OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is a volunteer review of "Belas Rift" by Stephan von Clinkerhoffen.]

Stephan von Clinkerhoffen’s Belas Rift is a fantasy read that transports you, along with the main characters Stig and Meg, on a quest to 21st century England. They are out to save their Motherland from an evil human intent on destroying it. There are various clues, mysteries, and adventures that await the two. So laugh along with them as they give funny names to human technology, play games with them as they trick some unsuspecting people, and feel your heart beat a bit faster wondering when they are going to get caught.

I wanted to read this because I like to be able to recommend books to the younger ones in my family. I admit, as I was reading the synopsis, I was being a little judge-y. One of my first thoughts was, “Why did I pick the fantasy-out-of-this-world-go-to-another-dimension book?” This thought plagued my mind in the very beginning as I was reading. This is probably why I could not get into it at first. I had to reread the first chapter a few times, but after that I knew it would be a good one.

The real life places are where the author actually grew up, but are told from the main characters’ points of views. So we understand, or in Stig and Meg’s case, do not understand humans and their way of life. This can be a bit confusing for the reader, or maybe it was just me. Yes, it was just me. Yet, that is what made it a fun read all the same. Trying to figure out all the puzzle pieces, I felt the frustrated emotions, just as the characters did. I felt the confusion, as they did. I felt the tense moments, as they did. I felt the exciting and scary moments, the same as they did. I enjoy it when I feel as if I am the character or with them in the story. Isn’t that what we all want sometimes? Most of us want to escape into a good book, to become the characters or the characters’ friends. I was way too into the story at some points. It was not ridiculous to me at all that I thought I was the third unnamed character from the Motherland. I was traveling right along with Stig and Meg. No one can tell my any differently. I was in the story.

Stig and Meg are funny in their own right. I love their banter, and characters that have great one-liners, always make it to my top-ten. I like how there is no blatant romance, which is good because they are so young. The story focused on their main goal. The reader can tell they have the usual childhood crush; it is kind of like blink and then you are back into the thick of it.

One of my favorites from this book are the pictures! I was in love with them and how they accompanied various chapters. There would be certain scenes described in the book and look! There lay a lovely picture, which made the story come to life for me. They were done so beautifully, like watercolors. It was pleasing to the eye. Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face.

I would definitely read this again and I believe I would discover things I missed from the first go around. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars because any reader could tell that this book is professionally edited. Sentences or words that I thought were errors were just the characters way of speaking. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Who wouldn’t want to experience a delightful story of mystery, mayhem, fantasy, and adventure to read to the younger generation? Or even the young and older adults. I have no shame.

******
Belas Rift
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like TaaraLynn's review? Post a comment saying so!

I also enjoyed Stig and Meg. I felt they portrayed positive characteristics for young people who may read this book. Your comments about the pictures were also great. Nice review!

Yes, very true! Thank you!

What a quirky book! I always love when outsiders give names to everyday objects, it's so funny Sounds like an interesting book!

What is the suggested age range for this book? Middlegrade? You’ve definitely managed to capture my attention with this one. I think it can always be fun to go back to the sort of books that I might’ve enjoyed as a child. Thanks for your review!

SPasciuti wrote: ↑08 Feb 2018, 00:14 What is the suggested age range for this book? Middlegrade? You’ve definitely managed to capture my attention with this one. I think it can always be fun to go back to the sort of books that I might’ve enjoyed as a child. Thanks for your review!

Grade level 4-6! I definitely think this would've been on my childhood bookshelf!

The real life places are where the author actually grew up, but are told from the main characters’ points of views. So we understand, or in Stig and Meg’s case, do not understand humans and their way of life. This can be a bit confusing for the reader, or maybe it was just me. Yes, it was just me. Yet, that is what made it a fun read all the same. Trying to figure out all the puzzle pieces, I felt the frustrated emotions, just as the characters did. I felt the confusion, as they did. I felt the tense moments, as they did. I felt the exciting and scary moments, the same as they did. I enjoy it when I feel as if I am the character or with them in the story. Isn’t that what we all want sometimes? Most of us want to escape into a good book, to become the characters or the characters’ friends. I was way too into the story at some points. It was not ridiculous to me at all that I thought I was the third unnamed character from the Motherland. I was traveling right along with Stig and Meg. No one can tell my any differently. I was in the story.

Stig and Meg are funny in their own right. I love their banter, and characters that have great one-liners, always make it to my top-ten. I like how there is no blatant romance, which is good because they are so young. The story focused on their main goal. The reader can tell they have the usual childhood crush; it is kind of like blink and then you are back into the thick of it.

One of my favorites from this book are the pictures! I was in love with them and how they accompanied various chapters. There would be certain scenes described in the book and look! There lay a lovely picture, which made the story come to life for me. They were done so beautifully, like watercolors. It was pleasing to the eye. Just thinking about them brings a smile to my face.

That is amazing that an author can draw the reader into the story to feel and think like one of the characters! I like how the book focuses on Stig and Meg's main goal and not on any romance, making it a nice read for young readers (and for adults). This book sounds like it has some humorous speech and nice pictures, as well as, a good story. Thanks for your review.