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The Dry
West Virginia, 1895.
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn’t account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He discovers a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere. Deciding who to trust may prove to be his greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on Elliot's choice.
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn’t account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He discovers a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere. Deciding who to trust may prove to be his greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on Elliot's choice.
251 pages, ebook
First published November 12, 2013
13 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Nolen
5 books48 followersI am an author and an avid reader and must have stacks on my to-be-read shelves at all times. I am in a few book clubs and reading circles. I read suspense, British murder mysteries, YA, and children's books.
All reviews are offered free, without any obligation, and are my express opinion only.
Follow me www.instagram.com/rlnolen55
twitter name @rlnolen
website:
www.rebeccanolen.com
All reviews are offered free, without any obligation, and are my express opinion only.
Follow me www.instagram.com/rlnolen55
twitter name @rlnolen
website:
www.rebeccanolen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 27, 2015
“Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.”
----Jim Morrison
R.L. Nolen, an American author, has penned an enticing as well as thrilling middle grade book, The Dry , which traces the journey of a 12-year old boy who embarks on a path to search for his newspaper journalist father who went missing after he went to look for the missing children, possibly involved in child slavery, in some dilapidated part of a strange and mysterious mine town.
Synopsis:
West Virginia, 1895.
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn’t account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He discovers a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere. Deciding who to trust may prove to be his greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on Elliot's choice.
The book opens at a drought-affected land somewhere in West Virginia where a young boy, named, Elliot Sweeney, embarks upon a journey to find his missing father when his father's search rescue team called off their mission to find him. Soon Elliot meets a young girl named, Left, who too is looking for her missing brother, who worked in the col mines. On their way, they chances upon a scary rat-like looking ma, or rather say a rat man named, Mr. Nogard and a lost and forgotten world, Penumbra, separated by a Dry side and a Water side. But in the Dry side there is a dragon and ruled "The Wicked Prince of Every Place", named, Prince LeVane, a huge monster wasp, who hires children to work in his mines. And now it's Elliot's decision to take a brave step to go to the Queen of the Water, Tosia, and to help him rescue those helpless children.
Firstly, the story is absolutely mind-blowing and thoroughly engrossing enough for the readers to keep them hooked till the very last page. And since the author have included so many action-packed events that provides a fast pace to the book. The narrative is kept catchy and thoughtful and layered with emotions. The graphic detailing and vivid description of each events makes the story a complete page turner.
The backdrop of the story and especially the world building of Penumbra is very striking and excellently done with enough information for the readers to understand the hows and whys of this strange insect-filled and drought-affected land. The author sets her readers mood right into the very heart of the story by unraveling the strangeness of this dark, scary world moment-by-moment.
The characters from the main protagonist to the evil ones are all strongly developed masking them with flaws that can induce fear in her readers' minds. Elliot is an ever-growing character who grew out of his fear till the very last page and though he is a 12-year old boy, still his mind progresses like an adult and it is real easy for the readers to connect with his and his fear.
The wasps play a huge role in this book as each chapter begins with an important wasp fact that holds the key to the following events. And I believe, after reading this book and reaching that satisfying climax, the readers are bound to get some giant-wasp-filled-nightmares for a while.
The book deals a lot with trust issues, like on his way to find his father, Elliot meets a man named, Mr. Jack. In the begining he had trouble believing in his stories, so he runs away with his donkey and the author does a great job in building that misunderstood trust in his heart for Mr. Jack. The adrenaline-rushing moments and the action-packed events make the book one hell of an edgy roller-coaster ride.
Verdict: All YA lovers, especially dystopian fans, will highly appeal to this book.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Rebecca Nolen, for giving me an opportunity in reading her book, in return for an honest review.
----Jim Morrison
R.L. Nolen, an American author, has penned an enticing as well as thrilling middle grade book, The Dry , which traces the journey of a 12-year old boy who embarks on a path to search for his newspaper journalist father who went missing after he went to look for the missing children, possibly involved in child slavery, in some dilapidated part of a strange and mysterious mine town.
Synopsis:
West Virginia, 1895.
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn’t account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He discovers a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere. Deciding who to trust may prove to be his greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on Elliot's choice.
The book opens at a drought-affected land somewhere in West Virginia where a young boy, named, Elliot Sweeney, embarks upon a journey to find his missing father when his father's search rescue team called off their mission to find him. Soon Elliot meets a young girl named, Left, who too is looking for her missing brother, who worked in the col mines. On their way, they chances upon a scary rat-like looking ma, or rather say a rat man named, Mr. Nogard and a lost and forgotten world, Penumbra, separated by a Dry side and a Water side. But in the Dry side there is a dragon and ruled "The Wicked Prince of Every Place", named, Prince LeVane, a huge monster wasp, who hires children to work in his mines. And now it's Elliot's decision to take a brave step to go to the Queen of the Water, Tosia, and to help him rescue those helpless children.
Firstly, the story is absolutely mind-blowing and thoroughly engrossing enough for the readers to keep them hooked till the very last page. And since the author have included so many action-packed events that provides a fast pace to the book. The narrative is kept catchy and thoughtful and layered with emotions. The graphic detailing and vivid description of each events makes the story a complete page turner.
The backdrop of the story and especially the world building of Penumbra is very striking and excellently done with enough information for the readers to understand the hows and whys of this strange insect-filled and drought-affected land. The author sets her readers mood right into the very heart of the story by unraveling the strangeness of this dark, scary world moment-by-moment.
The characters from the main protagonist to the evil ones are all strongly developed masking them with flaws that can induce fear in her readers' minds. Elliot is an ever-growing character who grew out of his fear till the very last page and though he is a 12-year old boy, still his mind progresses like an adult and it is real easy for the readers to connect with his and his fear.
