely at times. Emma is a very likable character with lots of hidden spunk. She starts off quite timid and a pushover, but throughout the story she develops and realises she has her own power. I admire her determination and the caring nature she shows towards others.

I really liked the idea of Emma finding her home. Do you have a home or are you a drifter? Home is such an important part of people's lives, without home, we would be lost. This is exactly what Emma felt at the beginning of the book, and through her quest home, she finds other values that worth a lot in life.

The magical aspect and mythologies are well woven into the story and add a cute aspect to the book. I especially liked the parts when Emma meets the basement Brownies and trys to figure out what to do. When Emma realises that her house is special, and so is she, the reader sees a big change in her personality. The whole story lifts from that point on. If you like Greek and Roman mythology and magical adventures, you will definitely this an appealing and lovable story.

Lastly, the writing is brilliant! The language and techniques in this book takes take of every single little detail of actions, characters and the setting. I thoroughtly enjoyed the words and description of places and actions in this book. However, I think that it can be a little too much at time. Some descriptions are a little bit over the top and I think middle graders might be bored by this.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable and light read, full of magic. The ending was a bit of a "WHAT?" for me, but then again, there's the next book. There is no romance in this book, but it felt right and it was a relief from the heart-wrenching and turbulent or not-good-enough romances from recent YA books I have read. If you want a light and fun read, definitely recommended!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read. The whole time I was reading it I was thinking how much my younger kids would like it. It is such a cute story.

Emma and her father move around a lot so being in a new place, a new school, new surroundings wasn't "new" to her. She had done it many times before. This time there is an old woman living in the same building who seems to not be the kindest person. Emma begins to see strange things, and hear strange things.

The house seems to be alive, but she knows that cannot be. Then one night the house sneezed, and she saw eyes in a vent, and heard little creatures talking. She discovers there is much more to this house than meets the eye.

This is such a fun fairy tale. I love the little brownies, and the humor that comes with them. I have never thought of my house being "alive" but this story brings a whole new light to how it could be.

There are some great quotes in this book also. I will tell you just a few of my favorites.

"Wanting something to be true only makes it real if it was already meant to be"

"And what did I tell you about the power of the written word?" the voice echoed. "That books contain all the wisdom of the ages sir!"

"This is crazy, Emma thought to herself. I'm in the middle of the earth with a bunch of basement brownies, trying to climb a prehistoric bird"

I love reading a book that gives me quotes that both, make me think, and make me laugh. There is so much humor in this book, that I often found my self laughing out loud. Especially at one of the brownies and his need for his "breakfast". You will have to read it to know what I am talking about, but I just giggled every time he mentions it.

This was such a feel good book. I think some of that might be because it was written for middle grade ages, but I think it would be enjoyable for any age. I felt like a little kid again, sitting in my room listening to a bed time story.

The book took me into a part of my imagination that never wants to grow up. That still dreams of fairies, and creatures, that would take me away to a better place. I don't think Emma thought she was in a better place, but she was put in her house, at a certain time, to make everything else better.

I could follow her journey in my head, and it was brought to life with the words written in this story. I cannot wait to read this with my two younger kids. I hope that the book comes to life for them like it did me.

This was a great story about how good over comes evil. It was clean, and funny, and full of adventure.

[Anna Everhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect with this YA Fantasy book, but I was pleasantly surprised with Ms. Gough's smart and well developed story! Her choice to combine classic children's literature and Greek and Roman mythology with new fantasy ideas was unique and likely to inspire youth to re-examine or experience the classic literature for the first time.

I appreciated the themes commonly found in YA books like popular vs. unpopular, the challenges of moving from place to place as a teen, and good vs. evil, that somehow Gough effortlessly made new yet relatable. Adding elements of music along with all of the plot's twists and turns, make this an adventure that keeps adults just as intellectually engaged as the teen.

My only criticism with this delightful, whimsical book is that I wish Gough explained the brownie's in more detail. I wasn't extremely familiar with the brownie folklore before reading the story, and went back and forth visualizing a baked chocolate treat with legs and a tiny mouse-like human until I looked up what they really were online and discovered they were like a small goblin in folklore. But isn't this also a win for what I imagine Gough was hoping for? It encouraged and inspired me to learn something new about all of the classic folklore and mythology she relates to in the story.

At first I felt like the first half of the story was too developed and I wish it had moved faster to the world of "under" in the second half of the book. However, as you learn more and more throughout the story, it makes sense why Gough went to the trouble of developing so much in the first half, where everything comes together quite masterfully in the end. There were also a few typos throughout the story, but nothing that totally interrupted the flow or enjoyment of the book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and her father are constantly on the move. His job as a musician doesn't offer up much possibility to stay in the same place for very long. They just moved to a new town in an old apartment building and there are a lot of new things to get used to; a creepy old woman down the hall with a mysterious light coming from her place, The notorious mean girls at school, having weird dreams and visions of her mother, and to top it all off brownies are coming out of the vent and they need her help! Without giving too much away , Emma must help the brownie save their home and hers from the evil witch trying to destroy it, but to do that she has to go with the Brownies to the "under" world. Yikes!

