It was a good try at the beginning of an epic adventure, but there was so much set-up and so little development that I really didn't feel anything for any of the characters. Also, it was a hard book to read out-loud, as the story seemed to move interminably slowly, which made it harder to enjoy... as I was reading it out loud. 
 The rest of the series appears to have different authors, and my kids enjoyed the book, so I am hopeful that maybe other books in this sequence will be more enjoyable, the premise is intriguing.