The wasps play a huge role in this book as each chapter begins with an important wasp fact that holds the key to the following events. And I believe, after reading this book and reaching that satisfying climax, the readers are bound to get some giant-wasp-filled-nightmares for a while.
The book deals a lot with trust issues, like on his way to find his father, Elliot meets a man named, Mr. Jack. In the begining he had trouble believing in his stories, so he runs away with his donkey and the author does a great job in building that misunderstood trust in his heart for Mr. Jack. The adrenaline-rushing moments and the action-packed events make the book one hell of an edgy roller-coaster ride.
Verdict: All YA lovers, especially dystopian fans, will highly appeal to this book.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Rebecca Nolen, for giving me an opportunity in reading her book, in return for an honest review.
March 31, 2014
I haven’t read a book that kept me glued to it, in a while. This one did! The Dry was like an exciting combination of Stephen King and Tolkein. It reminded me a lot of the “The Dark Tower” series by Stephen King, but in a style that children and adults could understand and enjoy.
The setting of the book is fantastical and the description, detailed. You can visualize and feel “The Dry” ambience, which permeates the book. This is not just a quest, it is also a coming of age portrayal of Elliot Sweeney, and how he learns, adapts and becomes stronger with each new monstrosity that threatens him. His little fellowship is quirky and endearing and you can’t help but fall in love with each of the characters. Even the bad guys (bugs or worse) have well developed personalities.
I am in awe of the creativeness of Rebecca Nolen’s mind. To create a fantasy that is terrifying but believable is true genius. An exciting read and a wonderful adventure!
The setting of the book is fantastical and the description, detailed. You can visualize and feel “The Dry” ambience, which permeates the book. This is not just a quest, it is also a coming of age portrayal of Elliot Sweeney, and how he learns, adapts and becomes stronger with each new monstrosity that threatens him. His little fellowship is quirky and endearing and you can’t help but fall in love with each of the characters. Even the bad guys (bugs or worse) have well developed personalities.
I am in awe of the creativeness of Rebecca Nolen’s mind. To create a fantasy that is terrifying but believable is true genius. An exciting read and a wonderful adventure!
October 9, 2014
This review is from my blog at http://dickenslibrary.blogspot.ca/
In 1895, the state of Virginia was experiencing a "deathly dry," a drought so intense that "thick clouds of dust hung chest high all day. Open windows let it inside where it coated every surface." In the midst of this, a journalist, Sam Sweeney, left his son with his uncle, and set off to discover why children were going missing from a coal mine. Then he too he disappeared. Three months later, when the search for him was called off, his 12 year old son, Elliot, went to search for him.
Luckily, Elliot met up with Lefty, a young girl, who was searching for a brother who had gone to work in the coal mines but never returned. Soon the two of them ended up racing for their lives from Mr Nogard, a malevolent rat like man.
Their search takes them deep underground into the world of Penumbra: a world long ago fractured into a Dry side and a Water side, a world embroiled in a battle between good and evil. "There's a dragon, there's the insects so big they could chomp off a child's head in one bite, and of course, there's The Wicked Prince of Every Place himself"
It's a world wherein it appears that this evil creature, Prince Levane, a monstrosity composed of insects, and ruler of the Dry, might win. He collects child slaves to work his diamond mines and feed the water devouring moon he has created. If he manages to win, he will destroy all of Penumbra, and the upper world with it.
It's up to Elliot to travel across a fiery sea, climb a living mountain, meet up with Tosia, Queen of the Water, and convince her to help him rescue Lefty, his father, the other child slaves, and the earth itself.
Nolan has manufactured a sinister world here. She is gifted with the ability to craft sentences that set a dark and ominous atmosphere. Elliot has barely left home when tension and suspense is established in a few lines, "The landscape faded as dread darkness crept on spider legs across the fields. Nightfall always left him feeling like there wasn't enough air in the world."
Wasps have an important role in this saga. Hints of their role are revealed through the fascinating wasp facts that precede each new chapter.
This is a story about trust, about foolish misunderstandings, about love and loss and heartache. It's about redemption and new beginnings. It's also very creepy which makes it an ideal horror story for my readers.
It has an intense beginning which is sure to pull readers in. When the initial excitement faded, I had to work a bit to stay engaged. To be honest, I was sick when I started this and maybe nothing would really have grabbed me by the throat and kept me enthralled. Still, I was too often frustrated by the foolish decisions these children made. I also wanted more from Lefty who was relegated to the role of damsel in distress, never mind her plucky beginning.
In spite of my quibbles, I can think of a number of readers off the top of my head, who will love this dark and satisfying read.
In 1895, the state of Virginia was experiencing a "deathly dry," a drought so intense that "thick clouds of dust hung chest high all day. Open windows let it inside where it coated every surface." In the midst of this, a journalist, Sam Sweeney, left his son with his uncle, and set off to discover why children were going missing from a coal mine. Then he too he disappeared. Three months later, when the search for him was called off, his 12 year old son, Elliot, went to search for him.
Luckily, Elliot met up with Lefty, a young girl, who was searching for a brother who had gone to work in the coal mines but never returned. Soon the two of them ended up racing for their lives from Mr Nogard, a malevolent rat like man.
Their search takes them deep underground into the world of Penumbra: a world long ago fractured into a Dry side and a Water side, a world embroiled in a battle between good and evil. "There's a dragon, there's the insects so big they could chomp off a child's head in one bite, and of course, there's The Wicked Prince of Every Place himself"
It's a world wherein it appears that this evil creature, Prince Levane, a monstrosity composed of insects, and ruler of the Dry, might win. He collects child slaves to work his diamond mines and feed the water devouring moon he has created. If he manages to win, he will destroy all of Penumbra, and the upper world with it.
It's up to Elliot to travel across a fiery sea, climb a living mountain, meet up with Tosia, Queen of the Water, and convince her to help him rescue Lefty, his father, the other child slaves, and the earth itself.
