This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Lisa L. Mintie grew up in California near the Pacific Ocean where she spent many summer days exploring the coast and many starry nights sharing splendiferous tales of adventure around the campfire. She started writing poems and stories at the age of ten; an expression of her great love for very old books of legends and fairy tales. After studying English literature and theater in college, and receiving her teaching credentials for K-12th grade, she taught school for many years afterward. L. L. Mintie now lives with her family in the shadow of the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado and enjoys hiking, reading, and crocheting in her spare time.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Moonfin: Through the Watery Door is a science fiction/contemporary fantasy novel for children and preteens written by L.L. Mintie. Lizzy's brother, Brandon, disappeared when she was eight years old. The Grape family had been in town visiting an odd touristy shop that had an aquarium in the back of it, when Lizzy realized that she could sense the emotions of the fish she was looking at. Brandon announced that he would be taking the family's boat, the Sundancer, out to explore Otter Island. Lizzy begged him to allow her to go along on the trip, but Brandon's manner seemed oddly strained as he refused her. Lizzy is now 12 years old, and she still wonders if Brandon is alive. Summer is just beginning, and she and her friends, Jeff and Kai, are looking forward to their volunteer jobs at the Discovery Bay Aquarium where her mother works.
L.L. Mintie's contemporary fantasy for children and preteens, Moonfin: Through the Watery Door, has a marvelous seaside setting and three stalwart adventurers whose lives will be changed forever by the events that occur during their twelfth summer. I loved the aquatic theme which figures largely in this intriguing and imaginative coming of age tale, especially the year-end beach party for the eighth graders and the great gimpit hunt. Lizzy's geeky nature complements Kai's surfer girl ambitions and Jeff's practical and materialistic streak, and the combination of these three different personalities is a synergistic and dynamic one. As a team, they're inspired and a lot of fun to follow as they investigate clues and find themselves in a series of sticky situations. While Moonfin is categorized as a novel for children and preteens, this coming of age fantasy should appeal to young adults and anyone else who's still young at heart. It's highly recommended.