Root bound was a fast paced novel perfect for middle grades audiences. Gough quickly grasped my attention from page 1. I loved the idea that there were whole communities of beings that lived "under" ground and under houses. I will be honest and say that I didn't know much at all about Brownies before I read Root bound, but now I Love the idea that I could have Brownies ( although to be honest .. the condo's I live in aren't that old, so I think my odds of having Brownies are sort of slim ). Root Bound had a Wizard of Oz feeling to it that I really enjoyed, mixed with some Greek and Roman Mythology. I enjoyed Emma's adventures with the Brownies, and I am looking forward to seeing what other adventures she is up to in Water Works ( Emma and the Elementals : Volume 2 )

~ Katie @ Inkk

Check out my Review for ROOT BOUND on the Blog

[Yvonne Bruton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and very entertaining. I lost myself in it because it has a very good plot and is full of interesting characters. I will be getting the next one and I'm looking forward to reading about more of Emma's adventures. Highly recommended :-)

[Tim Learn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Root Bound (Emma and the Elementals #1)
(Middle Grade)




By

Rating
3 stars


Synopsis
Moving to yet another new house, Emma encounters many strange things beyond just the pretty girls at school. She eventually meets and accompanies the strange creatures called Brownies into the Under—a world that exist just below ours that ties everything together.

Prose
Here, like many independent books, the writer has a fairly decent skill with description. In parts, I saw the world quite vividly and with a creative flair; however, as usual, this well-worded sense of description is in sacrifice of other skills that need the honing, namely, dialog.

For a majority of the story, the characters say the same thing over and over. I believe this is so that we can identify who they are, but this always leads to boredom. Most of the time, I skipped over large parts because the scenes dabbled in more of Emma’s inner thoughts—which weren’t very original—only to get to these lackluster areas of dialog, rehashing the same old rigmarole I’d seen before.

I can’t tell you how many times the Brownies call her monster, only to have Emma yell back that she isn’t; and then when being introduced as the Wanderer, everyone mentions how pale she is. Of course, the whole time, super old-time talk is used to give it…an I-don’t-know-what kind of feel. Why do so many authors believe giving characters dated speech makes their characters interesting or unique? I don’t understand.

Characters
No character particularly stands out in this story mainly because—as I said above—all of them regurgitate the same language over and over. In this way, they all appear flat, except for Emma, who we see through inner dialog. And again, like above, her inner thoughts are so bare bone normal, that I never grew close to her or felt she was special somehow. A character needs to have a distinct voice to draw us in. Even though they may then appear different, we find a little bit of ourselves in them. Here, though, half the time, her thoughts felt too childish or simplistic, as if she couldn’t form complex thoughts on her own. I wasn’t sure what was going on.

Structure
In the end, the above faults hinder the plot greatly. Because so many paragraphs were dashed to indulge in description or to meander mundane thoughts, little in plot ever happened. Whole chapters would pass with little more than small repetitions in character and scene shifts. Frankly, the book could be summarized into three short chapters instead of the sixteen lengthy-sized ones the author used. On top of this all insight into this world she’s created was presented in info dump blocks of dialog—the only dialog that wasn’t repetitive. Sadly, it didn’t help because it didn’t feel real.

Added to this, elements from the real world and the under world were supposed to match up, but these parts—the Gorgeous Gang and the principal—barely felt important and seemed like odd pieces placed inside the story to elongate the page count. Frankly, a lot of the description seemed like someone saying to themselves, I want to make this chapter longer—not, I want to make this story better. And here in lies the common fault.

Overall

In the end, it wasn’t the worst story I’ve read. The fact is that most of the time nowadays, the stories I read have these specific fundamental flaws: weak dialog, the lack of plot for such a large page count, and overdone descriptions. These unfortunately are—as I’ve now learned—earmarks of this kind of work. So I don’t mean to sound negative. This author is probably learning the ropes and figuring everything out, but as always, I hope she sees these flaws, addresses them, and does better the next time around. I say this because I already know she’s published the next in the series, and I dread taking a peek at it if all I can expect is the same. There’s a reason I don’t read the second part in any of these series—usually the writing hasn’t grown at all.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

****FINAL RATING: 3.65 STARS****

CATCHALL
I was actually very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this. I expect a lot out of my fantasies, but this one was tons of fun and a very quick and pleasant read. I had a awesome time reading this and swallowed it in three sittings. And the only reason I stopped at all is because i was in school. But if I could have, I would have read through this all at once. It captured my attention from the first pages and didn't let go.

THE HEROINE
EMMA
Emma is our very spunky heroine. She's used to moving around a lot, being at the bottom of the food chain at school, being nothing special. But in her latest home, she's starting to realize that se's more than that. She's very determined to do what's right, and while she starts off as much of a realist, she slowly comes to step up to the new reality she's found herself in and I really admire that. She's very caring of others, and many of her acts are selfless.

There are other important characters, but as I was writing this review I discovered it's really difficult to speak frankly about them without being spoilery, so.

THE PLOT
When she moves into her new home, Emma immediately notices something seems off about it. Almost like it's–alive. This freaks her out for obvious reasons, but she thinks she must be imagining things. Then she starts to see little people, but convinces herself that she is dreaming. However, her denial can only take her so far.

I loved the way the entire process worked. It was realistic, and Emma's reactions seemed fitting, although she did adjust rather quickly. However, being thrust into the new world as she was, that only makes sense.

The plot moves fairly quickly too, so there's a lot going on. It can get confusing if you don't follow things carefully, but it was a lot of fun.