Nolan has manufactured a sinister world here. She is gifted with the ability to craft sentences that set a dark and ominous atmosphere. Elliot has barely left home when tension and suspense is established in a few lines, "The landscape faded as dread darkness crept on spider legs across the fields. Nightfall always left him feeling like there wasn't enough air in the world."
Wasps have an important role in this saga. Hints of their role are revealed through the fascinating wasp facts that precede each new chapter.
This is a story about trust, about foolish misunderstandings, about love and loss and heartache. It's about redemption and new beginnings. It's also very creepy which makes it an ideal horror story for my readers.
It has an intense beginning which is sure to pull readers in. When the initial excitement faded, I had to work a bit to stay engaged. To be honest, I was sick when I started this and maybe nothing would really have grabbed me by the throat and kept me enthralled. Still, I was too often frustrated by the foolish decisions these children made. I also wanted more from Lefty who was relegated to the role of damsel in distress, never mind her plucky beginning.
In spite of my quibbles, I can think of a number of readers off the top of my head, who will love this dark and satisfying read.
March 31, 2015
The Dry is a historical fantasy or fairytale set in the late 1890’s of Virginia when children were used to work in the coal mines. A desperate drought has taken place in the area and Elliot has been left with his Uncle Nat while his newspaperman father searches out the story of missing children. He doesn't return when he's supposed to and so three months past his expected return date, Elliot, feeling his uncle's disgruntlement at his continued presence, sets out to find his father.
Elliot travels to a coal mine where the children are forced to work and ends up in a strange world called Penumbra. Penumbra is filled with creatures of all sorts that can talk and do all kinds of amazing things.
There are interesting facts about wasps at the beginning of each chapter that have nothing to do with the book, although there are wasps in the story. The author makes a note at the beginning of the book that the facts are there simply so that readers can learn 42 fascinating facts about wasps that they didn't know before (all without knowing they were learning something). I think that's a wonderful idea!
The Dry is rich with fun language: palindromes as well as uniquely and brilliantly descriptive word choices - "noodley grass tufted across the far bank", " trees stretched across like a crowd of old men warming their skinny limbs".
The Dry is a book that makes the reader think along with Elliot, for the words can have a double meanings. That's part of the twisting and turning in the plot of the story. There's plenty of that and it all happens fairly quickly too.
If you enjoy fantasy and fairytales, I suggest you give The Dry a read. I think you'll enjoy it. I rated it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
Elliot travels to a coal mine where the children are forced to work and ends up in a strange world called Penumbra. Penumbra is filled with creatures of all sorts that can talk and do all kinds of amazing things.
There are interesting facts about wasps at the beginning of each chapter that have nothing to do with the book, although there are wasps in the story. The author makes a note at the beginning of the book that the facts are there simply so that readers can learn 42 fascinating facts about wasps that they didn't know before (all without knowing they were learning something). I think that's a wonderful idea!
The Dry is rich with fun language: palindromes as well as uniquely and brilliantly descriptive word choices - "noodley grass tufted across the far bank", " trees stretched across like a crowd of old men warming their skinny limbs".
The Dry is a book that makes the reader think along with Elliot, for the words can have a double meanings. That's part of the twisting and turning in the plot of the story. There's plenty of that and it all happens fairly quickly too.
If you enjoy fantasy and fairytales, I suggest you give The Dry a read. I think you'll enjoy it. I rated it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
February 27, 2014
If you enjoy fantasy adventures like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and The Golden Compass, you will enjoy Rebecca Nolen’s The Dry. The story will engage young readers and adults alike. It is full of adventure that is packed with life lessons.
Crisp dialog moves along smoothly making it a pleasure to read aloud. Chapters are short, so the book is well suited for very busy schedules. As the plot thickens, a colorful cast-of-characters offer up much to discuss about courage, fear, loyalty, ethics, love, and the cycle-of-life.
Throughout the book, clever use of literary techniques paint vivid visual images and plant seeds of wisdom to ponder. Such as,
“The stone yielded a bit, like old bread dough”
“The revelation left him in an angry, disbelieving, fugue of shock”
“Along the banks, the snow gleamed with the barely-there lilac of twilight”
Elliott to Lefty “….we’d be spotted like two flies in a sugar bowl”
Tosia to Elliott “…It isn’t the instrument that makes the music, Elliott. It is the musician”
Little facts about wasp entomology that introduce each chapter, collectively create a tutorial to enlighten the reader to the nature of an often-misunderstood creature.
Being entertained while learning is a magical combination. The Dry achieves both!
Crisp dialog moves along smoothly making it a pleasure to read aloud. Chapters are short, so the book is well suited for very busy schedules. As the plot thickens, a colorful cast-of-characters offer up much to discuss about courage, fear, loyalty, ethics, love, and the cycle-of-life.
Throughout the book, clever use of literary techniques paint vivid visual images and plant seeds of wisdom to ponder. Such as,
“The stone yielded a bit, like old bread dough”
“The revelation left him in an angry, disbelieving, fugue of shock”
“Along the banks, the snow gleamed with the barely-there lilac of twilight”
Elliott to Lefty “….we’d be spotted like two flies in a sugar bowl”
Tosia to Elliott “…It isn’t the instrument that makes the music, Elliott. It is the musician”
Little facts about wasp entomology that introduce each chapter, collectively create a tutorial to enlighten the reader to the nature of an often-misunderstood creature.
Being entertained while learning is a magical combination. The Dry achieves both!
