BOOK REVIEW - FYRLELOCK by R. CHRISTOPHER KOBB - JACK BOOMERSHINE AND THE PROPHECY UNTOLD - MOONPEPPER PRESS

By: R. Christopher Kobb

Published By: Moonpepper Press

Released : May 24th 2013

Details : ARC review, Netgalley

RATING: 4.25 JACK & CHASE STARS

Blurb : Goodreads

In a cave, deep within the cliffs of Brighton, lies a curious stone. No ordinary rock, the Fyrelocke has a dark and intricate past.

Twelve-year-old inventor Jack Boomershine believes it a practical joke when a mysterious text message directs him to it. But finding this powerful stone sets in motion an entangled clockwork of events that draws him ever deeper into an adventure in which his inventions are useless.

As things spin out of control, Jack must find his way through a hidden world of magic with vehicles that fly themselves, a telepathic creature—and an ancient evil with an unfathomable plan, determined to ensnare Jack in it.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle: 

Ping!

When unassuming inventor, 12 year old Jack Boomershine, who thought his faulty jet pack was his only conundrum in life, receives a cryptic text message from ‘Anon 1007’ , he does not realize that the life he once thought he knew, was about to change. 

Jack and his loyal, funny, bff , Chase Lucre, are about to find themselves mixed up in an extraordinary adventure filled with magical creatures and wizardry and of course a worthy middle grade villain. 

Blast it! Blast it! Blast it! 

This is a story filled with good and dark magic, mystery and a plot that keeps you guessing, a boy that can’t remember, and a fun and endearing set of characters. 

Who will you trust? 

Chase is the logical friend who wants to become a Banker when he grows up, more interested in reading the financial pages. Jack is the inventor who likes to play the part of kid magician. He never thought he would ever be involved with real magic beyond his wildest dreams. 

Chase is a very endearing side kick. Very much like Ron from Harry Potter. He made me laugh, and he was there when his buddy needed him. Plus he has a great love for Golden Crust Pizza. 

Flash Poofing, Frosty Forest Fizzies and my favourite, the Stratovarious , not to be mistaken with the Stradivarius ...for those not in the know, is a violin. The Stratovarious is no violin. I myself would love one. These are just some of the magical things to be found. 

Oh the fun. 

The sub characters were amusing. Trygg the Puriform not to be mistaken for a bunny... I loved. After all he did save hours of toil and drudgery. 

Madam Puffin, fortune teller and esteemed member of The Witch Association , is quite the lyrical character. She will keep you guessing, for a Prophecy she saw many years ago. 

“Ok, first a little background. Doom or fine...” Madame Puffin’s eyes went distant for a moment. “You are Jack ... Jack... you are Jack Boomershine.” 

Master Pescipalius Dorfnutter aka Pesky and his daughter Vidalia help to initiate Jack and Chase into the magical world they know so well. 

The Cankrots are the evil minions, playing their part well, they know how to throw a spell. 

With the Locke family and the Cross family all entwined, makes for a major identity crisis for Jack Boomershine, and a mystery to unwind. 

The illustrations though few, are really nice to view. 

I think I am turning into Madam Puffin. 

I enjoyed this middle grade adventure. For lovers of Harry Potter this is a more middle grade fun magical adventure with two boys and a girl and some great little twists at the end that you didn’t see coming..... and, that Fyrelocke. 

Mayhem and magic are always a fun combination for a great escapism and R. Christopher Kobb brings it. 

R. Christopher, Trygg is a favourite of mine, I am just going to borrow him, throw in the Stratovarious and I am off on my own adventure...I will see you later.... * flash poof*  J

Michelle

RANDOM POSTING # 83 - DOORWAYS by TIM O'ROURKE BOOK REVIEW & VLOG CHAT - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

TIM O'ROURKE

So there I was trying to think up what I can do for Tim for his birthday. I hadn't read Doorways or League of Doorways, yes, yes, I could read and review them. I could vlog a review. Then I started reading Doorways and saw how creative his characters were. I had enough trouble with a certain wig *cough*  a while back when I vlogged his Kiera Hudson series one. 

So what could I do? 

