Review: Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen

THOMAS WILDUS AND THE BOOK OF SORROWS

by J.M. Bergen

Elandrian Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

332 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING TOMORROW!!!

FEBRUARY 2nd, 2019!

Magic is real, Thomas. No matter what happens, always remember that magic is real.

Seven years have passed, and Thomas hasn't forgotten. He hasn't forgotten the blue of his dad's eyes either, or the tickle of beard on his cheek as they hugged goodbye. Last moments with a parent are memorable, even if you don't know that's what you're having at the time.

Now, with his 13th birthday rapidly approaching, Thomas's search for magic is about to take a radical and unexpected turn. At an out-of-the-way shop filled with dusty leather books, a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes offers him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows. The price is high and the rules are strict, but there's no way Thomas can resist the chance to look inside.

With the mysterious book guiding the way, a strange new world is revealed – a world in which Thomas has a name and destiny far more extraordinary than he ever imagined. But time is short. Even as Thomas uncovers his secret family history, enemies emerge, threatening to end his rise to power and destroy everything he holds dear. 

 MY TIDBITS

With magic, adventure and humor too, this is a novel Harry Potter and Percy Jackson fans will enjoy.

Thomas is around thirteen years of age, has been missing his father for seven years and is on a constant search for something many people don't believe exists—magic. When he happens across an older bookstore and discovers The Book of Sorrows, he's sure he's finally found what he's been looking for. The bookstore, however, won't just hand it over to him. There are rules he needs to follow if he wants to have it, which he agrees to. But having this book, along with the knowledge gained from several other people entering his life, does more than open up the door to magic. Thomas' life turns upside down, and with it, comes an entire world of danger.

Imagination soars in this tale, allowing the reader to follow an easy to relate to character on an exciting adventure. Accompanied by a wide cast of diverse characters, Thomas is a boy with a keen sense of right vs. wrong, curiosity and determination. The first chapters allow the reader to get to know Thomas and his life at home and school, while laying the groundwork to the approaching adventure. It does take a bit for the main thrust of the story to get going, but by then, it's hard not to cheer for Thomas until the very end.

Thomas is thirteen, has a crush on a girl (which is very sweet), and simply is a little more independent than younger readers. There's a little violence...nothing over the top...and especially the passages from The Book of Sorrows, which are written in an older English form, will cause younger readers problems. So, I recommend this one for ages ten and up. It's a lovely mixture of adventure and humor, especially where Thomas' best friend is involved; the doodle wars are simply a treat. Their interactions flowed very naturally as they feed off of each other and bring a wonderful amount of fun. The dialogue between the two didn't always fit, though, as certain terms and phrases are a little out-dated for the age group. But then, the writing could have been tighter at several moments in the story. This, however, doesn't ruin the adventure, which keeps rolling until the last page.

Predictable is not a word which can describe this book as Thomas faces exciting surprises and tense moments. The villains are deliciously threatening although they hover more in the shadows, the magic and past holds all sorts of secrets, and nothing is as clear as it first seems. Thomas has his hands full and keeps the readers right there with him. There's a wonderful message around friendship and a warming support given from those around him. In other words, it's a world to get lost in and one fantasy friends are sure to enjoy.

And here he is...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…

J.M. Bergen graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in creative writing and a minor in business. Over the years his writing has appeared in a variety of publications under a variety of pen names, and though his favorite stories are about magic and adventure, his best-known work to date has been non-fiction.

J.M.’s debut series originally started as a bedtime story for his oldest son. The story turned into a saga, and one book turned into five. The first book in the series, Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows, is scheduled for release in February 2019. The second, Thomas Wildus and The Wizard of Sumeria, will be published in late 2019, with the remainder of the series released before the end of 2021.

When J.M. isn’t working on the Thomas Wildus books, you can find him playing with his kids, splashing in the ocean, or dreaming up new adventures. If you ever meet him and can’t think of anything to talk about, you might ask about Herman the Shark, the Kai and Eli stories, or why Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip is his all-time favorite book. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ll have questions and stories of your own (if you do, he’ll think that’s far more interesting). To learn more, visit www.jmbergen.com. 

