3.5 out 5 stars

The Water and the Wild by K.E. Ormsbee is the first book in "The Water and the Wild" series. It's a delightful beginning to the series.

The beginning of this book was awesome. I loved hearing about Lottie and Eliot's background and friendship. I loved hearing about the man who wrote Lottie letters/sent her gifts each year on her birthday. It was exciting, bright, and fun!

When we first got to Limn, I was still thoroughly enjoying this book. I found Adelaide annoying, but I could see her point of view as well as Lottie's, so I tried to allow her a little extra compassion. After all, it's her father that's in danger. The fact that the guard burned the house and the mob turned on the family so quickly was saddening, but the beginning of the journey was filled with adventure and intrigue.

I also loved the descriptions that Ms. Ormsbee provided us about the land of Limn and it's various regions. I could vividly see the world she has created and yet, there was still enough left to my imagination that I didn't feel overtaxed with detail.

However, the further the children traveled in their journey, the more tedious the book seemed to me. The journey was just too long. Having read the second book as well, I realize now that a lot of what the children encounter in the journey will serve them in the future. Even still, it bogged down the story line of this book to the point where I actually skipped ahead a little because I was getting too bored.

Outside of that, it was a delightful book. It's a very solid, good beginning to the series and I look forward to reading more from this author! ( )

I fell in love with this book from the very first page. This book is beautifully written and makes you feel like you are walking alongside them every step of the way. These were the types of books that kept me reading when I was in middle school. I identified with Lottie from the minute she was introduced. ( )

Not quite what I was expecting. The characters, especially Adelaide was annoying. I was hoping to see the characters grow, but that was almost non-existent. The premise was good, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired ( )

I love a good adventure through a strange land. The book is full of vivid details and alive characters. The author does a great job mixing important ideas with the trials and tribulations of still being a kid. Lots of excitement and details to keep adults interested along with young adults. :) ( )

My inner 12-year-old self is pouting right now. Why? Because she wants MORE! Like yesterday. In all seriousness, I wasn't aware that The Water and the Wild was going to have a sequel. However, unlike a lot of the first books, mostly the YA ones, I've read in the last couple years, The Water and the Wild stands well on its own and enticed my natural curiosity about subtle unanswered questions (like where is this other place from whence King Starkling came and what is he exactly?) and what happens next for Lottie, Eliot, Fife, Oliver, Adelaide, and the rest of Limn. I must read the next book!

The worlds of New Kemble and Limn were vivid, "real" places. Enchanted trees, inside which were "elevators" used to travel between worlds, keens, the gengas - loved it all. I also loved that Lottie didn't have to act like an adult to show bravery, ingenuity and loyalty. She was even a little selfish, at first, in her quest to cure Eliot. She cried openly when any kid would naturally get emotional. But she didn't whine and she didn't have a chip on her shoulder. Plus, she's stubborn and doesn't back down from bullies.

There were many allusions - Alice in Wonderland, Narnia, The Hobbit, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, to name but a few - yet Ormsbee's story felt like its own with its own charm and whimsy.

4 stars ( )