PRISM BOOK TOURS – BOOK REVIEW : ESME’S GIFT (ESME SERIES #2) BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

TITLE : Esme’s Gift (Esme Series #2)

AUTHOR : Elizabeth Foster

GENRE : Children’s Fantasy, Teen Fantasy, Middle-Grade, YA

FR REVIEW : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 Stars)

DATE OF PUBLISHING : 30 November 2019

If you haven’t checked out my review for Esme’s Wish (Esme #1) yet, do check it out..

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FR REVIEW

DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Prism Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Esme’s Gift is the second book in the Esme series. This book was so much fun, and I loved reading this. Getting lost in the parallel world of Aeolia was exciting and intriguing. I wanted to see how the series continued from Esme’s Wish. It didn’t disappoint and delivered a wonderful and enchanting ride through new adventures, uncovering of mysteries from the past, and fascinating fantastical creatures. I had so much fun in joining Esme, Lillian, and Daniel through their school and new missions. Exploration of Esme’s gift plays a central role in this book. Esme has protected the Pearl from getting into the wrong hands. Now after rescuing her mom she has to inform her father of all the happenings. With hope and excitement, she decides to leave the enchanted world and meet her dad. After finding out that situations have worsened back home, she is forced to return to Esperance to find out that her mother’s life might be in more of a danger than originally perceived. Getting the recipe for a life-changing Elixir will be the goal and Esme should find out how to prepare it by all means. Life throws a few curveballs her way and now she and her friends have to find ways to dodge the problems coming her way and succeeding in helping her mom return to life.

This was just as amazing a the first book. The trio finds themselves in school, dealing with bullies, difficult teachers, and problematic assignments. The typical life of teenagers. Meanwhile, Esme is also learning to use her gift, test the limits, and control it at her will. With the help of the Keeper, she learns some new secrets from the pat that makes her warier of the future. While the truth about historical events is surfacing Esme learns to travel through the past and uncover the recipe for a dangerous Elixir to cure her mother. The search for ingredients takes the trio through new trials and adventures into a fascinating world within the world.

The pacing is slow like the first book and is meant to be savored and enjoyed in that fashion. The slower pace helps us enjoy the backdrop of the enchanted island, the worlds within, the picturesque portrayal of the Kingdom. The characters are growing more into their friendship, and I loved their group. I loved how supportive and helpful they were to each other. Esme is never left alone to deal with her problems and her new-found group of friends helps her deal with the difficulties. There are new characters that are introduced and hopefully will continue in the next book as well. Exploration of the world and new gifts were all awesome.

The idea of right Vs wrong, using power rightfully, cons of greed, and resilience are some of the major themes explored in the book. Love of family and friendships are stronger and explored more in the story. The world is enchanting with beautiful writing, adventures for the young readers, exciting fantastical creatures, and mystery all come together to bring about a well-written middle-grade to early YA fantasy. The story is enjoyable and engaging. I gave the book 4.5 stars and highly recommend checking it out. If you love dragons and adventures, young, strong, resilient, and determined protagonists you will enjoy this book.

SYNOPSIS

Terror was within. Terror was without. Like her mother, she was at the water’s mercy.

In the enchanted world of Aeolia, fifteen-year-old Esme Silver is faced with her hardest task yet. She must master her unruly Gift – the power to observe the past – and uncover the secrets she needs to save her mother, Ariane.

In between attending school in the beguiling canal city of Esperance, Esme and her friends – old and new – travel far and wide across Aeolia, gathering the ingredients for a potent magical elixir.

Their journey takes them to volcanic isles, sunken ruins and snowy eyries, spectacular places fraught with danger, where they must confront their deepest fears and find hope in the darkest of places.

Esme’s Gift, the second instalment in the Esme trilogy, is an enthralling fantasy adventure for readers 12 years and over.

Winner of a 2020 IPPY medal for best YA fiction AND a Purple Dragonfly Book Award for best fantasy!