Leels Loves Books

  • Home
  • Book Tour Hosts Wanted
  • Contact Me
  • Library

The 8th Island Trilogy: Above the Star (Book 1) by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}

July 8, 2020 by Leila | Leave a Comment

The 8th Island Trilogy includes Above the Star, Below the Moon, and Inside the Sun. Over the three books, we follow the adventures of a quirky family, the Wellsleys. The main characters are frumpy senior citizen Archie, his daughter-in-law, Tessa, and his ill fourteen-year-old granddaughter Ella.

Archie, searching for his missing son, accidentally transports his family—and a cruise ship full of people—to a magical planet. There, they uncover the truth: all worlds are dying. Yet hope is not lost. A way to restore all that will soon be destroyed is revealed, along with the realization that Ella will play a role no one could have imagined—especially not her.

On the mysterious island of Jarr-Wya, many races of creatures battle for dominion and magic lurks around every corner. When the world falls dark, that is when bravery must shine the brightest, and the Wellsleys will reveal the strength they never knew they possessed—as well as the power of love to save the day.

“A Wrinkle in Time meets The Princess Bride.” – Review by Lee Lee Thompson, The Perpetual You Magazine

“Chute’s novel weaves STAR WARS-like characters with a WONDER-like message to form an enrapturing read for booklovers of all ages.” – US Review of Books

“Fast and bizarre… Never a dull moment.” – Foreward Reviews

Disclosure: I received this book to review through iRead Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

The 8th Island Trilogy: Above the Star (Book 1) by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}When frumpy senior citizen Archie goes in search of his missing son in the Spanish Canary Islands, he stumbles upon a higher mission: locating a magical cure for his ailing fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Ella. Using a portal-jumping device called the Tillastrion, Archie and a stone-headed creature named Zeno are transported to Jarr-Wya, a magnificent yet terrifying island in a connected realm―along with Ella and her strong-willed mother, Tessa, who accidentally stow away on this not-so-secret quest.

What they find on Jarr-Wya is an island tortured by a wicked Star anchored in the sea, and a raging three-way battle for dominion between the stone-wielding Bangols, the fiery Olearons, and the evil Millia sands. Ella’s wit and resourcefulness emerge in this new world, while Tessa is forced to confront her long-buried secrets and a confusing new love triangle. When Ella is captured, Tessa and Archie―with the help of a company of peculiar allies―set out to save her and unravel the terrible mystery of her cure. A mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night adventure of three unlikely heroes, Above the Star reminds us that even the smallest act of bravery can transform our lives and the fates of the worlds around us.

Buy the Book: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Target, Book Depository, Google Play
Add to Goodreads

Leels Loves Books Book Reviews

Y’all, I must be getting old because this book was rated PG and I have to tell you, I felt some of it was more PG-13, teetering on R.

Note: Nothing I am about to mention had any impact on my opinion of the book. The below is just my opinion. Think of it as a forewarning. You can make your own decision.

This is a young adult book, geared towards ages 13 to 17, but again; I felt like this would be better suited for the older “young” adults (more like 17+). But, that could just be me and my getting old and my being a parent.

I have to admit, some of the scenes, while not detailed, were… gruesome. And maybe that is just my great imagination, but it was definitely cringe-worthy.

Additionally, I felt there was a lot of “on edge” suspense… almost fear.

Now, this it not to say any of this is bad. I am not saying that at all. I am just giving a warning. My thoughts. You can make your own decision. And I promise you, none of the above stopped me from reading it! I can look past gore (fortunately, it’s my imagination and not physically in front of me) and a good book has suspense. Nothing stated above had any effect on my opinion of the book.

With that out of the way…

This story was something else! Different worlds, creatures, monsters… full on fantasy!

But it also has family, love, and loss. Real emotion. Betrayal, heroics, adventure.

I don’t want to share too much because I feel like the summary of the story really does describe it best without giving away any spoilers. As book one, I feel like we are getting a feel of our characters; a little bit of history and background; as well as a foretelling of what is yet to come.

The story held a lot of information, action, suspense, and adventure!

I can definitely see me allowing my 14 year old to read this… not sure I’m ready for my 12 year old to read it, but we will see what his sister says once she finishes it!

I definitely look forward to the next two installments!

About the Author
Author Alexis Marie ChuteAlexis Marie Chute is an award-winning author, artist, photographer, art curator, filmmaker, and public speaker. She has received over 40 noteworthy distinctions for her visual and literary work. Her award-winning fantasy series The 8th Island Trilogy includes, Above the Star, Below the Moon, and Inside the Sun. The series has been described as “A WRINKLE IN TIME meets THE PRINCESS BRIDE” by The Perpetual You magazine, and “Fast and bizarre… never a dull moment” by Forward Reviews. The 8th Island Trilogy “weaves STAR WARS-like characters with a WONDER-like message to form an enrapturing read for blooklovers of all ages” – US Review of Books. Chute’s bestselling memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss, was a top Kirkus title of 2017 and received a plethora of other literary distinctions. The memoir was accompanied by the feature documentary of the same name, which has screened internationally for the last three years. Chute received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design from the University of Alberta, Canada, and studied at Media Design school in Auckland, New Zealand. She graduated valedictorian with her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, USA. Chute is a highly regarded public speaker. She has presented on art, writing, bereavement, and the healing capacities of creativity around the world. Contact the Author/Artist for bookings info@alexismariechute.com When not in her art/photo studio or at her computer, Chute loves to spend quality time with her family, read fiction and non-fiction, watch reality TV, paddleboard, and canoe. She is not a winter person but lives in frosty Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with her husband and their three living children.

