Review: The Twelve Tasks by Katharine E. Wibell with Giveaway!

It's been awhile since I've ventured to other worlds with a read on Bookworm for Kids. And today's the day to change that. After all, there's nothing better than traveling to the unknown! The Twelve Tasks is the first book in a new epic fantasy series called The Djed Chronicles, where the future of the twelve magicked worlds rests upon the shoulders of a girl from earth. 

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 18 till 31 January. See the tour schedule here. And don't forget to enter the tour wide giveaway at the bottom of this post.

THE TWELVE TASKS

The Djed Chronicles #1

13 November, 2020

by Katharine E. Wibell

MG/YA Epic Fantasy

 

The precarious balance between two opposing forces has begun to shift and threatens the very existence of life throughout the universe. Only the Djed—the prophesied savior—has a chance of thwarting a catastrophe that could destroy the cosmos. And the next Djed is predicted to be a child of Earth.

Katie awakens on a world far from her own, a world bound in magic, one of twelve that hosts entities of vast power and might. She is suspected to be that savior. However, to be acclaimed Djed, difficult and dangerous tasks, one on each of the magicked worlds, must be completed. Katie and a menagerie of misfit companions—a precocious witch, a half-blood elf, and a humanoid pup—work together to discover her fate. If proven true, a terrible burden will be placed upon her, one that will link her destiny with war, a war led by a thirteen-year-old girl.
***
The Djed Chronicles follows Katie over her teenage years as she confronts dark forces and discovers that the right choices are not always apparent and wrong choices can have deadly consequences.

 Goodreads /  Amazon

BOOK BLINK

                                                        * vivid, fantasy worlds, packed with imagination

                                                        * friendship is a main theme

                                                        * animal like characters mixed in

                                                        * a 'chosen' one tale

                                                        * especially appropriate for middle grade (upper)

                                                        

MY TIDBITS

Rich in fantasy and imagination, this tale soars through worlds and draws the reader in to an adventure full of surprises.

Katie believes she's in a dream, when she finds herself anywhere but on Earth. Hoping to return home, she runs across a small cabin and her first friend, a bear. The moment he discovers she's human, he insists on taking her to the castle, where she meets the monarchs. They inform her that it's her destiny to save Earth along with many other worlds, and to do so, she must complete twelve tasks. 

While there is a prologue, this book starts with Katie waking to a strange world. It took me a second to figure out what was going on...and I would have personally loved a bit more normal her before entering the first world, but this approach definitely gets the tale going right away. Katie is thirteen. She's very brave, has a good head on her shoulders, and doesn't act or react older than she should. There's an innocence about her, which makes her endearing, and a curiosity which has readers wishing they could join her and discover all the wonderful things. And there is a lot to discover.

Katie's journey takes her to fantastic places, where every creature and adventure sings with imagination. The worlds are rich, and the characters unexpected and more than likeable. There are moments of wisdom, times of doubt, and enough tension to keep the pages flowing. While I missed a bit of depth, at times, this tale rolls along at a very steady pace. Every page brings something new, and it's just right to keep boredom away. 

It's a wholesome read, allowing Katie to grow as the situation and tasks demand. She makes mistakes and has to deal with the consequences of her decisions, but her heart is always in the right place. She learns more about herself and must depend on the help of others to achieve her goals. With so much at stake and no clue how she's going to complete each task, friends are more than important.

Packed with magic and goodness, this one is just right for readers ages 9 to 14.

And here she is...

Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell moved to New Orleans with her dog, Alli, to kick start her career as an artist and a writer. Her literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.

Wibell grew up in a rural town in Georgia, and this series was inspired by her childhood play with her sister. Together, they set up the groundwork for the twelve magicked worlds, the Djed, and the plethora of characters that come to life in these books.

You can find and contact Katharine here:
- Website
- Website blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Pinterest
- Goodreads
- Instagram
- Medium

GIVEAWAY!!!
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of The Twelve Tasks. One winner will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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The Incarn Saga by Katharine E. Wibell with Giveaway!

Issaura's Claws

The Incarn Saga Book 1

by Katharine E. Wibell
YA Fantasy

“According to legend, when the world was young, the goddess Issaura appeared among men. Those who treated her with kindness received the gift of the gods—the ability to transform into an animal form. This was a great honor but one that separated this race from other humans. Before Issaura departed the mortal realm, she promised to return if her people were ever at the point of destruction.

“Now a threat is rising from a land across the mists of the ocean, a threat that will push this race to the brink of extinction. Responding to the call to war, seventeen-year-old Lluava heads off to find her destiny, one that will carve her name in history.” 

The Kingdom of Elysia consists of two races: the dominant race of humans and the native race of Theriomorphs who can shift into animal form. Although law dictates equal treatment, they neither like nor trust each other. Now brutal and ruthless Raiders are approaching; there is only one chance to defeat them. An army must be raised and trained. An army where each human will be paired with a Theriomorph partner. An army that must fight as one to defeat their common enemy.

Women are not warriors. However, Lluava is not like other women – human or Theriomorph. Her animal form is a magnificent beast whose power and fury she must learn to control. Although Lluava endures intense physical training and strives to overcome the doubts of the male recruits, she faces an unexpected adversary in the commanding general who seeks to break both her spirit and her body.

At the paring ceremony, Lluava is humbled when presented with a unique and ancient weapon. Yet she becomes distraught and angry when her human partner is revealed. If they fail to trust each other, the consequences will be devastating. Death and destruction are on the horizon and time is running out.

The Incarn Saga is a young adult fantasy series inspired by ancient myths, filled with fast-paced action and adventure, and enriched by an understanding of animal behavior that defines the shape-shifting Theriomorphs.

Goodreads * Amazon

Ullr's Fangs
The Incarn Saga, Book 2

"According to legend, when the world was young, two gods of war — one male, one female — were destined for each other. Yet Ullr, forever unfaithful, lost the love of Issaura, his true match, and was forsworn. His violent anger and bitter rage grew and intensified, poisoning all creation and humanity.

Now that the Raiders’ long ships have faded from sight, the kingdom of Elysia is beginning to recover from the summer’s war with the brutal invaders from across the sea. Yet darker forces have taken root, forces that can alter the future of the land and its people in unthinkable ways. Seventeen-year-old Lluava must discover the means to prevent her world from collapsing. But in doing so, will she succumb to that darkness?"

Goodreads * Amazon

Crocotta's Hackles
The Incarn Saga Book 3

“According to legend, when the world was young, Crocotta, Queen of the Gods, discovered her mate’s faithlessness. She vowed to prevent future threats to all matrimonial pacts henceforward, but for her it was too late. The child born from the illicit coupling was a warrior goddess—one whom Crocotta would seek to destroy throughout eternity.

Now that the Raiders’ elite army is threatening the kingdom of Elysia’s northern borders, seventeen-year-old Lluava must leave the familiarity and safety of her native land to venture into the wilderness. Her mission is to discover others like her who will come to Elysia’s aid; her hope is to unravel the secrets behind what it means to be Incarn. But what she finds could destroy everything.”

Lluava’s story continues in Crocotta’s Hackles, the third book in The Incarn Saga's award-winning new-adult series.

Goodreads * Amazon

Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell moved to New Orleans with her dog, Alli, to kick start her career as an artist and a writer. Her first literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

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Sneak Peek: Issaura's Claws by Katharine E. Wibell with Giveaway

Issaura's Claws

 (The Incarn Saga #1)

By Katharine E Wibell

YA Fantasy

 29 November, 2016

Lola's Blog Tours

According to legend, when the world was young, the goddess Issaura appeared among men. Those who treated her with kindness received the gift of the gods—the ability to transform into an animal form. This was a great honor but one that separated this race from other humans. Before Issaura departed the mortal realm, she promised to return if her people were ever at the point of destruction.

“Now a threat is rising from a land across the mists of the ocean, a threat that will push this race to the brink of extinction. Responding to the call to war, seventeen-year-old Lluava heads off to find her destiny, one that will carve her name in history.”

You can find Issaura's Claws on Goodreads

You can buy Issaura's Claws here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Paperback

EXCERPT

‘…Suddenly she sensed a presence. Alert, she scanned the landscape. At first she did not see anything unusual, but a second look revealed a form standing in the darkness across the lake, so still it blended almost completely into the surrounding shadows. Only the gleam of its eyes gave it away.

“Hey!” Lluava called out.

The figure slid deeper into the shadows and was gone, leaving behind an uneasiness Lluava could not explain away. It was too late for the men of the camp to be about; she herself should have been back in Thowcelemine by now. Also, whoever had been watching her had done so in secret. And was still out there. She could sense him.

Lluava began to make her way back through the forest. The moon was too new to light the path; the only way to stay on the trail was to use her felid senses. She once again wondered how humans could survive as well as they did without a dual form. She was thankful for her acute night vision.

Twigs snapped in the distance.

Turning around, all Lluava saw was darkness. After a moment, she continued, now on high alert. A soft breeze toyed with the dried leaves around her. A rustling of a different sort made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

Spinning around, she glimpsed movement in the darkness. Without hesitating, she ran after the figure in the woods, bolting past several climbing walls and other training objects scattered about. Sniffing the air, she could not discern any unusual scent.

Just as she was about to give up, something moved in the shadows to her left. Turning, she lunged ahead. As she shifted to her huntress form, her black-striped paws trod the ground. Just beyond sight, she heard someone running.

All of a sudden, the ground seemed to drop away right in front of her. Lluava made a giant leap to clear the wide trench. Her paws barely caught the edge on the far side. Hoisting herself up, she tried to spot the figure, but only darkness and silence greeted her questing senses.

Without warning, there was a hissing sound, followed by an enormous cacophony of crackling bangs. Brilliant white light temporarily blinded her. A gust of smoldering hot air blasted her. The force of the blast slung her across the trench, and she tumbled backward onto the ground…’

And here she is. . .


Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell moved to New Orleans with her dog, Alli, to kick start her career as an artist and a writer. Her first literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.

You can find and contact Katharine here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Pinterest


The blog tour runs from 10 till 23 April. You can see the tour schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!!!

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Issaura’s Claws. Two winners will both win a signed copy of Issaura’s Claws. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway