Makenna Grace Gold is just your average 12-year-old girl. That is, until she is told that she must protect her newborn brother and sister to safeguard the future of the world. Armed with a mysterious weapon, three Fairy mentors, and a wisecracking earthworm named Fluffy, Makenna must battle the forces of evil and became a defender for hope. Can Makenna truly be ‘The Virago’?
Makenna Grace Gold is about to leave her boring old life behind for the craziness of big sisterhood.
This entails many, many new responsibilities - baby sitting, extra chores around the house, oh, and saving the world from death, destruction and annihilation.
She was the Protector. The Defender of Defenders.
She was the Virago.
Pretty typical stuff, right?
"The Dark One is the embodiment of evil. He desires nothing more than to see this world forever plunged into darkness and despair."
Her twin siblings are the key to the Dark One's power and it's up to her toprotect them from any and all harm.
The problem?
Makenna is only twelve years old.
"You? You're the protector, the Warrier of Warrors, the Defender, the Virago? Wonderful....Does he possibly think some common skater-girl could defeat us?"
Au contraire mon ami, what the Big Bads don't realize is that this common skater-girl is not on her own - with the help of three fairies, her new best friend and her sword/skateboard she will become a force to reckon with. The only thing that kinda sucks is her sidekick.
Harry Potter gets an owl, and I get a worm...
Overall, this was a quick fun read. The storyline was engaging and honestly, the wise-cracking worm was my favorite character (he was named Fluffy.FLUFFY! ).
This book did feel a bit predictable - and this is partly due to how often I've read this genre - but it bugs me a bit when the "Chosen One" is incrediblybeautiful/beloved/fast/smart/strong right away.
I like to watch my characters struggle and grow - rather than being given a weapon and being able to wield it perfectly. Or have everyone fawn over them.
Also, some of the text did fall into the cliche area (one of my pet peeves). For example:
"Why should I trust you?" she called out.
"I don't have time to explain. Just trust me, please?"
Honestly. In the time it takes for characters to say 'no time to explain' they literally could've given a halfway decent explanation.
That being said, I think most middle-schoolers would enjoy this novel - it is fast-paced and action-packed. Makenna is a brave kid and I love Stephen - her completely human tag-a-long companion.
AND, of course, this book has Fluffy and I adore him. He deserves his own series.
"Thanks, Fluffy," she said, blowing him a kiss.
If a worm could blush, he would have.
