The Chronicles of The Virago, Book 1 The Novus

Reader reviewed by Jeannie

THE CHRONICLES OF VIRAGO: BOOK 1 THE NOVUS is about a 12-year-old girl, Makenna Grace Gold, who is expected to step up and save her unborn siblings. This book incorporates faeries, who happen to be the ones recruiting her.



I like the fact that the main character of this book is a young girl. I have a 7-year-old girl and I would like to think that all the books that she reads would have such a positive image and send the message that girls can be just as strong and courageous as boys, not to mention they are capable of saving the world.



This book has strong, well-developed characters and it is easy to be drawn into the fantasy that is written on the pages. I would definitely recommend this book and I will be looking forward to the next book in the series. I can't wait to see what happens next. Keep checking back for the next book in the series.

Reader reviewed by Natalie Novakowski

This story is about a 12-year-old girl named Makenna. Makennas mother is going to have twins.

One night when Makenna is sleeping, three faeries tell her she is the Virago and she is to protect the twins from evil. The babies are one boy and one girl. The faeries give Makenna a weapon called Armasword.

The next morning Makennas father wakes her up to go to the hospital because the twins are born. That afternoon she goes back with her father and they are almost hit by a car, but Makenna saves him with her skateboard. When she lands in the bushes at the hospital she sees an earthworm. The earthworm speaks to her. The earthworm tells Makenna that three faeries are sent to her to help her on her mission.

After her Mom and the twins come home, a nanny comes. She has a fake English accent. Makenna doesnt like her immediately. The next day when in the park with Mrs. Revel, the nanny, Makenna doesnt trust her. Then Makenna is attacked by giant, ugly dogs. She discovers that her skateboard can fly and become a shield. Makenna finds out that Mrs. Revel is actually the evil person the faeries told her about.

I liked The Chronicles of the Virago very much. It was hard to put it down and do homework. I wanted Makenna to destroy the evil. I also learned that it is important to do things to protect the future.

Reader reviewed by Ian (Age 13)

Mak is a 12-year-old girl who lives in Pasadena, California. Mak's mother is pregnant with twins. One night while she is sleeping, Mak is visited by three faeries who tell her that she is the "Virago", and that she must protect her yet-unborn siblings, a boy and a girl, from the forces of evil. The faeries give her the Armasword, a mystical weapon wielded by David of the Hebrews and King Arthur in the forms of David's Sling and Excalibur. The next morning, Mak's dad wakes her up early to go to the hospital where the twins are born. She instantly falls in love with the two babies. That afternoon after school as she arrives at the hospital to see them again, her dad is almost hit by a car. He would have been if she had not saved him with her Lowrider, a three-wheeled skateboard. Upon landing in the flowerbeds of the hospital after pushing her dad from harms way, an earthworm starts speaking to her. The earthworm, dubbed by Mak Fluffy, has a New York accent. He tells her that he was sent by the Faeries, whose names were Marigold, Bree and Dee, to help her on her quest. A week later when Mak's mother and the twins return from the hospital, a nanny with a fake English accent arrives at the door. The nanny, with her skin pulled too tightly over her face, is called Mrs. Revel, and Mak despises her immediately. The next day when Mrs. Revel takes the twins to the park, Mak tags along because she has been warned that Sir Seaton, the devil, will be searching for the twins to destroy their chance of growing up to defeat all evil. When she arrives at the park, she stays close to Mrs. Revel and the twins in their double stroller. All goes well until Mak is attacked by one of the hounds, giant ugly dogs from hell that can shoot heat beams out of their eyes. She discovers that the Lowrider is her version of the Armasword and has the ability to fly and become a shield. After the battle with the hound is over, Mak discovers that Mrs. Revel is actually Marigold in disguise, and that Fluffy is a traitor that tipped the hound off to their location. Mak must protect the babies from Sir Seaton and his two henchmen. While normally they are unnaturally beautiful women, they can transform into their true form, giant reptilian monsters called the Alghanii.

"The Chronicles of the Virago" is an original book, and Michael K. Bialys writes differently than most authors. This book is for ages 10 and up who enjoy reading about a normal person being thrust into a situation they never dreamed of.

Reader reviewed by NH

My daughter and I have been captivated by the imagery and action in this adventurous book. At age 7, she is thrilled by the heroine and excited by the story! This story will grow with her as she rereads over the next year. She can't put it down and asks to be read chapter after chapter every night! She also picks it up to read on her own as well!

Reader reviewed by Michelle

The book follows the adventures of Makenna Gold who is recruited by three Fairies to protect her twin baby brother and sister. Makenna must ensure the future of the world by protecting the twins who are the hope for this world's future. Makenna is just an average 12-year old, who must now save the world by protecting the newborn twins!

In many ways it is a coming of age novel, as Makenna must learn to deal with her new awesome responsibilities, and her role as a Defender of hope, called "The Virago."

My daughter loved this book. She is 11 years old and completely identified with the main character Makenna. The book had lots of good suspenseful moments and some humor as well.

A fun quick read for kids!

Hightly recommended!!!