Something I wasn't expecting: a lot of mythology, particularly of the Greco-Roman variety. It was woven into the story as well, and the way it was done was really clever and original. The mythology and the fantasy were both equally elements of the novel, and there were some concepts that I can't remember seeing before that I loved.

THE ROMANCE
There's actually no romance in this book, but I'm hoping there is in the next!

THE WRITING
Tanya's writing is highly enjoyable. It's third person, but even so I managed to get a strong grip on Emma's character and thoughts. I loved the descriptions of the fantasy world too, which felt like just enough without being infodumps. There was a certain smoothness to the writing, and it had a type of spontaneous feel to it that was unique.

THE ENDING
Actually, the ending really threw me off a lot and I didn't like it. This random thing happened that made absolutely no sense to me and kind of just ruined the whole end for me. It really wasn't explained to my satisfaction and just felt random and left me wondering where the hell the missing pages were. But seriously, yeah, not a fan. The ending was easily the worst part of this book, but then when it gets to the very final pages it kind of makes up for it.

WRAPUP
I really did love Root Bound, and I'm actually really, really looking forward to see what the next book brings to the table. I'm interested to see what will happen next, especially with a certain character! I'm going to have to keep an eye out. I highly recommend this book and suggest that y'all go and read it. It should really be more feel known.

FINE.

Find more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Root Bound is the first of a planned quartet called Emma and the Elements. This middle grade fantasy series follows Emma as she comes of age and discovers how her unique magic can restore order to the mysterious land of Under.

When Root Bound opens, we learn that Emma Sheridan is always on the move. Along with her musician father, who wanders from town to town in search of work, Emma is a girl looking for a place to put some roots down. They never stay anywhere long enough for her to make real friends. And it doesn’t look like this time will be any different. Her first night in their creepy, sad-eyed apartment building, Emma has a run-in with the mean old lady down the hall. And life at her new school isn’t any better.

A trio of girls she dubs the Gorgeous Gang bullies her relentlessly, only backing off when the terrifying school principal intervenes. To top it off, there are voices coming from the walls. Voices that only Emma hears. Voices that appear to be attached to basement brownies—a race of fairy that hail from Under.

After they realize she isn’t a monster after all (this takes some convincing), the brownies tell Emma that they are on a quest to find the Wanderer—a journey Emma will soon find herself embroiled in. What follows a fairly lengthy setup is a rollicking, fast-paced journey through Under, where Emma encounters odd-tasting soup (and lives to tell the tale), along with well-known mythological figures who aim to help and hurt her as she tries to free Under from the witch’s clutches. What she learns there will turn everything she thinks she knows upside down and begin her transformation as a hero—if she can survive the experience.

Gough layers this urban fantasy with rich detail, allowing the reader to see and feel what Emma does. Emma is also a likeable, relatable protagonist who grasps her magical destiny with pluck and grace. The bullying theme is one that may also hit home with parents and children alike. The basement brownies are similarly charming, and reminded me a bit of Pratchett’s Feegles (but without the penchant for gratuitous violence). Emma’s father isn’t as well-rounded as the rest of the cast, but he doesn’t appear in enough of the novel for it to make a major impact on the storytelling. Particularly skillful is Gough’s use of familiar mythology, which infuse her world with a palpable sense of history.

For those of you who are looking for a light-hearted adventure, Root Bound will leave you laughing, crying, and wanting more.

Root Bound is available in both print and ebook formats. I downloaded my Kindle edition at Smashwords. Overall, the edition is error-free, although I found it difficult to navigate across chapters using the rocker, probably because they weren’t marked in the metadata. This might also explain why I was unable to jump directly to a chapter using the table of contents listing. Real page numbers would also be a plus.

To learn more about Emma and her friends, visit http://emmaseries.blogspot.com. You can also follow the delightfully funny @emmaseries on Twitter.

This review originally appeared at my blog: http://sabrinaslibrary.wordpress.com/...

[Diane Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Paranormal Sisters back in 2013: http://paranormalsisters.blogspot.com...

*was given a copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion*

I loved that this was about Brownies, basement Brownies, so I thought this would be fun and it was. In young adult we don’t usually get these kinds of creatures, it’s more known for children. Which is fine, I can read kid’s books if I want a little bit of their magic in my life and this book I believe is also great for all ages, but sometimes I forgot that this was a child as a main character. I forget that sometimes kids have to take care of themselves and their parents. I also forgot how mean kids can be, no matter what age they are. So sometimes I had to remind myself that she was a child and once I went, “Wow, you’re brave to be walking to school, alone, through an unknown town you just moved to.” Because, me, I don’t think that’s the best for kids. But that’s just my opinion.

But shoving that to the side of my brain, I let the magic and storytelling of Miss Gough take over me. From the beginning we got to see subtle hints of magic and it helped sucked me in. The house was alive, a witch looking person lived down the hall and she’s someone that wouldn’t leave Emma alone, the way the house sneezes, and the mystical light from that witches room are all signs that this is no usual place to live in and one place where Emma will get quite a surprise.

"She sneezed. She sneezed again. Then the house sneezed.

She froze, another monstrous sneeze trapped in her nose. Everything around her seemed to freeze, too. Finally, she couldn’t hold it any longer, and she let out the most enormous sneeze she had ever sneezed, and at that same exact moment, the house sneezed too. And before she was able to even wonder what was happening, she heard a sudden clatter, like a bag of marbles rolling down the vent shaft."