I have known Tim since around start of July 2011. He is a powerhouse of a writer. I have had a couple interview dates with Potter * waggles eyebrows* ( Kiera Hudson series)  and an interview date with Harry ( Cowgirls & Vampires name changed to Vampire Seeker) . He is a harder nut to crack that one. (pun intended). 

So I came up with my review of Doorways and a book chat vlog.

Happy Birthday Tim

You don't look a day older than yesterday

xx

Michelle & Family

By: Tim O'Rourke

Published By: Tim O'Rourke

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback , 231 Pages

RATING: 5 ENORMOUSLY CREATIVE STARS!!

Blurb: Goodreads
When Zachary Black discovers a door set between two giant cliffs, he realises he has never seen anything so peculiar. Unable to resist the doorway, Zach opens it to find that he is looking into Endra.

Have you ever had someone say to you that they have seen your double? Well, that is your 'reflection' from Endra who has sneaked through one of the doorways. Not usually a problem if they go back, but what if they decided to stay? What if they decided to change something? What if they were trying to kill the person you love?

With the help of a beautiful Vampire named Neanna and a werewolf called William, Zachary's journey takes him across the vast plains of Endra, through the streets of London and across the Atlantic Ocean as they pass back and forth through the doorways in a race against time. But the doorways have the power to change you - altering your appearance and abilities as you pass between the two worlds.



BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

What a fantastic read.

I was swept away into Tim's rich world of imagination. If you enjoyed Lemony Snicket, The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, you will love Tim's tale of imagination and colorful characters.

16 year old Zach Black loves to run, loves to race the tide. A doorway appears protruding from the sand and Zach opens it and enters the world of Endra.

Endra is Earth’s twin. What a wonderful idea. It is its reflection. Not everybody or every living thing, but some have reflections, if they happened upon a doorway and went through it, they could very well have a reflection on the otherside.

Zach and his dying sister Anna, live with their cruel Uncle Fandel. Zach has gone for a run on the beach and finds himself in Endra. A coincidence I think not.

Enter William the Wolf Weaver, a Noxas, galloping along on his stagecoach with a difference, racing to scoop Zach up who finds out he is a Peacekeeper.

Enter a whole menagerie of interesting and colourful characters, some fighting for good, some battling for evil.

This is a magical world that Tim brings to life with Radan’s, Slaths, Dammed Bandits ( kind of reminds me of spaghetti western Tim style the way they talk), Spiderpedes ( visually these would look both creepy and awesome),Demonic Guardians , Cathedral Knights , the Hollow Child ( ooo creeepppy) and Inferno Berries , now these are a blast, pun intended .

Zach is the guy to save both Endra and Earth. He has to stop the worlds overlapping and he needs help from William and Neanna Cera, the slath.

Throat is a suitable villain using Fandel as his puppet in the human world.

The Queen of Endra must be saved and Zach is the guy for the job. A quest is embarked on to find the key to The Heart of Endra. This trio must survive what is thrown at them, Tim style.

Tim loves to have his characters fighting, and he does it well.

Neanna I really like. She is selfless and puts her life at risk on occasions to save Zach.

This is not a story of romance, it is a fantasy and a fantastic one at that. I mix it between middle grade and a bit older. I could so easily see this book on school library shelves.

I really loved seeing certain characters reflections when they entered the human world. I had a great time between doorways, between worlds, the doors popping up in random places.

Now it would be unforgivable of me not to mention THE DELF! I think there should be a T-shirt for, THE DELF. She needs a drum roll, she is quite disgusting with her snot and maggots hanging off her. Every time I read a scene with the Delf in it, I got a very good visual in my head. Tim writes her like a little boy who enjoys all things gooey and icky.

Visually this would be an AWESOME kids movie based on the character descriptions and the locations Tim will take you.

Trains, planes and automobiles, and spells, spiky tablets of pain, all add to this story. It is these added details that make where Tim takes us and what he does to his characters a great read.

If you are a fan of Tim’s writing you will notice the subtle crossovers that pop up.

I raise my eyebrow at Tim... Declan Tanner. White handlebar moustache, he walks through a doorway into a western setting.

*raises eyebrow*

Sound like someone I know??



FAVE QUOTE:

Tanner observed him with a disgusted look on his face and snapped, “What’s got into you, man? Die with some dignity can’t you!”

