The Children’s Book Review | May 2, 2014
Hardcover: 368 pages, print length
Age Range: 9-12
Publisher: Zonderkidz (February 4, 2014)
ISBN: 978-031073557
What to expect: Fantasy, Action, Good vs. Evil, Spirituality, Christianity, Judaism
Veteran Hollywood film and TV writer Laurice Elehwany Molinari bursts into the children’s book world with an outstanding debut novel, The Ether: Vero Rising—a fantastical middle grade story on good vs. evil.
As a baby, Vero had been left abandoned at a hospital. Under very unusual circumstances he was adopted by a loving family, Nora and Dennis Leland and their daughter Clover. Although his mother, Nora, does her best to provide the most normal family experiences possible, it is clear that Vero is anything but. Throughout his childhood, Vero has had the most incredible sense that he can fly. When the urge becomes so strong that he steps off the roof of his house, his life changes forever as his destiny to become a guardian angel begins to manifest. After some dangerous and otherworldly experiences, he finds himself in a surreal place known as the Ether, the spiritual realm that surrounds Earth, where he must go through training and practice skills like flying and listening to his inner voice. While these activities sound angelic and blissful, competition between budding guardian angels (fledglings), battles against mythical creatures, as well as demons known as maltures, keep Vero and readers on the edge of their seat challenging the spiritual and moral mind.
Molinari does a wonderful job building tension, drama, and suspense as Vero is transported back-and-forth between the Ether and Earth. With her carefully plotted storytelling, readers come to realize that there is a connection between what Vero needs to accomplish in the Ether and in his life on Earth if he is to become fully actualized as a guardian angel—and possibly not just any guardian angel, but a Chosen One meant to fulfill an even bigger prophecy.
This is a book for children that live for action and excitement. Molinari has created a well-developed protagonist to connect with, and kids ready to take on Vero’s spiritual journey will not be disappointed—they’ll be more than ready for the next book in what’s shaping up to be an exciting series.
Add this book to your collection: The Ether: Vero Rising
Book Trailer
About the Author
Laurice Elehwany Molinari, a veteran film and TV writer in Hollywood for over two decades, has penned over thirty scripts for various studios and networks. Her very first feature script, written while a fellow at the American Film Institute, became Columbia Picture’s critically acclaimed children’s classic, My Girl. She went on to pen The Brady Bunch Movie and The Amazing Panda Adventure. Laurice lives with her husband and two children in Los Angeles, the City of Angels, where her lifelong love for our heavenly guardians inspired her to write a book about them.
For more information, visit: http://www.lauricemolinari.com
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “The Ether: Vero Rising” paid for this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …