The Paper Crane - The Debut Novel by Madeleine Wilson

Growing up is never easy. Lin Roberts is a simple girl with high school dreams and plans with friends. The summer has just started and it's time to have fun. When Lin and her friend Mike are magically transported to another world, Nouveau Monde, their lives suddenly change. In the new land, the sentiments of war are stirring and the newcomers find themselves in the middle of it.

The Paper Crane is the debut novel of Madeleine Wilson. It is a story of exploration, friendship, and identity. The characters in this novel are varied in traits and provide much insight as to what Nouveau Monde is like to live in. The characters are not cut-and-dry, which makes their interactions interesting and intriguing. As the various characters travel through dark forests, enchanting glittering palaces, and strange villages, it becomes hard to tell who can be trusted and what will happen next. As Lin and Mike find themselves in unimaginable situations, they form a unique bond that grows stronger with each trial they face.

The main character, Lin, is a young girl who is thrust into a difficult situation. As if high school wasn't stressful enough, right? This book begins at the end of ninth grade, where Lin Roberts has no idea about the drastic turn her life is about to take. The reader journeys with her, becomes familiar with her insights and concerns, and experiences a kaleidoscope of emotions with her as events unfold.

The supporting characters offer some context to on-going situations that have started before Lin and Mike's arrival. However, the reader is often in the dark in the same manner that Lin is in the dark about some of the happenings in the strange new world she finds herself in. Readers are able to relate to the character in this way, as they are experiencing this new world at the same time as the narrative character.

Lin's companion, Mike, compliments the traits of the main character, all the while having unique traits of his own. He easily reminds the reader of that boy we all knew in high school: kind of shy but outspoken when needed. He is protective of Lin, although Lin proves to be capable protector as well. While not necessarily the stereotypical heroes of a fantasy novel, Lin and Mike provide some familiarity to the fantasy genre as well as provide some new perspectives.

The main conflict of this tale is the looming war that is believe to erupt at any moment. Nouveau Monde has a somewhat unconventional political structure, which can be best summed up that there are a handful of kingdoms that make up the world. Each kingdom has their own distinct qualities, gods, belief systems, social structure, and terrain. When one kingdom threatens war and becomes hostile, the other kingdoms have to decide who to align themselves with. Lin and Mike are forced to choose sides, even though they're unsure of what is happening around them. The lines between right and wrong are blurred, and Lin and Mike must decide who they can trust.

The titular paper crane started out as a simple gesture of friendship. Eventually, it evolves into a symbol of normalcy, peace, and love. 

This book is recommended as a teen fantasy novel or as a young adult fantasy, in regards to the median ages of the characters and the content of the novel itself. The contents of the story are not over-complicated nor hard to follow, but still allow much room for imagination, mystery, and unanswered questions that will appear in upcoming sequels. Ms. Wilson has created a fantasy universe that is sure to keep readers hooked and wanting to learn more.

The Paper Crane by Madeleine Wilson can be purchased at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. It is currently available for the Kindle e-reader and will soon be available for the Nook. You can follow Madeleine Wilson on Twitter