Frontier Magic Book 2: Across the Great Barrier - How to Get the Ebook for Free and Enjoy the Adventure
Across the Great Barrier: A Review of the Second Book in the Frontier Magic Series
If you are a fan of fantasy novels set in an alternate history of America, you might have heard of Frontier Magic, a trilogy by Patricia C. Wrede. The series follows the adventures of Eff Rothmer, a thirteenth child born with a powerful but unpredictable magic, as she grows up in a world where magic and science coexist, and where dangerous creatures lurk beyond the Great Barrier Spell that protects the settlers from the wild west.
Across the Great Barrier (Frontier Magic Book 2) download.zip
In this article, we will review the second book in the series, Across the Great Barrier, and tell you how you can download it for free. We will also give you a brief overview of the series, summarize the plot and themes of the book, and discuss its strengths and weaknesses. Whether you have read the first book or not, we hope this article will spark your interest in Across the Great Barrier and make you want to read it.
What is Frontier Magic?
A brief introduction to the series
Frontier Magic is a fantasy series that takes place in an alternate version of America in the early 19th century. In this world, magic is a natural phenomenon that can be studied and manipulated by humans. There are different types of magic, such as Avrupan, Hijero-Cathayan, Aphrikan, and Rationalist, each with its own rules and methods. There are also different types of people who can use magic, such as natural magicians, who are born with an innate talent; learned magicians, who study magic from books and teachers; and double-sevens or double-eights, who are extremely rare and powerful individuals born as the seventh son of a seventh son or the eighth daughter of an eighth daughter.
The series focuses on Eff Rothmer, who is born as a thirteenth child in an Avrupan family. According to superstition, thirteenth children are doomed to bring bad luck and evil magic to everyone around them. Eff grows up feeling insecure and unwanted, especially compared to her twin brother Lan, who is a double-seven. When Eff is five years old, her family moves from Helvan Shores to Mill City, a frontier town near the Mammoth River that separates the civilized east from the wild west. There, Eff's father works as a professor at a college of magic, while Eff attends a one-room schoolhouse with other frontier children.
As Eff grows older, she learns more about magic and herself, and discovers that she has a unique ability that no one else has. She also makes friends with other frontier folk, such as William Morris, a Rationalist magician; Wash Morris, William's half-brother and a steamboat captain; Professor Torgeson, a female naturalist magician; and Rennie, a girl who can talk to animals. Together, they explore the wonders and dangers of the west, where magic is wild and unpredictable, and where creatures such as mammoths, wooly rhinoceroses, sphinxes, and dragons roam freely.
The main characters and their magical abilities
Here are some of the main characters in the series and their magical abilities:
Eff Rothmer: The protagonist and narrator of the series. She is a thirteenth child who can sense and manipulate the magic of the land. She can also use Avrupan, Hijero-Cathayan, and Aphrikan magic, but prefers to use her own style that she calls frontier magic.
Lan Rothmer: Eff's twin brother and a double-seven. He is a natural Avrupan magician who can cast spells with ease and power. He is ambitious and confident, but also protective of Eff.
William Morris: Eff's best friend and a Rationalist magician. He is a genius inventor who can create machines and devices that use magic as a source of energy. He is curious and adventurous, but also cautious and practical.
Wash Morris: William's half-brother and a steamboat captain. He is a natural Hijero-Cathayan magician who can sense the flow of magic in the water. He is friendly and easygoing, but also brave and loyal.
Professor Torgeson: A female naturalist magician who works at the college of magic. She is an expert on the flora and fauna of the west, and often leads expeditions across the Great Barrier Spell. She is stern and strict, but also fair and kind.
Rennie: A girl who can talk to animals. She lives with her grandfather, a trapper, in a cabin near the Great Barrier Spell. She is shy and quiet, but also smart and observant.
What happens in Across the Great Barrier?
A summary of the plot
Across the Great Barrier takes place two years after the events of the first book, Thirteenth Child. Eff is now 16 years old and has graduated from school. She works as an assistant to Professor Torgeson, helping her with her research on the western wildlife. Eff also continues to practice her frontier magic, which allows her to sense and influence the magic of the land.
One day, Professor Torgeson invites Eff to join her on an expedition across the Great Barrier Spell, a massive wall of magic that separates the east from the west. The expedition's goal is to map the unexplored territory beyond the spell, and to study its magical phenomena and creatures. Eff agrees to go, despite her fears of what might happen to her as a thirteenth child in such a wild place.
The expedition consists of Professor Torgeson, Eff, Lan, William, Wash, Rennie, and several other professors, students, soldiers, and guides. They travel by steamboat along the Mammoth River, crossing the Great Barrier Spell at a gap known as Fort Wilson. There, they encounter a group of settlers who have illegally crossed the spell to start a new life in the west. The settlers are led by a man named Roger Boden, who claims to have a special connection with the land and its magic.
