The Half-Hearts Chronicles

OK where to begin…. This is a pretty fun ride between worlds – our own world and Alamea, a world of danger and magic. Alamea becomes a real, fleshed out world you can see in your mind’s eye… check out the map of Alamea I posted for a taste of the depth in which the world is constructed. But I was also pleasantly surprised that the sections taking place in our own world explained facets of our own culture I was somewhat, but not fully familiar with. To some extant, the book has a bit of a “Ready Player One” vibe, but instead of focusing on 80s culture, it references parts of American culture including that of Southern California, Hawaii, with bit of millennial/gen Z references as well. But the references don’t go over the top with obscurity and frequency as with Ready Player One and they flow with the narrative (ie you are shown, not just told), so don’t worry if you aren’t a pop-culture buff.I actually cared about the characters because the book includes enough back-story to make them 3 dimensional with an actual history. The exposition of the backstory is paced enough throughout the book and doled out for logical reasons, so it doesn’t get tedious and serves to give context to many actions of the characters. The two worlds ground each-other in a way that is hard to explain, but I think it is the juxtaposition of the two that make each more understandable by comparison as the narrative goes on. The strange-yet-familiar cultures of Alamea highlights for me a lot of things we’ve gained in our own world, but also a bit of what some of us have lost on our path, especially regarding matters of love.This is an adventure book at heart with a pacing that accelerates as the book goes on in a satisfying way, but journeys of the heart itself are ingeniously crucial to the plot and the story (even the title hints at it). This results in the love story aspects of the book really helping to drive the plot, but in a way that makes sense. So being a fairly logical person, myself, I found this love story to be exceptionally engaging. There is a lot of wisdom in the book about love – a commentary that is wholly organic as the wisdom comes seamlessly from the mouth or thoughts of the characters in response to events, but are to nonetheless timeless (or timely in our day and age?) statements that I had to write down for future reference. If you get the kindle version, you may be able to see a few of my highlights.I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and I am already starting book #2!!!!

You know that scene in Disney's "Aladdin" where Iago steals the Genie's Lamp and while mimicking Jafar he congratulates himself saying:[Iago speaking in Jafar's voice]: "Excellent work, Iago!"[Iago]: "Aww! Go on!"[Jafar]: "No! Really! On a scale of one to ten, YOU are an ELEVEN!"Well, if Amazon allowed for a 10-star rating I'd give "The Half-Hearts Chronicles" a solid 11!I've been both an avid reader and a movie buff all my life. Mostly I've read a lot of biographies and histories, books on self-improvement, communication and leadership development, and the like. Also, I've enjoyed reading adventure and science-fiction starting when I was a kid with the "Jurassic Park" series by Michael Crichton, and, as an adult, mysteries and thrillers like, for instance, "The Millennium" series by Stieg Larsson. However, other than having read the "Tennis Shoes among the Nephites" series by Chris Heimerdinger as a teen, I never really got into the genre of epic fantasy.That is… until now.If you're like me, you're the kind of reader who inevitably identifies and bonds with a character you relate to, fully immersing yourself in the story. Every word uttered in dialogue, every feeling emoted between kindred and compatriot, lover and enemy alike, you experience as if they were your own. Indeed, the very ebb and flow of energy and essence of life breathed into the character surge like electricity across the surface of your skin as you, while reading, experience everything what they experience in the story. THAT is the mark and effect of a true and masterful storyteller.Kealohilani is an exceptional storyteller taking you on an adventure like none other. With sudden and sometimes seemingly abrupt but surprising changes in scene and story mode, character, pace and plot, The Half-Hearts Chronicles is an incredible action-packed, emotionally-charged, and character-driven tale of epic proportions. So buckle up Buttercup! You're in for one heck of a ride! 😎🤙P.S. Remember how I mentioned that I am a movie buff? Although I may not have read many fantasy novels, I have watched a lot of fantasy movies. "The Half-Hearts Chronicles" is, to me, like an AWESOME combination of all the BEST— as well as my favorite— fantasy/action/adventure movies of the '80s including "Labyrinth", "The Dark Crystal", "The Neverending Story", "Ladyhawke", "Willow", "Dragonslayer", "Conan the Barbarian", "The Goonies", "Highlander", "Diehard", and of course, last but not least, "The Princess Bride"..."Is this a kissing book?"Ya dang right it is!So step aside J.K. Rowling! Sit down Suzanne Collins! Eat your heart out Stephenie Meyer! I can't wait for this book to be made into a movie one day!~ As you wish

Very well written book full of twists and turns! Every time I thought I figured out what was going to happen another twist would appear and I would once again second guess all of my predetermined conclusions!Ordering book #2 tonight!

Charming and imaginative, this book will bring delight and inspiration to young adult readers as they explore the redemptive power of love in a world where fantasy meets reality.