Readers can connect with J.M. Bergen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Review: Braidy Von Althuis and the Pesky Pest Controller by Cassidy Dwelis

Braidy Von Althuis:

And the Pesky Pest Controller

by Cassidy Dwelis

Precursor Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy / Adventure

323 pages

This book has won a 5 Star Seal from Readers' Favorite!

Ten-year-old Braidy von Althuis just wants one thing: to fit in. The other kids at school think he's weird, and for good reason. Despite his oddities, Braidy wants more than anything for his dad to be able to come to Township Day, a fun-filled event at school, but Mr. von Althuis refuses. "It's too dangerous," he says. Things change for Braidy when Mr. von Althuis gets sick, and, even wose, this pesky pest controller won't leave Braidy alone! Will Braidy be able to get his family to Township Day without his world falling apart? Braidy von Altuis and the Pesky Pest Controller is a tale of frienship, family, magic, and mayhem that takes a look at what it means to be bullied and how to rise above it. This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11. 

MY TIDBITS

Braidy is an average kid. Well, sort of. His family is a bit odd, and he is a loner at school, something he wants to change. But life isn't easy....especially his life...and he soon finds himself battling more than a run at simple acceptance.

 This is such a fun read, and that while mixing in several important messages about friendship, acceptance and family. Braidy is and isn't an average kid. His family is more than strange, and this alone is enough to set him apart, but his own interests don't necessarily match up with those around him either. What I appreciate about this tale is that Braidy desires acceptance but not to the point where he dislikes himself or steps back from who he truly is. He isn't the only one with oddities either. The author has woven a world of characters who are diverse in many ways. Each one is interesting and leaps off the page, and each one has their own struggles. Add the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, and it's a nicely balanced blend.

Humor and magic make this a read, which might have been heavy on the message end, into an exciting and fun tale. It's quirky, and this is exactly what it needs. Boredom never enters the pages as Braidy goes from one situation to the next, sometimes in a little over his head. Friendship and family come through, although sometimes in strange ways, and make the adventure sit. It's a read kids are sure to enjoy and I can't wait to see where the series goes next.

And here she is...

Elaborate storytelling is something that has entertained humankind since its start and Cassidy’s goal is to take the words on the page and forge them to life, like a star being born. Using a variety of media, Cassidy uses her hands to weave magick on the canvas and visualize elements extant before only in dreams. By utilizing an expressive and traditionally-inspired quality to her work, Cassidy brings worlds and characters of all sorts into existence.

Cassidy Dwelis currently resides in Colorado, and has recently acquired a BFA in both Illustration and Game Art.  Cassidy’s dream is to start her own independent publishing company in the Denver area, and she also strives to help others bring their imagination to life.

My Website, where people can purchase my books, find me on social media, and buy my art: 

https://www.cassidydwelis.com/

Review: An Unexpected Adventure by Kandi J. Wyatt

AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

Myth Coast Adventures, Book One

by Kandi J. Wyatt

Middle Grade Adventure / Fantasy

141 pages

Protect their community or protect their discovery?

For eighth graders Chace, Harley, Will, and Cherise, that’s a life-changing question after they find a dragon’s egg while hunting for thundereggs on the beach. Toss in summer jobs, family struggles, and a National Security Agent, and their summer vacation just became complicated.

Can they find a solution that won’t leave their hearts broken or their community in flames?

 MY TIDBITS

Friendship and loyalty take a lead role in this fun fantasy about one of the most magnificent mythical creatures of all.

Chace, Harely, Will and Cherise get involved with a professor, who is searching for thunder eggs. And he wants to pay them if they find what he's looking for. Their search soon leads them to a gigantic and smooth thunderegg, but unlike the other agates, this one bears similarity to an egg. Not sure what to do, they show it to their science teacher, who confirms their suspicions. But they don't know what type of egg it is, only that it isn't one that any of them have ever seen before. One thing is clear, they can't let the professor have it no matter how determined he is.

This is a fun, quick tale about a group of ordinary friends and a not so ordinary adventure. While some moments come as expected, others hit with surprise. The group of friends has their hands full, but somehow manage to stay pretty on top of things. Their trust to each other and their teacher is inspirational, and it's this which actually helps them get through even sticky situations.

The writing is great for the intended audience, although some phrases can hit a little high especially on the description/comparison end. The scene descriptions are held to a minimum, allowing the dialogue to determine the pacing. It's not a super tense read, but allows the friends time to figure out and discuss their next steps or contemplate how to handle the situations.

