Six-year-old Olivia finds a glowing treasure map that only she can see. Then, seven years later, a spaceship lands in the wheatfields behind the farmhouse where she lives with her dad. These two significant events prompt her to discover that she has an important destiny to fulfill.
According to Galax, the boy in the ship, she is the Princess of Blue Earth. Only she can lead the pair to the Black Ruby, which has the power to heal anything—including her father’s cancer.
So, the pair set out into space where they explore magical and ethereal beauty. But on their quest, they face threats from six Black Priests who could take everything away. Only friendship has the power to transcend time and space.
I really enjoyed reading this short book! Of course, it’s sci-fi, and the concept is far-fetched. But it prompted me to dream. I found myself imagining what it would be like to travel to those far away places with Olivia and Galax. Oh the wonders of an invisible ocean, colorful planetary bands, and bright sunshine and stars a billion trillion million years away.
Olivia finds herself dreaming, too. What would it be like to travel with a stranger? What would happen if she can cure her dad? What’s it like to travel through a wormhole? Is she really a princess? If so, what does that mean? And does she have what it takes to fight and defeat the Black Priests? She discovers the answers to these questions and more on this adventure. But first, she must find the brave inside her.
While helping the new friends embrace their gifts and powers, the book gets a little preachy in places. And I noticed a few plot holes where a destination was mentioned once and then skipped over. However, I really enjoyed the message of this book. The themes of friendship, hope, teamwork, courage, self-worth, and love touched my emotions. I would definitely read more novels by the author.
And I really appreciated the reminder to keep dreaming. I owe it to myself and the world to discover, embrace and nurture my talents, interests and skills as I work together with others to make a difference. On this quest of life, show up and be me.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“We all start out knowing magic. We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us. We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right out of our souls. We get it churched out, spanked out, washed out, and combed out. We get put on the straight and narrow and told to be responsible. Told to act our age. Told to grow up, for God’s sake. And you know why we were told that? Because the people doing the telling were afraid of our wildness and youth, and because the magic we knew made them ashamed and sad of what they’d allowed to whither in themselves”— Robert McCammon
I suppose that’s why children grow up— to discover new things and to teach adults new ways.
It’s a home because there’s love in it.
“I am famous.”“But how?” I asked. “I’m famous to me.”
“But what if your life isn’t a good story?” He thought for a moment. “Well, then—” he began. “It is why it’s important to not only tell good stories, but to lead a life worth telling stories about.”
There’s no point in doubting yourself. You are what you’ll become. You’ll be what you always were: a majestic princess.
Students At Home 