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Reviewed by Jefto Pierre for Readers' Favorite
In Jesse Whipple's On Emerald Wings, Andi is a girl raised in the Emerald Forest by her godmother. Her life is closely tied to the earth and animals around her. After some time, she begins to notice she can somehow connect with plants and animals through a rare kind of magic. Her life then changes after dangerous creatures suddenly attack the forest, putting both the people and wildlife at risk. Around this time, the Green Wizard, Verridon, shows up and tells her that more trouble is close by. He asks Andi to help protect the forest and keep it secure. When she tries using her powers against the dark forces, things don’t actually turn out the way she expected. She then begins to understand that her place in the world might be bigger than she initially thought.
On Emerald Wings by Jesse Whipple is a children's fantasy that blends adventure with a thoughtful look at power and bravery. I admire how the story takes its time building Andi's world, helping readers understand her life in detail, and then showing the consequences of her decisions. Her choices matter, which gives the plot tension and keeps you curious about her story arc. The author guides you through Andi's world carefully, so you never become lost. Each event lands in a way that shows its effect on Andi and the other characters around her. The action scenes are thrilling, and I could easily picture them in my mind. I connected with the characters, especially Andi, because they act like genuine people. In the end, I was left with a good sense of Andi’s growth throughout the book. Fans of children’s fantasies filled with magic and forest adventures will love it.