When the brownies came into the picture I couldn’t help but become giddy with excitement. I felt like a little kid and I loved it! :D These four characters sure knew how to make me laugh. Honestly, I can’t pick which brownie I liked more. You have little Mat that thinks he knows all including all about humans though he has never met one, Truss whom is very motherly to Emma and the one that keeps the group under control, Pier who acts like a teenage boy whom can’t get over the fact that he missed breakfast cause Under zapped him up into Over to help Emma, and then Master Tect whom is constantly sleeping and in places that don’t always seem so comfortable to me, haha.

Now even though I did enjoy this there was something that started to bug me. This thing that bugged me formed slowly and in the end it’s one of the reasons why rated this book a four. Once again we have another book plot surrounded around Greek mythology. Now, don’t get me wrong I freaking adore Greek Mythology but it isn’t the only mythology that is out there, so can we please freshen up the mythology in our books. How about some Egyptian?

Overall, this was a great story especially for kids (so, it’s a great bedtime story for my readers whom are parents) and a good starter to a series. One that I can’t wait to continue!

[MGGMMGGM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at The Solitary Bookworm

Brownies are living under Emma's apartment. Creatures she only thought were creatures created as myths. Apparently, they are real and a bit sarcastic and rude too!

Emma is used to moving from place to place. There's nothing she can do about it since she and her dad go to where work is available. From the numerous times they moved, Emma follows the motion. She understands. I enjoy reading about our young heroine. For such a young age, she seems mature and optimistic. She enjoys life as it is especially with her situation. She also has this enthusiasm for adventure. I was actually expecting her to sulk, good thing she's not what I expected.

Our little band of brownies are actually an interesting lot. They are a mix of characters who can be a handful. Their "debates" and banter makes me laugh once in a while and I enjoyed that most about this book. We have Truss, Piers and Mat and Master Tect. From what I remember (its confusing to take note of them) Truss is the heavyweight brownie and the only lady in the bunch. Piers was the one who's always hungry and always in a hurry and the skinny tall one. Mat was the obnoxious, sarcastic and rude brownie who is also the tinniest among the group while Master Tect is the sleepy old dude.

The moment they met Emma it was so funny. They know Emma as a monster not a human so imagine Emma trying to explain to them what she is.

The man turned to her an bowed to her with a great flourish of his hand. "Oh, great, monstrous monster!" he shouted at the top of his tiny lungs. "We beseech you to assist us in this, our desperate hour of need!"

This goes on and on and I just can't help myself but laugh. They are a persistent little lot. Oh I have to share this passage too:

"But there are stories, and the blue Scrolls are very specific about what a Human is and how they behave. There are the hominus giganti snorasaurus, who sleep all night long; the hominus colossi munchasaurus, who eat all day long; and the mysterious hominus hush-upicus-catatonicus, who do nothing but sit all day and stare at a mystical, flickering light source."

My humor is shallow, I know but I really did enjoy this fun book. I can type a lot of quotables and funny scenes however that means I have to type the majority of the book. Hehe so the better solution is for you to indulge yourself and read it as well.

Okay back to the story. The groups mission was to save the building from dying because as it was explained the building became alive and took root as the years passed but an evil witch is out there "killing" building (in turn destroys the brownie burrows) for unknown reasons. From there on, there were a lot of running, scampering and thinking about different ways to defeat the witch and help the brownie community survive. Emma proved to be the right heroine for the job.

It was a fun read with a lot of interesting characters. An easy and enjoyable intro to a series that everyone will enjoy especially younger readers. It is short, fast paced and written quite good. I like Gough's writing style and I think that she has a good story going here. Would definitely check the next book.

[Merin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to Root Bound for two reasons. One, it's a MG fantasy title, and as a librarian working with elementary students, I'm always on the lookout for MG titles they might enjoy, and two, the summary mentions mythology, and as anyone who follows my reviews can probably tell you, I love mythology. So, as far as I was concerned, this book already had two marks in its favor.

For the most part, I did enjoy this book. I very much liked Emma. Her father has a very transient job (he's a musician), and it's caused him and Emma to move a lot. I loved Emma's outlook and the way she just made the best of everything. It has to be so incredibly hard to pick up and move all the time, leaving behind friends and family, and constantly having to figure out how to fit in with a new place or group of people. Her thought process surrounding her first few days at her new school were spot-on and perfect and I felt so terrible for her, especially when she caught the attention of some truly horrible girls.

I also very much loved the world in Root Bound. So much thought and detail went into its creation and development, from the Brownie Burrows, to the witch and how she came into being, to the gift that Emma has and the special skills she possesses. I loved how the author weaved in the mythological elements, from Hades (in this case, Hades refers to the Underworld and not the god) and Ceres, and the way she was still suffering after all this time with having to give up her daughter for those six months. I also love how Emma uses her knowledge from a book to best the badies at one point!

However, that world-building was also what, for me, caused a bit of a ratings drop. Fantasy books need to have a strong foundation in order for the reader to understand the world and what's happening, but in the case of Root Bound, I couldn't help but feel that there was perhaps too MUCH detail. All of the description made the story itself drag in places, and I found myself skimming over parts. Don't get me wrong; the world and the characters populating Under and Emma's journey through this new land were a lot of fun to read, full of adventure and action, but I really feel that the rooms and places they visited perhaps could have done with a little less information in order to help the story flow a bit better. Of course, your mileage may vary, so take my opinion with a grain of salt!

