"The author is highly experienced, a retired English professor and reading specialist. He has spent his retirement filling he needs of young reluctant readers with this series and his Rairarubia fantasy series. He knows what will keep his readers and how to pull them through a story before they even realize they've read a book. We applaud his efforts! Four Hearts!"
- Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews

"This is the sequel to a previous teen novel, ME & JAY. You do not have to read the first to enjoy this one though. This book begins two years after the previous book ended. Watching Jay, as his ravels went along, gave me a glimpse into a subculture that I never dreamed existed. This story is a real eye opener. 5 Stars!"
- Huntress Reviews

"JAY, the sequel to ME & JAY should be a book on everyone's bookshelf because of the unforgettable characters, their friendship, and shared adventures."
- Flamingnet Reviews

"Adams handles complicated issues of loss and despair well, on par with Katherine Paterson's BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA."
- Charles King, author

Geraldine Thomas was a thirteen year old tomboy. Her best friend was Jay Thornton, who was always too curious for his own good. Geri's other friend was Randy, who was an oddball to others his age due to his high intelligence. During a hot day Geri suggested hunting up, what the locals called, Blue Pool. It was a an isolated, tear drop shaped, crystal blue lake a
few miles away. Many tales circulated about people dying at the lake or disappearing, but Geri and Jay still decide to go. That was only the first of several bad choices the two made that day. Randy was the only one smart enough not to thumb his nose up at danger. He stayed home. Soon Geri and Jay are facing venomous snakes, hopping on and off moving trains, starting a brush fire, finding a new cave, being chased by two mean men out to seriously harm them, and much more! During it all, Geri and Jay become closer and learn some interesting things about each other.

*****
Author, W. Royce Adams, writes the way pre-teens and teens talk in today's real world. This makes the story more believable and smoother for the reader. Readers cannot help but learn a few things while reading the story as well, such as what stalactites, stalagmites, and gypsum grotto are. I would not be surprised to see this book win awards! Many will place this book upon their "Keeper" shelves. I sure will! My twelve year old son could hardly wait to get his hands
on the book once I was finished. Perfect for fans of "Hardy Boys" and "Nancy Drew", or just for those who enjoy a lot of excitement in their stories! Highly recommended reading here! Don't miss this one!
*****

-- HUNTRESS BOOK REVIEWS
(Reviewed by Detra Fitch)

ME & JAY is an action packed book for children 10 years and up. Spoken as two life-like teenagers, thirteen year old, Geri, a tom girl, and her best friend Jay, search for something to do one hot summer day. They find just that.

After deciding to find the off-limit area of Blue Pool, they hop on the side of a freight train, climb a bluff, and find a dark, narrow cave where they encounter a snake, and have a few laughs over smoking a cigarette, thus accidentally starting a brush fire. When they find Blue Pool, they also discover a huge underground cavern where two strange men chase them around
with the intentions of hurting them. They cleverly escape their chasers to the fields of stalactites and stalagmites in the cavern. They find all sorts of crickets and bats as they crawl through the small tunnels. Thinking they have escaped their pursuers, but they find them on the other end of the tunnels. The chase begins again, and then they end up fighting for their lives in one of the train's boxcars. They barely escape alive. As Jay lies in the hospital bed, Geri realizes how stupid they had been, but also realizes the secrets and emotions they revealed toward each other. Is it love?

Mr. Adams has written himself a novel for young adults that they will surely love. He is the author of over twenty-six books. Mr. Adams is an emeritus professor of English at Santa Barbara City College.

I highly recommend this author!

--Reviewed by Jennifer LB Leese, ASTORYWEAVER'S Book Reviews,

      Finalist, ForeWord Magazine

      IPPY AWARD Finalist, Independent Publishers Finalist Children/Young Adult, ForeWord Magazine
Molly Doogan and her best friend, Netty Parmet, return on what may be the last of this incredible young fantasy series.

The nine stones formed a circle in Molly's room again. This time within it was a giant bird egg and it was hatching! Thinking quickly, Molly returned it to Bovert in Rairarubia and the adventure begins!

There seemed to be a traitor in the realm training giant birds, Gremerkles, to carry off animals and children. Romey and Sam have married and their daughter, Princess Tracy, was one of the stolen children. The team must rescue the children quickly! Romey and Sam get tricked and become infected with a deadly plague that may kill all in Rairarubia as revenge from an unknown foe! The only hope was for Molly to bring her doctor mother to Rairarubia.

*****
I read this book in one sitting! It was fantastic! I can only hope this is not the last in this series. I have become fond of the characters and the magical realm of Rairarubia. This series is perfect for fifth grade and above. Yes, even adults will love it. I sure did!

Author, W. Royce Adams, has a remarkable talent for writing in a way that teens and pre-teens can easily understand and enjoy! I urge parents to purchase this series and read them with their children. Highly recommended!
*****

-- HUNTRESS BOOK REVIEWS (Reviewed by Detra Fitch)

Royce Adams' "Revenge On Rairarubia" is an engaging fantasy novel for young readers ages 9 and older. The fourth volume in the superbly written "Rairarubia" series, "Revenge On Rairarubia" has a self-contained plot and story that makes it the perfect book to jump in and start following the wondrous happenings on the fantasy world of Rairarubia and the ordinary young girl from our world who becomes involved in its wild ways. She and her best friend must confront giant birds trained to carry off animals and children, a deadly plague, and more in their quest to stop a villain who desires vengeance upon the land and all living things. "Revenge On Rairarubia" is an exciting story for young readers, and if they aren't already familiar with the three earlier volumes by Adams, Rairarubia (1882897366, $10.95), Return To Rairarubia (1882897447, $10.95)), and Raid On Rairarubia (1882897560, $10.95), they will quickly set off in search of them!

-- CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH: MAY 2002
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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