October 14, 2015
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Dry
Author: Rebecca Nolan
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 16
Readers’ Comments
‘This is a fun adventure story with lots of fantastatical elements thrown in. There’s a strong plot and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.’ Parent
‘Fantastic cover. The story was a little like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where Lucy finds a magical world. Lots happening.’ Girl, aged 10
‘My class enjoyed this story of a boy trying to find his father. It is generally well written, though I did sopt the odd typo and a few of the paragraphs need a little work. I liked the theme too: the love of a child for a parent and never giving up. But why the wasp facts? Odd! Still, fun for kids to learn.’ Teacher
‘The simile work in this story is very good. This author is a good, solid writer for children.’ Teacher
Stats
Of the 16 readers:
13 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the best part of the book was the plot.
3 (all teachers) felt the story needed an edit. Too many typos.
16 liked the cover.
‘An exciting, fantasy-filled adventure.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
Title: The Dry
Author: Rebecca Nolan
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 16
Readers’ Comments
‘This is a fun adventure story with lots of fantastatical elements thrown in. There’s a strong plot and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.’ Parent
‘Fantastic cover. The story was a little like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where Lucy finds a magical world. Lots happening.’ Girl, aged 10
‘My class enjoyed this story of a boy trying to find his father. It is generally well written, though I did sopt the odd typo and a few of the paragraphs need a little work. I liked the theme too: the love of a child for a parent and never giving up. But why the wasp facts? Odd! Still, fun for kids to learn.’ Teacher
‘The simile work in this story is very good. This author is a good, solid writer for children.’ Teacher
Stats
Of the 16 readers:
13 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the best part of the book was the plot.
3 (all teachers) felt the story needed an edit. Too many typos.
16 liked the cover.
‘An exciting, fantasy-filled adventure.’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
August 28, 2014
“The Dry” by Rebecca Nolen is a well written and engaging story about a young man who is searching for his father. His search lands him in the very bowels of the planet to find a world that no one would ever believe existed; a desert like world where water is scarce, the insects are gigantic and abuses of all manner abound.
Young Elliot is joined on his quest by a girl named Lefty who is searching for her missing brother. They are joined by Jack and an adorable blind mule named Beulah.
Rebecca Nolen weaves a fantasy tale that snatches your attention and almost refuses to let go. I found her world intriguing and frightening all at once. In a few scenes, the details were hard for me to visualize and each chapter started with a factoid about wasps. While these tidbits of information were fascinating, they really had nothing to do with the story within the chapter. These two items were a bit distracting, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
I enjoyed “The Dry” and I am looking forward to reading other works by Ms. Nolen. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Young Elliot is joined on his quest by a girl named Lefty who is searching for her missing brother. They are joined by Jack and an adorable blind mule named Beulah.
Rebecca Nolen weaves a fantasy tale that snatches your attention and almost refuses to let go. I found her world intriguing and frightening all at once. In a few scenes, the details were hard for me to visualize and each chapter started with a factoid about wasps. While these tidbits of information were fascinating, they really had nothing to do with the story within the chapter. These two items were a bit distracting, it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel.
I enjoyed “The Dry” and I am looking forward to reading other works by Ms. Nolen. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2013
Review on “The Dry” by Rebecca Nolen.
The Dry is an unexpected late Christmas joy. The author eases you into a beautifully sketched world that demands in a soft voice that you stay and enjoy the ride. The prose is fluid and flows from page to page but never lets go of the reader hand for a moment. A very rare feat is that Rebecca Nolen’s writing style is instantly accessible to all readers, no matter the age or background. Another big plus point is the use of emotive language that makes us care deeply for Elliot. We want to be there with him on his journey and we want to find out what happens with him. If I had to give some critique and believe me, I am nitpicking here; I would give more background and context to the happenings. This will provide a more than solid base of understanding for the reader and it will increase the emotional resonance even more. Maybe a dash more character description but that’s a minor gripe.
Marvelous, marvelous work Rebecca Nolen. You should rightly be proud of an outstanding book :)
The Dry is an unexpected late Christmas joy. The author eases you into a beautifully sketched world that demands in a soft voice that you stay and enjoy the ride. The prose is fluid and flows from page to page but never lets go of the reader hand for a moment. A very rare feat is that Rebecca Nolen’s writing style is instantly accessible to all readers, no matter the age or background. Another big plus point is the use of emotive language that makes us care deeply for Elliot. We want to be there with him on his journey and we want to find out what happens with him. If I had to give some critique and believe me, I am nitpicking here; I would give more background and context to the happenings. This will provide a more than solid base of understanding for the reader and it will increase the emotional resonance even more. Maybe a dash more character description but that’s a minor gripe.
Marvelous, marvelous work Rebecca Nolen. You should rightly be proud of an outstanding book :)
March 22, 2014
Reminiscent of Curdy's Goblin worlds of George MacDonald and the "anything can happen" quest of the Wizard of Oz, the Dry mixes cruel coal mining conditions with a fantastical underworld, magical creatures, and more bugs than you can shake a stick at.
The wasps featured prominently on the side of evil, but ended up being portrayed as ultimately good, a conclusion which my many wasp-stinged-memories have trouble with.
An uncomplicated plot and a somewhat guessable twist was cleverly veiled enough to be a surprise to younger readers, and I'm sure that this would be a fun book for parents to read aloud to their kids.
My favorite part was the burro, and the age-old adage that sometimes the blind see clearer than anyone.
I rated it three stars, since it didn't hook me particularly, and I only finished reading it so that I could provide an honest, well rounded critique that the free review copy deserved.
The wasps featured prominently on the side of evil, but ended up being portrayed as ultimately good, a conclusion which my many wasp-stinged-memories have trouble with.
An uncomplicated plot and a somewhat guessable twist was cleverly veiled enough to be a surprise to younger readers, and I'm sure that this would be a fun book for parents to read aloud to their kids.
My favorite part was the burro, and the age-old adage that sometimes the blind see clearer than anyone.
I rated it three stars, since it didn't hook me particularly, and I only finished reading it so that I could provide an honest, well rounded critique that the free review copy deserved.
