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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Crystal Clipper by B. Roman is the first book in The Moon Singer series. David Nickerson lost his hearing as a child and lost his mother to a car accident. The same accident put his sister in a wheel chair. When his father loses his job due to a shady deal, David can no longer sit back and do nothing. His aunt gives him a chance at changing his fate when she gives him a crystal that whisks him away on a magical ship to another world. David encounters the mysterious Ishtar who sends him on a quest to rescue Ishtar's daughter, who has been imprisoned and forced to sing for an evil entity. Through his newfound abilities, he discovers a great destiny that will pull him into the fight between good and evil, and foretells of a life he'll risk his own to save.
B. Roman has created a hero not seen in a lot of fantasy adventures. David is deaf so he faces many struggles, but this is only a small part of his journey. He's easy to connect with because he feels powerless, unable to save his dad's job or help his sister walk again. His journey in this other world helps him process certain aspects of his life. David wishes to sail away to a magical world and this is exactly what happens. The tone is similar to that of Dorothy's adventure through Oz where she discovers people there who remind her of those from her own life, which makes you wonder if the magical place David is whisked off to is real.
B. Roman uses a rich mythology tied to crystals and music as the basis of the magic. The mystical components make it feel almost like a fairy tale. The connection to music is interesting, because you can't hear the lyrics as they're sung, yet it's easy to see how powerful their place is in the story. B. Roman pulls you into this world, into the mystical beauty of it all, and gives a fresh perspective on the power of music. David's bond with his sister is really sweet. She acts as his guiding force, someone who truly believes in him and looks up to him. His drive to find her is what keeps him pulling through his adventure until he figures out his place as a hero. The Crystal Clipper is a fun adventure with strong characters and a stunning magical world.