Fantasy and reality flow naturally together, and although some there are some holes on the logic end, this does not hurt the story in any way. It's a fun adventure—gentle yet suspenseful enough to hold the reader until the very end.

 And here she is...

Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.” To learn more, visit:

Blog:  http://kandijwyatt.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kandi-Wyatt-author/647179792053374

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kandijwyatt

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/kandiwyatt3/

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/kandijwyatt/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KandiWyatt

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kandi-J.-Wyatt/e/B00ZTC4T10

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13817774.Kandi_J_Wyatt

Review: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull

WRATH OF THE DRAGON KING

Dragonwatch, Book Two

by Brandon Mull

Shadow Mountain

Middle Grade Fantasy

416 pages

COMING...

OCTOBER 23rd, 2018!!!

War has come to the dragon sanctuaries of the world and nowhere is the danger more intense than at Wyrmroost. After a humiliating defeat at the hands of Kendra and Seth, Celebrant, King of Dragons, prepares to unleash his fury and take control of his native preserve. Armed with information from a new ally Ronodin, the dark unicorn Celebrant seeks a legendary talisman the dominion stone.

However, the powerful stone is protected by a cursed castle. Upon entering the castle fortress, an unyielding power strips all magical beings of their power and forces Celebrant to take his human avatar form. Kendra and Seth must enter the cursed castle as well. The race is on. Will the two young caretakers rally enough support from the creatures of Wyrmroost against the greatest threat the magical community has faced in ages? Can they foil Celebrant's plan and beat him to the mighty dominion stone? Or will all hope be shattered by the wrath of the Dragon King? 

MY TIDBITS

Note: I did not read the first book in the series, which was a mistake. The story in book two takes off from where book one left off, and without reading book one, there is too much missing information to easily slide into the second one. In other words, read this one as a series.

Also, I only received the first 100 or so pages of this title to review. So, I can only review this first section. Whether or not the rest of the book holds up to these first pages, or whether or not the many upcoming twists and turns hold all they should/could, isn't something I can judge or comment on.

Seth is determined to overcome the magical and instant fear which strikes him and all other humans when faced with a dragon's stare, but things are going so well. Kendra might be doing better with her position with the fairies, but she's more than aware of the approaching war, which she and Seth must try to thwart off before it destroys the world. But there is not an easy way to hold off dragons, who have been living in, what they consider, prisons and now, want their freedom...and possibly to rule the world. When Seth and Kendra receive an invitation to the Dragon King's palace, they can't refuse but they can't agree either, since they know it is a trap. For the Dragon King wants to see Kendra dead.

This is a fast-paced, exciting adventure which lets dragons, fairies and magic flow with rich imagination. Each and every character is facing their own dilemmas, ones which make them sympathetic and easy to connect to. And it's these well woven sub-plots which support the main story and give it so much depth and intrigue. This is not a book to easily put down, but each page brings something new and adds to the excitement. There's hope, but it's only a shimmer which makes the characters to cheer for. They have their faults and they have determination as well as wonderful moral compasses. They know what's right and they will fight for it even when the odds are stacked against them.

While the danger is ever present, the author has built in a touch of humor and fantastical moments to keep it from growing to dark and to waken the imagination. The scenes are never overly described, but allow the reader to dive into the fantastical realm. There's moments of wonder, discovery and fascination, making this a tale found in dreams. 

These first pages definitely grab and set the stones for a great adventure. Whether the rest of the book holds up to it's introduction, I can't say. But I'd be more than willing to read the rest to find out. 

Want to meet Brandon Mull live?

Here's the tour:

 http://brandonmull.com/tour/

And here he is...

Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven series and Beyonders series. He travels the country visiting schools, promoting literacy, and sharing his message that "Imagination Can Take You Places." He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his family.

Dragonwatch, Book 2: Wrath of the Dragon King (Shadow Mountain Publishing) will be available everywhere books are sold on October 23, 2018.

Review: The Yark by Bertrand Santini

THE YARK

by Bertrand Santini

Illustrated by Laurent Gapaillard

Gecko Press 

Translated from - Le Yark

Middle Grade Fantasy

A very funny and cheerfully subversive chapter book about a monster who eats children—until one day he makes a friend.

