Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain (Book 1)

The books story is exactly what the synopsis promises to be. You are taken along the adventurous journey of Sophia (aka the MC).The plot is well thought of and keeps you captivated till the very end.The book is well written. The narration is on point without any unnecessary details which makes it really easy to read.The added graphics are cute and an extra positive element to the book.Overall it's a really good book and would do very well with the correct audience.The protagonist as mentioned in the synopsis is of a young age hence the story too would be very well received and enjoyed by young teens and pre teens.

Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain by T X Troan is a coming of age novel where a eleven year old motherless Sophia when inadvertently left on a strange island by her father discovers she is more than a normal girl and the Island is alive and not isolated and abandoned as perceived.She has to overcome her fears and discover her potential and work as never before to not only protect herself but also her old and new friends fight the darkness that beckons her.The island and its inhabitants are vividly described and the illustrations are so good. Though the story takes a few pages to get into but binds the reader especially the Youngsters as it unfolds.The cliffhanger handing makes one eagerly wait for the sequel. A beautifully written well illustrated nice story

I finally found time to finish this amazing adventure! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT 🥰 I can't wait for the second book.

The author takes the reader and the main character Sophia on a journey from middle school to a magical island. The book is an easy read with short chapters and language appropriate for the target youth audience. The fantasy novel contains several relevant themes that the reader can identify with, such as a lonely home life, a difficult relationship with a parent, and a focus on protecting the environment. Many positive and uplifting messages are shared with the reader during Sophia's adventures.Sophia is introduced as the main character as she exits school one afternoon to find her father waiting to pick her up, an unusual occurrence. He's a very wealthy businessman who normally doesn't have time to spend with her. She's surprised and pleased by his explanation that they will be spending the next day together investigating an island he purchased for development. The reader quickly learns that Sophia's mother has passed away, and she often spends her free time at home alone, usually painting fantasy scenes. Sophia and her father start their day of adventure, meeting her grandparents for breakfast, where it's shared that she hasn't seen them in several years, but no reason is given. The grandfather is a storyteller who lays the groundwork for what is to come on the mysterious island, weaving a tale about creatures on it who are there to protect it from humans.During the breakfast and the following boat ride to the island, the reader catches another glimpse of Sophia and her father's relationship, dismissing her passion for her art and focusing on his business. They make a hasty departure to the island with bodyguards, but it remains unexplained why bodyguards are present and why the trip is rushed. Arriving at the island, Sophia and her father began their journey into the forest. She is quickly distracted by what appears to be an animal and chases after it, subsequently getting lost in the forest and beginning her adventure. The story her grandfather told comes to life when she encounters a giant tree that can talk. The tree is called a light guardian named Gordimon, who explains that humans are forbidden on the island because they cause pain and destruction; this is the readers' introduction to the overarching theme of protecting the environment.Sophia is told she may leave the island but may never return. Here she encounters the second of many magical creatures in a dark guardian, a bolder beast named Bolrock who battles Gordimon in an attempt to destroy her. Sophia escapes back to the beach, only to see in the distance her father's boat leaving the island and leaving her alone there. She is rescued from the beach by a tree similar to Gordimon, named Silimon, who becomes her protector on the island. Silimon also provides her with clothing, food, a place to stay, and training to survive her time on the island.Sophia is introduced to many more magical creatures on the island. She learns through one that her father will return in three days. Her training to survive until his return includes magic, which she is excited to learn. Her time spent with Silimon establishes a deeper connection that she cannot explain. Throughout the story, Sophia's mother appears in memories or voices she hears, motivating her to keep forging ahead. The mysterious fountain noted in the book title is finally introduced when one of the magical creatures tells her about a curse on the island. The curse says that anyone who sets foot on the island will have their life span shortened and the only way to counteract it is to drink from a magical fountain. But drinking from the magical fountain will change a person from human form. She scoffs at the curse but Silimon shares that he used to be a friend of hers, Tim, from school, explaining the connection she felt with him earlier.Sophia's rescuers are spotted on boats approaching the island but are forced to turn back by a magical wave. She, Tim, and several volunteer creatures begin the journey to the fountain so she can drink from it to extend her life, which already appears to be shortening by her hair turning white. She and the magical creatures succeed in reaching the cave where the fountain is but have to battle one last monster before she can drink from it. The final battle hurts Tim, and he appears to be dying. Sophia's final wish as she's drinking the water from the fountain is to save him. Her selflessness works, and she saves both herself and Tim, who turns back into human form.They begin to leave the cave but encounter the bolder beast from earlier in the book who intends to destroy her. Sophia, Tim, and the other magical creatures who helped her find the fountain start to battle Bolrock, and this is where the story ends. While the book fails to connect the dots and explain some parts of the story, it shares many positive messages with the reader and sets the stage to continue Sophia's adventures.

Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain is a fantastical adventure story. This story follows 11 year old Sophia to an island that her rich but neglectful father has purchased. Early on their journey Sophia gets separated from her father and ends up on her own, so she thinks. She meets many different kinds of spirits, creatures and even makes a few friends along the way. She learns is more capable and powerful than she could have ever expected.I loved the plot of this book. The premise is so interesting and I like the direction the story is going in so far. The world building done in book one is also strong and makes me curious to learn more as the books come out. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous as well.I did find the writing to be distracting from the story at times. We get info dumped on a lot as readers. The author tells us a lot of information instead of letting the characters show us. For example, on page 1 we are told that Sophia’s mother died. A point where that information could have been given to us more naturally would be at page 56 when Sophia hears her Mom’s voice for the first time. It wouldn’t have changed the story to learn about Sophia’s Mom later in the book.Overall I really enjoyed this book. It’s a wonderful story for anyone who is into magic and fantasy books. The story and characters are so interesting, but the info dumping was distracting, which is why this gets 4 stars from me.

T.X. Troan proves that middle school age girls can solve mysteries and have adventures, even when there’s danger involved in his young adult novel Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain.While the story does follow the adventures of Sophia on the mysterious island her father brought, the author has written a book that will appeal to readers of all ages. Young boys and girls will identify with Sophia and Tim. Parents will also appreciate the small lessons that the author weaves into the narrative.Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain is more than a young adult adventure story. It is also a book with several valuable lessons to teach.Readers learn that having material possessions doesn’t necessarily equal happiness. Sophia’s father just purchased an island but all she wants is for him to spend more time with her. Young boys and girls will also identify with her frustration and sense of curiosity. What is perhaps two of the most important lessons author T.X. Troan is trying to get across is a love and respect for nature, along with a sense of responsibility for your actions.“A burst of energy scattered throughout her body bringing waves of the tree’s memories. She was frozen in shock as the tree revealed the deep suffering of the earth she thought she knew.”The author has an easy and descriptive writing style that will draw readers in and capture their imaginations. It will be easy for them to picture the Guardians along with the islands “demons”. The plot is slightly complex but not too difficult to follow along, and there’s plenty of action to keep everyone fully engrossed until the last chapter.The author does leave readers hanging at the end of the novel but T.X. Troan hints that this is not the end of Sophia Freeman’s adventures.

Sophia is an 11-year-old girl and it’s easy to relate to her. She’s lost her mom recently and her dad, though very rich, is very out of touch. Sophia is an amazing fantasy artist but her dad doesn’t take an interest in her talent.He buys an island and takes Sophia to visit. She’s instantly absorbed into the life and magic of the island. She runs into danger but also finds protectors. She’s defended by a tree-boy named Silamon – though he’s really a human boy named Tim, who had been Sophia’s friend before he got to the island.Humans aren’t supposed to be able to live on the island. There is a complex society of magical beings and it’s a good thing that Silamon is there to protect Sophia, and teach her magic. He’s also really wise and selfless. Sophia is unsure of a lot when she gets to the island – understandable, because it seems that her dad has deserted her there. But by the end she grows a lot and starts to perceive her own power and value her own worth.The writing of this book is appropriate for kids around Sophia’s age or younger and I think they will enjoy it a lot. The illustrations are cool. The writer really brings the vivid world and magic of the island to life. This is the first book of a series, ending with a cliffhanger, and I think readers will really want to find out what happens to Sophia and Tim next!