Sharon Howe - Outrage magazine (Animal Aid- summer 2009 edition)
In this trio of novels Stephanie Scofield appears to have invented a new genre of 'Green Fantasy' for children. Aimed at readers of 12 and above, the books combine a world of elemental magic with a strong environmental message - the eco-campaigner's answer to J. K. Rowling, you might say. Though not overtly 'animal-rightsy', the stories reflect the author's concern for our fellow creatures and highlight the importance of living in harmony with nature and behaving responsibly towards the planet. The tone is not at all didactic, however. On the contrary, these are absorbing, page-turning stories, full of the stuff of childhood imagination: a mysterious key, given to the hero Owen on his 12th birthday; a perilous journey through enchanted worlds populated by all manner of spirits, both good and bad; and the irresistible allure of spells, riddles and secret codes. In the first three published novels, Owen's quest to save the world from impending ecological disaster takes him to the realms of Wood, Water and Earth. With the last two instalments - Air and Fire - still to come in this planned quintet of adventure books, young readers will be eager to find out whether he succeeds in thwarting the likes of Megaco, with its plastic Super-Trees, and reawakening the true spirit of the Earth.
V.Rhodes- Amazon.com customer
I was introduced to this author and this series through some friends in England. It is available on the amazon.uk site but not here in the states. I hope it comes to us soon as the first book in the series, The Elements. It's pure magic for 12 and up. Adults like it, too, at least I did.
A Quote from her facebook page: "Imagine an Elemental Prince more ancient than the Earth herself, a conspiracy older than the Grail, a World depending on one boy and the wisdom and magic of our forebears to save it from destruction... Welcome to The Elements!"
I hope this gifted writer comes to our shores soon.
Kathleen Smith- Bookrabbit
Review of The Spirit of the Greenwood
An Inspiration! This book is an excellent read, a welcome change from Tolkein and J K Rowling with a unique, inspiring quality of it's own aimed at 12 year upwards but still an excellent read for the adults. It is well researched, imaginatively written and full of topical environmental messages for all ages, and exciting enough to keep every age of reader glued to discover the outcome. It is also very cleverly set up for the next 4 adventures which I hope will emerge before long!A great family read for Christmas, I had to wait my turn to read it as my 15 and 11 year olds couldn't put it down.
