BOOK REVIEW: Max Hamby and the Blood Diamond by Kathy Cyr

BLURB:

The first book in the children’s fantasy series - Max Hamby. 

It’s the last week of school. With sunny days ahead and no more tests or bullies, life for Max Hamby is about to get alot better.....until he crashes into an odd exhibit at the local museum.  

Strange things begin to happen. 

When Max’s mother disappears, he’s left in the care of his eccentric neighbor where lawn gnomes come to life and 

a bird meows. Mrs. Pitt shows him that magic is real and not all like the fairytales 

he once knew. 

The discovery leads him to Merrihaven, where even stranger things await, including a dwarf, a troll and a couple of pixies. 

He quickly finds himself at the center of a battle between good and evil. 

Someone has resurrected the Shadowstone to free the evil imprisoned inside. Max must summon the courage to find seven magical stones to save his mother and stop the evil, before it’s too late.

REVIEW BY: Angel, age 13 years, 3 months

MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:

This book was intense and full of mystery with great twists and turns. I loved the pace of this book and how the end of the book left you with a cliff-hanger. 

This book is about a boy named Max. When his mother goes missing, he is determined to do anything to get her back. He soon discovers that the world of his is full of magic. He has a stone in his heart that tons of super dangerous witches and wizards want. Max soon meets his whole family that he never knew he had. However, since Max just figured out he has magic, he has to work super hard to control it so she can fight to get his mom back. 

My favorite character is Alice because I love how the author made her so spooky and horrific. Alice plays a very important part in this book, but she is barely in it. 

My favorite part is when Max meets his father because everyone thought he was dead. 

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the next book to it. The book was fascinating, but does need a little more vivid descriptions throughout. 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 and up.