While I think that ultimately this book may be a bit confusing for younger readers, I still very much enjoyed Emma's character and her cast of motley adventurers. I'm definitely curious about what's next for Emma and her friends!

A copy of this book was provided by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

***

To see more of my reviews, please visit me @ Read and Reviewed!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4/5]

For more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!

Reading ROOT BOUND reminded me of when I read THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH back in fourth grade. Throughout the novel, I loved the details described in the world, the author’s language, and, of course, the different creatures that you get to meet!

Emma was a great main character! At the beginning of the book, she appears to be an ordinary little girl, who is bullied at school and lives with a loving parent. She’s also very curious and adventurous, which reminded me a bit of Alice when she first stepped into Wonderland. By the end of the book, she also grows to be a much stronger character than the beginning, as she eventually stands up for herself and takes action both at school and in Under (the brownies’ world). I can’t wait to see more of her in the next book!

The side characters were also imaginative and fun to read about! You first meet the brownies, who are small creatures that live in “burrows” beneath the earth. Each of the four brownies also had a unique and quite adorable characteristic of his or her own. For example, Mat was a young and studious brownie that insisted on calling Emma a “monster”, though he eventually warmed up to her in the end, while Master Tect always seemed to fall asleep. After a while, you also meet George, a “giant” bird, and Amulet, a stone goblin that proved to be plenty of help in the end. All in all, I’m sure younger readers, as well as older fantasy lovers, will fall under the different characters’ spells as I did!

I also felt like the author’s language brought a lot to the novel. Gough is able to skillfully incorporate small but magical details in both the human world and Under, in order to add enchantment to the story. The author’s use of onomatopoeias (words like “bang”, “clackity”, or “thump”) also added to my mind’s vivid image of the different scenes in the book.

Finally, the plot and world were both full of fantastical fun! Throughout the book, Emma faces different kinds of threats and adventures, ranging from bullies to gorgons to free falling, which was always exciting to read. There was also a bit of cute humor, as Emma is discovering new things in the world of Under. The author also incorporates a mixture of Greek and Roman mythology, as well as some of her own creativity, in order to produce terrifying creatures like Medusa, mysterious figures like Ceres, and lands both beautiful like the “Tree of Life” and terrifying like “Hades”!

Overall, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, language, story, and world of ROOT BOUND and would definitely recommend it to any book-loving young student or MG fantasy reader. I’ll definitely be reading the next book, and hopefully sometime soon!

* A free copy of this book was provided for review purposes during the blog tour. This did not affect my opinion of the book. No monetary transaction or “favors” took place. Thanks! *

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review and more at Sab The Book Eater

Root Bound is definitely a nice little break from all the Young Adult/New Adult titles I've been reading lately. It's a light Middle Grade read filled with magic, adventure and all kinds of cute!

Now what I really liked about this book was the author's attention to detail. Gough did an incredible job at describing everything and everyone. Sometimes I think the descriptions were a bit to long but that didn't really ruin the experience for me; it only made it better. I was able to picture the world of Under and all the places they went. I was also able to imagine how some houses are actually alive because they're rooted to the world below. It was so much fun entering the world that Root Bound was set in. I just love it when a book challenges my imagination! In addition to that, I liked how the adventures were told in such a way that the story picked up at key parts and it slowed down at the appropriate times as well. The author's storytelling is really something.

She also did an amazing job creating characters who were so much fun to read and added substance to the story. First we have Emma, of course. She's an easy-going kid who's quite the pushover when it comes to bullies if you ask me but of course she was able to rise above that (not a spoiler, you just know it's bound to happen). At first I didn't like her very much because she seemed a bit generic to me but once she was with the brownies and all the magical folk, she was such a delight! I also liked the basement brownies so much. I didn't have the faintest idea what they were prior to reading Root Bound but I was able to picture them because of the descriptions given and the way they spoke. I Googled basement brownies and turns out my imagination was spot on. They're the part of the story that I refer to as "all kinds of cute." They had such varied personalities and I think they really added more magic to the story.

One other thing I liked about Root Bound was the Greek/Roman mythology tie-in. I happen to enjoy Greek/Roman mythology so I think that's definitely a plus. All kinds of folklore were incorporated in the story well and it didn't appear like an unfortunate mash of everything all at once.

If you're up for a Middle Grade read filled with adventure and magic, Root Bound is for you. You'll never be bored because you'll definitely enjoy the world that Tanya Karen Gough has created!

***I received an e-copy of this book for review.***
This review is based solely on my opinion.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also on my blog, The Rambling Readerista

Have you ever enjoyed reading The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland, this is a book for you. I don’t really know what I expected from this story since I am not familiar with this author, but her writing had me surprised. I have really liked, I cannot say loved per se, this book but it is an interesting read, and if you like the world of fantasy and magic you should read this book. It is only the first in the Emma and Elementals series, but Gough gives a promising start.

The first half of the book deals with plain old human girl, Emma, her father musician, constant moving from home to home, a creepy old neighbor woman, the mean girls at the new school, you know, all the typical adolescence problems. However, the storyline picks up after Emma hears the house speaking and meets some brownies. Ha, and those are really cute little creatures from mythology. That had me thinking, finally something is happening that actually makes this book fantasy, and after I got a little more into the story, I could not put the book down. I have loved reading of prophecies, mythology, witches, magic and a whole intricate design of the Under, the world that Gough gives such an elaborate description of. Even though I found the first half to be a little strenuous, I developed the appreciation and understanding for it because of its interweaving with the magic world.

