Book Review: Jorie and the Gold Key by A. H. Richardson

 

Jorie and the Gold Key by A.H. Richardson
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: November 2015
Pages: 254
Source: received from author

Blurb:
 When Jorie and Rufus planned another summer of adventuring, they didn’t plan on sharing it with a snooty, stuck-up, bossy 10-year-old Nigel. When the Wizard Grootmonya calls on Jorie to remedy another disaster in Cabrynthius — the theft of the Magic Stones, Jorie grabs the Gold Key and the three children descend to the enchanted land beneath the Tarn. There they find more extraordinary adventures that bring them face to face again with the wicked Lord Fodomalk and his evil butterfly. Their troubles grow as the fiendish dragon not only snatches Nigel, but confines him to a cold dank cell with the illusive Professor Schrinch (yes, he’s still alive and as sneaky as ever). Jorie and Rufus — and the persnickety Nigel — are joined by all their old friends in this rollicking tale of magic, strange impersonations, and hair-raising exploits. They help Master Nigel with his confusion of the world beneath the Tarn and discover strengths in their new friend that even he didn’t know he had. Aside from spurts of jealousy from Rufus and impatience from Jorie, Nigel learns about bravery and friendship as he struggles with belief and enchantment. Follow this feisty threesome back to the evil, dark world of Shyloxia and the beautiful, bright world of Cabrynthius, where live all manner of creatures, naughty and nice. Do they recover the Magic Stones? What does that Gold Key open for them? Do they survive the shadowy world of nasty characters? Do Jorie and Rufus accept Nigel into their world? And what about Chook — that beloved baby dragon? And if you want to know how Jorie and Rufus survived their first summer adventures, pick up your copy of Jorie and the Magic Stones.

My thoughts: 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jorie and the Gold Key is another enchanting tale in the Jorie series by A H Richardson.

The stones have been stolen from Grootmanya, the great wizard, and are now in the hands of the evil Lord Fodomalk who plans to destroy the wizard and take over Cabrynthius. Jorie must now return to Cabrynthius and thwart Fodomalk’s attempt to take over the land.

In this second book Jorie is back with Rufus out smarting and out playing the evil Lord Fodomalk. They are accompanied by Nigel who has come to stay with Rufus for the holidays. Nigel is uppity and condescending but the pair take him along anyway. He soon learns of a whole new world with Beowigs, Arbotigs, Dragons and immense danger at every turn.

The three children show great bravery in the face of danger. They feel fear but push it aside and draw on their remarkable courage and intelligence to out play their enemy. There is problem solving, decision making, danger and suspense a plenty.

The bond of friendship between the children runs through the story and the theme of remorse and forgiveness is strong with the wrong doers.

Written for children aged 6 – 12 years but will have wide appeal to both children and adults alike.

There is a small hint at the end that suggests Jorie and friends may yet again be returning to Cabrynthius, which has me eagerly waiting on book 3.

My review of the first book Jorie and the Magic Stones can be found here

About the author: (courtesy of goodreads)
A. H. Richardson was born in London England and is the daughter of famous pianist and composer Clive Richardson. She studied drama and acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She was an actress, a musician, a painter and sculptor, and now an Author.

She published her debut novel Jorie and the Magic Stones in December 2014. At the request of those who loved the first ‘Jorie’ story, Richardson has written a sequel titled Jorie and the Gold Key, and she is currently working on the third book in the series.

In addition to children’s books, she also enjoys writing murder mysteries. She is the author of Murder in Little Shendon, a thriller murder mystery which takes place in a quaint little village in England after World War Two, and introduces two sleuths, Sir Victor Hazlitt and his sidekick,  Beresford Brandon, a noted Shakespearian actor. And she has more ‘who-dun-its’ with this clever and interesting duo… Act One, Scene One – Murder and Murder at Serenity Farm.

A. H. Richardson lives happily in East Tennessee, her adopted state, and has three sons, three grandchildren, and two pugs. She speaks four languages and loves to do voiceovers. She plans on writing many more books and hopes to delight her readers further with her British twist, which all her books have.