Chapter by Chapter

It’s Alice in Wonderland meets all the magic and midevilness of World of Warcraft. When I first read what Beckoning Light , the first novel in author Alyssa Rose Ivy’s trilogy, was about, I was so pumped and excited to begin reading. For those of you who are unaware of what the story is about, it’s about two siblings (one male, 18, and one female 16) who have moved back to their hometown after living in Alaska for three years since their mother’s death. But, whatever dark secrets that Charlotte and Kevin’s mother was keeping are dug up or…erm… opened up since I have forgotten to mention the Forbidden Gate. Yes the gate. The mysterious garden gate that has never been opened up, until now.See, when I say (or type) it like that, you know that the story is going to be interesting. Think of the gate as the rabbit hole from Alice in Wonderland, okay? The novel started off at what I think is an interesting pace, mainly because author Alyssa Rose Ivy, quickly introduced us to the main characters and to the situations that have been taking place in their lives. After the first chapter, the novel switches perspectives, giving the reader a glimpse at the POV’s of the brother sister duo in the story.I will admit that at first, the story was a bit slow, but aren’t most stories at first? Once James entered the story and started interfering in Kevin and Charlotte’s lives the realm fun began. Not only does James plan the idea that “hey, maybe there is something behind that gate, try to find the key” to Charlotte, but eventually Charlotte passes through the gate and meets Calvin. Oh Calvin, be still my heart you are such a gentlemen. Everything about Calvin was romantic. From the way he talked so medievally (which made me imagine him as a knight in shining armor) to revealing that he would be a part of Charlotte’s guard. Why does Charlotte have a guard, you might ask? Because she is an Essence and has abilities that only she can have or control.The only problem that I had with the romantic Calvin is that, not only does he just start making out with Charlotte only hours after meeting her, but he becomes a bit obsessed and I mean obsessed when it comes to the lengths he goes to too keep Charlotte with him in Energo. I don’t want to say too much, but I did like that the secrets that Charlotte’s mother hid about herself are revealed and how throughout the novel Ivy managed to describe the relationship and bond between Charlotte and Kevin. Especially when Kevin goes into Energo to save Charlotte.I would recommend this to fans of fantasy as well as readers who want a unique and original story. I know that once I passed through the garden gates with Charlotte, I never wanted to leave.