Review of Friend or Foe?

Post by **Rebecca De Figueiredo** » 01 Dec 2024, 04:04

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Friend or Foe?" by Patricia Marson.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Title: Friend or Foe
Author: Patricia Marson

This short and endearing novel has many facets: magic, goblins, love, good and evil, and an old-fashioned feel. It is a delightful little book that children will enjoy and turn the pages with anticipation. I am glad it has not been illustrated. Just as children before the era of television, their developing minds will create images and thus, their imaginations will be stirred. It is a simple story with offshoots from the main plot, adding colour and curiosity.

We meet the Johnstone family of Shiels farm. They are hard-working and close, and unknowingly, they will soon be the victims of a so-called revenge raid. With her doll Dottie, Abby Johnstone will befriend a friendly goblin who will help the family as the story unfolds. We meet Robert, who has been part of previous raids but is shocked by the callousness of the evil Ed's behaviour on a raid on Shiels farm and changes his allegiance.

I loved the easy-to-read prose, which draws the reader in with short, non-wordy paragraphs. It is very easy for children to read and enjoy. The story is not all 'strawberries and cream': just like life, there are dramas, dark shadows, and good and bad people; perhaps this is a valuable message.

There are occasional words that children might not have encountered before, such as 'reivers' and 'blaiberries', which are Scottish words for 'raiders' and 'blueberries'. These and some farming terms will be new words to add to a child's growing vocabulary list.

The tone was pleasant, and I disliked nothing. The editing was perfect. Nothing was too scary, horrific, or, thankfully, romantic. There was just the right amount of magic in it without making it too childish. For all these reasons, I will award the book five stars out of five. I hope it finds itself in Christmas stockings this year, and I recommend it to children ages six and older.

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Friend or Foe?
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Williams Jaden · Post by **Williams Jaden** » 03 Dec 2024, 09:08

This enchanting tale follows the Johnstone family of Shiels Farm as they face a revenge raid. Young Abby befriends a kind goblin who helps them, while Robert, disturbed by the villainous Ed’s cruelty, switches sides. A simple, magical story of good versus evil.

Pauline Mukakimenyi · Post by **Pauline Mukakimenyi** » 15 Dec 2024, 06:47

Friend or Foe by Patricia Marson is a gripping mystery novel that delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of relationships. With well-developed characters and a suspenseful plot, the book keeps readers guessing until the very end. It’s a compelling read for fans of crime and psychological thrillers.

Naimah Agboluaje · Post by **Naimah Agboluaje** » 25 Dec 2024, 07:24

Review: Aloha, mahalo for sharing this beautiful review of "Friend or Foe" by Patricia Marson. It seems like a delightful and enchanting read for children. With its magical elements, goblins, and themes of good versus evil, this book promises to captivate young readers' imaginations. The absence of illustrations allows children to use their own creative minds to bring the story to life. The easy-to-read prose and short paragraphs make it accessible to young readers, while the occasional use of Scottish words adds to their vocabulary. The reviewer appreciates the balanced tone and the right amount of magic in the story. Overall, it looks like a fantastic book to gift children during the holiday season. I give it a solid five out of five stars. Mahalo nui loa! Mesmerizing prose, swept me away completely.

Joe Alex 2 · Post by **Joe Alex 2** » 08 Jan 2025, 09:11

The story seems like a lovely mix of magic, adventure, and valuable life lessons. The simple writing style and the charming characters, especially the goblin, would likely appeal to young readers. I appreciate that it encourages imagination without overwhelming them. While I haven’t read it myself, based on the review, I’m definitely interested in reading it, especially to see how the magical elements unfold.

angel shaffer · Post by **angel shaffer** » 10 Jan 2025, 18:43

A 5 star children's story! That sounds enticing. Thank you for the review!

Diane C Johnson · Post by **Diane C Johnson** » 23 Jan 2025, 11:43

My grandchildren are avid readers, and fantasy is their favorite genre. I like the fact it has “easy-to-read prose, which draws the reader in with short, non-wordy paragraphs.” I also like that it will introduce them to Scottish words they may not have encountered before as we descend from a Scottish family with the surname Johnstone. I am the family historian, and the kids enjoy my family history stories as much as they enjoy reading so that will be a nice tie in. I am always on the lookout for new books to have ready for them when they visit, and this seems like a perfect addition to their library.