Book Review: Rift Healer by Diane M. Haynes

eBook
Release date: March 12, 2012
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Author: Diane M. Haynes
HUGE thank you to the author for providing this copy for review!

After a minor earthquake, the enchanted forest in Bidwell, MA, is infested with monster-spewing rifts. Gisele's great nephew, the gifted Micah, and his distant cousin, Selena, arrive to assist. Together with Gisele's summer students, twins Haley and Lacey, they will try to help the magical forest. Much to the consternation of the beautiful Selena, Micah identifies Haley as The One whom he'll share his future. But after witnessing a terrifying display of Micah's Gift, Haley cools to his advances and unexpectedly discovers her own Gift-- she can heal the earth.  Monsters, mayhem, and teenage angst follow the small group as they confront evil in the forest and a dangerous prediction that 'one will fall'. Will they heal the rifts in time? Can they save the unicorns? And is Haley really destined to be with Micah?

Okay, I'm ashamed to say that this book is a classic 'don't judge a book by it's cover' case for me.
I'm not really a fan of the cover, and the blurb on the back was only mildly interesting. Those things almost made me pass on this book.
HOLY COW, that would have been a HUGE mistake!!

Let me try to put this into perspective for you--
I have a 4 year old daughter, and I've been buying YA and MG books for her. Yes, I realize that she won't be able to read them for years. I just want to have the books I LOVED on hand for her for when she's ready.
I have Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, Heidi, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Are You There, God...?, The Book Thief, and many more.
All classics, all amazing books.
Guess what else will be on that shelf soon? You got it. Rift Healer. THAT'S how much I LOVED this book, and THAT'S how much this book means to me now.
It easily deserves a spot on my daughter's shelf with the classics I fell in love with as a girl.

Rift Healer transported me back in time. I was again 12 years old, adventuring beside our heroes, twins Haley and Lacey.
I could feel my heart pounding during the battles, I held my breath during the anxious moments, and 12 year old me blushed right along with Haley when Micah would say something sweet.

This book is like a mash-up of Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Narnia and The Lord of the Rings--but it's so fantastically UNIQUE.
The characters are amazing and wonderful. The writing is so vivid that you WILL be in the forest alongside Giselle. You WILL hear The Terrors. You WILL feel the grass beneath your feet. You WILL see the beauty of the flowers.

Without spoilers, I can tell you that the last battle will have your heart in your throat, and that you'll fall in love with the Greenman. ;)

I don't know if Rift Healer is the first in a series or if it's a stand-alone novel--but I truly hope this isn't the last we've seen of Haley, Micah and the rest.
I can tell you most definitely that every single one of these books, if written, will find it's spot on my shelf ready and waiting.

I HIGHLY recommend Rift Healer for middle graders and teens 10+. There is NO excessive language or sexual scenes, and I'd be very comfortable letting my daughter read this book when she's ready for it.

Thank you SO MUCH, Diane, for allowing me to read this gift.

You can purchase Rift Healer here.... And I really hope you do.