 MY TIDBITS

This is a monsterly and yet, charming tale which lets the reader meet a monster they'll never forget.

The Yark is a monster who eats children, and not just any children. The Yark eats nice, sweet and very good children. This Yark is especially concentrated on very well-behaved children, since his stomach is extremely sensitive when it comes to even a dash of bad. Unfortunately, good children are becoming harder to find as time passes, and this Yark has grown very hungry through the decades. Finally, he has an idea—to steal Santa's nice and naught list. With an exact map to all nice children in the world, the approaching doom seems sealed. But things don't always run smoothly, especially for the Yark.

The book starts gritty with a monster who chews soft bones and sucks eyeballs. The Yark loves to gnaw on children, and this fact is not subtle or smooth in any way. More sensitive readers might find this a bit much, but it's a wonderful start to the tale. The Yark isn't nice and yet, he's somehow endearing. The walk along this fence-line is what captures the reader. As the Yark searches for nice children, it's almost easy to feel sorry for him. But only almost. The author keeps the reminder of the Yarks food requirements front and center the entire way through. And there are plenty of children who get devoured in these pages.

The story reads much like a traditional folklore. The sweet part and change doesn't happen until close to the end, and even then, it's a questionable change for the most part. It's this not bad/not good which leaves kids food for thought and makes the Yark hard to forget.

The illustrations are wonderful. The Yark, just like his food requirements, is monsterly yet has a dash of something sweet. There are enough pictures to add a lovely touch to the story and keep even reluctant readers engrossed in the pages.

This is definitely an intriguing read with a monster who will win the reader's heart yet still hold a place of carefullness. I can only recommend it.

Review: Aurella the Sorceress by Anni Sezate

AURELLA THE SORCERESS

The Aurella Trilogy, Book Two

by Anni Sezate

Folded Corners

Middle Grade Fantasy

375 pages

What do you do when your refuge is not the haven you imagined?
Aurella and Mavic have escaped a witch hunt in Dovice, only to discover that Rashtica has also been corrupted by a wicked king. Unlike King Slathgar, this king doesn't kill powerful people, but collects them for his army. No one is safe from forced recruitment, not even children. Though Rashtica is full of witches and warlocks, magic is rarely done in public for fear of being spotted by one of the king's knights and forced into servitude. Once again, Aurella must hide her power or risk capture.

 MY TIDBITS

This book takes a trip into a rich and exciting fantasy world with characters to befriend and root for the entire way through.

Note: This is the second book in the series. It isn't too difficult to get into the story and understand what is happening without reading the first book, but it does continue the adventure from where book one left off. So, I would highly recommend starting this series in the beginning.

Aurella and Mavic have escaped their home country after being hunted down and are now on a quest under the Queen's orders to find the heir to the throne. They soon find themselves taken into a home with a loving family, are attending school and even now fit in considering everyone is a witch or warlock and no humans are around—a safe environment they've only dreamed of before. But strange earthquakes shake the country more and more often. Everyone knows it's the king's fault. Plus, his knights are hunting down talented magic wielders and forcing them to join the king's forces. Aurella and Mavic discover that not only may then be in even more danger than before, but there's so much more going on than they ever thought possible.

This is an amazing series! (And this isn't something I saw very often). The author has created a gripping world with characters who are easy to connect with and soon find a place on the reader's side. There's never a dull moment as Aurella and Mavic face tense situations ranging from bullying, lies to action packed hand-to-hand combat. Layers of intrigue keep ever twist and turn bringing an unexpected surprise, and each and every character carries a personality and past of their own. It's a book to get lost in and wish it never ends.

Aurella is an terrific heroine. She packs a punch when necessary but is by no means perfect. Her powers are strong, but she has a lot to learn. Sometimes she wins, often it's a close call and more than once, she can't make it through. This makes every confrontation exciting, especially since it's not about her defeating all foes on her own. She has a true-to-the-end friend at her side...which doesn't mean that they don't get into each other's hair at times. And she discovers others who help her along the way.

There is a lot of heart in the tale, not only through messages or Aurella's good sense of wrong and right, but rather through the interaction of the characters themselves. The characters bicker, laugh, joke around, grow frustrated, panic, tire, get on each other's nerves and love each other to the end. And it's this which makes it so easy to connect to and dive in.

