From the start, this reader was impressed with the beautiful analogy of the veining found in the blue stone to maps of the world or even the universe and the way that Justin Sloan exhibits the ability to truly get into the mind of a twelve year old girl is remarkable. Sloan shines with gems such as, "He still had the idea that she wasn't independent until she turned eighteen..." when thinking of her father, or, "Off trying to improve the lives of others instead of focusing on her daughter like she should have been", when thinking of her mother. So typical for this age, considering themselves to be the center of the universe and that they know everything there is to know! I swear he sounded like my thirteen year old granddaughter. This reader found chapters six through eight slightly confusing. A lot of information concerning the Ring of Solomon is given here, and while there is quite a bit of information, it also feels as if a small step or clue has been omitted from each piece of information presented to the readers with the resulting 'logical conclusion' Principal Eisner draws and offers to Allie and Daniel feeling slightly off. It did make this reader pause and wonder what she had missed in the reading, but not enough to toss her from the world or discourage her from going on. This was actually an enjoyable read and one I plan to recommend my own granddaughter to read. There is a slight hint of a blossoming romance between Allie and Daniel that should catch my granddaughter's interest, as well - since she is entering that stage, herself! I received a review copy of this book for this review. ** Review originally posted to Amazon on May 23, 2016. **
