THE LEGEND OF OESCIENNE
A delightful debut novel, I'm eager for more . . .
The Finding is a fun read, a romp back through childhood and all the trials and tribulations that shape us as we grow, only Jahrra's childhood is the one I wish I had. Imagine growing up with a dragon as a mentor, half-elves as best friends and a mysterious and mystical forest as your backyard. Jahrra is the only human remaining in a world on the brink of violent change. Her birth is foretold by a prophecy, but Jahrra knows nothing of this, she is simply another child trying to make it through school and eagerly anticipating summer vacation.
The Finding describes Jahrra's early years surrounded by an evocative and lush backdrop in an interesting new world where humans are extinct and dragons make good neighbors. Jahrra is an intriguing main character, her personality grows naturally through the book and the reader delights in her charm and spirit. Though her situation is unique in this fantasy world, her problems are very much the same as those a typical child might face in a modern setting. The Finding provides a wonderful story for children and young adults to relate to yet it is also a deeply engaging story, rich with intrigue and the undertones of a more adult conflict to come in future books. As an adult reader, I found the story of Jahrra's youth alternately entertaining and heartwrenching. I look forward to future books about the world of Oescienne and cannot wait until the next phase of Jahrra's story.- Susan Trombley
Author of The Princess's Dragon
Few remember that humans used to walk the earth. For centuries, they have been trapped by a terrible curse that has changed them into dragons. Now, the only hope against the tyrant is a little girl. Could she be the one prophesied? Is she the first human in centuries to be born in human form? Will she have the strength of will and spirit to take on this burden?
The Legend of Oescienne: The Finding introduces the reader to Jahrra. Found as a newborn infant, Jahrra was fostered by an elf family and tutored by a dragon. Her very existence was kept quiet and her training began at a very young age. While many of her experiences were the same as any child growing up, a darker shadow was always present.
I look forward to reading more about Jahrra as she finds out more about her destiny. So far the setup promises a very good fantasy series. The author has done such a good job with characterization that the pages seemed to fly by with this 489 page book.
-Tami Brady
TCM Reviews
I don’t read fantasy. Ever. I only got through the first page of The Lord Of the Rings . It was just so confusing! But now I have one under my belt. Jenna made it easy.
Book 1 of The Legend of Oescienne is absolutely perfect to read to children ages about seven to eleven. It would be great on car trips or to be read as a reward in the classroom. The action at the end had me hanging on every word. What’s really interesting about this story is that the complexity of the writing increases with the age of the heroine.
General consensus: Jenna, finish the second one already!
- Rachel Bird
Author of Lights Out, Los
Angeles & Lights On, Los Angeles
I loved the book. Great story, wonderful details, I'm really looking forward to the next one - hurry up!
- Alice Figueroa
An exciting beginning!The Finding is the first book in what I hope will be a long series!
I really enjoyed reading it, and I hope everyone who love fantasy will give this book a shot! I recommend it a lot! I read it in a few days, I just had to know what would happen next! I am really exited to see where book two will take Jahrra!
There's so much to love about this book! I love how the author acknowledges animals as individuals! I adore dragons, and they play a huge part in this story! The story of Jahrra and her friends will have you eagerly waiting for more!
Do yourself a favor, crawl up with a cup of hot chocolate and this wonderful book!- Disa Okland
A good beginning to a series
To be general, I would describe this book as a cross between Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Jahrra is a human born in a world where humans have become extinct, or rather turned into dragons. Like Tolkien, Johnson has created a world complete with its own language, kruelt. Like Rowling, Johnson has given her lead character two best friends, one of the same sex and one of the opposite sex, to help her in her quest. Jahrra, like Harry Potter, is destined to save the world from evil. We watch her grow and learn the skills required to fight the evil she will need to vanquish. She also encounters bullies at school who, at least at this point, have nothing to do with the evil king it seems she will have to face to save her world.
Johnson's characters are well developed with great portrayal of human emotion. The main characters are easy to care about and realistic. The world of Oescienne has a lot of texture, including a class system which is introduced and defined in this first novel of the series.
Johnson's website [...]is comprehensive and includes additional information about the world for those interested. I would highly recommend browsing the site. There are drawings and descriptions of unique animals/creatures present in the world of Ethöes, maps, contests, Jahrra's journal, a pronunciation guide and kruelt alphabet.- L. Shively
Do you sometimes picture yourself hanging out with Jahrra and her friends? Do you hold some (or a lot) of resentment towards Jaax? Do you just want to kick Eydeth and his sister in the shins?
Please, tell me (and other fans) what you like (or don't like) about this book! Here's your chance to write a review of The Finding.
- What is your favorite part of the story?
- Who are your favorite (and least favorite) characters?
- Where would you go if you could visit Oescienne?
- Do you have a favorite Ethöen animal?
*Submissions may be edited for length and content
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