Gough complicates this fantasy into so many details that at times you can get lost and forget the meaning of it, but to an explorer brain like mine, reading this book proved a “real field trip”. Hopefully, you will feel the same, if you decide to read this book. Also, Emma as the protagonist is likeable enough in her grasping the magic world, even escaping into it, quite like I seem to escape in any book I can get my hands on. The basement brownies are simply charming little creatures that I developed instant love for.

Are you looking for a funny and easy fantasy novel? This is a story for you that will leave you anticipating and feeling anxious for what is to happen every step of Emma and the brownies’ adventure. Overall, I really like this story and its character, and think it an excellent escape read. Also, you know what?, this would be an excellent movie story!

[Michelle Willms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Root Bound by Tanya Karen Gough
Root Bound is a fantasy appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Emma and her father have been nomads for many years, moving from place to place, wherever Emma’s dad takes them. Many places were very small, requiring Emma to sleep on the couch and the two to share closets. Emma didn’t really expect any different from this new place. She’d grown accustomed to such accommodations over the years. When they arrived at the new place, though, there was something different about the apartment building. It seemed alive and even felt familiar to her. This was new. Something else new was the neighbor who looked eerily like a witch and who gave Emma a severe case of the creeps.
Then, when Emma entered the apartment for the first time, she found that she actually got to have her own bedroom. She was so excited. She fell asleep content, and woke to voices coming from the vent overhead. It seemed the new apartment was also home to brownies. Were there other things living in the building, as well?
Root Bound was one of those rare books that is something completely unexpected – a treasure. This book was exceptionally well written, with interesting characters and a very original story line. The action began almost immediately and continued until the last page. Surprises emerged continuously. One of the best features of this book was the humor. It was sprinkled throughout, but occasionally, it was tucked into a hidden niche and would spring out and liven a particularly dark moment.
The author’s use of humor and setting to set the mood were remarkable. Few have such talent to change the characters’ and reader’s mood simply by deftly changing the setting. The descriptions were detailed enough to draw an elaborate “mind picture,” but not so detailed as to become cumbersome.
This story may be marketed primarily as a children’s book, but I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys an action-packed fantasy with a new twist. This book is guaranteed make you look at your brick and mortar, or stone and wood houses with a more critical, and perhaps and more loving and caring eye.

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...

Root Bound is the first novel in the “Emma and The Elementals” series. Emma and her Dad are always moving from town to town, but this time around, something strange is going on in their new apartment. Emma goes out to investigate, and to her big surprise, finds out that there are Brownies living under her apartment. The Brownies are a hilarious lot, and this comes from someone who doesn’t generally burst out laughing while reading. But the Brownies are simply hilarious. I want to feature them EVERYWHERE, like have Brownies comic books, Brownies T-shirts, Brownies songs…that’s how awesome they are. Like how Emma and the Brownies meet, I nearly started crying from laughter. I don’t want to spoil things, but it’s so funny that you won’t be able to keep a straight face – guaranteed.

Emma is a likable heroine. She doesn’t whine, she doesn’t complain, and she’s actually a big fan of adventure. She makes some silly choices though, but given her age, I’ll gladly forgive those. This book is MG/YA, but it’s really more a middle grade book. The setting, the storytelling, the characters, all scream MG. The author has a great writing style, and she managed to take Greek mythology and combine it with other classic elements to come up with a pleasant, original story I for one thoroughly enjoyed. The story is very imaginative, the characters are well-developed (including the Brownies) and there’s an obvious humorous undertone. The plot moves fast, and at times there’s a lot going on, so you have to keep your thoughts straight while reading.

One small comment though – which explains four instead of five star rating – is that the novel took a few chapters to really develop. I wasn’t that into the book when I first started reading, but after a few chapters, I was like – wow, great. However, I imagine some people would’ve given up by then, which would’ve been a shame. Slow start, but once you get past the introductions, this is a delightful story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

So there is a lot going on in this little novel. Emma is a very self sufficient little girl dealing with sneezing houses (brownies) and witchy neighbors all by herself. She doesn't see her father much because of his being a jazz musician and so I was never quite sure if all the things that happened were the fanciful imaginings of a bored little girl or a real magical story (relatively speaking.) It's magical either way. Emma has to fight with the brownies who first think she is a monster and then revere her as their savior the Wanderer. And in fact, she is a wanderer of sorts as she and her father have traveled from town to town to town in search of work.

The idea in this novel is that houses are alive, they are "root bound". I loved this. The idea of a house, comes from people their dreams, plans, pictures. It's built with bricks and wood, and plaster. But then it gets a history and begins to put down roots and eventually, the longer it lives, it's roots begin to tap into the magic that is in the Under. So the house is alive. Now I happen to believe, for me, that you have to make friends with your house. Sit with it, get to know it, it's night sounds, it's day sounds. This idea of the house putting down roots it really sat well with me. It was my favorite part of the novel.

I think Emma handles everything thrown at her really well, better than an older child would mainly because she still believes in magic, though she does try to dismiss it. At the same time she's trying to rationalize everything that happens and that she sees, she is carrying around a "storybook" with the stories her mother used to read to her. It's one heck of a book, too because it contains stories from all different mythologies and countries.