Summed up, this is a fantastic read for fantasy friends who love magic, political intrigue, difficult quests, horrible evil opponents, and exciting worlds. Especially readers ages ten to fourteen will feel at home in this book.


And here she is...

Debut author Anni Sezate is an elementary school teacher from Gilbert, Arizona. She received her education degree from Arizona State University, though she spent a semester living out her acting dreams as a musical theater major. Anni is your typical right-brained lefty who spends most of her time reading, writing, drawing, and singing way too loudly to Broadway soundtracks. Anni is a proud daughter, sister, aunt, and Ravenclaw (Thunderbird, if we’re being technical).

https://annisezate.com/

Review: Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream by Tiffany Elaine

MS. MULLIGAN AND THE ENCHANTED ICE CREAM

by Tiffany Elaine

Ingramelliott

Middle Grade Fantasy

326 pages

Ms. Mulligan lives a charmed life. Literally.

Tabby Easterland wakes on her twelfth birthday to find herself magically transformed into the twenty-five-year-old "Ms. Mulligan," an event witnessed only by her young friends - the platinum-haired southern belle Dolly Hargrave and the hard-boiled urban detective wannabe Kat Dorsett. Hiding her true identity, Ms. Mulligan becomes a teacher at her own school, where a desperate search for answers lead the girls to seek out Tabby's long-lost father, discover an ancient mystical society, and fight the evil Black and White Sisters--witches determined to complete a long-planned curse upon Tabby. In a race against time, will love be enough to overcome the crippling curse and restore Tabby to her former self?

Although ripe with humor, romance, and thrills, Ms. Mulliganultimately reveals something deeper - Tabby's surprising discovery of inner strength and the bonds of love that persevere even amid the darkest of threats. 

MY TIDBITS

This reminds a bit of  the movie 13 Going On 30, but with a more solid middle school twist and a pinch of magical fun.

It's Tabby's twelfth birthday, but the last thing she expected was to wake up in a body of herself in her mid-twenties. Her best friends do their best to help her figure and sort things out. With a little luck and a bit of disaster, Tabby ends up as a teacher at the middle school and discovers some strange things about her own parents she never knew. Throw in the boy of her dreams actually chasing another girl and a science teacher who is more than she seems, and it's an adventure. Especially when the witches show up, ones that aren't to mess with.

I was excited to get my hands on this book and wasn't disappointed. This is middle school drama with tons of magic and adventure thrown in. Tabby is a delight to follow as she tries to come to terms with her situation and figure things out. Even when circumstances race out of control with her parents, witches, curses and everything else, she handles it very well for a twelve year old. She's fun to cheer for until the very end.

The book flows nicely and presents very realistic middle grade characters. Tabby's friends are true blue and have personalities all of their own, which help form a fun trio. There are several messages in the pages as well, but nothing which nears being preachy. Rather, the lessons learned flow right with the story and are grabbed up automatically. There could have been a bit more action, but the drama will hit the intended audience just right. It's a fun story with lots of imagination and is sure to be enjoyed by readers who love a little adventure, school drama, and magic.


And here she is...

Tiffany Elaine grew up writing stories for her friends to read chapter-by-chapter instead of doing homework. She brought her love of words to a career in business and entertainment writing, but fiction remains her first love. Tiffany lives in North Carolina with her family. Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream is her first novel. She’s currently working on the next novel in the series, Ms. Mulligan and the Council of Butterflies.
Learn more at www.msmulligan.com

Review: A Festival of Ghosts by William Alexandra

A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS

by William Alexandra

Illustrated by Kelly Murphy

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Middle Grade Fantasy/Adventure

272 pages

ages 9 to 12

National Book Award winner William Alexander conjures up a spooky adventure full of excitement in this entertaining sequel to A Properly Unhaunted Place.

Rosa Ramona Diaz, the ghost appeasing assistant librarian, has unleashed all the ghosts who were previously shut out of the small town of Ingot. Now ghosts are everywhere, and the town’s living residents are either learning to cope or trying to do the one thing no one can successfully do—banish the ghosts.

At school, something supernatural is stealing kids’ voices and leaving them speechless. And it’s Rosa’s job to solve the mystery and set things right. Meanwhile her best friend Jasper is dealing with what remains of the Renaissance Festival, where ghosts from Ingot’s past are now battling it out with the ghosts of the Renaissance reenactors. And Rosa is experiencing a haunting of her own—could her father’s ghost have followed her here?

