The Land Of Elyon: Stargazer

"Suspended under a twilight canopyWe'll search the clouds for a star to guide us"(The Fifth Dimension - Up, Up and Away")NOW we're talking!The fifth book in the Land of Elyon series is by far the best with regards to plot, adventure and characterization. It's also steeped in religious imagery, as the young heroine receives inspiration and guidance from Elyon (Good) while being taunted and hunted by Abaddon (Evil). From this point of view, "Stargazer" reminds me of the last book of the Narnia series, The Last Battle.In The Dark Hills Divide, young Alexa Daley's adventurous spirit refuses to allow her to remain within the confines of her walled village, and she sneaks out into the wild and magical world outside the walls.In Beyond The Valley Of Thorns, her adventures take her away from home and into the Land of Elyon, where she makes friends with a giant, and battles an evil villain and an army of ogres.Tenth City ends the first trilogy and reveals major secrets about Alexa's heritage. It also contains an epic battle, where (naturally) good triumphs over evil, but Abaddon lives to fight another day in another place and time.The fourth book Into The Mist is a bridge leading from the trilogy to this book. It fills in some gaps and sets the stage for "Stargazer", but more or less is just the author treading water and catching his breath.This brings us to book five, where Alexa and her companions continue their journey across the Lonely Sea and arrive at the hidden realm of the Five Stone Pillars. Unfortunately, they are not alone, as an evil monster has trailed them all the way, and now Alexa meets some new friends who must help her to defeat the evil Abaddon in a majorly exciting throw down grudge match.There's no need to read the previous four books to enjoy "Stargazer", which is set in a different place and has mostly new characters, but I'm glad I read them all and experienced the whole adventure. The author also quite helpfully includes a recap of the previous books in his introductory chapter.From the ending, it seems that this may be the last in the series, but the author craftily leaves himself an opening for a possible continuation. A short, well written story that is highly recommended for young readers from around nine or ten."I walked, I ran, I jumped, I flewRight off the ground to float to youThere's no gravity to hold me down for real"(Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - "No Air")Amanda Richards