A review by pause_theframe
Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs

5.0

The Story

We've all got dreams. Some of us have plans to do something of brilliance and some of use just want to live a normal life, university, family, friends and maybe a few small adventures. Well, whilst we all may work toward the life we dream of, for some people it just isn't possible. Ally is one of those people.

Things start to take a turn for the worst, when Ally's uncle is a no show for her graduation. She has plans, running through her mind, that involve getting even by breaking a few rules and heading off to university, something her uncle wasn't too keen on.

However, Ally's plans of vengeance are put on hold, when her and her friends arrive at her house, prepping to grab party supplies and split,only to find her uncle being attacked by some thing.

Within minutes, Ally and her mates are rushing down a country road, hurtling toward an intertwined destiny they never thought possible. As the blades of her future are thrust into the ground, Ally begins to notice that her life is about to change, in ways she never imagined...is she ready for the challenge?

Follow Ally and her mates as they explore a world they never knew about, uncover secrets about Ally's family, Princess Bray-Bray (school popular girl and bully) and possible a few people close to them, whom they never expected. The real question is, will their bonds of friendship and love be enough to conquer the approaching evil?



What I Thought

I couldn't put this book down! The characters, the storyline, the pace, the detail, the crossovers between certain beliefs, fantasy and real life are written to perfection.

I found this book to be a great all-round book. It is perfect for many ages of readers, from teens/YA all the way through to adults. The lessons learned, by Ally, are those which appeal to and happen to all ages, really pulling you in and making you a part of the story. You find yourself relating to the feelings she has, as well as some of the deep feelings we see from the other characters. The drama is great for relating to teens and YA, while still having a mature tone to them.

I loved the pace of this book. There was never a dull moment, always sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting and wondering what would happen next, how would this affect 'the choice' and Ally? I found that though the pace was fast and entertaining, Hibbs was able to layer in the details needed to create rounded, realistic and deep characters.

The storyline was excellent, sticking to great fantasy writing and really incorporates in a favourite style, where real world beliefs/stories are accounted for in this fantasy world. The story also remains realistic, which is great. You close the back cover, having finished the last brilliant line, and half expect to walk outside and see Dave, Jessica or Ally.

OVERALL: I highly highly recommend this book. The writing style, depth, pace and story are brilliant. It is a book that will appeal to a wide age range, and I believe it is appropriate for early teens through to adult.