Somehow Rosa and Jasper are going to have to find a way to bring Ingot back to normal—in a world where the living are now residing side-by-side with the dearly departed.

MY TIDBITS

Note: This is the sequel to A Properly Unhaunted Place, which I did not read in advance. While A Festival of Ghosts can be read as a stand alone (and wasn't difficult to follow right away), I did find that some information later on was missing.  I can only assume this was found in the first book, and would, therefore, recommend reading this as a series.

Ghosts and haunts abound in these pages, but they hold a perfect balance on the line before creepy, making this an adventurous and mysterious read with an ample amount of fun.

Like her mother, Rosa is a ghost appeaser. She's spent most of her life growing up in a library...after all, that's a center for a haunts. Now, she's supposed to attend a real school to help appease the ghosts which keep popping up all around the building. But ghosts are easier to deal with and more predictable than living peers. Somehow, Rosa needs to figure out how to handle both while getting to the root of a mysterious haunting.

In a way, this reminded me a tinsy bit of The Sixth Sense but only very slightly. The ghosts in these pages might be a little spooky, at times, but there's enough quirkiness to keep nightmarish moments at bay (like a possessed scarf which knows how to attack). Rosa and Jasper are quite the team, not always agreeing with each other and completely opposites in many ways, but they balance each other and have each other's backs every step of the way. Even in the school scenes, the differences between them are clear but their friendship and loyalty is inspirational.

Rosa is a very self-assured character. She knows who she is and what has to be done. She doesn't ever stray from this no matter how much those around her try to taunt her, tease her or convince her that she's odd. This was a refreshing take on school bullying and brought a message without ever steering away from the main plot. Rosa doesn't fit in, and the kids make her feel this. But she lets it bounce off and keeps her sights on the real goal. It makes her easy to root for and demonstrates how important it is to like yourself no matter what others think.

While the first pages start out with a grabbing scene, it took quite a while before a clear story line and mystery settled in. The read is never boring as Rosa meets various 'little' hauntings and interacts with various other characters, but it comes across a little like wandering without a true goal. When the story finally took off much later and a clear problem came to light...or several...the story hooks and it's impossible to put the book down. These mysteries are well woven and hold several surprises, making it unsure how Rosa and Jasper will handle everything. The entire situation with Rosa's father was a little foggy but for the most part, pulls through. I'm assuming this might have been more clear after having read the first book.

Summed up, this is an entertaining read with a bit of spook, snorts, mystery, bullies to be fought and even some action scenes built in.


And here he is...

William Alexander won the National Book Award for his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, and won the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. His other novels include A Festival of Ghosts, A Properly Unhaunted Place, Ghoulish Song, Nomad and Ambassador. William studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion workshop. He teaches in the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Like the protagonist of Nomad and Ambassador, William is the son of a Latino immigrant to the US. Visit him online at WillAlex.net and GoblinSecrets.com, and on Twitter via @WillieAlex. 

Review: The Final Lesson by Shakyra Dunn

THE FINAL LESSON

The Final Lesson, Book One

by Shakyra Dunn

June 13th, 2018

Tween Fantasy

"Trust none but yourself."

Leilana Erovina's got a bid for power as she takes the final test to become one of her realm's Warlords. As such, she sets out to travel the lands of Adrylis and log magical totems from respectful folk with only one hitch—no ancestral help. The quest is a pilgrimage to learn the basics of human nature. Some would call concepts like gentleness and passion fables of the heart.

In another perspective, war brews in the kingdom of Linmus, throwing Adrylis into chaos. Prince Remiel Vesarus finds himself in exile, vengeance on his mind for those who tore his life asunder. His attendant Solus Brenner at his side, they plan on restoring their kingdom against all odds.

Fate has drawn these two parties together. Conjoined at the hip, the traveler, prince and right-hand will learn the old saying of magic: "It always comes with a price."

MY TIDBITS

Magic and kingdoms collide in an epic fantasy where personal growth, friendship and trust are key.

