Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads


Young Adult - Adventure
221 Pages
Reviewed on 03/03/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

A direct descendant of the mythical Greek muse, Calliope, Emerson Page possesses a unique power. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she is a Starlighter, able to harness her inner light. Since her mother’s unfortunate death seven years ago, Emerson has wanted to complete her unfinished mission of finding Calliope’s book that holds the secrets of human creativity. However, now that a formidable enemy has also set their sights on the same goal, Emerson must race against time to find the precious tome. She dives headfirst into an unforgettable quest with her friends, Skylar and Truman. Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, penned by Christa Avampato, chronicles her adventures.

Since Christa Avampato has incorporated the necessary details from the first book, I had no trouble picking up the threads. However, I advise readers to read the previous book first because everyone should enjoy this amazing series to the fullest. I loved how Avampato included lush descriptions of a cozy bookstore boasting giant tomes, a club brimming with memorabilia from daring adventures, a planetarium with a view into the infinite world of stars, and the Library of Imagination with all its grandeur. The visuals made me feel like I was there with Emerson, soaking up the moments. Although the story depends on the death of a parent and even portrays Emerson’s grief, it is nonetheless full of positivity. With talking and moving statues, hidden rooms inside ancient trees, and secret underground pathways, Avampato transports readers to an alternate reality. Featuring an unseen world teeming with folkloric beings, hard bargains, and strange rules, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is every fantasy lover’s dream book.

Pikasho Deka

Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is a YA fantasy adventure by Christa Avampato. Fifteen-year-old Emerson Page is a Starlighter who has progressively mastered her photokinesis abilities inherited from her mother and her aunt. After attending her fifteenth birthday party with Council members, Emerson is determined to follow in her mother's footsteps and find the book of Muse Calliope, which is said to hold the secrets to unlimited creativity. But her nemesis, Raymond Sanders, is also searching for the book. When her previously missing grandmother comes up with information about the book, Emerson, her friends Skylar Peacock and Truman Billings, and her service dog, Friday, must undertake a dangerous journey to the world of faeries underneath Dublin, Ireland, and make a deal with them. However, Raymond has plans of his own.

With a healthy dose of adventure, mystery, and magic, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads captivates you from the first page to the last. Christa Avampato has built an immersive fantasy world featuring talking trees, superpowered teenage protagonists, faeries, and a host of other magical creatures. Imagine Indiana Jones for young adults with much more magic and lore, and you will end up with something like this. Keeping a brisk pace to the narrative, Avampato weaves an absorbing plot that keeps you hooked with unexpected reveals and twists and turns you never see coming. Emerson is a likable main character who finds it easy to make friends. She is someone you want to root for. I found the book very entertaining, and if you enjoy YA urban fantasy, this will be right up your alley.

Doreen Chombu

Emerson Page's adventure continues in Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads by Christa Avampato. On her fifteenth birthday, Emerson is ambushed by Raymond, a man who is determined to find the first book ever written. It is a powerful tool containing secrets about human creativity, and her mother died trying to find it. To protect the book from those who would misuse it, Emerson plans to find it before Raymond and return it to the Library of Imagination. She leaves the magical city of New York, and travels through space and time, encountering mythical creatures like Norns and faeries and famous magicians like Harry Houdini. Her new dog, Friday, proves to be a trustworthy companion, and Emerson learns to use her starlight abilities in new ways, gaining knowledge and confidence as she faces numerous twists and turns.

Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is a captivating book that features intriguing characters and elements of Greek and Celtic mythology. It is Christa Avampato's second book following Emerson's journey as a Starlighter. The story highlights Emerson's struggles and emotions, making her a relatable character. Readers will walk in her shoes, meet her family and friends, and explore themes of creativity, art, science, imagination, magic, and family. Each chapter has an intriguing title, which adds to the excitement and suspense of the story. The book is well-written, with a smooth flow and a unique plot. I enjoyed that Emerson had to go to different places to learn something special before reaching her final destination. The lessons she learned along the way served their purpose in the final chapter. I highly recommend this book to all young adult adventure fans.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is a young adult adventure by Christa Avampato. It revolves around a fifteen-year-old girl named Emerson Page, who possesses Starlight abilities. After the tragic death of her mother, Emerson is on a mission to continue her mother's quest to find Calliope's book, a magical artifact that contains all the secrets to unlimited human creativity. However, she must hurry as an evil man named Raymond, who betrayed her mother and The Council, is also after the book. If it falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to chaos and destruction. To add to her troubles, Emerson receives information that her mother may still be alive. She embarks on a journey with friends, traveling through different realms, uncovering secrets, and learning to harness her powers.

Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is a thrilling story that will take you on a magical adventure. It has unique and creative lore that makes it unforgettable. Christa Avampato is a skilled writer who blends familiar mythology with imaginative elements to craft a compelling tale. Her descriptions are clear and detailed, painting vivid scenes that bring the story to life. The characters are interesting, with diverse personalities, backgrounds, and motives. What sets this book apart from other young adult adventures are the lesson-filled stories woven into the main plot and the thought-provoking riddles that serve as clues for Emerson’s quest. I could not put the book down because I did not want to miss anything crucial to Emerson’s journey. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Great work!

Essien Asian

Emerson Page is fifteen and in the process of gaining control of her powers as a Starlighter. When she inquires about the details of her mother's death and her grandmother's disappearance, she discovers that they were trying to get hold of a particular book before disaster struck. Emerson takes it upon herself to finish the task they could not, but unlike her predecessors, this time, her friends tag along on this journey to support her. Can she find Calliope’s book and restore it to its rightful place? Only time will tell in Christa Avampato’s Emerson Page and Where The Light Leads.

Christa Avampato’s beautiful storytelling builds a magical world where human creativity has a tangible quality, and controlling it is the difference between life and death. The characters are crafted nicely with noticeable traits that the reader will easily connect with. Amid their tasks, Avampato impresses upon the reader the importance of developing an interest in adventure, honing leadership qualities, and appreciating what one can learn from books. Avampato’s storytelling is sleek and highly detailed, describing the magical creatures to such an extent that the reader will have no difficulty imagining what they look like. There is an emotional component where Emerson’s friends and father’s constant references to her late mother subtly pull the reader into the story as they encourage Emerson to complete the circle. With its even pace and Avampato’s knack for dropping subtle clues in unusual parts of the plot, Emerson Page and Where The Light Leads is a balanced story that YA adventure fans will love.