April 17, 2014
Without preamble, Nolen rips right into the story and character-building at a wonderful pace. What an intricate maze of a plot! What magnificent colours and descriptions. And the sounds made by giant insects is surreal. I never knew only female wasps sting, or that there is a cicada wasp and a fairy wasp. Or many of those other interesting entomological gems.
And what an awesome picture book, or animated movie, this would make. CS Lewis. Tolkein. Stephen King. Starfish falling ‘off’ the sky, water babies, a blind burro, giant insects and caves and light and…slave children making diamond dust way down in the mines?
The boy Elliot, who is only twelve, chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice in his attempt to rescue his father, a reporter investigating child slave labor… And the adventures this lad goes through on his quest for the greater good are truly mind-blowing. Young or old, this book is gripping.
And what an awesome picture book, or animated movie, this would make. CS Lewis. Tolkein. Stephen King. Starfish falling ‘off’ the sky, water babies, a blind burro, giant insects and caves and light and…slave children making diamond dust way down in the mines?
The boy Elliot, who is only twelve, chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice in his attempt to rescue his father, a reporter investigating child slave labor… And the adventures this lad goes through on his quest for the greater good are truly mind-blowing. Young or old, this book is gripping.
March 2, 2014
The Dry by Rebecca Nolen is a novel that you will find impossible to put down – I know, I got a free review copy, and it grabbed my attention and refused to let go until I was done. An epic story of young Elliot Sweeney’s search for his missing father, it covers the waterfront of greed, exploitation, and child slavery.
Nolen is a master craftsman who uses dialogue and description to pull the reader into an unbelievable world of enslaved children and other-worldly creatures. But, she makes us believe – the creatures and places are painted with full-bodied brush strokes that enable us to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell along with Elliot.
Fantasy at its best – old or young, this is a story that will engage every sense and then some.
Nolen is a master craftsman who uses dialogue and description to pull the reader into an unbelievable world of enslaved children and other-worldly creatures. But, she makes us believe – the creatures and places are painted with full-bodied brush strokes that enable us to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell along with Elliot.
Fantasy at its best – old or young, this is a story that will engage every sense and then some.
July 15, 2014
I enjoyed the world building of this book, the continuous action, and the clever use of names and phrases that were the same whether they were read backwards or forwards.
The author uses a lot of details to help the reader visualize the magical realm of the world below ground… a place where giant insects and other creatures live on one side of a divide or the other.
Evil lurks in many places, but the main character, Elliott, manages to overcome the obstacles thrown in his path as he seeks to find and rescue both his father and the children who have gone missing the last few months. He is helped by some amazing, fantastical characters.
Much of the landscape in this book may be dry, but the story is anything but that. Lovers of fantasy will find this a wonderful read.
The author uses a lot of details to help the reader visualize the magical realm of the world below ground… a place where giant insects and other creatures live on one side of a divide or the other.
Evil lurks in many places, but the main character, Elliott, manages to overcome the obstacles thrown in his path as he seeks to find and rescue both his father and the children who have gone missing the last few months. He is helped by some amazing, fantastical characters.
Much of the landscape in this book may be dry, but the story is anything but that. Lovers of fantasy will find this a wonderful read.
August 27, 2014
“The Dry” by Rebecca Nolen is quite the surprising treat! The book gripped me almost instantly and it wasn’t long before I experienced the familiar pangs of fear in my gut. The tale of Elliot and his search for his missing father is woven beautifully and kept me hooked. The writing style is fast-paced and easy to keep up with. Nolen gives just enough detail to keep the reader satisfied without overburdening the narrative. There are little spooks and creeps scattered throughout, but when the action gets going, it really gets going! I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys thriller and horror.
(I downloaded the book for free - it was not given to me by the author in exchange for a review.)
(I downloaded the book for free - it was not given to me by the author in exchange for a review.)
May 21, 2014
A real page-turner!
I was immediately swept into the world of Elliot Sweeney when I started this book. I loved the author’s writing style and the language, which is very vivid and beautiful. This historical fantasy reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia, and I found myself mesmerized by the suspense and action; served with a hint of horror. The story really kept me glued until the very end and I can’t wait what the author has reserved for her readers in the future.
All though this is a coming of age novel for middle grade readers I think lovers of good fantasy and sci-fi of all ages will enjoy this book!
I was immediately swept into the world of Elliot Sweeney when I started this book. I loved the author’s writing style and the language, which is very vivid and beautiful. This historical fantasy reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia, and I found myself mesmerized by the suspense and action; served with a hint of horror. The story really kept me glued until the very end and I can’t wait what the author has reserved for her readers in the future.
All though this is a coming of age novel for middle grade readers I think lovers of good fantasy and sci-fi of all ages will enjoy this book!
October 20, 2014
Simply superb!
Rebecca Nolan takes us on an incredible journey into a fantasy world thriving with wondrous and sometimes frightening creatures. Written in a way that will appeal to all ages. Such vivid images and a host of marvellous characters ensure this book is truly engaging. This was well-paced and so imaginative. I’m certain this would make an awesome movie. I’m sure we’ll hear more from this gifted author.
Rebecca Nolan takes us on an incredible journey into a fantasy world thriving with wondrous and sometimes frightening creatures. Written in a way that will appeal to all ages. Such vivid images and a host of marvellous characters ensure this book is truly engaging. This was well-paced and so imaginative. I’m certain this would make an awesome movie. I’m sure we’ll hear more from this gifted author.