Leilana is studying to become a Warlord; all that's missing is the final lesson. Heading out into the world on her own, she is to collect totems. But the journey isn't only about totems, it's about learning more about human emotions, compassion and control. Meanwhile, Prince Remiel has snuck out of the castle...again...with his attendant. While out, the castle is attacked. He and his attendant vow to return and regain his kingdom. When Leilana, Prince Remiel and the attendant's paths cross, the adventure begins.

This is sold as a book for young adults, but especially the first chapters form the setting for a slightly younger audience—upper middle grade to tween. The characters are introduced nicely, each background very distinct from the other. The world building, at first, is well done and allows the reader to settle in. It's easy to cheer all three characters on and feel for them when things go wrong.

There are several messages in this tale, and they hit clearly. Especially Leilana has a lot to learn about compassion, mercy and basic human emotions. And the author pulls this off in an engaging and natural way. The forming friendship between the three shows the trials surrounding growing trust, mistakes, and learning to know ones self. It's a coming-of-age perfect for those growing into their teenage years.

Fans of magic, epic fantasy, journeys, intrigue and friends fighting together will enjoy this tale.

Review: Twain's Treasure: The Phantom Files by William B. Wolfe

THE PHANTOM FILES

Twain's Treasure, Book One

by William B. Wolfe

Dreaming Robot Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

ages 9 to 12

250 pages

Dead men tell no tales. Except to me. When I’m around, they can’t shut up.

My name is Alex April, and I see ghosts. Worse, they see me. If my paranormal-obsessed best friend Bones knew, he’d be crazy happy. But only one thing happens when I acknowledge their presence. Trouble.

I’ve gotten so good at hiding my ability, everyone believes it. Even the ghosts…most of the time.

Except now I’ve got the nightmare of all homework assignments: write a book report about Mark Twain. Trouble is, I have to go to the library to check out a book. Not just any library—the Hannibal, Missouri’s Free Library, the most haunted building in town. And it’s haunted by none other than Samuel Langhorne Clemens himself.

Following me everywhere I go, desperate to find the legendary Twain Treasure. What exactly is that treasure? Not even Sam can say.

Well, Bones has always wanted to go on a real-life ghost adventure. I just hope this one doesn’t land us both in ZIP code 63409-DEAD.

MY TIDBITS

Ghosts, humor and adventure make this a fun read while giving a wonderful glimpse into the life of one of America's most famous authors, Mark Twain.

Alex can see and hear ghosts, and they know he can. Too bad his parents and everyone else have always believed he suffers from schizophrenia. Now, in the town of Hannibal, he's off to a fresh start, and now, he's old enough to know how to avoid ghosts as much as he can. Unfortunately, his best friend is a paranormal fan...an extreme fan. Just when Alex thinks he can balance it all, his teacher assigns the class to finish a report involving Mark Twain by the end of school break. And he insists they use the town's library—one of the most haunted buildings in Hannibal. And it's hear that Alex runs into the most persistent, determined ghost ever.

This is a wonderful mixture of adventure and history. The story is fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns as Alex goes from a ghostly cheerleader in a graveyard to a much too alive and violent football player to a ghost who doesn't follow any of the 'ghostly rules'. And amid all of this, he has to solve a mystery too. It's a fun mixture and teaches things along the way without ever having that 'learning' feel.

Alex is a great kid, who has a fairly troubled past thanks to his ridiculous 'talent' to see and hear ghosts. How difficult his past has been is shown in flash-backs, which are strewn throughout the book. By putting these in italics, the author makes the transitions very clear and smooth. And they come just a little bit at a time, exactly the amount needed to gradually gain a deeper understanding of Alex and respect how much he's tackled in his life so far. He's easy to sympathize with, definitely not a pansy, and deals with things as best he can.

His best friend, Bones, adds a nice and, at times, humorous note. Although Bones never develops as a character as much as Alex does, he gives the entire story a lovely twist and keeps Alex grounded without even realizing it.

This is a fun start to what appears to be an exciting series, one which even teachers and homeschoolers are sure to appreciate.


And here he is...

