The Following review was contributed by: Molly Martin

Fourteen year old Jimmy Fincher and his family have been staying in Japan for a week. Jimmy discovered a conspiracy of strange men trying to open a magical door later the gift of a shield in book one have made Jimmy indestructible. The disappearance of Jimmy’s friend Joseph, kidnapped by winged shadows, have left him sad.

The Givers, a peculiar group dedicated to helping save the world offer some hope. Jimmy and his family have spent seven quiet days in Japan when the night silence is broken by the roar of motorcycles. Enter Kenji who announces that the Bosu Zoku have come to end Jimmy’s quest against the Stompers. Jimmy discovers a little black stick belonging to Kenji is more than it might first appear. The Ka are a group sent to prepare the way for the Stompers who will come and wreak awful havoc on the earth. Jimmy’s dad dreams peculiar dreams, the Geezer from Oklahoma, Joseph is returned and Jimmy has a run in with a giant money before the story ends. He receives his second gift Ice and uses his new treasure to save his family when they are abandoned on board a flying helicopter. Jimmy as the leader of the Alliance is gaining in power when Joseph announces they need to locate a ship, fast. They must get to the bottom of the sea before the Tower of Three Days collapses. The Stompers are coming and Jimmy must yet receive two more gifts.

The notion that the fate of the entire world rests on the shoulders of one youngster may seem ludicrous however I have never known a child who does not think himself invincible, nor one who does not want to be a hero to his family. Thus, on the pages of Jimmy Fincher Safa A Gift of Ice we find a young boy, in whose hands the fate of world rests. Writer Dashner offers meritorious values of family solidarity and a passion for people in his saga of a young hero. Jimmy Fincher Safa A Gift of Ice presents an engaging story fittingly complex to keep them interested, while yet sufficiently easy for kids to track.

Kids will enjoy the fast paced romp beginning with Jimmy telling of the seventh day his family has spent in Japan and ending with Jimmy’s desire to be given his third gift. Jimmy Fincher Safa A Gift of Ice show cases writer Dashner’s fertile imagination in a well crafted tale of astonishing escapades and exceptional, well fleshed characters. Dialogue is filled with childish wonder and excitement. I like Joseph and his use of vernacular. He is a character much like fellows I have known. This is a book sure to please youngsters in the target audience and will be a good addition to school, home and personal libraries.

Book 3 Tower of Air is next in the series.