Eleven-year-old Del Ryder and her three friends love to play hide and seek and war games in the local churchyard. But when Del hides beneath a thicket, she discovers a Crystal Seed that transports the four friends into the land of Azdia where they meet some not-so-friendly trees, and a young lumen named Crimson. They soon discover that a dark evil has invaded the land, stealing the lights from the lumens. With only a riddle to go on, Del and her friends recruit Crimson’s help to find their way home. The children want nothing to do with the civil war that is brewing, but are soon caught up in this epic struggle of good versus evil.
With echoes of The Chronicles of Narnia, Matthew Brough creates an imaginative world and a captivating fantasy in Del Ryder and the Crystal Seed The style and characters are conducive to the younger audience. The main character, Delany, was interesting and developed for the point of view which had almost omniscient shifts. There were some adult rather than youth words here and there, but the action was undeniable and the spirituality excellent.
Age Range: 8-14
