Linda Joy Singleton Reviews

Page One

Added July 3, 2005

The Seer Book 1: Don't Die Dragonfly

Author: Linda Joy Singleton
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: September 2004
Genre: Young Adult: Paranormal/Suspense
Format: Paperback
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 0-7387-0526-8
Author Email/Website: ljsingleton.com/
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: 8.9 Gargoyles

Her visions were back. Sabine Rose had hoped they were gone for good after the last incident. After the last time, she'd been kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother. Not that she minded living with her grandmother Nona. Nona had encouraged and supported her when her gift first manifested and still stood by her even her parents and sisters did not.

Still Sabine didn't want her gifts, which was why she lied to her grandmother when she moved in. Claiming she'd outgrown them. Now she was working really hard at fitting in at school. She was friends with a cheerleader, had a job with the school newspaper and was dating one of the cutest guys in school. So why did her visions have to come back now?

On a double date with her boyfriend Josh, she notices the other girl Danielle has a dragonfly tattoo on her wrist. Without a doubt this is the girl from her vision. But what kind of help does Danielle need? She's beautiful, gets amazing grades and apart from dating Evan "Moving On" Marsh, she seems to have everything going for her. How can Sabine warn her without revealing her own history?

Add this to her growing list of problems and worries: her mother's impending visit, Nona's increasingly odd behavior - putting keys in the sink and notebooks in the refrigerator? - the presence of Nona's somewhat apprentice Dominic, who has the ability to talk to animals, and her inability to ask Nona for advice because of her lie, Sabine is in over her head. However, help comes in the oddest of places: Manny the school reporter who is a whiz at investigation and Thorn, a Goth gifted with psychometry, the ability to find things. Will the three friends be able to rescue Danielle before it's too late?

With this first book in a brand new series, Linda Joy has proven once again, no matter the genre or targeted age group she is master storyteller. Don't Die Dragonfly will certainly appeal to teens as they can easily relate to Sabine's desire to fit and be normal, yet at the same be true to herself and her gifts. Her desire to help others even when it presents great sacrifices for herself will have parents cheering for this new role model.

I'm always hesitant about reviewing books for younger readers, younger than I am anyway. How can I possibly know if a teen will enjoy the book having left my teens behind seven years ago? But given the fact I was spellbound and unable to put Don't Die Dragonfly down and have already reread it three times, I think it's a fair guess that Don't Die Dragonfly is a winner!

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Added June 25, 2004

Strange Encounters Book 1: Oh No! UFO!

Author: Linda Joy Singleton
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: August 2004
Genre: Middle Reader: Mystery/Paranormal
Format: Paperback
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 0-7387-0579-9
Author Email/Website: ljsingleton.com/
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

All Cassie Strange wanted was a normal vacation. Just once, she wanted her family to be normal and take a normal vacation, instead of traveling somewhere so her father could investigate stuff for his television show, I Don't Believe It!. Living with an actor for a father, a grass-skirt wearing mother, a younger brother who is an aspiring an actor and a baby sister who talks to animals, Cassie is the only normal person in her family. Is it any wonder she wants to do something normal?

Well, it looks like she's going to get her wish. The Strange family is going on a camping trip. They'll stay at a campground, sleep in tents, cook their own food and hike the trails around the campsite. So why is her dad sneaking off to meet with someone about supposed pictures of an alien ship? Cassie's dreams of a normal vacation quickly vanish as she realizes her father has brought them on this trip to once again investigate something for his television show How could he? Especially after promising this was strictly a family trip, no business?

To make matters worse, her sister Amber is kidnapped and replaced by an alien. Of course, nobody believes Amber has been kidnapped and just dismisses Cassie's repeated statements. It's up to Cassie to find her sister and bring her back. But can she find her time?

An exciting beginning to what promises to be an unforgettable series, Oh No! UFO! brings a delicious realism to sibling relationships. Cassie is a great heroine and older sister; no matter how much she may complain about her younger siblings she will do anything to keep them safe and bring them home. I really liked the dynamic between Cassie and the alien Amber; she distrusted the alien, but eventually became friends, good friends. A magnificent tale, even adults will find fun, Oh No! UFO! should not be missed.

Be sure to visit Linda's website ljsingleton.com for more information on her Strange Encounters series and other books.

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