What's your opinion on this book?

It's okay. There's plenty of room for improvement as far as imagery and word use goes, but if you got that nailed down, the story line could flourish. I love fantastical, Alice in Wonderland- esque races. It's certainly not worthy of that awful review. Ouch... You're on the school newspaper with them? Maybe they just have a grudge. "Boo hoo, I didn't get a book published. I deserve a published book! " Just ignore the burn, and look to improve, right? Good luck, and good job on the publish!