The Lucky Diamond: An exciting Middle Grade magical fantasy quest, full of monsters, witches, and adventure: 1

Five orphaned siblings embark on an exciting quest to return a magical Diamond princess to her faraway kingdom in this imaginative children’s fantasy. After their uncle is banished, Vicky, Alan, Susan, Cathy and Yvonne are forced to fend for themselves on the dangerous streets of Lowdar. A chance meeting with Lucky—a magical princess whose natural form is that of a diamond—propels them on a perilous journey through the enchanted land of Nivram. Lucky’s powers are waning, and only the energy from her home rock can restore her. But malign forces are bent on her destruction, and the kids must use all their wits and resources to overcome the array of obstacles in their way.Author Valinora Troy moves the story forward at a cracking pace, sprinkling just enough description of the various magical beings and environments to tickle the reader’s imagination as we go. It’s a plot-driven book, and a little light on characterization compared to the best in this genre. But for children who enjoy fantasy world-building, there’s a good amount of it here. There’s plenty of variety in the creatures and humanoid races we encounter. Lucky is a charming creation—when she isn’t using her magic powers to get the group out of scrapes, the kids take turns keeping her in their pockets while she sleeps. I especially like Charlie, another friendly being they encounter, whose unusual form and abilities will delight children.It takes a while for the evil witch to show up, but she’s a showstopper when she does. The story is tense and dramatic whenever she appears. There’s no shortage of other perils elsewhere in Nivram, and no reader will feel short-changed by the fantasy elements or settings. I think the two big conflicts are resolved too easily at the end (compared to, say, the Narnia books), but all the plot threads are tied up nicely before the sweet epilogue.Ultimately, apart from a couple of nit-picks, The Lucky Diamond achieves everything it sets out to, and should enchant its target audience (8-12 year-olds). It has just enough originality to make the familiar tropes of the genre seem fresh. And most importantly, it’s fun to read. Well done.

The Lucky Diamond is a sparkling gem of a book for young readers (if you'll excuse the pun). It is a well thought through fantasy with an immersive world and a lot of imaginative elements perfect for stimulating children's creativity.It is perfectly suited to the 9-12 age bracket and I would certainly recommend it to readers in this section. One of its strengths for me was that it was quite a traditional fantasy for younger readers which is quite unusual.It was very fluid, fast paced and well written without using complicated language which would put it out of reach for children's comprehension. I did feel like there slightly too many main characters it could be streamlined slightly in that regard. I could also have done with a more thorough introduction to them at the beginning. With that having been said, I did enjoy the fact that it started straight in the action.I liked the story within a story structure, too.Hidden princes, magical artefacts, strange monsters... This book is a perfect blend of the traditional bread and butter fantasy tropes, perfect for a child's introduction to fantasy.

Lowdar, in the kingdom of Nivram, is a harsh place, where those perceived to be criminals are either hanged or banished, the latter meaning certain death by reason of the monsters of the Great Forest outside Lowdar's walls. The loss of their guardian to this fate leaves siblings Yvonne, Susan, Vicky, Cathy and Alan alone and in hiding, for fear of similar punishment.Finding Lucky--a member of a shape-shifting race who's trying to return to the Rock of Diamonds from whence she was stolen--is a life-changing experience for the five, who encounter both friends and foes as they help Lucky in her journey home.The Living Rocks, the Wood of Witches, the Nilken--along with their Milken and Pilken--the Demerai and Paul, Prince of the Kingdom of Kyle, are just a few of the entities the children encounter along the hazardous road to return Lucky to Mount Slant. Along the way stories are told, which educate the children about the troubled history of the kingdom, why it was divided into East and West and how the kidnapping of both Lucky and Paul is related to dark deeds still going on. Their own family history appears to be no small part of this either, as the gifts given to the children by their mother, before her own untimely death, play a role in their survival at crucial times as they make their way through danger  including a confrontation with the evil witch Rose.It's a complex story, well-paced enough and suitable to keep young readers engaged, with plenty of imagination used to create the wealth of creatures and magical happenings. It does ask a bit much in places though, such as why a band of forest outlaws should clamour for a half-delirious newcomer to be made leader--over the experienced man who's already doing a good job--just because he's a good hunter. The plot requires it, is the answer, and maybe younger readers than I won't question it, but the imagination that wrote this story could possibly have come up with something a bit better. A satisfying story overall though

Who doesn't like quests and fantasy books? This is a fantastic example with likeable characters (both good and bad), a rich universe, lots of imagination that is just on the right side of keeping those pages turning. I read it first (past midlife) and loved it because I saw all the struggles and excitement that kids have as they grow up as well as an exciting storyline and an amazing world of good and bad and everything inbetween. Then I gave it to a 12 year old who devoured it and loved it just as much and boy did we have some great conversations about it.Just the kind of book kids (and adults) need to learn about humans, have tons of fun and excitement and spark fantastic conversations!

This was pretty good. It was a little young for me, but that is to be expected when it comes to a middle grade book, but I wanted to see if it was suitable for my nephew, and it is. This book starts off with the five orphaned children's uncle getting sentenced to banishment, and it could be their fate too, but they hide out. There is a time jump, and the kids eventually meet a talking diamond who is a princess by the name Lucky, who needs to get back home before she's killed by a half-grolsh.The children leave their village where they've been hiding to help assist her. This is the type of book I would have enjoyed when I was the age it's meant for. My nephew is into fantasy books, so I think it will be up his alley. It's full of adventure from the start to finish. I love how each chapter has a picture of an object that means something to each of the children. We later find out toward the end just why these objects could be important to the children. All in all, it was an enjoyable light read, and despite it being a bit young for me, I didn't get bored with it. So I imagine a child who loves fantasy and magic wouldn't get bored with it either. I think Cathy was my favourite character, but all five were realistic and relatable. I kept hoping they'd catch a break soon because things kept happening to them. If you or your children love fantasy novels with magic, I think this is the book for you. If teachers are looking for a book to read to their class, I think their students would love this.

The Lucky Diamond opens with a dire scene: Yvonne's uncle, who has been raising her and her five siblings, stands accused of treason and sentenced to certain death: banishment outside the town's gates where he is certain to be killed by the monsters who roam the forest. Apparently deemed guilty by association, Yvonne and her siblings are forced into hiding lest they are rounded up and given the same fate. The story skips ahead five years, and the five kids are older, and getting by, but not very well. They live in a decaying, old flat and never appear in public together lest they be arrested and thrown out into the forest. When one of the siblings find a diamond that is actually a magical creature of the same name (Lucky Diamond) who has taken the form of the jewel. Lucky explains that she needs their help to get back to her homeland, and they really have no choice but to go with her or they will be killed by the monster who is on her tail.So begins the adventure. The fast-paced story is sprinkled with many magical beings who threaten the children and slow the progress of their travel. They also meet a number of interesting characters, some of whom are helpful and some not! I applaud the author's writing style and tone: She includes just enough detail in her narrative and plenty of dangerous action in her plot to keep young minds engaged while not talking down to them. This is a fine example of children's fantasy!

Just finished reading this middle grade book, and what a delight. Ok I am not a middle grader, but having raised four children of my own, and now have two grandchildren, so I have a good idea of what would interest them, and this book surely is it.It has everything a middle grader or younger would love. Orphans, Magic, interesting creatures, trials, tribulations, and of course children that are heroes.It starts when one of the orphans ‘accidently’ rescues Lucky, a living diamond from a land far away. But this rescue leaves herself, her three sisters and her brother in mortal danger, as the evil creature that is after the diamond will eliminate anyone that gets in its way.They must flee their home and travel through strange and dangerous lands, to return Lucky to her home. Along the way they have many adventures, and when they arrive at the home of the diamonds, they must help them defeat an evil witch that threatens all the lands.For adults the story might appear a little unbelievable, but for the age group it is written for, it should capture their imaginations and interest.

What a wonderous story in Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy. I have just become a fan of this author! I haven't read work from this author before, and I enjoyed this story. This is book one in the Lucky Diamond series, and I can't wait to read the next one. The characters were adventurous and almost the typical kids, except, they have a "magical compass." The twins, Cathy and Alan try not to listen whenever possible to their big sister, Yvonne. It's not as much fun, but they always seem to find trouble. Then, they meet Lucky, and maybe their luck is starting to change, but Lucky's isn't. This is a wonderful adventure into magic, and the innocence, yet trouble that kids can get into, especially, when magic is on their side. Lucky Diamond is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book, giving my honest and unbiased review. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.

A beautifully written book for middle grade children. I'm not middle grade but enjoyed it nevertheless.I don't want to give too much of the storyline away and what happens but will give a quick outline.Five children take on a big quest to help the princess of diamonds , Lucky return home after being kidnapped. The five children go on a big adventure and defeat plenty of adversities along the way and even sabe a prince called Paul who was also kidnapped and turn into a stone by a witch.As they reach Mountain Slant, the group of children have been split up while twins Cathy and Alan are in the woods with the Forest men, Yvonne and Susan are held prisoner by Queen Rose which leaves Vicky to help save the day with Paul.This story was put together great and is full of non-stop adventures which kids and adults alike will enjoy. Would definitely highly recommend.