| Every legend must start somewhere… No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere. Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell. But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself. Genre: Young adult Christian Fantasy Release Date: February 11, 2020 |  |
My Review
The legends are true...
I have to say right at the start that physically, this is a beautiful book! Rarely do covers enchant me without my already having read the book's blurb, but this one surely did. And it's even more lovely in person! The entire book is truly artistic, in writing and in design.
While I had a little trouble at first, it seemed like I was supposed to understand some things already and didn't, it didn't take me long to be completely immersed in the world of Terrestrial and Echoing.
The Vault Between Spaces actually reminded me a bit of the TV movie Tin Man. It felt historical, futuristic, and fantasy all in one. Like that movie, guns and cars, magic and fantastical creatures, were side by side, dwelling cohesively within a story for all ages. There were touches of Tolkein, L'Engle, and I think even a little Lewis, but there is no doubt that the voice is Chawna Schroeder's own. It was like meeting friends who are familiar, and yet completely new.
There is no debate as to whether this is a Christian fantasy novel. It is, quite obviously. But it is presented in such a way that one feels entertained rather than preached at. I'm a great believer in reading to your kids, start when they are tiny things and keep going as long as they'll listen. Though this book is aimed at a YA audience it can be enjoyed by adults, like myself, or would make good family reading. I have fond memories of my dad reading aloud to us and I know that I would have greatly enjoyed hearing this story. I sure enjoyed reading it!
I sincerely liked The Vault Between Spaces and I'm glad that Chawna Schroeder left the possibility open for more stories featuring these characters. Which reminds me, I really appreciated the author's note at the end of the story, you'll definitely want to read it when you read the book. What are you waiting for?
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder a 4.5 Bark rating.
I have to say right at the start that physically, this is a beautiful book! Rarely do covers enchant me without my already having read the book's blurb, but this one surely did. And it's even more lovely in person! The entire book is truly artistic, in writing and in design.
While I had a little trouble at first, it seemed like I was supposed to understand some things already and didn't, it didn't take me long to be completely immersed in the world of Terrestrial and Echoing.
The Vault Between Spaces actually reminded me a bit of the TV movie Tin Man. It felt historical, futuristic, and fantasy all in one. Like that movie, guns and cars, magic and fantastical creatures, were side by side, dwelling cohesively within a story for all ages. There were touches of Tolkein, L'Engle, and I think even a little Lewis, but there is no doubt that the voice is Chawna Schroeder's own. It was like meeting friends who are familiar, and yet completely new.
There is no debate as to whether this is a Christian fantasy novel. It is, quite obviously. But it is presented in such a way that one feels entertained rather than preached at. I'm a great believer in reading to your kids, start when they are tiny things and keep going as long as they'll listen. Though this book is aimed at a YA audience it can be enjoyed by adults, like myself, or would make good family reading. I have fond memories of my dad reading aloud to us and I know that I would have greatly enjoyed hearing this story. I sure enjoyed reading it!
I sincerely liked The Vault Between Spaces and I'm glad that Chawna Schroeder left the possibility open for more stories featuring these characters. Which reminds me, I really appreciated the author's note at the end of the story, you'll definitely want to read it when you read the book. What are you waiting for?
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder a 4.5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Chawna
Beyond Reality
Life can seem so drab and dreary, clouds of monotony graying the days and the chill of trouble piercing the night. It is not the world we would choose to live in, yet it is the world we often find ourselves trapped within, imprisoned by circumstances beyond our control.
Perhaps that is why myths and fairy tales carry such strong appeal. They promise what we see is not all there is. They infuse the world with possibility. They dare us to believe that now isn’t forever. They offer us hope.
Yet many myths and fairy tales are so far removed from our normal world, we end up dismissing them as irrelevant, the stuff of children and starry-eyed idealists. For no sensible person would believe in seven-headed dragons or wing-footed messengers, in fairy godmothers and cursed spinning wheels. Yet the magnetism of such stories remains.
Which is where The Vault Between Spaces comes in. We begin with a recognizable world. Chain-link fences and cars, umbrellas and guns—these are things we know. More than that, the world feels familiar: drab, monotonous, inescapable, hopeless.
Then one lone girl steps into that world—our world—and changes everything, challenging us to question all that we thought we knew. Could there be more truth to those childhood tales than we ever dared believe?
Perhaps that is why myths and fairy tales carry such strong appeal. They promise what we see is not all there is. They infuse the world with possibility. They dare us to believe that now isn’t forever. They offer us hope.
Yet many myths and fairy tales are so far removed from our normal world, we end up dismissing them as irrelevant, the stuff of children and starry-eyed idealists. For no sensible person would believe in seven-headed dragons or wing-footed messengers, in fairy godmothers and cursed spinning wheels. Yet the magnetism of such stories remains.
Which is where The Vault Between Spaces comes in. We begin with a recognizable world. Chain-link fences and cars, umbrellas and guns—these are things we know. More than that, the world feels familiar: drab, monotonous, inescapable, hopeless.
Then one lone girl steps into that world—our world—and changes everything, challenging us to question all that we thought we knew. Could there be more truth to those childhood tales than we ever dared believe?
 Chawna Schroeder | Chawna Schroeder is Minnesotan writer who enjoys snow, chai tea, and playing “what if?”—even if that game occasionally gets her into trouble. She also loves stretching both her imagination and her faith to their limits and helping others to do the same. As a result, her writing explores the vastness of God, His multifaceted nature, and the potential of a life lived with Him. This means both learning the boundaries He created for our protection as well as demolishing the human boxes that restrict both God and people. When she isn’t reading or writing, a variety of other activities fill her “free” time: practicing piano for church, preparing Sunday school lessons, studying the biblical languages, or working on one of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie. |
| Chawna’s other books include Beast, a coming-of-age fairytale for teens and adults, and the Bearing the Sword curriculum, which teaches the basics of discernment to teens through in-depth Bible study and media analysis. You can connect with Chawna through her website (www.chawnaschroeder.com), blog (www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChawnaSchroederAuthor/). |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away a themed basket including autographed
copy of the book, $10 iTunes gift card (since music plays a dominate role in
the book), embroidered bookmark, and embroidered denim book bag!!
copy of the book, $10 iTunes gift card (since music plays a dominate role in
the book), embroidered bookmark, and embroidered denim book bag!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, February 28
Texas Book-aholic, February 29
For the Love of Literature, March 1
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2
Rebecca Tews, March 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4
Inklings and notions, March 5
For Him and My Family, March 6
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 7
deb’s Book Review, March 7
Emily Yager, March 8
Blogging With Carol, March 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10
The Artist Librarian, March 10
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11
Pause for Tales, March 12
Mia Reads, March 12
Texas Book-aholic, February 29
For the Love of Literature, March 1
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2
Rebecca Tews, March 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4
Inklings and notions, March 5
For Him and My Family, March 6
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 7
deb’s Book Review, March 7
Emily Yager, March 8
Blogging With Carol, March 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10
The Artist Librarian, March 10
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11
Pause for Tales, March 12
Mia Reads, March 12
