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The Prophecy of the Stones (by Flavia Bujor)

common sense media says

Reads like what it is: a 14-year-old's writing.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's nothing of concern in this book except bad, juvenile writing.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: A few battles, not described in detail.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Prophecy of the Stones

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about some of the issues in this book, such as fate, destiny, hope, and sacrifice. They also could talk about the difference between amateur and professional writing. Do you find it obvious that this was written by a child? Do you think it would have been published if it had been written by an adult?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When they turn fourteen, three very different girls, Amber, Opal, and Jade, are sent away from their homes, each carrying a special stone, and told that an ancient prophecy has decreed that they must be sent in ignorance to find their destinies. They soon find each other and, though initially suspicious and snippy, travel together to try to discover the secret of their fate. Meanwhile a nameless knight tries to discover who he is. Meanwhile again a girl lies dying and dreaming in present-day Paris.

The three girls and the Nameless One eventually become involved in a battle between Good and Evil against the evil bureaucrats of the Council of Twelve and their Army of Darkness. What the Parisian girl has to do with anything is never made clear.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

A bright 14-year-old writes a story. It's pretty good for a kid, and no doubt her writing teacher is thrilled. Unfortunately, there's more to professional writing than stringing together hundreds of pages of clichés. The usual requirements include a plot that makes some sense, characters that behave somewhat believably, and, in a fantasy, a world that has some rules, even if they're invented -- but this book has none of the above.

There's nothing really objectionable here, except really bad writing, which isn't one of our categories of parental concerns. Although many kids will find it dreary and ridiculous, some will enjoy it. The only harm comes in confusing young readers about what constitutes good writing. In an eighth-grade writing class this book is worthy of respect, but in the world of publishing this should never have seen print.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Flavia Bujor
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date: June 27, 2004
Number of pages: 386
Hardcover price: $16.95

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

wazzopgirl
teen, 13 years old
 
Is This Book Possible?!?!
This book is soooo good. I wish i could write like this!! It is interesting and sad, heart-warming and great!! Is the author a mastermind or what?!? It gets you hooked but wont let go! It may be long but once you pick it you might not be able to put it down. Iloooooved it so much!!!!!!!!!!!

rry1994
teen, 18 years old
 
itz aMaZiNg....a must-read book
i found 1 of da best books i've ever read, it can be read by ppl of all ages.......its simply AMAZING.....

gomezgirl
kid, 12 years old
 
great!!!!!!!!!
I love this book because these are girls you can relate to.

tweeni
teen, 15 years old
 
not a very descriptive fantasy book
the idea itself is actually quite good. however, the writing does not produce the idea in a descriptive way. the characters do not develop throughout the book, like most do in a good story. there are serious plot twists, such as death is on strike when a major character dies and is "never to return" a ten year old could pass these flaws and still state it an excellent book. good for kids, ok for tweens, but most teens won't bother to read it.

I love fantasy
teen, 16 years old
 
Good for fantasy and adventure lovers
This book is highly imaginative. I think that it is a good book for all kids that love adventure and fantasy.

rajain_14
teen, 15 years old
 
I love it! one of my favorite books.

mamaykay
teen, 16 years old
 
An Introduction to Fantasy.
The Prophecy of the Stones, though imaginative and well-written, compromises a good storyline for poorly developed characters; hazy, mostly boring sub-plots and is full of cliches. To the wise eyes of an adult this book is nothing compared to other fantasy novels, but to children between the ages of roughly 8-10, it is pure gold. I'd like to think of the story as a "practice" for other books, most notably Inkheart, a vivid tween book spilling with creativity. Books such as Harry Potter, Twilight and Lord of the Rings can be read in the teen years with little difficulty if properly introduced, which brings us to why this book is important, not as a priceless literature movement, but as a teacher.

Teen Writer
teen, 16 years old
 
Please Don't Be Prejudiced, Perfect for teens and tweens
I LOVED this book. The storyline was captivating, and the characters were so easy to relate to, even in their fantasy world. I am a teenage writer, and I just want to say that all those reviews saying books by teens have poor quality are worthless, horrible, cruel, and prejudiced. Just because an adult cannot understand the life, language, or writing of a teenager does not maked the book, or the writer, 'bad.' It is a scientifically proved fact that teenagers' brains, during puberty, are literally being rewired. Therefore, it is natural that an adult may not understand what they are writing, but a teenager can relate perfectly. I would also like to say that we teenagers would appreciate the adults who claim that all teenage writing is either A) about vampires B) sappy romances or C) just plain useless, would kindly keep their prejudiced comments and reviews to themselves. And if you do feel the need to criticize our writing, please try to remember how hard it was to balance friends, homework, and family, along with your personal activities. Now add trying to write full-length novels, and see if you still want to tear us down.