Follow the Author
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

 

 

 

Related Posts

  • Inside the Sun {Book 3} by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}Inside the Sun {Book 3} by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}
  • Below the Moon {Book 2} by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}Below the Moon {Book 2} by Alexis Marie Chute {YA Book Review}
  • Faith in Every Footstep by Wesley Banks {Book Review}Faith in Every Footstep by Wesley Banks {Book Review}
  • Africa’s Big Five Wild Animals (My First Travel Books)  By Anna Othitis {Guest Book Review}Africa’s Big Five Wild Animals (My First Travel Books) By Anna Othitis {Guest Book Review}
  • On Toby’s Terms by Charmaine Hammond {Guest Book Review}On Toby’s Terms by Charmaine Hammond {Guest Book Review}
  • Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster {Book Review}Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster {Book Review}
Share:Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Print this page
Print
Email this to someone
email

Filed Under: Fantasy, Young Adult Tagged With: Alexis Marie Chute

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About me

Leila of Leels Loves Books

WORK IN PROGRESS! I have been reviewing books for years and am slowly accumulating all the reviews to house them here!

You will find everything from children to young adult to all genres of adult reads!

Contact: leelslovesbooks@gmail.com

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

More Recent Book Reviews

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque {Children's Book Review}

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque {Children’s Book Review}

Then Came Love by Melissa Foster {Book Review}

Then Came Love by Melissa Foster {Book Review}

The Joy Thief: A Story of Trauma and Hope by Sean McCallum {Children Book Review}

The Joy Thief: A Story of Trauma and Hope by Sean McCallum {Children Book Review}

Find Something New to Read!

Join * Read * Connect

Book Tour Hosts Wanted

Leila M Brenner Blog

Contact Me

Categories

Looking for a specific genre?
Find your genre in the category drop down!

Search

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Visit our Instagram

Bedtime is a family affair in our house!! Addy ha Bedtime is a family affair in our house!!

Addy has Gibbs and if I was a betting woman, I would bet that's Artemis by her head.

Jessie is in my bed and again, I would bet Apollo is in my bed too - my bed that is literally a foot away from Addy's bed. 🤣

There is definitely no lack of snuggle buddies around here!

#leelawithani #lifeasleels #mizb #heymizb #reallife #mylife #mom #momlife #parenting #kids #family #familylife #parentinglife #mymonkies #mymonkiesmyzoo #sillygirl #babygirl #myzoo #pets #familypets #furbabies #Gibbs #LeroyJethroGibbs #husky #Artemis #kittens #babies
I have wanted a Venus fly trap for-ever and this b I have wanted a Venus fly trap for-ever and this baby has been so easy and so neat!!

I purchased this from @bloomifyplants and it's all set up to grow (until it outgrows this glass bulb).

No fuss, no muss. Literally no care until it outgrows this! I LOVE it!!

#leelawithani #lifeasleels #mizb #heymizb #reallife #mylife #beautifulhotmess #venusflytrap #flytrap #plant #plantlife #greenthumb #greenery
❤️ these silly kids! {And missing the boys thi ❤️ these silly kids! {And missing the boys this weekend!}

We love friends who are like family! They make life so much more fun!

#leelawithani #lifeasleels #mizb #heymizb #reallife #mylife #beautifulhotmess #mom #momlife #parenting #kids #family #familylife #parentinglife #familyfun #familytime #mymonkies #mymonkiesmyzoo #hotmessmom #sillygirl #babygirl
RELEASED TODAY!! Developmental Disabilities Awaren RELEASED TODAY!! Developmental Disabilities Awareness

Color Street and the Color Street Foundation are honored to launch our Developmental Disability Awareness campaign!

In addition to our $150,000 USD total pledge to the Autism Society and GiGi's Playhouse, we're debuting Celebrate Differences, a beautiful limited-edition design of glittery rainbow confetti.

Who needs a set or two!? I know I do!!!

#leelawithani #lifeasleels #mizb #heymizb #reallife #mylife #beautifulhotmess #mizbbooptique #momboss #bossbabe #mani #pedi #colorstreet #diymani #nails #nailpolishstrips #nailedit #drynailpolish #bosslife #dowhatyoulove #shepreneur #rockyourbliss #colorstreetfoundation #bethechange #colorstreetcause #developmentaldisabilities #bringawareness #wearawareness
Early Christmas presents from mom and dad!! (Kaden Early Christmas presents from mom and dad!! (Kadenn was at her friend's but she got a cruiser too!)

Addy's bike is a little big but with practice, I'm sure she will be cruising in no time!

Now to get a pink beach cruiser for me! 🤣

#leelawithani #lifeasleels #mizb #heymizb #reallife #mylife #beautifulhotmess #mom #momlife #parenting #kids #family #familylife #parentinglife #familyfun #familytime #mymonkies #mymonkiesmyzoo #hotmessmom #sillygirl #babygirl #buddy #teenager #Christmas #bikes #gifts #cruisers

Copyright © 2022 · Designer Blogs

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT