Sam’s Quest for the Crimson Crystal by Ben Furman - Review
Not every hero looks like a hero, and Samantha Mae Costas is no exception to that. With thick glasses and always carrying around an inhaler for her asthma attacks, ‘Sam’ is convinced she is no hero – and that no one else should think she is either.
But when Sam is out wandering on her grandfather’s farm one day, she suddenly finds herself as the most important person in the entire miniature kingdom below the farm that she never knew existed…
Before she knows it, she’s on a journey not only to face her fears and come up against strong foes but to save an entire kingdom…
I was a bit unsure about reading (and reviewing) young adult fiction when I sat down to read Sam’s Quest, but Ben Furman quickly reminded me of all the things I liked about the books I read when I was younger. Proving himself to be a true kid at heart, Furman takes you through the vast, beautifully developed lands that lie just below the farm Sam has been on so many times.
While the ‘uncool hero’ has certainly been done before, Furman still pulls it off well with Samantha – ‘Sam’. She doesn’t push the ‘I’m a tomboy’ image that some authors try to force down readers’ throats because at one time, the tomboy hero was new and interesting. Sam is genuinely likeable with all her ‘flaws’ but she has plenty of good points to make her a more real character.
Furman provides landscapes that will tantalize your imagination and characters who are easy to either love or hate. I recommend this book as a great read-along for the younger end of the ‘young adult’ spectrum.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Thanks for the great review of Ben’s book. I really enjoyed this one and Sam is a great role model for young girls.
Cheryl
September 5th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Thanks for the honest review! You described Sam perfectly — she isn’t a tomboy or a karate kid. She has frailties, doubts and fears like the rest of us. But when confronted by evil, she stands up, confronts it and overcomes….
September 7th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Thank you both for stopping by, and thank you, Ben, for the great read.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:04 am
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