Book Review: Seeds of Discovery

Media Type: Ebook
Title: Seeds of Discovery
   * Series: The Dusk Gate Chronicles #1
Author: Breeana Puttroff
Publisher: Musefish Independent Press
Pages: Paperback; 288
Release Date: September 16, 2011
Source: Lightning Promotion Book Tours
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Intended Reading Group: Young Adult
Content Screening: Nothing of note
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HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart
Recommended to: Fantasy readers who enjoy a fabulously written story line coupled with a gorgeous new world.

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon / B&N

Quinn Robbins’ life was everything she thought a teenager’s should be. She has good friends, a family that she loves, good grades, and an after-school job she enjoys. And, she’s just been asked out by Zander Cunningham, a popular football player and great guy. But one day when driving home after picking up her little sister from the baby-sitter’s, she nearly hits a boy who, after running blindly into the street, mysteriously disappears.

The mystery only deepens as she figures out who the boy is; William Rose, a reclusive, awkward boy from school who always has his nose in a pile of books.

As she becomes more aware of his behavior it becomes more obvious how out of the ordinary William is and how hard he deliberately tries to blend into the background. This only intrigues her more and she finds herself working to find out more about him, and exactly where he keeps disappearing to.

On a whim one night she follows him and suddenly finds herself in a new world. One where William is a prince, literally, and she is treated like a princess. She also discovers that she is stuck; the gate back to her own world isn’t always open.

Quinn finds herself smack in the middle of a modern-day fairy tale, on a course that will change her life forever.

Going in to Seeds of Discovery was like walking in to a blank room. I hadn’t read the synopsis. I only knew that the book cover was gorgeous and it was Fantasy, so of course I’d read it. That was the best possible choice! I went in knowing nothing, and fell in love all the more for it. Let me start out by saying one simple word: immersive. This is the type of book that will grab you, pull you in, and lock you in the world that it builds around you.

Quinn Robbins is such a great character. She’s sweet, just popular enough, and down to earth. She manages to be both bookish and a social person at the same time! Go figure that you can have both those qualities, right? From the very beginning I fell in love with her demeanor. Quinn is the type of girl that I saw a little bit of myself in, from all different facets. Following her is so enjoyable that it’s easy to get lost in the story.

The other characters aren’t overshadowed though. William, Thomas, and all the rest shine in their own way as well. Puttroff builds a cast of characters that makes it easy to see why Quinn becomes so torn near the end of the book. If I had to choose between two wonderful existences, I’m not sure which one I would choose either. William was especially wonderful. I liked the slow growth that he showed as he opened up to Quinn. These are characters who make it simple to fall in step with them. It really enhances the story.

As for pacing, overall Seeds of Discovery is extremely well done. It does start out a little slow admittedly. Mostly to build back story for what is to come. Once Quinn steps foot into the new world, everything changes. I know that sometimes it is tough as a reader to completely immerse yourself in the world that the author builds. For me, that wasn’t the case here at all. When Quinn stepped foot into William’s world, so did I. I could smell flowers and see buildings. Breeana Puttroff doesn’t over-describe, but still manages to allow you to get the full effect.

I know this review is getting long, so I’ll stop here! Minus a few small issues I had as a reader, I really fell head over heels in love with Seeds of Discovery. This just once again proves to me that just because a book is Indie doesn’t mean it can’t be amazing! Breeana Puttroff’s book is the whole package. Beautifully written, easy to immerse yourself in, and a joy to read. Lovers of Fantasy novels, rejoice. This is one that you’ll want to read again and again. The best part? There’s more to the series! I can’t wait.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.