This book revolves around James Clyde, plucky orphan, and his two friends, siblings Mary and Ben (also orphans). The three, recently adopted by crotchety Anne Brown, are looking forward to visiting with James’ elderly grandfather, Wiltmore Clyde, over the Christmas holidays. Wiltmore has always told James and his friends stories of the legendary land of Orchestra, where three invaluable diamonds are hidden, diamonds that can grant wishes.

The appearance of a sinister man in black heralds an attack on Wiltmore’s house by mysterious cloaked monsters, and James finds out that the stories his grandfather has been telling him all this time have been true. Orchestra is a real place, the diamonds are real, and James is in fact the long-lost heir to the throne. James (with the diamond his grandfather has been hiding since he was a baby) flees with Mary and Ben to Orchestra, where they find themselves embroiled in a long-running war for the rule of the legendary land, and possession of the magical diamonds.

I don’t normally review children’s books, nor do I have children, so I am reduced to giving an adult’s perspective on this book. The bones of the story are interesting, with flavors of The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter series, Peter Pan, and even the Terminator (yes, the movie, I kid you not). The cloaked monsters, the Dakotas are frankly creepy, and you get the impression of quite a bit of background waiting to flesh out the story.

Along those lines, some additional world building would have been helpful. The story throws you right in, with little explanation. I generally enjoy getting thrown into the middle of the chaos, but the book does little to explain things later on. James, Mary, and Ben know all about Orchestra and the diamonds, so there is no vehicle for the reader to learn much about the world. It feels like the author has a complete world built in his imagination, but you are only seeing the smallest sliver. The book feels like the beginning of a series, so future books could help to add depth to the land of Orchestra.

However, I think this book will be enjoyed by the ages it was intended for–kids around 10-12. The plot is simple enough for younger readers to not get bogged down, and the resulting fast pace will keep their attention. There are some violent and scarier scenes in the book, but nothing really over a PG rating. Kids who enjoy fantasy books would be a good match for this one. ( )

I would like to thank Goodreads and Colm for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest reveiw.
James and his friends,Ben and Mary,are living in foster care and spend their christmas holidays at James' grandfathers mansion.
James finds out he is the son of a king and was sent away as a baby with his grandfather to protect him from evil. However, he must now return and save his people from these evil forces.

This is a great first introduction to Fantasy for younger readers. I would recommend for ages 11 - 14 as there is some violence and bloodshed involved. Well written for the target age with suspense and laugh out loud moments. Realy looking forward to the next instalment in the James Clyde series. Lots of questions still left unanswered. Will Queen Abigail obtain Eternal Life? What was Bens wish? Will Simon go to Zara? ( )

Back Cover: As an infant, James Clyde was deposited at a children’s home by his wounded, blood-soaked grandfather. As a result, he grows up under a cloud of mystery. Eleven years later, when he hears about his strange past, he vows to uncover the truth. But, before he can his grandfather hands him a magical and mysterious diamond of Orchestra. With the aid of his friends, Ben and Mary Forester, James must protect the diamond from evil forces. Soon, however, their lives are in grave danger.

James Clyde has a rather eccentric grandfather. Wilmore Clyde lives in a large home far back from the road. Inside are twelve suits of armor, lined up along one hallway. The house, or rather mansion, has multiple hallways that have taken James and his two friends, Ben and Mary, years to explore during their Christmas stays with Wilmore.

James, now eleven, visits one last Christmas; the Christmas his grandfather his murdered by a strange and sinister man dressed in black. The kids must escape before the man and his bloodthirsty army kills them. Wilmore, lying near death, hands James a large and shiny diamond, telling him to keep it safe. The diamond will grant one wish, which James uses to fly himself and his friends to safety.

James, now separated from his friends, finds himself in Orchestra. He is greeted by Grampian, leader of the orchins of Orchestra and an orchin himself. Grampian is a little man with mysterious powers who appears to help James and his friends reach their destination. A prophesy of old claims James is the one who will save Orchestra. He is the missing King of Orchestra. The evil queen of Darken has tried to conquer Orchestra since the days of James’ birth, eleven years ago.

The story has some twists and turns yet is easy to follow. Despite its theme of murder and war, there is relatively little violence. Mysterious happenings and abilities roll out logically and the story unfolds with many surprises. For instance, Wilmore Clyde, the bloodied man who left James at an orphanage, was not his real grandfather. Who the man really is, is as surprising as everything else that occurs in Orchestra.

James Clyde and the diamonds of Orchestra is a middle grade book for more advanced readers. The Irish author has written a marvelous debut tale of two distinct worlds, both vividly portrayed. James Clyde’s back-story, deftly crafted and vividly described, will have kids finishing the 240-page adventure with ease. Orchestra, James Clyde’s ancestral home, is a contrast of light and dark; good and evil. With rich narration and exciting dialogue, putting the book down is difficult.

I do not generally like these types of novels. I get bored with the disbelief one must suspend to enjoy the story. James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra held my attention from page one to the last. I think boys will enjoy this more than girls will, but it is not a “boy’s book.” Without wide leaps one must take to stay with the story and strong characters, from the psychic in the mall to the orchins in Orchestra, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra will delight fans of the genre. This story begs for a sequel or series of James Clyde adventures. If written as carefully as this one, future volumes will be as wonderful, amusing, amazing, and enchanting as the original.

*There is a seven-chapter excerpt at Amazon.com

Book courtesy of the author
originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews: http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/07/27/james-clyde-and-the-diamonds-of-orchestra-... ( )