The Waterfall Traveler

Reader's Favorite Review: Author S.J. Lem has done a wonderful job in creating characters that readers will relate to, connect with and truly come to care about. If that isn’t a hallmark of a great author, I’m not sure what is. The prose is crisply written and excellently paced. The story line itself is very exciting and readable. Any young adult reader who enjoys an exciting and adventurous tale with a wonderful message should absolutely grab this book. I am pleased to be able to highly recommend The Waterfall Traveler, and I look forward to reading more in this very promising series by author S. J. Lem as soon as I can!

Midwest Book Review:

The Waterfall Traveler combines an epic quest with a caring girl's coming of age and offers much to young adult fantasy readers. Perhaps its greatest strength lies in its ability to craft a tale with very realistic goals and concerns as Ri faces dangerous plots and counters many plans with her own: "Was he seriously rambling about a backup plan in case a guard captured—or killed—him? Every part of me was shaking. “No.” I shoved him and the amulet away."

It's always pleasing to see determination, grit, and personal struggle cementing an action-packed story, and The Waterfall Traveler provides these elements and more, never neglecting personal psychology in favor of adventure. Ri is continually challenged and meets these dangers head-on; but always with very real fears behind her bravado, and this is just one element that lends authenticity to the action: "My hands trembled, grasping my dagger—a pitiful weapon against such a monstrous beast. It was mere luck that I had even stabbed the creature in the first place. I was going to die. I was never going to see Samuel, Bryce, or home again. If only I had a powerful blade like Baxter’s and the strength to use it. But I didn’t, and I was alone. “Pull yourself together,” I told myself. “There’s a way out of this. Think.”

As her relationships and choices drive the story, young adult (and many an adult) readers will find Ri's determination and rationales powerful driving forces to the story line ("He clomped into the stream and I was forced to follow. “Is Bryce out here too?” “Of course not! He’s too ill.” I dug my heels into the soft sand at the water’s bottom. “Stop treating me like a child!” He had reverted into the cold officer who had humiliated me the night we met. How dare he think this type of behavior was appropriate? “Dammit, Baxter,” I yelled, squirming. “Let go.”) which lends it a flavor that makes it thoroughly engrossing and hard to put down.
Can't wait for Book Two!