Roseyness
kid, 13 years old
 
11 year old reviwer
Well here, I'm 11, and I saw this book at the bookstore and decided to read it when I found out that a 14 year old girl wrote it. I read about 5 pages, and I thought that it was amazing that a girl a bit older than me could write so well. But as I kept reading, there were words that didn't make sense, there weren't enough details, the exciting parts were rushed, and it was predictable. I liked the book. It was nicely written for someone of that age, but on a more professional level, it is bad. There was a lack of creativity, the characters developed fine, but fell in love way to fast. The descriptions were unclear, and it doesn't sound like a 14 year old's writing. I'm 11, and I'm sure that I can write so much better.

Ladypurple
teen, 16 years old
 
I liked it but I think she did kind of rush the ending.

fred59
kid, 12 years old
 
I'm just starting this book and I love it!!! If you like fairy tales you will fall in love this book. I'm 11 and I love it!!

puppyest08
teen, 16 years old
 
Great for a sixth grader
OK, eveyone says it sounds like a 14 yr old wrote it. That might have something to do with the fact that it was written by a high schooler, which for that age I think is impressive. This book was exciting and not too violent. It's great for a sixth grader, but any older and you will get bored.

bookworm112
teen, 16 years old
 
Great!
I think the people at Common Sense should have gone a little bit easier on Flavia Bujor. It reads like a 14 year old's writing, because it IS a 14 year old's writing. It was a great book for someone her age, and I couldn't put it down the whole time I was reading it. The plot line is great and the characters are well-developed. You don't need to use big fancy words to make someone understand the story. Parents: this book was great and a great choice for kids 10 and up. There are a few romantic scenes, but nothing stronger than a kiss. There is a battle at the end, but it's more exciting than gory. Oh and for another thing, she's not Romanian, she's French.

 
One of my fav. books
I am 11 years old. This book suits my age perfectly. I wouldn't recommend this book to kids that are younger then me because the whole book is basically based on war. However, I am rather outraged that CSM said that it reads like a 14 year old wrote it. This is a very inspiring book that is exrtremly well written. In Europe, The Prophecy of the Stones was on the best seller list. Great book. I can't say it enough.

HappyFarts
teen, 15 years old
 
A seriously crappy book
This book is seriously cappy. Crappy plot twists, crappy writing, crappy 2D characters, crappy subplots and seriously who falls in love in like 2 seconds flat? it also moves way to fast and the thing just doesn't run smoothly. If could have given this a zero i would.

 
NOT a literary work of art
this book is a linear, uncreative, run of the mill fantasy book that sounds exactly like something a 13 year old wrote- people fall in love within minutes, and develop deep emotional connections in a day, plot lines rushed and felt as though i was reading a 7th graders school project, mind you it was a good project for a 7th grader. The story line isn't too bad, its predictable, yes, butit kept my interest. Not very good for those of us over 13, but good for very young to pre-teen girls. I would read it to my 8 year old cousin. But everyone once in a while , us literature buffs need to take abreak from great works of art and read something easy, simple, predicatble, not indepth, book.

Raiin
teen, 15 years old
 
Astounding .
I honestly ADORE this book . This is my favorite book , and i enjoy reading so thats something special . I'm 13 but i read this first in grade 6 , so two years ago , but i took up reading it again , i still love it . Of COURSE adults don't enjoy reading this type of thing , it has no way of relating to their everyday life , A teenage girl on the other hand would most likely highly enjoy this book . Then again teenage girls usually enjoy Twilight... ( I for one hate it. ) But this doesn't amount to Shakespeare either . Then again , i simply love this book ! Even my mother and my past vice principal loved it , to each his own i guess . Also , please remember this is simply astounding for a 14 year old girl . Your children probably can't get a book published now can they ? ( For those people who have children like my brother , Be quiet :] ) Now i have to get back to reading this!

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