River of Lights by Melanie Dobson was a charming little read. I was immediately drawn in and intrigued by the story starting on a tour of the Eiffel Tower. I felt sympathetic for Katie and enjoyed her adventure into the fairy kingdom, though I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had read this when I was younger. That being said, I still liked the story and late elementary school reader would likely enjoy this.

This was a very excellent children’s novel! The story is very fast-paced and well-written! I like the overall message of friendship. Therefore, this was a light, fun children’s story that will be sure to please middle schoolers!

Excellent book! Melanie Dobson never disappoints and this book continues her record of excellent stories and great characters. I'm a full grown adult but I loved this story of fairies. My 7 year old grand thought it was OK but I think it was too far above his reading level and not in his area of interest. He needed more action and cars and trucks! I loved it!

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is a fun, magical adventure. I was completely hooked from the beginning. This would be a great read for elementary-age kids. It’s not too long and there’s nothing questionable. The next story in the series sounds wonderful, also!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Have you ever dreamed of finding a magic portal? One that would take you far away from your reality?
Katie Andrews sure dreams of getting away from her French boarding school where all the girls make her life miserable and she’s away from her beloved grandmother and horses in Oregon. She also wonders about her mother, who left when Katie was just a baby, and her father refuses to talk about her.

When Katie sees a man steal a priceless engagement ring right after the proposal, she follows the thief to the river. Before she knows it, she’s all wet, floating down into the river and entering a land that is shrouded in darkness. Katie holds one of the keys of bringing the light back to this magical land. Can she face the horrible wizard who holds Rodenia hostage?

I have loved Melanie Dobson’s adult historical fiction books for years, so I was thrilled to hear that she had ventured into the middle grade realm. Katie’s story is really cute. She’s a sweet character and many girls will identify with her and the emotions resulting from her situation. Katie’s courage and moral compass to stay and help if she can is heroic, but it can get her into trouble at times. Which makes us love her all the more. I hope you won’t miss book one of The Magic Portal: River of Lights. I would recommend for ages 7-10.
Happy reading!

River of Lights is the first book in Melanie Dobson's The Magic Portal and it's a beautiful tale of fairies and other fantastical creatures that are hidden away in a magical world beneath the glittering city of Paris.

Written for middle-grade children, it's a book that they can be swept away upon and is one that can easily read by or to a child. I can easily imagine the wonder in my own children at that age if this book had existed several years ago and the upcoming series would have been a firm favourite of their shelves. If your child looks at the world with wonder, and if they truly believe that anything is possible and magic exists beneath the mundane? Then River of Lights is a book you need to get because you're guaranteed to find them checking beneath flowers and glimpsing into water just on the off-chance something that can't quite be explained happens.

Dobsons world-building is really well done capturing the beauty of Paris and the fictional world where our protagonist, Katie is swept away to by accident.

At only 110 pages, it won't be too much for an 8-12 year old to handle, and is a perfect length to introduce this new adventure, some of the characters and their troubles and joys to the reader. It's also written so well that when it comes to the end, there is indeed a thought of 'what next?' and Dobson has indeed gifted us an insight to book two with a sneaky peak of the first few pages and yes! She does indeed have as I have said, a series to enraptured those who hope for just a little bit of magic in this world.

And who doesn't want just a little of that in their life?

Some have said it's a book for girls - I will say that personally River of Light is a book for those who love the idea of magic, of fairies, evil creatures and good versus evil. Don't be afraid to just take a chance on this lovely book no matter who you are.

Melanie Dobson has done a great job writing River of Lights. A fantasy book especially for middle-grade children.

The story follows Katie, a girl who doesn't really fit in at school. During a trip, she falls into the Seine and is transported to the Land of Light. There, she must help her newly met friends to stop a wizard who is destroying the land.

The book caught my attention because it is a fantasy, partly set in Paris, France. The cover also looked very attractive. The characters are very well written and you really want to know what the end is. At the end, you would love to be the next person to be transported to the Land of Light. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Definitely recommended for middle-graders who love fantasy and who do not like scary things.

I voluntarily received a copy from this book through the author and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I discovered I forgot to publish a review on this, which I am about to do, but I wanted to let the author know I gave a print copy to my granddaughter for Christmas and my daughter just texted that they want the next book! I do hope it's coming soon. I'll go splatter my review on all sites I can. Thanks for letting me read this story!

I give this a 3.5 stars. I did enjoy reading this book. I think that Katie is a good character. She is living in France at a boarding school while her father works and on a field trip is falls into the river and wakes up in a world of fairies. I think that Melanie Dobson did a great job describing the fairy lands. It is nice quick read for those early readers who love to read about fairies. I will defiantly be picking up the next book.

I think this would appeal to young readers. This is a fantasy tale that is full of magic. The cover will catch your eye and you will be ready to get lost in the story. I imagine the series will get better as it continues to grow. This was just not my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ember Roth Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book was a great read. It was fun and made me smile at times. I enjoyed it, and think others will too.

What a fun read! This story was so intriguing. First off, it's set in one of my favorite places in the world, Paris. The story itself was interesting and and one I really enjoyed. Katie is a likable character and perfect for the story. Now I need book two because I need to know what happens next!

I read this book through NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

River of Lights was my first ever Melanie Dobson novel. I very much enjoyed the story, definitely for the younger audience. I liked the characters although not as developed and indepth as they might have been but again as a younger audience is the intended target I think that works in Dodson's favor. I'm curious enough from this to want to read the next book.
I received a copy through NetGalley and all comments and opinions are my own.

This is kind of an odd little book. The reader is cast into a moment in a girl Katie’s life. She is on the Eiffel Tower in Paris with a school group. Over the course of the next space of time, she finds her way to a magical place that needs saving from darkness.
It’s a lovely short story but I felt there were a lot of missing details that would have made me feel more at home in the story. As it was it ended just as I was finding my feet.
This would be a middle grade book.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This book is set in Paris, France. The pacing of this book is great. This is the best middle grade book I have read. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. This book is in stores for $5.99 (USD). This book is cute and fun. If you have not read this book yet go get it and read it now.

This was a pretty decent middle grade book. I think kids would really enjoy the story because it's really fast paced and filled with magic. You could kind of tell the outcome of the plot twists near the end of the book, but they were still fun to read. I really liked the world building of the fairyland in this book. I think it was pretty neat how there was a world on the other side of the Seine. The concept of the lights was pretty interesting too. I also liked Katie's character and thought she'd teach kids to face their fears. I wish there was more to the story because it was over way too quickly (I was surprised with how quickly they battled with the baddie), but that works well for a MG novel.

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is the first book in the Magical Mortal series. Katie Andrews doesn’t fit in with the other girls at her French boarding school. During a field trip in Paris, Katie falls into the river Seine and discovers a colorful fairy world hidden below. In the mysterious Land of Light, all is not well. An evil wizard named Gaul has captured the queen and stolen the fairy light. With the help of her new friend, Princess Lilly, and the firefly fairies, Katie discovers there is an ancient prophecy that can help defeat Gaul and save the Land of Light. In the process, she discovers a secret that will change everything she knows about her family.
With a Narnia-like journey, River of Lights is a great introduction to a new magical series. A book for young readers, particularly girls, filled with fairies, princesses and evil wizards. It is a sweet and fun adventure and as a fairly easy and fast read, I see younger readers really enjoying this series either reading independently or as a family. I look forward to introducing these books to my daughters. If you enjoy magical kingdom adventures, you will enjoy River of Lights.

River of Lights is available in paperback and eBook.

RIVER OF LIGHTS #1 OF THE MAGIC PORTAL SERIES
Rating- 4.75/5
Genre: Middle grade
This book was the perfect combination of mystery and fantasy that every 9- 11 year old craves.
When I was a kid, I used to loathe reading. If I had read this book sooner, I would have probably gotten into reading a lot earlier.
What could make it better
Some of the descriptions MAY be a little tough for an average middle schooler to understand which might settle a fear of reading further in the child.

When Katie falls into the Seine during a field trip, she finds herself in another world. A world full of magic and Firefly fairies. But this world struggles. It needs light. Can Katie help bring the light back to this magical world and what secrets will she discover?
Its a cute little Fairytale full of magic and light. Since its a rather short story it sometimes feels a bit rushed but its still very entertaining and young fairies will enjoy it :)

3.5 Stars

Set in Paris, France this children's fantasy book is perfect for children between eight and fourteen years of age.
Full of magic,fairies and lights this book is sure to delight your child and leave them wanting to read more.
As a tween girl Katie doesn't fit in with the girls in her boarding school and it becomes even more apparent on a field trip to Paris.
While there she enters a magical portal to a special fairy world under the city of Paris.
"The Magic Portal Series takes young readers on an enchanting Narnia-like journey to foreign lands and fairy kingdoms. Filled with mystery and wonder, this new series opens up a magical world across Europe with glowing jewels, colorful fairies, talking flowers, and an evil wizard trying to steal the light."
Intriguing series to introduce your child to!

Pub Date 12 Jul 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own