March 20, 2016
Although this book is geared toward a younger audience and I'm not generally drawn to the fantasy genre, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Rebecca Nolen is a skilled storyteller with a talent for laying out vivid descriptions. I fell in love with some of the minor characters, like Beula (the burrow) and Whitford (the hilariously indignant otter). I can see The Dry being made into a movie. In fact, I hope it will be. :)
February 10, 2014
Grab your middle grade kids and settle down with this book. You'll journey through a magic land of mines, mountains, and mystical creatures to follow a boy's journey to find his lost father. Elloit and the girl known as "Lefty" teach what the importance of friendship, family, and staying true to yourself.
July 24, 2014
I thought the book was absolutely fantastic to read. I had happy tears in my eyes as I read the last chapter of such an amazing story. I would definitely read this story again and again. I was so excited when I got The Dry in the mail I was absolutely hooked. I enjoyed reading it so much. I don't think I could have read it fast enough! The Dry is definitely one of my new favorite books.
July 16, 2014
This was so exciting. Once started, I could hardly put it down. Read the whole thing in 3 days. For me, that's quick. I love the freaky insects and the riddles. It kept me riveted. Thanks for a great read!
December 30, 2017
Perfect
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2018
This book should be made into a movie! I could not put it down!
August 1, 2014
Inspired by watching the battles of various bugs and critters in her garden, and their continual fight for survival, the author came up with the ideas for 'The Dry'. The book is set in West Virginia in 1895, and looks at the plight of the children of the mines during that era. It starts off in the real world, and very soon delves beneath the earth into a whole other kingdom.
In this new world, twelve year old Elliot finds himself surrounded by monsters, villains, and many riddles to solve. If he wants to save his father, and rescue the whole planet from the devastating drought, he must prevail.
This is a story of letting go, sacrifice, love and hope.
I would say that the book is aimed at middle grade readers, or thereabouts. However, there are some words in there that are pretty sophisticated for that reading level. I don't feel this is one of those books which crosses over well into an adult read, unlike other children's books I have read. The plot was cohesive; however, there were many, many strands that weren't fully explored, and left me wanting something more. The characters were well portrayed, but the scenes were too short to really get a grip on the moment. The pacing was fast and well maintained, but--despite this--it struggled to keep my attention most of the time.
While a lot of the writing is tight and immediate, there is also a lot that is extremely passive, and some of it pretty verbiose. There are a number of spelling mistakes and obvious typos, so the proofreading needs a revisit. Likewise, some of the comma placements could do with revision, and I feel the book needs further editing attention. Which is a shame, as the author does name an editor in the acknowledgements.
Each new chapter heading was preceded with a snippet of information on wasps, which was informative and interesting. However, I kept looking for some connection between each snippet and the chapter contents. If there was one, it has escaped the detection of my curiosity.
I loved the bits which played on words, and especially the phrases which read the same forwards as they do backwards--I thought that was very cleverly done, and entertaining.
The book cover is fantastic and certainly eye catching--if not a little scary!
Having read Rebecca Nolen's adult book: Deadly Thyme, I was looking forward to this read, as I thoroughly enjoyed that offering. However, this one just fell down in so many places for me. As it stands, I don't feel I can rate this any higher than Three out of Five stars. Which means it is worth a read, but not a 'wow' kind of a book. With further editing and proofreading, I can see this achieving Four Stars.
This is an author I would recommend, and this is a book that might be fun for parents and children to read together. Especially if they like a good, traditional fantasy kind of a book. It explores some important issues found when moving from the innocent oblivion of a sheltered childhood, into being wiser and more aware of the world, and learning to make up your own mind about things. All of which was sensitively done.
In this new world, twelve year old Elliot finds himself surrounded by monsters, villains, and many riddles to solve. If he wants to save his father, and rescue the whole planet from the devastating drought, he must prevail.
This is a story of letting go, sacrifice, love and hope.
I would say that the book is aimed at middle grade readers, or thereabouts. However, there are some words in there that are pretty sophisticated for that reading level. I don't feel this is one of those books which crosses over well into an adult read, unlike other children's books I have read. The plot was cohesive; however, there were many, many strands that weren't fully explored, and left me wanting something more. The characters were well portrayed, but the scenes were too short to really get a grip on the moment. The pacing was fast and well maintained, but--despite this--it struggled to keep my attention most of the time.
While a lot of the writing is tight and immediate, there is also a lot that is extremely passive, and some of it pretty verbiose. There are a number of spelling mistakes and obvious typos, so the proofreading needs a revisit. Likewise, some of the comma placements could do with revision, and I feel the book needs further editing attention. Which is a shame, as the author does name an editor in the acknowledgements.
Each new chapter heading was preceded with a snippet of information on wasps, which was informative and interesting. However, I kept looking for some connection between each snippet and the chapter contents. If there was one, it has escaped the detection of my curiosity.
I loved the bits which played on words, and especially the phrases which read the same forwards as they do backwards--I thought that was very cleverly done, and entertaining.
The book cover is fantastic and certainly eye catching--if not a little scary!
Having read Rebecca Nolen's adult book: Deadly Thyme, I was looking forward to this read, as I thoroughly enjoyed that offering. However, this one just fell down in so many places for me. As it stands, I don't feel I can rate this any higher than Three out of Five stars. Which means it is worth a read, but not a 'wow' kind of a book. With further editing and proofreading, I can see this achieving Four Stars.
This is an author I would recommend, and this is a book that might be fun for parents and children to read together. Especially if they like a good, traditional fantasy kind of a book. It explores some important issues found when moving from the innocent oblivion of a sheltered childhood, into being wiser and more aware of the world, and learning to make up your own mind about things. All of which was sensitively done.
July 31, 2015
As with most of my recent reads, I saw some buzz about The Dry on Twitter, so I checked it out. The blurb was intriguing, and I picked it up. Good choice!
Synopsis (from the author): West Virginia, 1895
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn't account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He finds a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere.
˃˃˃ Greed! Drought! Child-slavery!
