Critical Acclaim

The clay lion

"A lovely, tear-jerking tale of time travel, familial love, and sacrifice... This poignant, well-written story puts mortality--and readers'reactions to it--front and center." - Kirkus Reviews

"Jahn adeptly blends science fiction elements with strong character development and elements of faith." - The Booklife Prize in Fiction by Publishers Weekly

"Narrator Lorelei King beautifully captures the wide emotional range and unforgettable characters in this utterly fascinating story of time travel, the first in the award-winning Clay Lion series. When Brooke Wallace's beloved younger brother dies of pulmonary fibrosis, she decides to use her one government-approved trip to go back in time to try to reverse his illness and prevent his death. King demonstrates the warm relationships of the Wallace family members and flawlessly expresses Brooke's emotions as she embarks on her mission. Listeners will be deeply moved as she maintains her religious faith and learns from the events that befall her family."- S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2015]

"... painfully heartwarming. The plot is thought provoking, the setting is enduring, the conflict is penetrating, and the characterization extraordinary." -Readers' Favorite

"A gripping read that will simultaneously break your heart and warm it." -Literary Classics, 5 Stars, Seal of Approval & Gold Medal

"In Amalie Jahn's tale about destiny and sibling love, older sister Brooke risks everything and everyone she loves to try and save the life of her younger brother. An early lesson in loyalty, protection, and unbreakable faith among siblings." -Bustle, 11 Books That'll Teach Prince George to Be a Great Older Brother

"... a young adult masterpiece. The profound truths present in this book are subtly woven into a tale of adventure mixed with love. A must-read for anyone and everyone, but especially for those, young and old, who are coping with loss." -Reader's Favorite

"... a unique and satisfying coming of age tale with a science fiction premise that works quite well." -Readers' Favorite

"Jahn's clear writing style and crisp pace treats the heavy emotional load with grace and ease. Brooke emerges as a wounded, but ultimately well-rounded character that you can really cheer for." -Killarny Traynor, ACFW member

Named one of the "Best Kids Books for Blossoming Bibliophiles" by The Plus Side - "Open your child's eyes to the wonders of fiction with this tale of Brooke Wallace... Your child will bond with these characters and their struggles and squabbles."

Named one of the "13 Books That'll Make You Feel Like a Kid Again" by Bustle - "If you loved A Wrinkle in Time, then read The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn. Both novels' success centers on the endurance of sibling bonds and explore time travel as a means of recalibrating a painful and inexplicable loss."

5/5 Stars: "This is an amazing book. The time travel piece is very realistic. The events that happen - you get so caught up in them... they feel really true." -One Minute Books

"... raises some fascinating and worth questions about regrets, missed opportunities, second chances, and destiny. Written with charm and emotional wisdom which is hugely rewarding and captivating." -Christoph Fischer, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

"The Next to Last Mistake is a poignant and sweet story of love, loss, discovery, and the enduring bonds of friendship." –Foreword Reviews

"Jahn has written a story that will resonate with readers of all ages and have [them] considering their own lives through a bittersweet lens." –YA Books Central

“Told with humor and heart, The Next to Last Mistake celebrates the power of female friendship and community to overcome anything life throws your way.” –Joanne O’Sullivan, author of Between Two Skies
“The Next to Last Mistake is a heartwarming story about the power of female friendships to see us through life’s joys and heart- breaks.” –Shannon Hitchcock, author of One True Way