If it's unbelievable, William Wolfe probably believes in it—and writes about it. From ghosts to extraterrestrials, psychic cats, fairy folk, and black-eyed kids, nothing is too weird to guest star in his stories and books. “Too weird,” he believes, is just about the right amount of weird. He grew up near the weirdly named community of Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky, reading every science fiction and fantasy book he could lay hands on and eventually becoming a journalist, where he learned that the truth is often more unbelievable than fiction. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his weird family and their weirder cat, Mr. Bite

Wolf Boy by G.D. Sammon with Giveaway

WOLF BOY

by G.D. Sammon

Black Rose Writing

Middle Grade Fantay

114 pages

ages 9 to 12

Peragrim was his name. An inhuman human sworn to destroy his quarry, three human children – Connor, Evey and Billy. They had been transported to a world ruled by the Wolf People, but Peragrim was waiting for them.

Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Boy-G-D-Sammon-ebook/dp/B06XDDNTRF/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolf-Boy-G-D-Sammon/dp/1612968260/

Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Wolf-Boy-G-D-Sammon-ebook/dp/B06XDDNTRF/

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Wolf-Boy-G-D-Sammon-ebook/dp/B06XDDNTRF/

Black Rose Writing: http://www.blackrosewriting.com/childrens-booksya/wolfboy?rq=Wolf%20Boy

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolf-boy-gd-sammon/1125548996?ean=9781612968261

Blackwell’s: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Wolf-Boy-by-G-D-Sammon/9781612968261

And here he is. . .

Gerry Sammon is a journalist and former newspaper editor based in Bolton, Lancashire.

From September 2015 he has been a tutor in Media Law at News Associates in Manchester, an award-winning private training provider, tutoring trainee journalists in media law and ethics. He also teaches media law to students at Manchester Metropolitan University, and at the University of Central Lancashire based in Preston.

He has travelled widely, both for business and on family holidays.

The idea for Wolf Boy came from a dream my daughters used to have when they were small children. The elder daughter would dream there was a wolf in the wardrobe (this is how our adventure begins in Wolf Boy), and my youngest daughter had a dream that a crocodile lived under her bed.

Gerry is married, with two grown-up daughters

Twitter @GerrySammon

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/GerrySammon.author/

Wordpress author blog: https://gerrysammon.wordpress.com/

Giveaway – Win 6 x copies of Wolf Boy in Paperback (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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The Blue Moon Narthex by N.J. Donner with Giveaway

The Blue Moon Narthex

by N.J. Donner

Steele Page Press

February 7, 2017

Middle Grade Fantasy

Ages 8 to 12

360 Pages

Tour dates: June 4 to 29, 2018

Content Rating: PG (Some violence between forces of good and evil, but it's not bloody or gory)

It’s 1919 and thirteen-year-old Cole McCarthy just wants more time with his father, who is a busy railroad executive. But a horrific train accident leaves Cole’s stepmother as his only family. Alone and lost, Cole wanders his family’s estate and runs into an old family friend who gives him a special object that belonged to his father.

Cole just wants to be a kid, not the owner of the most powerful object in the world. The Blue Moon Narthex is made from tangible bits of Karma and gives Cole the power to transport himself and control Karma.

Now, Alsin Gideon, traitor of the Legion of Karma, is on rampage to take Cole’s narthex and add to his body count. For their safety, Cole and two of his prep school friends are pulled into the enormous secret headquarters of the Legion, which operates like an underground 1920s spy organization. While living at the secret location, Cole learns about the secret double life of his father.

With the pressure to find his role within the legion, maintain a strained relationship with his stepmother, and live up to a daunting legacy left by his father Cole, withdraws and makes secret plans to take on his father’s enemies.

Alsin Gideon cleverly taunts Cole, to meet him at a prearranged battle meant for his father. Cole’s anger and determination boil over and he is willing to risk his powerful tool and Karma’s stability for the hope of getting his parents back.

Will Cole, along with his friends, be able to work together to bring back his parents, keep Karma’s in balance, and stay alive?

To follow the tour, please visit N.J. Donner's page on iRead Book Tours.

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And here he is. . .

N.J. Donner is a dad who loves to tell stories and create worlds. He has created 3D models of parts of the Legion’s secret headquarters and drawn extensive maps of the underground world where the Legion operates. He loves to explore and to figure out why and how things work, including Karma.

When he's not writing, N.J. runs a successful steel fabrication business in the Midwest. He loves to travel with his wife, Amanda, and their three children.

Six books are planned for the series taking the three main characters and the Legion of Karma to new continents and new adventures across the world.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Book Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends July 7, 2018

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