AuthorsDen: Reviews at a Glance

Recent Reviews for Jeffrey B. Allen

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 11/4/2009 12:42:20 PM
This book completely consume me. When finished reading it I still thinking about it days later. I love this book. I love stories that you find yourself stopping at periods and pausing at commas to get the full effect. There was so much depth, which so many books lack these days. The poetry of Jeffery Allen’s words allowed my mind to truly see the unique characters that became part of my life for awhile. I loved them and some, I even loved to hate. I usually rush though stories, just so I can start another, but with GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND, I took my time. A whopping week! And now as I write my review, I’m still attached to the characters I’ve come to love. About the story...GONEAWAY INTO THE LAND is unlike anything I have ever read before. It’s a completely unique story. Think of the children’s board game CANDYLAND gone wrong. Think of the characters, to name a few, King Kandy, Lord Licorice and the Molasses Monster. Think of Tim Burton getting his hands on the game gone wrong and wrapping his mind around the chaos. Jeffery Allen fills your mind with colors and the love of sugary things. I popped Skittles and M&M's the entire time I read it. Not only do colors consume you but the plot is gripping with page turning suspense. At times I thought of LORD OF THE RINGS because each group of characters had their own quest. Throughout the story you are introduced to these characters and taken away into their adventures. Piece by piece all this stories and characters come together for the big battle in the end. I would recommend this story to YA and adults, though above average young children would love it too. Great for children that know how to let themselves fall into a fantasy world. This story has a sequel but it doesn’t leave you hanging. There is enough closure but still I long for more. I look forward for the follow-up and happy to add this book to the shelves in my own family library.

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 9/22/2009 12:17:37 PM
In GoneAway into the Land Jeffery Allen allows us a refreshing escape from reality. Although fantasy fiction, a cross between The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, but on steroids, and eerily parallel to real life power hungry politics we face in everyday life, GoneAway into the Land keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense until the very end. – Elise Crawford, author of A Promise Kept

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 5/21/2009 7:22:34 PM
Gone Away Into The Land....by Jeffery B. Allen. Truly a vacation spot that takes you to depths of the unexpected. The more that you read, the deeper this story gets while remaining light hearted and fun to read. This book leaves you with a feeling of yearning for more. As you travel throughout the land with John and his mother, Ellie, you are on a journey to places that you only dare to imagine. Mr. Allen has found a way to depict self exploration, our journey through life, the wonders of the afterlife, intense life lessons and the wonders of youth masterfully hidden within a light hearted story. Find yourself in a world where not only is it impossible to forget the pleasures of your childhood; but a place where you can embrace them and make them part of your soul.

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 5/5/2009 4:30:34 AM
"I bought this novel from Wandering Sage Publishing's online bookstore while brousing their site. The write up intigued me. I am glad I followed my instinct and made this rather impulsive purchase. Jeffrey B. Allen has an incredible imagination. But not only that--GoneAway is a novel that invited my imagination to soar beyond its limits. It rekindled sweet childhood memories, yet made me feel such a powerful connection to the main character, who suffers so intensely in the opening chapters. I discovered myself holding my breath during some of the opening scenes. Absolutely riveting. The Land that John travels into is a place of sensory fullness. Memorable characters (my favorite: Hampton Ducksberry) linger still. GoneAway feeds the imagination, yet addresses serious life issues in a thoughtful, soul-stroking way. It's not too often I finish a novel, put it down, and think,"Superb. Now someone has to make this into a movie." This is my favorite novel in a long,long time.It would be an ideal springboard for discussion for both adolescent and adult audiences. I highly recommend it, and I look forward to more Jeffrey B. Allen novels."