Elliot must decide who to trust, the horrible Prince LeVane who is turning the entire world to dust, has enslaved hundreds of children, and is working his father to death? (If Elliot doesn't go to the water lands to retrieve the mysterious knife that LeVane demands, his father will die.) Or should Elliot trust the fascinating water nymph, Queen Tosia, who says she will help him rescue his father? But then he overhears her making plans to kill him.
˃˃˃ A page turner!
Will loyalty, family, and love prevail over greed and exploitation? Deciding who to trust may prove to be Elliot's greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on his choice.
What I liked: Rebecca Nolen created a horrific scenario of a deadly drought that is devastating the country, and a missing father trying to discover why children are disappearing. Elliot, the missing newspaper reporter’s son, sets off to find his father, and the adventure begins. The boy meets Lefty, a young girl searching for her brother, is sucked into a fantastic underground world, fights bugs, wasps, and other creatures, including Prince LeVane, the evil ruler of the dry world underground. Good story, great characters, sacrifices for family and friends, and an innocent look at the world make this an amazing read. It made me want to be a part of the adventure! The interesting facts about the wasps added a nice little touch, too.
What I didn’t like: The flow of the story was a little rambling, and some parts were disconnected to me, and took me out of the story occasionally.
Overall impression: I enjoyed the book. I connected with Elliot’s character and appreciated the actions of the wasps. And, I learned cool things about wasps! Overall, it was an excellent read for MG and above!
My rating: 4.5 Stars
Synopsis (from the author): West Virginia, 1895
A deadly dry spell has left the earth parched and souls desperate. Crops are failing. Cities are starving. A missing newspaper man doesn't account for much in times so terrible, except to the twelve-year-old son he left behind. When Elliot Sweeney discovers the search for his father has been called off, he boards a train alone to find him.
His quest leads Elliot into the depths of an abandoned mine, with a peculiar pocket watch, a blind burro, and a gutsy girl at his side. He finds a world he never dreamed of, even in his worst nightmares, and lands smack in the middle of a war between two kingdoms. Monstrous insects, smiling villains, and dark riddles are everywhere.
˃˃˃ Greed! Drought! Child-slavery!
Elliot must decide who to trust, the horrible Prince LeVane who is turning the entire world to dust, has enslaved hundreds of children, and is working his father to death? (If Elliot doesn't go to the water lands to retrieve the mysterious knife that LeVane demands, his father will die.) Or should Elliot trust the fascinating water nymph, Queen Tosia, who says she will help him rescue his father? But then he overhears her making plans to kill him.
˃˃˃ A page turner!
Will loyalty, family, and love prevail over greed and exploitation? Deciding who to trust may prove to be Elliot's greatest challenge, while the fate of the world above hangs on his choice.
What I liked: Rebecca Nolen created a horrific scenario of a deadly drought that is devastating the country, and a missing father trying to discover why children are disappearing. Elliot, the missing newspaper reporter’s son, sets off to find his father, and the adventure begins. The boy meets Lefty, a young girl searching for her brother, is sucked into a fantastic underground world, fights bugs, wasps, and other creatures, including Prince LeVane, the evil ruler of the dry world underground. Good story, great characters, sacrifices for family and friends, and an innocent look at the world make this an amazing read. It made me want to be a part of the adventure! The interesting facts about the wasps added a nice little touch, too.
What I didn’t like: The flow of the story was a little rambling, and some parts were disconnected to me, and took me out of the story occasionally.
Overall impression: I enjoyed the book. I connected with Elliot’s character and appreciated the actions of the wasps. And, I learned cool things about wasps! Overall, it was an excellent read for MG and above!
My rating: 4.5 Stars
March 27, 2014
2.5 stars
Another reviewer has compared The Dry to Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which is a serious overstatement of both Rebecca Nolen's writing and her world-building. While it started off as mildly entertaining, The Dry quickly became a runaway mess, with too many plot strands for such a short book. In addition to the main storyline, in which Elliot Sweeney is trying to find his missing father, there were several other stories which were hinted at but not developed: the schism between the kingdoms of Water and Dry; the betrayal of the Queen by two of her key advisors and their resulting physical alterations; the love story between those two advisors, which might or might not explain why they betrayed the Queen; the relevance of the clock face and the Twelfth Sun; the role of the Watcher; the alliance between the United Vespid Kingdom and the Dry; etc., etc., etc. The worlds created by Tolkien and Rowling were developed over several books; Nolen simply tried to do too much in The Dry, with the result being that the main plot felt weak.
Nolen also opened each chapter with a factoid regarding wasps. I kept looking for some connection between the opening factoid and the events of the subsequent chapter, but there was none. I also expected, given these introductory comments, that the wasps would play a much more significant role than they actually did. By the end, I felt cheated because neither of these expectations was fulfilled.
There were some fresh and interesting details in this fantasy; I particularly liked the concept of stone sickness, and I loved Beulah, the blind burro. Unfortunately, these gems were not given the opportunity to stand out amid all of the other dross.
Reviewer L. Fabry suggests that The Dry would appeal to middle grade readers, and I agree. However, it did not have the necessary sophistication to have cross-over appeal for adults.
I received a free copy of The Dry through Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
Another reviewer has compared The Dry to Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, which is a serious overstatement of both Rebecca Nolen's writing and her world-building. While it started off as mildly entertaining, The Dry quickly became a runaway mess, with too many plot strands for such a short book. In addition to the main storyline, in which Elliot Sweeney is trying to find his missing father, there were several other stories which were hinted at but not developed: the schism between the kingdoms of Water and Dry; the betrayal of the Queen by two of her key advisors and their resulting physical alterations; the love story between those two advisors, which might or might not explain why they betrayed the Queen; the relevance of the clock face and the Twelfth Sun; the role of the Watcher; the alliance between the United Vespid Kingdom and the Dry; etc., etc., etc. The worlds created by Tolkien and Rowling were developed over several books; Nolen simply tried to do too much in The Dry, with the result being that the main plot felt weak.
