16/08/2018 11:59:45 AM - Skye
Nice start
I was given a free copy of this book by the Dymocks Booklovers program on the proviso I write a review once I’d read it. Well, I started it last night and I’ve finished it before lunch time today! It was an easy read with heroic but normal characters. The story itself was well written and the new world worked. There weren’t any moments where I didn’t understand what was happening (other than intended - the story is well written) and I am curious as to what happens next, and I was through the entire story. Stoked to see an Aussie author who grew up in country NSW making a good go of being a writer!
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19/08/2018 9:27:34 PM - Alex
Fun fantasy for the younger end of the YA spectrum
Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is a valiant effort by a local author, and one that will probably catch the minds of younger Young Adult readers. At times the book can't help feeling familiar - Jane is introduced living in the basement of an abusive household for reasons that are deemed "magically sound", the bulk of the novel's action consists of Running through a Maze - but Lachlan adds a few flourishes to make the story his own. Jane has an almost cute (albeit conveniently justified) crush, and there's a train chase that shows a good amount of imagination.
Unlike the current trend in mainstream YA fiction, Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds does not tell a complete story. It would feel like it was on a cliffhanger to nowhere if Lachlan wasn't wise enough to have already inked a deal - and, presumably, already written the next instalment. There probably won't be much crossover with older readers, except those who pick it up in gay solidarity, but this is a meaty enough work for the mid-teens and below audience.
Disclaimer: I was sent this book in ARC form but I didn't actually receive it until the day of publication, so I took slightly longer to get around to reading it.
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30/07/2018 4:35:27 PM - Dominic
An exciting debut, filled with Adventure.
First in a new series, the debut novel 'Jane Doe' introduces a world full of adventure where the titular character has to embark on her own to save her missing Father, and perhaps discover the mystery of her own identity.
Filled with excitement and tinged with mystery, this novel is well paced and hooks from the first chapter. While only being the first in a series of unknown length, it bodes well for future works from this author.
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10/08/2018 3:19:11 PM - Rebecca
Great read!
I received this book in return for a review, as part of the Goldlovers rewards program (which I have to recommend in itself! I mean free books - who wouldn't say yes to that!). At the beginning I was a bit weirded out by the fact that the main character's name is Jane Doe. I couldn't help thinking that it was just lazy writing. But as soon as I started reading the book I couldn't put it down! The name really worked for me in the end, which is funny since it was my biggest reservation. So I can confidently say that this book exceeded all my expectations and was in turn a great read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. An engaging adventure, and an interesting read. 10/10 recommend.
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4/08/2018 4:53:44 PM - Catherine
Excellent
This is a fantastic read, excellently suites for young adults and holds up very well for adult readers. Jeremy Lachlan has built a wonderous, mysterious universe with deep, engaging characters. This book is fast paced and action filled. Highly recommended read
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12/08/2018 12:23:58 PM - Linda
Thoroughly enjoyable
I was lucky enough to be given an advance copy by Dymocks and am very grateful I was. It's very refreshing to read an action based book with a female lead and I can't wait to read the rest in the series. I enjoyed myhe book so much I ripped through it in a couple of hours because I just could not put it down .
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14/08/2018 10:36:05 AM - CJ
Brilliant debut!
I’m going to be honest and say I had High Hopes for this book. I had Expectations. The last middle grade book I read was Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow and it might be a little unfair to say that’s the bar for middle grade because so many awards, but there you are. High Hopes and Expectations.
Was it Nevermoor-level incredible? Not quite, but it honestly came really, really close for me. It’s an entirely different sort of story, which I appreciate because when books start to read alike it all gets a bit too boring. That said, some bits of Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds were just gross – not horror-gore gross, but just…. icky. I’m laughing at myself as I write this because there really is not a more grown-up way to describe a couple of the scenes in this book, they’re just icky. Which honestly, for me, is a good indication of the strength of the writing. I genuinely felt grossed out at times. I also felt sheer irritation, happiness, confusion. There are names that just make me frown now. I’m impressed by that.
Another thing I was genuinely impressed by was the plot. I mean, this is middle grade fiction, ok? When I was actually of the age this book is targeted to, I had the Saddle Club and the Babysitters Club. While fun to read at the time, they weren’t exactly head-scratchers and I was reading Pullman and Jordan by age 10, so…. The sheer awesome now available to kids is matched only by my irritation that more kids aren’t bedazzled by all of the worlds within pages that are now available to them.
And this book LITERALLY HAS MULTIPLE WORDS WITHIN ITS’ PAGES!
The world that Jeremy Lachlan is building here is just incredible. It has gods, mythology, traditions, legends, history. I mean, really. I’ve read full-length novels that don’t do any of this as well as it’s done here. I adored reading this book, and I’ll tell you it didn’t last long: I absolutely devoured it. Maybe four hours, all up. High Hopes and Expectations: met.
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14/08/2018 5:05:21 PM - Jennifer
Fast-Paced and Fun
Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is an enjoyable, fast-paced adventure. Jane and Violet are both strong, believable heroines as they run dangers through the Manor with mysterious Hickory. The three fight to save the Manor and all the worlds which hinge on it from the evil Roth, who resembles ‘Pestilence’, one of the four riders of the apocalypse. Even if I failed to form a strong connection to the characters, this story flows well and is still a page-turner, suitable for teens or adult airport/holiday reads.
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8/08/2018 7:59:28 PM - Alex
An epic adventure
This debut novel from Jeremy Lachlan is filled with wonder and mystery. There were times throughout the book where Jane Doe's voice felt unrealistic and unlike any female teenager I've spoken to (the author is an adult male), but this was easily forgiven as Lachlan's world building is superb with just the right amount of excitement and intrigue. The next book in the series is sure to be just as thrilling!
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23/09/2018 2:31:02 PM - Kirsty
Mystery and adventure!
Jane Doe And The cradle of all worlds follows the adventure of Jane as she saves her dad and unravels the mystery of her past and of the manor. Definitely a hit for younger readers in late primary school, and I would recommend this for kids who have found reading boring so far. This book made me feel like I was playing a game of temple run in my mind. My low rating is just that the narrative voice and slight off humour was not for me.
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13/08/2018 11:29:16 AM - Alison
Action packed adventure
Jane Doe is a feisty survivor, blamed for all the misfortunes of her town. But when she delves into the local manor it turns out she might be the only thing that can save her world and all others. An amazing magical adventure with a refreshing Australian voice, early teens will be drawn in and consumed by the twists and turns of this tale. Can't wait for the sequel!
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2/09/2023 12:23:17 PM - Farlin
incredible
perfect
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