I had a little trouble with the beginning, I felt it was a little slow to take off, but then things took off and the pacing was steady. This is a good middle grade book, especially for girls. It touches on many things from dealing with the loss of a parent to being bullied, to loneliness. This is the first in the series.

I received a review copy of this novel in ebook form for the blog tour. I was not compensated for my review.

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brownies and witches and family lost...oh my! It's a mixed bag on the character cast list for certain but all your favorites are there, ready and willing to guide you through this topsy turvy adventure. The story line bounces between reality and dreams, landing squarely on the shoulders of the "somewhere in between". Just when you think you know which way its going, POOF...something else changes to alter your path. It was really quite GOOD!

Emma is a sweetheart! So brave and strong despite her slight size nd with love that knows no bounds for those that endear themselves to her. Her Dad is not one to forget either though his role in the story is more sideline than starring. He's one of those parents that is actually trying to do the best he can for his daughter...and their strong relationship is one of the reasons that Emily is able to find her way back when things get shaky.

I loved the counterpart aspect between Over and Under beings; exploring how their other halves lived was ironic, curious and sometimes down right funny! The blend of cultures and beliefs such as Roman and Greek gods/goddesses was interesting as well and showed how there's room for all when consideration for each other is given. The story takes curious twists and turns much like the roots that run beneath Emily's new home but they all lead back to one conclusion...a highly addictive story that will have readers of all ages smiling from the brownie banter, cringing from the Gorgeous Gang, fighting for those they love and in general...having a great time between the pages.

If you enjoy stories with a blend of reality and fantasy, filled with brownies sometimes think they know everything and evil witches out to make more than "little-girl-stew", this is definitely the book for you. Emily will capture your heart as will her new brownie friends as you journey from Over to Under in a life altering quest to save pretty much everything from falling into the clutches of evil.


**review copy received in exchange for my honest review - full post can be seen on my site**

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Root Bound took me down the rabbit hole. Or rather down the brownies burrow.

Imagine discovering mythical, magical beings, all shapes and sizes, living under our houses, under our cities.

That’s what Emma discovers when her father’s job lands them in yet another city, in a beaten down old apartment building.

Emma hears strange noises in the walls, shifting shadows, and voices in the vents. It’s as if the building is alive.

Something is, as she discovers when a pile of tiny brownies tumble from the vent grate onto her bed.

Thus begins Emma’s quest of discovery. Both worlds may lose their magic, the brownies need her help, and the answers she seeks about her mother lie at the center of the earth.

From the beginning, I knew Emma would encounter something in that building. It was such a delight that it was brownies. Then the author throws in a ruthless gang of girls who torment her daily at school, strange lights coming from under the weird ladies’ door down the hall, and the curious case of the little boy who can’t seem to go anywhere.

Root Bound is fantastical. Greek and Roman mythology are spread throughout the adventure, delighting you with the different magical beings.

The author nailed it while presenting the girls who bully Emma. I felt like I was back in school, wanting to shrink smaller and smaller, become invisible. Just so they’d leave me alone.

But Emma is no baby. She is a brave young girl, trying to help her new friends, find her own path, and get answers about the dreams she has of her mother.

This story reminded me a bit of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland combined. If it were a movie, I wouldn’t have been surprised to find that Emma wakes up and it was all a dream.

Tanya has a beautiful imagination and has created an extraordinary world and beings and a strong heroine in Emma. It’ll be fun to see where she takes Emma next.

I received this book for my honest and unbiased review.

[Dan Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have read the description a little closer. From the cover and the mentions of a new house, a witch and things in the basement I assumed it was a middle grade "horror" novel so I was surprised when the brownies showed up and behaved like creatures from a Terry Pratchett story. That's not a bad thing, though and then I got stuck in to the book.

There is a lot to like about this story. Emma is likeable and the general tone is sweet and pretty enchanting. I found the mythology and magic / architecture stuff really clever and witty. I love the culture of the brownies. I loved the inventive use of language, especially where it was dropped in. "You brick" and "Don't be a pebble" and stuff like that. I love ancient Greek mythology, too, so that was all good.

Some of the stuff I struggled with was the style of the writing. I like middle grade - I even write it - so it wasn't that. A lot of the scenes I felt were over-described, which actually made it harder to follow. A lot of the dialogue went on for ages, way beyond what was necessary for imparting information and characterisation. The brownies' bickering often went from funny to exhausting in about two seconds. I found myself skimming over sections quite often and I had to force myself to slow down.

Also, I liked Emma and she's the sort of person I would have been friends with when I was a kid but I did wish she would have taken the lead more, made more decisions, been more active. I was hoping she would end up punching Theena in the face. I know it's not a good message to send and it doesn't solve anything and I guess I'm just a violent person but some people deserve to get knocked on their behind. And I wanted Emma to demonstrate how much she had changed. It didn't feel like she had, much.

Ultimately, though, I was aware that I smiled a lot while I read this.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I found Root Bound to be a little difficult to get into. I thought it was going to be a quick read however, I found that I kept wanting to put it down and go do something else. Had I not been a part of the tour I might have continued bothering with it at all. It wasn't until about halfway though chapter four that I thought okay, now it's getting good and I'm glad I stuck with it.

One of the things I did like early on in the book was Emma's introduction to the brownies. Actually I'm pretty sure I just like the brownies in general. Another thing, for me, I find that even if I'm having trouble with the story, as long as I like the characters I can continue on. Though I had begun to like the story as I read on, I found the characters likable fairly early on.

