Reader Comments about MAGIC MOON

Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein
TOKYOPOP
ISBN: 159816452X
344 pages
(October 2006)

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Andrea from Buda, Texas

I really enjoyed reading MAGIC MOON. A few things reminded me of other books, like The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, and yet it was more interesting and fast-paced than both of those series!    

I did think some parts of the book were a bit ridiculous --- like Kim flying a spaceship called a Viper to Magic Moon, and he somehow knowing how to fly it just because he'd read about it in his novels. I also thought that his parents, or at least one of them, should have been staying with his little sister while she was asleep in the hospital. If I was her parent and she miraculously woke up, I'd want to be there. I'm not even a parent, but I think most parents would feel the same way. So some parts like that were just kind of unrealistic.

There was also a theme I didn't like: Humans shouldn't reach for the stars. They should be satisfied with what they have. I've always been taught to dream big, and if that means reaching for the stars, then so be it. But I did like the theme that where there is good there is also evil. I think that's very true and thought provoking. 

So some things I liked and some things I didn't, but overall I found MAGIC MOON to be very entertaining!

B.J. from Sibley, IA

MAGIC MOON is a compelling adventure story set in suburbia England. It contains a well-crafted structure that, without a doubt, will capture the minds of young readers --- particularly boys. The use of Kim's seemingly mundane existence, paralleled with that of his sister, her struggle to regain her usual self, and her mysterious connection with other colorful characters (particularly early in the story) provide a tantalizing storyline that is sure to create desire from young readers as they await the turn of the next page. The story does an excellent job of transporting the reader between settings and alternate worlds. The action young Kim is called upon to do, with the assistance of his elder mentor, helps him find himself, his inner strengths and weaknesses, thus allowing him to cope with difficult situations back in his home and reality.

A caring story utilizing real-life situations, laced with the adventures of science fiction, it is sure to be a favorite of both old and young readers alike.

Madelaine from Lakewood, CA

MAGIC MOON has a lot of adventure and fantasy in it, as a boy named Kim has to save his little sister. Wow! I didn't know it was originally published in Vienna, which is in Europe. Perhaps it will be turned into a movie, Narnia-style. The book, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, is somehow similar because it has the evil Borass take over Magic Moon and the white witch (who's evil) take over Narnia. Well...maybe it's not like Narnia, but I love to read books. If you are a fan of manga, make sure you pick up a copy of MAGIC MOON before anyone else gets their hands on it. Here's my message to TOKYOPOP: "Good job, and I hope there will be other titles as well from anime shows to be made into a novel."

Matt from Dayton, OH

MAGIC MOON written by Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein is a truly wondrous piece of art. As the first POP Fiction book by TOKYOPOP I have read, it is a wonderful debut for the new section of TOKYOPOP. The only way to describe MAGIC MOON would be the word "magical." This is the first book in a long time to steal every minute of my spare time. The last time I got that into a book was when I read the first Harry Potter book. To quote Themistokles, "Magic Moon is a land full of friends and fun." With a diverse number of characters, settings and moods, MAGIC MOON is a piece of art. I won't give away the story because you wouldn't understand it unless you read it. To sum it all up in this review would be very difficult, but let me try.

There is a boy named Kim Larssen who would much rather read than do his homework. Pretty ordinary, right? Wrong. Kim's four-year-old sister Rebecca is in a coma after an appendix operation. The doctors are stumped, and nobody knows what's wrong. That's when Kim meets Themistokles, who tells him that an evil sorcerer named Boraas has kidnapped his sister in the world of Magic Moon. Kim agrees to go on a journey and attempt to save his sister, along with the world of Magic Moon.

MAGIC MOON is one of the best books I've read in quite a long time, and if you liked Lord of the Rings, you should definitely read this. With so many characters to meet and places to go, MAGIC MOON will hold your free time captive.

Monica from Skokie, IL

MAGIC MOON is an unexpected summer read that has turned into one of my favorite books. At first I was apprehensive to dive deeper into it because of the science fiction aspect, but as I read on, the book came alive to me. Almost every single sentence has the most extraordinary imagery, and that is what kept me hooked. As Kim ventures into the lands of Magic Moon, readers (like I did) will surely find themselves right next to Kim, fighting with him to the very last page. His heroic adventure takes many twists and turns, and he meets some very unusual friends. The fact that he disguises himself as the enemy adds a slight humorous touch. However, the book doesn't have a main theme that embodies jokes, and instead the gripping battle of good against evil is played out.

Although this is a recurring theme in many books, MAGIC MOON has its own unique way of storytelling, with a few exciting myths mixed in along the way. Throughout the journey, Kim grows into a stronger person, and I was able to grow along with him. The book as a whole was a pleasure to read, and I was immersed in it the entire time I read.

For those who love following a hero on an adventure, through wonderfully descriptive lands and fast-paced challenges, and for those who love a book that stays consistently in its caliber from beginning to end, then MAGIC MOON is most definitely the book for you.

Sally from Morenci, MI

First, I will mention that "fantasy fiction" is really not my favorite. Second, I must say MAGIC MOON might change my mind.

MAGIC MOON draws the reader into the story by starting with a realistic situation in the life of Kim and his family. Concern about Kim's sister grabs the reader and pulls them into the family's life. When the situation switches to the more fantastic part of the tale, the reader just "goes with the flow."

This story will be popular with many readers because of the mix of reality and fantasy. The colorful characters (dragons, knights, horsemen, etc.), written into a smooth flowing narrative and dialogue, will make this type of book a success.

Sara from Virginia Beach, VA

Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein's MAGIC MOON is an exciting new twist on the traditional quest novel. After Kim, our science-fiction-loving hero, discovers that his younger sister Rebecca has fallen into a coma, he sets off on a quest into the realms of the imagination, into the world of Magic Moon. The Hohlbeins play with the genres of science fiction and fantasy, and with the attitudes of readers of different ages towards those genres. For example, Kim, who belittles the fairy stories that his sister loves or the "stories about lands behind mirrors and mysterious realms on the other side of time," then finds himself thrust into such a story.

Fans of Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy reading about Kim's quest and his bravery in the face of fierce opposition, while fans of TOKYOPOP's manga may find themselves enthralled with a whole new world of fantasy literature.

Zoe from Miami, FL

I thought that it was a powerful display of words, about a boy who will try to do the impossible to save his sister Becky. The adventures he goes through are mind boggling, and I think that even though the book is fiction, that it is a lesson book. Everyone should read this book, because I loved it.

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