The expedition continues its journey westward, facing various challenges and dangers along the way. They encounter hostile natives who practice Aphrikan magic; they witness a massive earthquake that changes the landscape; they discover new species of plants and animals; they fight off attacks from magical beasts such as sphinxes and dragons; they deal with internal conflicts among themselves; and they uncover secrets about the history and nature of the west.
Throughout the book, Eff learns more about herself and her frontier magic. She realizes that she has a special role to play in the balance of the land's magic, and that she has to make some difficult choices about her future. She also develops her relationships with her friends and family, especially Lan, William, Wash, Professor Torgeson, and Rennie.
The main themes and conflicts
Some of the main themes and conflicts in Across the Great Barrier are:
accept herself and embrace her uniqueness as a frontier magician.
Exploration and discovery: The book is full of adventure and excitement as the characters explore the unknown and mysterious west. They encounter new and amazing sights, sounds, and sensations, as well as dangers and challenges. They discover new things about the world and themselves, and expand their knowledge and horizons.
Balance and harmony: The book explores the concept of balance and harmony between different forces and elements, such as magic and science, nature and civilization, east and west, humans and animals, and individuals and groups. The characters have to find ways to coexist and cooperate with each other and their environment, and to respect and appreciate their differences and similarities.
Responsibility and choice: The book shows the consequences of the characters' actions and decisions, both good and bad. The characters have to take responsibility for their own lives and destinies, and face the challenges and opportunities that come with them. They also have to deal with the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise from their situations, such as whether to use or abuse their power, whether to follow or break the rules, whether to stay or leave, and whether to fight or flee.
The magic system and the creatures
One of the most fascinating aspects of Across the Great Barrier is the magic system and the creatures that inhabit the west. The magic system is based on the idea that magic is a natural force that can be sensed, measured, manipulated, and used by humans in different ways. There are four main types of magic in the world:
Avrupan magic: The most common type of magic in the east. It is based on spells, symbols, formulas, and rituals that follow a logical and systematic structure. It is similar to mathematics or science in its approach.
Hijero-Cathayan magic: A type of magic that originates from Asia. It is based on patterns, flows, cycles, and balances that follow a holistic and intuitive structure. It is similar to art or philosophy in its approach.
Aphrikan magic: A type of magic that originates from Africa. It is based on spirits, ancestors, emotions, and connections that follow a personal and communal structure. It is similar to religion or culture in its approach.
Rationalist magic: A type of magic that combines elements of Avrupan and Hijero-Cathayan magic. It is based on machines, devices, inventions, and experiments that follow a practical and creative structure. It is similar to engineering or innovation in its approach.
can weave any material; and some worms can dig through any substance.
There are also some creatures that are entirely magical and have no real-world counterparts, such as sphinxes, dragons, griffins, unicorns, pegasi, centaurs, mermaids, fairies, gnomes, trolls, ogres, giants, dwarves, elves, goblins, orcs, kobolds, vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, demons, angels, gods, and many more. Some of these creatures are friendly and helpful to humans, while others are hostile and harmful. Some of these creatures have their own cultures and societies, while others are solitary and wild. Some of these creatures have their own magic systems and abilities, while others rely on their physical attributes and skills.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of Across the Great Barrier?
The pros of the book
Some of the strengths of Across the Great Barrier are:
The world-building: The book creates a rich and immersive world that combines elements of history, fantasy, and science fiction. The book shows a great attention to detail and creativity in describing the different aspects of the world, such as the geography, the magic system, the creatures, the cultures, the politics, and the history. The book also explores the themes and issues that arise from living in such a world, such as colonization, exploration, diversity, conflict, cooperation, adaptation, innovation, and conservation.
The characters: The book features a diverse and likable cast of characters that have distinct personalities and backgrounds. The book develops the characters' growth and relationships throughout the story. The book also gives each character a role and a purpose in the plot. The book makes the reader care about the characters and their fates.
The plot: The book has a fast-paced and engaging plot that keeps the reader interested and entertained. The book has a good balance of action and dialogue, suspense and humor, mystery and revelation. The book also has a good structure and flow that makes sense and follows a logical progression. The book has a satisfying ending that wraps up the main conflicts and questions.
The cons of the book
Some of the weaknesses of Across the Great Barrier are:
The length: The book is too long for some readers who might prefer a shorter and more concise story. The book has some parts that could be cut or condensed without affecting the overall quality or meaning of the story. The book also has some parts that could be expanded or explained more clearly to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
The perspective: The book is written in first-person point of view from Eff's perspective. This limits the reader's knowledge and understanding of other characters' thoughts and feelings. This also makes some parts of the story seem biased or subjective based on Eff's opinions and experiences. Some readers might prefer a third-person point of view or multiple points of view to get a more balanced and objective picture of the story.
