I always approach my debuts with a large dose of excitement, but also fear. If a book is the beginning of a series, it also has a difficult task, because it has to convince people to reach for more. Was Michał Bergel's book successful in this play?
Time for an adventure!
Twelve-year-old Iris lives with her father and older sister Oliwia. As the younger, less beautiful half of her siblings, life is not easy and she often feels neglected. Adult Oliwia attracts many men who try to win her heart in various ways. Some people buy flowers, others are even ready to renovate the house. Not surprisingly, in all this confusion, Iris feels unnecessary, surrounded by her sister who thinks only about herself, and her father longing for peace. One day, one of Oliwia’s admirers gives her a flower as a gift, which from time to time produces a lump of gold. At first it seems like an unusual smile of fate, until the older sister disappears. Iris goes on a search without hesitation and quickly learns where Olivia is being held. Girls go to a stranger a world ruled by magic. In addition, both are reduced to the size of a rodent. Iris faces the daunting task of retrieving her older sister – and then there will be a question of returning home.
Resolute twelve-year-old
Iris, despite her young age, finds a huge dose of courage and is ready to take risks to save her sister. Although we get to know the older girl from the best side, the younger one shows great determination in trying to free her. Not everyone would be ready to wander through a strange – and magical – world where anything can happen. The current size of the heroine also does not make her task easier, and what the average person thinks as an ordinary walk, becomes a great journey for her. While completing her mission, Iris will encounter many intriguing characters. Some of them will prove to be more helpful than others, and their variety is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The story does not focus only on the actions of the main character. There are short breaks in the narrative presenting events from other regions of the magic land, told from the perspective of many different characters. The world created by the author can attract the reader with its otherness, and the creatures inhabiting him – make him smile. The magical land seems colorful and safe, but it turns out that it also hides many secrets. You have to find out for yourself how the main character will handle it all. The book did not manage to draw me in from the very beginning, but after a bit tedious introduction, it absorbs more and more. Noteworthy is also a beautiful colored cover perfectly harmonizing with the content. The magical land seems colorful and safe, but it turns out that it also hides many secrets. How the main character handles all of this, you have to find out for yourself. The book did not manage to draw me in from the very beginning, but after a bit tedious introduction, it absorbs more and more. Noteworthy is also a beautiful colored cover perfectly harmonizing with the content. The magical land seems colorful and safe, but it turns out that it also hides many secrets. How the main character handles all of this, you have to find out for yourself. The book did not manage to draw me in from the very beginning, but after a bit tedious introduction, it absorbs more and more. Noteworthy is also a beautiful colored cover perfectly harmonizing with the content.
Summary
Iris McBlack. Volume 1. Crystal heart with a clear conscience I recommend to every fantasy lover. Michał Bergel has created an unusual and extremely picturesque world full of expressive heroes. Despite the fact that the book is aimed more at teenagers, it was able to kidnap me, providing a lot of joy in reading. There are plans for two more volumes of the series, which I am looking forward to. I wish there were more such debuts !!!