Nolen also opened each chapter with a factoid regarding wasps. I kept looking for some connection between the opening factoid and the events of the subsequent chapter, but there was none. I also expected, given these introductory comments, that the wasps would play a much more significant role than they actually did. By the end, I felt cheated because neither of these expectations was fulfilled.
There were some fresh and interesting details in this fantasy; I particularly liked the concept of stone sickness, and I loved Beulah, the blind burro. Unfortunately, these gems were not given the opportunity to stand out amid all of the other dross.
Reviewer L. Fabry suggests that The Dry would appeal to middle grade readers, and I agree. However, it did not have the necessary sophistication to have cross-over appeal for adults.
I received a free copy of The Dry through Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2014
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion; spoilers possible*
Summary: Elliot Sweeney hops on a train looking for his father and finds himself in a fantasy world.
Random Comments:
The beginning of this book started off strong. I loved the characterization done with Lefty, but events midway through all but removed her from the book for a good chunk. To me, that left the middle floundering for a "human touch." The nymphs and talking creatures were decently drawn but that lack of a human touch kind of made me lose interest for much of the middle.
Dialogue - believable, maybe slightly on the hokey side at times but fitting
Characterization - starts strong until they get into the mine... Elliots probably the most in depth character but everybody else is stock (evil prince, good queen, faithful soldier, etc)
Plot - I struggled with this one. Although events presented the characters with danger, I didn't feel a sense of urgency. It's hard to put a finger on what I "feel" was off. Maybe there's just too much going on. Maybe I just missed a few key points. Maybe it just wasn't "my cup of tea" as the cliche goes.
Wasp factoids - I found them interesting. They had zip to do with the story, but I liked them all the same. The science geek in me was loving learning new things.
Conclusion: Books with talking creatures aren't generally my first-tier options, but as long as there's a strong human element, I'm there. I very much enjoyed the beginning where the focus was on Elliot and Lefty and their quest, but when the plot meandered into the fantasy portion, I found it too easy to mentally check out.
Recommended reader age = Middle Grade.
Do I think others will like it? Sure, Elliot and Lefty are interesting characters. Just because I didn't click with the book, doesn't mean much in the long run. If the premise appeals to you and fantasy's your favorite genre, try it.
Summary: Elliot Sweeney hops on a train looking for his father and finds himself in a fantasy world.
Random Comments:
The beginning of this book started off strong. I loved the characterization done with Lefty, but events midway through all but removed her from the book for a good chunk. To me, that left the middle floundering for a "human touch." The nymphs and talking creatures were decently drawn but that lack of a human touch kind of made me lose interest for much of the middle.
Dialogue - believable, maybe slightly on the hokey side at times but fitting
Characterization - starts strong until they get into the mine... Elliots probably the most in depth character but everybody else is stock (evil prince, good queen, faithful soldier, etc)
Plot - I struggled with this one. Although events presented the characters with danger, I didn't feel a sense of urgency. It's hard to put a finger on what I "feel" was off. Maybe there's just too much going on. Maybe I just missed a few key points. Maybe it just wasn't "my cup of tea" as the cliche goes.
Wasp factoids - I found them interesting. They had zip to do with the story, but I liked them all the same. The science geek in me was loving learning new things.
Conclusion: Books with talking creatures aren't generally my first-tier options, but as long as there's a strong human element, I'm there. I very much enjoyed the beginning where the focus was on Elliot and Lefty and their quest, but when the plot meandered into the fantasy portion, I found it too easy to mentally check out.
Recommended reader age = Middle Grade.
Do I think others will like it? Sure, Elliot and Lefty are interesting characters. Just because I didn't click with the book, doesn't mean much in the long run. If the premise appeals to you and fantasy's your favorite genre, try it.
December 2, 2014
An interesting concept for middle grade readers with the unusual thread winding through about the goodness of wasps.
Child labour, parental love, loyalty, trust and purity...ooh, there's a lot of themes running through this book, all culminating in an ending that leaves the door wide open for a sequel, while not ending in a cliffhanger.
There's a whole series of wasp facts at the start of each chapter of this book, which I found difficult to connect to the content of some of the chapters they were presented with, but they certainly were fascinating.
A good adventure for children along the lines of the Narnia series.
Child labour, parental love, loyalty, trust and purity...ooh, there's a lot of themes running through this book, all culminating in an ending that leaves the door wide open for a sequel, while not ending in a cliffhanger.
There's a whole series of wasp facts at the start of each chapter of this book, which I found difficult to connect to the content of some of the chapters they were presented with, but they certainly were fascinating.
A good adventure for children along the lines of the Narnia series.
March 6, 2014
A boy who searches for his missing father... hmm where did I hear that premise before :D I liked the premise so I picked the book. Great world building; I like the setting/description of the draught (and the thirst for water). I rooted for Elliot the protagonist, and although I skimmed over the last chapters (the battle), I enjoyed the ride this book gave me.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
August 27, 2016
This is a children's book with crossover appeal. Set in the coal country of West Virginia in 1895 during what was a historic drought that devastated the region. Could the drought have been caused by a madman below the mine, using the blood of children to power his mad machine that sucks the earth dry? This playful mix of fact and fiction brings to light a power play between good and evil that leaves you guessing.
July 23, 2014
I received this book as a first reads giveaway from Goodreads. This book has a very good premise. I realize this book is written for maybe grades 3-6 but I found the writing very minimalistic. There were many instances in the book where a bit more backstory and explanation or description would have served the story well.
August 20, 2014
I guess I just did not see what most everyone else did about this book. I did not find it creepy or fascinating. I found it to be a little confusing at times. Nothing really stuck out as great with this story. I was reaaly looking foward to reading it too.
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