Though I grew up in the same city (especially a rather small city) seeing the same people, going to school with the same group of people all the way up to junior high and always felt at home and knowing my place. I can assume that Emma's feelings about moving all the time wanting a home are relatable ones. As I read the book, I felt for her. I remember reading the part after her first day at her new school and thinking I couldn't imagine having the sort of day. I wouldn't know how I would have handled it.

I ended up deciding to give the book 3/5. I often change my mind after giving some more time to think about a book. I just feel like I kept putting my kindle down too often at the beginning and even once I had gotten into it, it was just something I didn't feel like I HAD to finish.


I received this book as part of the Xpresso Book Tours.

[Gayle Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW

This was a fast paced read, which was like Emma's life. Her father and herself never stayed in one place long enough to really call home. Her father is a musician.

Emma's life is about to change into an adventurous, magical life. They finally moved into an old rundown apartment building. She noticed a weird little old lady living down the hall. The girls at school are known to be mean. She has strange dreams at night and sees her mother.
When she was in her room she could see brownies peaking out of the air vents. She finds out that they need her help. An evil witch intends to destroy both her home and the brownies' home.

How is Emma going to be able to help when the only way is to go underground to their world? Imagine, you may have brownies living under your home. Something to think about.

This book isn't just a good read for the tweens but for anyone. It is light, funny, adventurous and just a good clean little book. We all need to go to a little fantasy world now and then and this book allows that.I think the brownie world gave Emma the escape from the lonely life she lives.

Ms. Gough grabs you from the time you open the book and never lets you go. I would recommend this wonderful book to everyone, young and young at heart. Get a copy and join Emma and the brownies on their adventure with the wicked witch.

Be careful - don't step on the brownies.

Don't forget to follow Emma in WATER WORKS (Emma and the Elementals: Vol. 2).

I was given a complimentary copy of ROOT BOUND by Tanya Karen Gough from CBB Book Promotions for my honest opinion. No other compensation took place.

I would rate this book 4 BROWNIES.

[Indah · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads free reads giveaways*

Root Bound is a really adorable middle grade fantasy novel, that is just thoroughly enjoyable.
It follows Emma, a young girl who moves into a new town with her father. But immediately, she senses that something is off around the building, including the strange lady from down the hall; she looks like a witch! But Emma then meets the basement brownies, which is the start of an epic adventure through the Brownie Burrows.

Like I said before, Root Bound is a really fun read. The Brownies are adorable little creatures and the reader, however older than the target audience, quickly opens their heart for them. Emma is a fun protagonist to read about and the story of preserving nature, and even a bit of Greek Mythology, makes the book a great fantasy read.

However, I sometimes felt that the use of language was quite immature, with extensive descriptions of sounds and such, while sometimes it was increasingly more difficult, for a middle grade book, that is.

Also, there was a lot of foreshadowing on a boy that supposedly is being held captive by the witch, but only at the end you learn a little more about that, so that story arc is (purposely) left alone, creating space for the sequel to Root Bound, but I wish that the foreshadowing had only been at the ending, as I was waiting the entire book for something to be done with that.

Over all, Root Bound is a really nice middle grade story, but there definitely are better ones out there. Still, I hope it gets more recognition as I think many children will devour Emma's story and the world of the Brownies.

3 out of 5 stars

[Joana Arteaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma moves around a lot because of her father's job who is a musician. They move into their new home and Emma is glad to get her own room. There is something strange about her new home though. Emma feels that the building is alive and there's a creepy old lady that lives down the hall with a strange light coming out of her apartment. Emma's new school didn't make her feel any better though because she had bullies bothering as soon as she got there. Poor Emma! The action really begins when she meets basement brownies in the air vent. I loved the brownies they are my favorite part of the story. I loved Mat especially but they were all so funny.

I wanted to read this book because of the words "fast-paced, action fantasy" and "adventures involving magical creatures" in the book description. Since that's the type of books I am looking for lately I thought I would love Root Bound and I'm a little sad that I don't. It's a good story and I did like it but I just really wanted to love it. The beginning was a little slow for me but it gets better towards the middle and the ending is really good. I felt that there was too much description of little things that weren't so important and not enough action. I wanted to skip over to the action! Also I wanted to know more about the prince and if the prince (and the brownies of course) is in the second book I will definitely want to read that book too. I give Root Bound 3 stars.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and her father are always on the move. As a musician he has to move to where the jobs are. Emma has never stayed in one place for very long. They move to a new apartment building and Emma doesn't know what to think of it. It almost seems like the building is alive, but that is impossible. She meets a strange old woman who has strange noises and lights coming from her apartment. She starts having strange dreams about her mother. School is not much better. A group of girls take it upon themselves to make Emma miserable. Then Emma meets the "brownies" that live underneath her building. Humans are not supposed to see the brownies but Emma does. What do they want from Emma? Will she be able to help them and save their home form an evil force?

This was such a good YA Fantasy. This is a really quick read and the story flows. A bit of a slow start at the beginning but all the magic starts to happen when we meet the brownies. Emma is such a sweet and lonely girl. I have lived in the same place all my life and cannot comprehend having to move as much as she does. She takes it all in stride and it is normal to her. I recommend this book for all fantasy fans. Let Emma and the brownies take you on a magical, mystery adventure. I am looking forward to more books in this series.