Michelle

BOOK REVIEW: SCARY SCHOOL by Derek The Ghost

SCARY SCHOOL

by

DEREK THE GHOST

Publisher:  HarperCollins
Pages:  Ebook 
Available: Now
Age:  Elementary / Middle School
Acquired:  Sent for review from Derek The Ghost via his full bodied ghost whisperer Derek Taylor Kent !

RATING:  4.5 Hilariously Scary Stars!

Description:

You think your school's scary?  

Get a load of these teachers:

"Ms. Fang," an 850-year-old vampire
"Dr. Dragonbreath," who just might eat you before recess
"Mr. Snakeskin"--science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
"Mrs. T"--break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry "Tyrannosaurus rex"

Plus

Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And

The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends--including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf--and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky

 Marissa Review:

I have spent a fair bit of time reading this book......

BECAUSE IT'S SOOO COOL FOR KIDS!!  

My 8year old son (Lachlan) read this with me.  And after 4 reads...he (and I) am glad that the second book has now been released so we can grab that and read some more of this cool crazy school.

Derek Taylor Kent

I received a digital copy for review from none other than Derek The Ghost himself!  OK, so maybe he had a little help from Derek Taylor Kent!  The fun we had reading this had us ordering our own print version. 

Aimed at the elementary / middle school level - I have no doubt that Scary School will be well received by parents.    Lachlan and I enjoyed it so much that we have donated a set of the Scary School books (books 1 & 2 so far) to his classroom library for everyone to enjoy!  (For those interested, Scary School is an Accelerated Reader book.)

The story is narrated by Derek the Ghost and we are taken on a fun and crazy trip through the classrooms of Scary School.

Charles "New Kid" Nukid

We meet such great characters including the Rachael's ---- Raychel, Rachael & Frank (pronounced Rachel!) and of course Charles "New Kid" Nukid.  

This is Charles' first year at Scary School - and he's in for quite the adventure :)  At Scary School, there are no normal kids and teachers, no standard classroom rules or field trips..... you get teachers than can eat you, students that are werewolves and you can get killed before first bell - but don't worry...as long as you get to Nurse Hairymoles in time....you get brought back to life - just might not be the same as what you were before!!

Check out the book trailer and most definitely check out the most awesome website that compliments the series.  The kids (and parents) are gonna love it!

ENJOY!

MARISSA

 

BLOG TOUR # 25 - BOOK REVIEW - SWIPE by EVAN ANGLER

Today on our stop of the blog tour I have my review of Swiped.

Enjoy!

By : Evan Angler
Published By: Thomas Nelson
Released : Available Now
Details : Digital , 288 Pages

RATING: 4.25 MIDDLE GRADE EXCITING STARS!

Book Blurb: Taken From Goodreads

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.



BOOK REVIEW by Michelle :

From the Prologue I was turning pages. How intriguing was that prologue? Like you weren’t going to keep reading to see what that was all about.

A playground, midnight, some kids and Meg....then the Dust was all over her......

This is a dystopian, fast paced middle grade read. I honestly forgot these kids were twelve years old. I had to keep reminding myself. It felt like an older middle grade book if that makes sense? Spy kids, meets dystopian, the Marked vs the Markless.

Logan Langly ..lol!! Sometimes reminded me of his age, at the start of the book he is a paranoid, scared boy who had a night light ( afraid of the dark) and his father tucked him in at night. By the end of the book......another matter! Logan has his reasons for his behaviour, his sister Lily died from receiving the Mark. He has felt like he has been watched for a long time. He can’t tell anybody how he feels.

At the age of thirteen you Pledge yourself and get Marked on your wrist. Now as far as I understand, the Mark is like you are barcoded and you scan your wrist to do things. I think it is a type of Big Brother in a way.

There was a war and this has been the end result to try to keep Peace ....but is it?

Evan’s world building I really enjoyed. He added some different things to his dystopian story. The middle grade school is underground...no..nobody is a vampire..hehe!! Residences, average height is twenty stories, one room per floor with an elevator and the yard is on the roof. Logan’s home is eleven stories. Musical instrument, Wailing Mitts, like turtle shells with ten finger rings , move them around and pull on the rings to make like a guitar sound or keyboard sound. I want me a pair of those, they sounded cool. We have rock, paper and scissors. Evan’s world has, rock, tablet, laser..ha!

