Book Reviews: The Labyrinth Wall and The Haunted Realm by Emilyann Girdner

I read and reviewed The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner last year--and was really looking forward to the next book in the series: The Haunted Realm.  The Labyrinth Wall was one of my favorite YA books last year.  What did I think of The Haunted Realm?

I received a copy of this book for use in my review.  All opinions are my own. 

I would recommend reading the books as a series--so, I want to share a bit about the first book as well as the new release!

Quick Summary of The Labyrinth Wall:  Araina’s lonely teenage life is forever altered when she witnesses a man with supernatural powers emerge through a rippling wall into the dark and deadly labyrinth she calls home. She is left to solve the mysteries of who he is, why he has special abilities and what is on the other side of the labyrinth wall through which he came.

Read Amazon Best-Seller, Reader's Favorite 5 Star rated, Dante Rossetti Award 2014 Finalist novel, The Labyrinth Wall, the first book in the Obsidian Series. Imagine a story set in an epic fantasy world like The Hobbit with a dark dystopian feel (and it is written to be a quick read like The Hunger Games).

This adventurous tale will transport you into a magical but deadly world with new races, creatures, heroes and villains that you won’t soon forget. Even Sean Astin (from Lord of the Rings, Goonies, Rudy, and 50 First Dates) got a copy of The Labyrinth Wall and tweeted about it. 

Buy The Labyrinth Wall 
Ebook: Amazon  | 
The Labyrinth Wall Paperback: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million

The Labyrinth Wall Shirts, Mugs, Journals and Other Fun Merchandise: The Labyrinth Wall Zazzle Shop  

You may check out my review of The Labyrinth Wall here.  

The Haunted Realm.

Quick Summary of The Haunted Realm. The Haunted Realm is the thrilling sequel to Young Adult Fantasy novel The Labyrinth Wall (Tweeted by Sean Astin from Lord of the Rings, Dante Rossetti Award Finalist, 5 Star Reader's Favorite Rated and Amazon Best-Seller). In this riveting continuation of the story, Araina again faces a series of seemingly impossible magical obstacles. As Araina and her friends search for answers about their Creators and their magical labyrinth world, their journey becomes rife with peril when Araina falls victim to illness. Despite heart-pricking losses in the labyrinth swamps, vengeful ghostly attackers in the Blinking Willows, and many other dangerous obstacles, Araina is determined to succeed.

If Araina can’t solve the mysteries of the haunted realm and find a cure for her sickness, she and her friends may never escape the labyrinth, or even live to try.  

The Haunted Realm Ebook: Amazon | 

The Haunted Realm Paperback: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million

Girdner continues the series with a wonderful followup in The Haunted Realm.  I enjoyed the first book in the series so much that I worried that the author's second book would fall short of my hopes.  It did not.  In fact, I think I liked the main character even more as she ventured through the second book.  The scenes connect wonderfully--and readers will find themselves surprised by twists and turns and fast paced action.

The Haunted Realm Moves the Series Forward.  These novels are very well planned and well constructed.  Readers will grow closer to the storyline without finding it predictable or overdone.  In spite of the fact that readers find closure in some areas; they will be pulled toward other mysteries and possibilities of the author's imaginative world.

Would I recommend The Haunted Realm?   I loved both of the books in the series and will certainly look for more in the future.  The author creates a very detailed story while maintaining a young adult readability and interest level.  If you enjoy young adult, sci-fi or dystopian thrillers; this series should be on your reading list.  

About the author:

Though she was born in Germany and raised in Turkey until the age of five, Emilyann Girdner spent the majority of her grade school years in Tallahassee, Florida. She discovered early she had a love for stories. Reading books, watching movies and then acting them out with friends or toys gave living an extra flavor. This is likely why she spent the first part of her college career studying Creative Writing, before switching to Graphic Design and then graduating with a BFA in Digital Art from Missouri State University. Her writing has appeared on websites and blogs including Center for Work Life, Easter Seals Florida, MU Museum of Art & Archaeology's Musings and Examiner.com. She is best known for her Amazon Best-Selling novel, The Labyrinth Wall. Emilyann is now living and working in Florida. Given her three focus transitions as an undergraduate, it isn't a shock that she is a multi-medium lover, exploring writing, digital art, photography and design. She finds that her creativity is most fluent when given the opportunity to bounce between artistic outlets. To truly understand this Author, there are two things to know about her. Emilyann hopes to share a love for others and God in all she does. She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul.

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