The tone: The book has a light-hearted and humorous tone that might not suit some readers who prefer a more serious and dramatic tone. The book also has some moments that might seem too silly or unrealistic for some readers who prefer a more realistic and grounded tone. Some readers might find it hard to take some parts of the story seriously or to suspend their disbelief.
A comparison with the first and third books
Across the Great Barrier is the second book in the Frontier Magic trilogy. It follows Thirteenth Child, which introduces Eff and her world; and precedes The Far West, which concludes Eff's story. Here is a brief comparison of the three books:
Book
Summary
Ratings
Thirteenth Child
The first book covers Eff's childhood from age five to fourteen. It shows how she moves from Helvan Shores to Mill City; how she attends school; how she learns about magic; how she makes friends; how she deals with her family; how she faces her fears; how she discovers her frontier magic; how she saves Lan from a mammoth stampede; and how she meets Rennie.
fun and engaging plot, and its subtle and clever themes. Some readers criticized the book for its slow and boring pace, its lack of action and excitement, its confusing and inconsistent magic system, and its problematic and insensitive portrayal of native people.
Across the Great Barrier
The second book covers Eff's adolescence from age sixteen to eighteen. It shows how she works as an assistant to Professor Torgeson; how she joins an expedition across the Great Barrier Spell; how she explores the west; how she encounters new creatures and phenomena; how she develops her frontier magic; how she deals with Roger Boden and his followers; how she faces an earthquake and a dragon attack; and how she decides her future.
The second book has an average rating of 3.97 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, based on 5,806 ratings and 548 reviews. The second book has mostly positive reviews, but some negative reviews as well. Some readers praised the book for its improved and exciting pace, its adventurous and thrilling plot, its detailed and vivid descriptions, and its complex and mature themes. Some readers criticized the book for its long and tedious length, its limited and narrow perspective, its light-hearted and humorous tone, and its missing and underdeveloped characters.
The Far West
The third book covers Eff's adulthood from age eighteen to twenty-one. It shows how she leads a new expedition to the far west; how she discovers new lands and secrets; how she develops her frontier magic; how she faces a war between settlers and natives; how she deals with a rogue magician and his army of zombies; how she saves the west from a magical disaster; and how she finds her true home.
The third book has an average rating of 4.11 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, based on 4,534 ratings and 479 reviews. The third book has mostly positive reviews, but some negative reviews as well. Some readers praised the book for its satisfying and epic conclusion, its action-packed and suspenseful plot, its diverse and dynamic characters, and its profound and meaningful themes. Some readers criticized the book for its rushed and abrupt ending, its predictable and clichéd plot twists, its inconsistent and confusing magic system, and its unresolved and unanswered questions.
How to download Across the Great Barrier for free?
The legal and ethical issues of downloading books
Before we tell you how to download Across the Great Barrier for free, we want to address the legal and ethical issues of downloading books without paying for them. Downloading books for free is a form of piracy, which is illegal in most countries. Piracy is the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of someone else's intellectual property without their permission or consent. Piracy violates the rights of authors, publishers, distributors, retailers, and consumers who are involved in the creation and sale of books.
and preferences of readers. Piracy also reduces the quality and reliability of books in the internet, which affects the experience and satisfaction of readers.
Therefore, we strongly advise you to not download books for free, unless they are legally and ethically available for free. There are many ways to obtain books legally and ethically, such as buying them from authorized sellers, borrowing them from libraries or friends, or accessing them from legitimate online platforms. By doing so, you will support the authors and the book industry, and you will enjoy reading high-quality and authentic books.
The best websites and apps to download ebooks
If you still want to download ebooks for free, you should be careful and selective about the websites and apps that you use. There are many websites and apps that claim to offer free ebooks, but some of them are illegal, unsafe, or unreliable. Some of them may contain viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful software that can damage your device or steal your personal information. Some of them may also contain inaccurate, incomplete, corrupted, or outdated versions of ebooks that can ruin your reading experience.
To avoid these risks and problems, you should only use websites and apps that are legal, safe, and reliable. Here are some of the best websites and apps to download ebooks for free:
Project Gutenberg: This is one of the oldest and largest online libraries of free ebooks. It offers over 60,000 ebooks in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, HTML, and TXT. It focuses on books that are in the public domain, which means that their copyrights have expired or have been waived by their authors. You can find classics, historical texts, reference books, and more on this website.
Open Library: This is a project of the Internet Archive, a non-profit organization that preserves digital content for future generations. It offers over 20 million ebooks in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, HTML, and TXT. It also offers a lending library service that allows you to borrow ebooks from other libraries or users for a limited period of time. You can find books from various genres, categories, languages, and countries on this website.
and influenced the development and exploration of the continent. The book also has elements of science fiction, as it shows how magic and science interact and affect each other. The book also has elements of adventure, as it shows how Eff and her friends embark on a journey across the west and face various challenges and dangers.
Who is the author of Across the Great Barrier?
The author of Across the Great Barrier is Patric