I did laugh, for all the future type things like rollersticks and the spy gadgets, the good ol fashioned, can on the string was used to eavesdrop.

The DOME = Department of Marked Emergencies ( sounds like something out of Harry Potter) they are after a chappy called Peck. Now Peck is a BIG mystery, even down to what he looks like for most of this book. It is the rather good twist in this story. Even when we meet Peck for the first time, Evan tells us nothing, no description.

Enter Erin and her father, Mr Arbitor. He used to work for the Beacon Police, but now...........!

Erin and her father move to Spokie which is where our story takes place. Things are happening in Spokie and DOME wants to sort it out.

Erin is not too happy about moving to Spokie , but she makes friends with Logan and the story turns into these two pulling a Nancy Drew and uncover all sorts of things. They are actually doing a better job than DOME who are rather none the wiser to room 113B getting supplies nicked. Great security guys!

Dane , Hailey and Logan have been besties up until fifth grade, they did everything together. Dane decided he liked Hailey more than friends, Hailey decided she liked Logan, he was none the wiser , Dane got upset , jealousy flew in the air ( guys you are only twelve) . Logan still none the wiser as he is crushing on Erin, who is none the wiser..ha! But, Hailey is wiser and is upset with Logan. Dane is peeved at Logan and shows his affections to Hailey by calling her weirdo...hehe!

Then we have this bunch of misfits brought together by the infamous Peck. Eddie and Tyler are 13, Joanne 15, Meg has issues , I shouldn’t laugh but there was a fry pan Tangled ( movie) incident and Blake who appears in charge is 14. Blake appears so much wiser for his age. Eddie and Tyler belong in the movie Lord of the Flies. They were a little too eager!

You get the feeling Blake is more of a good guy, he cares for Rusty. You do wonder who are the bad guys, and who are the good guys...it’s not as clear cut as you think.

This was a great middle grade read it will keep you guessing and then throw in some twists along the way. The ending will have you wanting for more.

Michelle

BOOK # 2

SNEAK

DUE FOR RELEASE

4TH SEPTEMBER 2012

BLOG STOPS THEY HAVE GIVEAWAYS ENDS 21ST MAY 2012

USA/CANADA ONLY

GOODREADS

EVAN ANGLER

BOOK COVER REVEAL - FINN FINNEGAN by DARBY KARCHUT

We are pleased to help out with the book cover reveal for Finn Finnegan. According to Spencer Hill Press, 'Finn Finnegan is kind of a cross between Harry Potter and the Spiderwick Chronicles, and it's a really fun read!'

Sounds great!

Finn Finnegan

Author: Darby Karchut
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (http://www.spencerhillpress.com/)
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Formats: Paper, e-book
Genres: Middle Grade/Young Adult, Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-937053-32-1


Book Blurb
 

Finn (not bleedin' Finnegan) MacCullen is eager to begin his apprenticeship. He soon discovers the ups and downs of hunting monsters in a suburban neighborhood under the demanding tutelage of the Knight, Gideon Lir. Both master and apprentice are descendents of the Tuatha De Danaan, a magical race of warriors from Ireland. Scattered long ago to the four corners of the world, the De Danaan wage a two thousand year old clandestine battle with their ancient enemy, the Amandán, a breed of goblin-like creatures.

Now with the beasts concentrating their attacks on Finn, he and his master must race to locate the lost Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan, the only weapon that can destroy the Amandán, all the while hiding his true identity from his new friends, Rafe and Savannah, twins whose South African roots may hold a key to Finn's survival. Armed with a bronze dagger, some ancient Celtic magic, and a hair-trigger temper, Finn is about to show his enemies the true meaning of "fighting Irish."

Michelle

BOOK TRAILER - LIESL AND PO by LAUREN OLIVER

The book has these beautiful drawings in it you see on the trailer.

