The Six is the first book in a series of six. In this first book, the group of six main kids are about thirteen years old. Darcy, the main character starts the summer unhappy about being forced to go on a family vacation to a family camp, instead of being able to go to her usual horse camp.

Darcy raises interesting emotions in me. She’s awkward and uncomfortable in this social setting, and yet, when her neighbor, Samantha, tries hard to be her friend, Darcy is embarrassed to be seen with her. Sam is noticeably overweight. Their other neighbor, Louis is also a sort of nerd, and Darcy is embarrassed being seen with him. Part of me resents her for that. I was the odd child in school, being blind, and kids were afraid to talk to me or to be seen with me.

And yet, I also completely relate to Darcy’s shy awkwardness, her feelings of inadequacy in this overly social setting, even to her thoughts that her voice sounds squeaky when she tries to speak. Darcy’s inner thoughts about such things could very well have been my own.

One day, Darcy and Sam take a walk, and Darcy happens to wander through a special gateway into another quite wonderful world. There she meets Yahto Veli, a Nark, a creature who has a day self and a night self, a completely different look and personality for each, but in the same body. she meets others as well, and she is told that she is part of a prophecy, a prophecy of Six that would come and help save this new land from the tyranny under which it has suffered for years. she must return to her own land and bring back her five other friends. When they return, they will begin to fulfill their destiny. they each have a role to play: the warrior, the scribe, the spy, the musician, the companion and the king’s intended.

They set off on a marvelous adventure into a world of new friends and new dangers. they must learn their secret talent, try not to get captured and help free the land.

After a year, they will go back to their own world, where they will find no time has passed at all. They will return the following year and continue the fight to save the land and its people.

I completely and utterly adore this book. The sequel comes out on Thursday, and I can hardly wait. The characters are delightful, completely believable in their strengths and flaws. None are perfect but all are endearing.

I haven’t felt this captivated by a young adult book like this since Harry Potter stole my heart, and this surpasses even my love of the Mysterious
Benedict Society series. I found myself thinking of this long after the last words, wanting more, wishing I could go to the camp and the other world and participate in the struggle for freedom. Hell, I almost wished I was thirteen again and could go on the adventure and be part of the Six.

Definitely Five out of Five stars, two thumbs up and any other ways I can say, I love this book and can’t wait for more. Nothing has entertained me and haunted me so much in a very long time. I consider it a must read for any adult who still has that secret part in their soul and wishes they could just go, go to a new world, go on a dangerous quest and live to tell the tale.

Sherry, posted June 12, 2012