The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis

The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Escaping from the turmoil of a broken family, fifteen-year-old Posy finds herself at her usual haunt … the library. This time, though, when she chooses an unfamiliar book from the shelf, she does not devour its words and pages as she usually does.

Its words devour her.

Posy is pulled into the pages of a fairy tale, even mistaken for one of its characters. But all is far from perfect in this story’s Kingdom. Characters are whispering of rebellion against both their Plot and the deadly king who has seized control of it. And Posy must find a lost princess whose role in the story is crucial before her own story comes to a horrible end …

With the proud and haughty Prince Kyran as a reluctant companion, Posy ventures past the Borders of the Plot, into the depths of the gloomy and treacherous Wild Land forest that lies beyond. Secrets are buried there. Dark mysteries and shadowy creatures, dangerous and deadly.

Yet the deadliest danger of all is the one that Posy carries
within herself.

Soon it is clear that finding the lost princess is the least of Posy’s concerns. The Author of the book must be found. His Plot must be put to rights again, his characters reminded of who they were first created to be. Only then will the True Story be written, both for Posy, and for the tale she has now become a part of.

Courage and forgiveness are needed for Posy to find her way home again. But bitterness and shadows haunt her every step of the way...

My Review

What if we could literally jump into a book? Become a character in it? Live in its world with the characters originally written in it? Sure, it might be pretty great, at first! But what about all the danger (evil people after you, treacherous territory, magic, portals etc.), never seeing your family and friends again, etc.

Well, that's what happens to Posy in The Word Changers!

Perhaps what I loved most about The Word Changers was not only how it encompassed something that all readers probably dream about and imagine - becoming a character in the story your reading - but also how the story that makes a book can teach us important life lessons that we need (possibly at just the time we need it, like with Posy) and may not come to learn in any other way. Stories teach us about life, and this book really brought that point to heart as Posy experienced learning just the thing she needed to about life when she was portaled into a fairy-tale! Sometimes daily life and problems just aren't enough to open our eyes, and reading clarifies the important things we need to learn in way that our experiences can't.

I also loved the emphasis that the "author" puts each character into his story for a purpose. The author can, but won't control everything that the characters do. They each have to make decisions on their own because that helps them grow, gives them personality, makes them the character that they are!

I whole heartedly agree with both of these things and love how the author presented them throughout the book (so much better than I ever could in this review)!

Now, on to the characters and world, which I also loved! The original characters in the book literally became Posy's friends when she went into the story (like the characters become our friends when we read about them). These characters were very well written, and all together they played multiple important roles and impacts within the story, unknowingly teaching and showing Posy how to truly live and make a difference.

I really liked some of Posy and Kyran's characteristics (as well as some of the other characters). They had realistic feelings and thoughts and wishes. Their quest was very honorable, and everything was very well written. They were a great team!

I also liked the world building. While I as a reader sometimes imagine what it would be like to be a character in a book, Posy got to become one, which was a very unique, enjoyable, and at times humorous thing to read about!

All of the themes, adventure, magical elements, characters, action, love, ect. where all very well balanced, and I loved every minute of this adventure! While I could go on and on about this book for hours, I think it would be best if you just read it for yourself!

(This books themes were so good, that they actually gave me a few ideas for a couple discussion posts that I want to write on this blog!)

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

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