We meet Liesl the night after the day her young father has died. That same day she is visited by a ghost, Po, an eight year old boy who lives on the other side, the territory between life and death that runs parallel to the living world. Po has come to tell her that her father is stuck on the other side, and that she is the only one who can help him cross over. A couple of wooden boxes. Some ashes. Some magic dust. A ghost, its pet, and a boy who forgot to wear a hat in the cold. From these seemingly odd, random characters Oliver weaves the enchanting story of how, with the aid of Liesl, these elements come together over the course of one week to restore love and luster to a world gone grey and heartless.

DUE FOR RELEASE 4TH OCTOBER HODDER STOUGHTON AUSTRALIA

Michelle

BLOG TOUR # 1 - BOOK REVIEW - TOWER OF PARLEN MIN by MATT XELL

By : Matt Xell
Published By: Matt Xell
Released : Available Now
Details : Ebook , 345 Pages

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

Ves Asirin wins a trip to the Tower of Parlen Min. There, with 19 other children, he competes in the Sword Challenge; a series of puzzles and tasks, for $12 million. As fantastic and glorious as the tower seems to be, Ves finds that it keeps a dark and secret history that he has been connected to for over 150 years, a secret that will define his destiny ... if he can escape 'The Shadow'.


BOOK REVIEW:

Tower of Parlen Min, is a YA book aimed at age bracket 14-18yrs. I did enjoy a lot of Matt's writing as he is very creative.  I personally was a little conflicted with this rating as to me it is a middle grade book as most of the characters ages are 11-15yrs. The story is mainly surrounded around Ves Asirin who is only 11 yrs old , I would feel better if Ves was as an example, 15 yrs old as it would help it to fit into the YA bracket as the book has a lot of violence in it. The book cover screams Middle Grade, the story line is very middle grade fantasy. I don't believe it fits into YA except for the violence. It's quite conflicting in my eyes, either cut the violence and you have a nice middle grade fantasy book of the adventures of Ves or up the ages and maybe have a stronger YA storyline. Currently it is a mix that I find difficult to place.

There is an enormous amount of fantasy/mythology in this one book. Matt has a wonderful imagination , sometimes I wondered about the length of descriptive. It could be several pages long and in my eyes it needed to be shortened or else my mind started to wander.

There is a lot going on in this book. There are the tasks set out for each group to retrieve the Sword of Belsaris in the sword challenge. The things going on with all 19 characters, who would pop up. That many characters was rather lengthy for remembering what was going on . There is a serial killer who is rather violent with stabbings, use of sledge hammer, sickle , a body hurtling to it's death.

I really liked the wolves , but needed more storyline there. I loved Tammi, Vikey was a tad annoying and Ves was too young for this book. I didn't understand why he had to be the youngest character. I really liked Ves as he was a very different character with his things he had going on, memory loss after 10 to 15 hours, when younger some autistic traits. Ves would cut himself as a form of remembering , I did find that a little frightening as a mother of 3 children myself and he being only 11, but you get where I am coming from. Matt made Ves quite an original character. I loved the way he carried his scrapbook and sketched his memories so he could have some starting point for the following day when he had to try and remember what his previous day had been about or his lost hours. I loved that Ves learnt how to cope with his life. He grew as a character through the book but it needed better development. It was a little up and down with his mood swings and other things with his character. 

I loved the Marcorsky twins, Anry and Andy. They had great potential . I would have loved better depth and more storyline with them as they were fun to read.

There is a combination feel to this book of Charlie and the Chocolate factory ( Jacobius wants to find a heir to the Tower Of Parlen Min) , a bit of The Hunger Games ( with the children and violence), Harry Potter ( mythical creatures , the Goblet of Fire) , loads of creatures and imagination.

I feel personally this would be a most awesome Middle Grade book, without all the violence, a good editor to shorten the book as too long for middle grade reader and maybe concentrate on 5 main characters, and a smaller list of creatures that could stretch out into the other adventures of Ves Asirin. Matt Xell has a lot of passion for his writing and I can see from what I read that he really loves writing. BUT!!  even authors on the best seller list need a good edit.

Tower of Parlen Min , does need an edit and the story reined in, the nuts and bolts of storyline tightened and Matt will have a 5 star read across the board. There is such great potential for this book that I hope a publisher takes it by the horns.

I received this ebook for an honest review and I felt that I have been very honest. I do not mean to upset the author in anyway. I have tried to be constructive with my review .

Michelle