Review of Julu

Postby Natalie Theis de Pareja »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Julu" by Jan Anderegg.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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The book [I]Julu[/I], by Jan Anderegg, is about a family and their lives and adventures. The author fills the story with fantastical creatures and evil beings. Revolving around a magical land, Julu leaps around time and places as the characters complete their quests. First, we meet Jack and Mia, who are not only neighbors and friends; they also share a more powerful bond. Next, we meet Julu, a unique being who guides not only Jack and Mia but other characters as well. Then there is Guardian Karel, who watches over the stories in The Great Library. Also, there are mythical animals, celestial beings, a couple of royal families, and famous people. So jump onto a beautiful shape-shifting dragon's back and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

There are many things that I enjoyed in the book [I]Julu[/I]. The first is that the story is fascinating. As an avid reader, I would spend most of my time visiting the places within the pages of books. Going through a wardrobe into Narnia, climbing the moving staircases at Hogwarts, and meeting a literary hero; would be a dream come true. Second, I liked the casual introductions to famous people in history. Who wouldn't want to meet Abraham Lincoln while writing his famous speech? How about meeting Florence Nightingale? I also enjoyed the messages Jan Anderegg wove through the story. Love is essential, but revenge costs more than you realize. Another thing was that the books written about evil things weren't rejected from the library but stored in a place that was not easily accessible by the innocent. Books shouldn't be banned because someone doesn't like the subject matter. They are as important as every other book. Lastly, I enjoyed learning the background of the characters. Knowing more about the characters made them more three-dimensional.

As for things I did not like about the book, I can only think of one. I'm sad that the book ended as it did. As this is the first story in a series, it makes sense for the entire story not to be told in one book. Of course, this will ensure I get the next book in the series.

I am thrilled to rate [I]Julu[/I]4 out of 4 stars. It was so wonderfully written and well edited. I enjoyed reading the book so much that I found it difficult to put it down. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

I recommend this book to mature teenagers and adults. The author describes some scary events in great detail, which could be frightening for an immature reader.

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Julu
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