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 4/29/2009 11:45:01 AM
GoneAway Into the Land by Jeffrey B. Allen is an interesting juxtaposition between a child’s harsh, abusive reality and a Land of fantasy and tasty confection. It is well-written, engaging, and fascinating, creating a vibrant world that draws in the reader. The plotline of GoneAway Into the Land is innovative, and delicious. The story begins with the sad home life of young John Greber, who tragically has an angry, abusive father; he, his younger sister, Marny and his mother Ellie all live an unhappy existence. The forlorn home life explodes in a violent confrontation that results in John’s father, whom he calls The Beast, kidnapping Marny; this horror catapults John and his mother into a strange odyssey, as they search for the little girl. With the help of the mysterious Driver they venture into the Land, a curious place of sugary bonbons and inspiration intricately connected with our World. This extraordinary place is now in serious danger of destruction by the evil machinations of Mengus, one of the Ministers of the Land, and the rampages of The Beast. Denizens of both worlds are bound together in their attempts to save their respective worlds and one small girl. GoneAway Into the Land is a remarkable novel, and I was most impressed with its characterization. The portrayals in this novel are not larger than life heroic depictions; they are solid, relatable, fully complete people, be they born of the real world or the realm of fantasy. The wondrous characters that abound in this novel are diverse, some malicious, some decent, some in-between. They will earn your loyalty and your affection or your dislike and disdain. There is a faint dream-like quality to this book, a metaphoric attribute as it deals with themes of friendship, loss, violence, courage, greed, innocence, selfishness, and love. It is an adventure, an allegory, a bittersweet fantasy filled with subtle meaning and depth that never loses its appeal. GoneAway Into the Land is a captivating book with a creative narrative that quietly lures a reader into an original world that is fully realised and thoroughly absorbing. It transcends into a superb piece of fiction, and I recommend it highly.

GoneAway - Into the Land (Book) - 4/19/2009 9:44:25 AM
I just finished reading this book called "GoneAway Into The Land" by Jeffrey B. Allen. The author contacted me on Facebook and asked if I would review his book. I am so glad he did! It's an amazing story told with wonderful imagination. GoneAway is the story of John, who is twelve years old and a victim of the abusive wrath of his father whom John renames, the Beast. The Beast takes off with John's younger sister, Marny. In order to save Marny, John and his mom venture into the Land. It is during their desperate search to find her that John decides he must destroy the Beast. Not only to protect himself and his mother from future abuse but to save his sister and the friends he has made in the Land. An evil plot developed by Minister Mengus may destroy the Land and everyone in it. Will John be able to save his sister and this new land he's come to love? I would highly recommend this book to anyone who was once a kid. You will not be disappointed!

Why are people shooting each other (Article) - 11/6/2009 4:32:59 PM
Your insights are brillant, accurate, and well presented.

What day is it today? It’s Constitution Day (Article) - 9/17/2009 11:44:26 PM
Amen!

Lights Out (Article) - 7/5/2009 4:52:42 PM
Obviously You Don't Read My Works,i.e We Didn't Go We Went ...Nothing Else Matter$ Except It: "$ POLITICAL (WAR)GREED MONGERING$"... Declaration As Constitution Means Squat---Whose Blame Every Human Who Sits There Reading This Does NOTHING TO STOP IT... Etal: Writing Your Politician$ Waste Of Time...They Only Care About There Own Bank Account$... Credit Illuminating Write... TRASK

Lights Out (Article) - 7/5/2009 3:59:26 AM
EXCELLENT. I hope you sparked some sense of reality into the readers of your article. I certainly have an uneasy feeling about what is going on in our country. There is a book I must find and give you the Author's name. It is called 'The Nickel and Diming of America'. Good job Mr. Allen!!

Lights Out (Article) - 7/5/2009 2:51:49 AM
You're right Jeff, the lunetics have taken over the asylum. Join or start a tea party and help put the lunetics back in their padded cells

Beneath the Quarry Waters (Poetry) - 6/8/2009 5:19:57 AM
Hi Jeff, You sum it up quite well, this thing called deception. You write like you've had some experience being deceived. Amazing, isn't it, the depth of it? Great write... thank you for sharing... In Spirit, Bear

Beneath the Quarry Waters (Poetry) - 6/6/2009 6:12:39 PM
Excellent poem,take care.Welcome to the DEN EDWIN