The Black Shard - Book #Review

I am excited to be bringing you another book from Victoria Simcox, The Black Shard is a sequel to The Magic Warble. You can read my review of The Magic Warble from back in June.

Reunited with her gnome, dwarf, animal, fairy friends … and best of all, Werrien, things seem like they couldn’t get any better for Kristina. But when Werrien becomes fascinated with an unusual seeing stone, the “Black Shard”, Kristina is haunted by a ghostlike old hag. Struggling against suspicion, guilt, illness, and ultimately the one who wants to possess her soul, Kristina will see it’s in her weakest moment that she will encounter more strength than she has ever known.

 I love book series because it is like coming back to an old friend. I enjoyed the character of Kristina Kingsly in the first book, and was happy to be right along with her as she finds herself once again in Bernovem.

Quite by accident, Kristina is back and with her least favorite people, Davina & Hester. Of course the visit is anything but boring. With old friends as well as new, this journey is just as memorable as the first.

In the first book, Kristina went from feeling out of place to finding her own self-worth and confidence in Bernovem. I would have liked to see this stronger character more in book 2. I felt in the beginning, at the horse camp, she had fallen back into old habits. Though this book could easily be enjoyed by either a boy or girl, for my little girl I like her to read about characters with high self-esteem. I think with everything Kristina has accomplished she has earned the right to hold her head up proudly.

*Update - After hearing from the author, Victoria Simcox shed some light on Kristina and her motivation for making the character, as I called it, weak. I think it changed my perspective on the book and also helped me understand why the character was developed that way.

 "One thing I just have to mention to you, because it is a big part of the theme of my story is that I meant to make Kristina weak and insecure. One of the main messages in the story is that we as humans need to rely on a higher power other than ourselves. In my case its Jesus...
I also placed a scripture in the beginning of the book “…My power is made perfect in weakness…”~2 Corinthians 12:9~"

Now I have a better appreciation for why Kristina wasn't as strong as I had expected. Relying on others is never weakness in my opinion. Knowing when to put our faith and trust in others requires real courage. 

 I enjoy the lessons learned in this series. All children should know that they can make a difference and having courage and heart will take them far in life.

I enjoyed reading The Black Shard and look forward to the next book in the series. Oh, yes.. the story didn't end on the last page! I would recommend it for children (ages 9-13) who enjoy fantasy, magic, or magical lands and creatures. I am happy to add this to my children's personal library and know in a few years they will be able to enjoy it as much as I did.

This book would make a great gift or stocking-stuffer for the tween in your life. Buy your copy of The Black Shard on the author's site, or on Amazon.com today.

Connect with The Black Shard on Facebook to keep up with announcements and fellow fans.
Follow Victoria Simcox on Twitter to keep up with her latest writing.

*Disclaimer - I was given a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.