Book Review: Crater Lake by Steve Westover

Crater Lake by Steve Westover
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
Publication date: March 13, 2012
ISBN: 1599559609
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery
Author Website: http://westoversleftovers.blogspot.com/ 

Summary:  While visiting his crazy Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park, thirteen-year-old Ethan's world collapses when all the adults at Crater Lake disappear, including his parents. Now Ethan must rally his new friends and decipher the legends of Crater Lake to find the key to rescuing his parents from their earthen prison before he's captured too and their captivity becomes permanent.

Review:  What an excellently captivating middle-grade novel.  Steve Westover draws you in from the start. Tied into the fantasy is a wonderful mystery involving kids who have to figure out what happened to their parents, find them, and figure out how to rescue them.  There is a lot of mythology surrounding Crater Lake and Wizard Island intricately intertwined throughout the story.  That, and the vivid descriptions of Crater Lake led me to search out the actual images for the real-life lake.  The accuracy and brilliant descriptions make for such a creative story.

Battle for Wizard Island is book one of the Crater Lake series.  I already can't wait until the next one comes out - I want to know what happens next!!

Beyond the obvious fantasy elements present in the story, the characters - specifically the 5 kids - are very believable.  Their actions, emotions, and responses are so realistic - from the typical brother/sister arguing, to peer pressure, and competitiveness.  The author has truly woven into the tale a fantasy that includes modern day kids dealing facing a huge adventure / mystery.

You have to check this one out - and do share it with all teens and tweens in your life.  It would also make for a fun read-aloud to younger children/students.

**Click here to enter a Giveaway for physical copy of the book.

Don't just take my word for how great this book is, check out other stops on this blog tour:  http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-crater-lake/


Other websites of interest:


Author Website: http://stevewestover.com/Home.html
Author Blog http://westoversleftovers.blogspot.com/
Author GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4095511.Steve_Westover
Book Poster page: http://craterlakebook.com
Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/
Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks
Publisher Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/cedarfortbooks
Publisher GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4202252-cedar-fort