Twilight of the Elves by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos: Waiting on Wednesday

I am so excited about this Middle Grade fantasy coming 

13 November 2018!

The Adventurers Guild: Twilight of the Elves is the second book in the Adventurers Guild Series from Zack Loran and Nick Eliopulos and it is one of my most anticipated reads of 2018!

Yep, that's right a Middle Grade Fantasy Read is one of my most anticipated reads of the year, you 'guys' don't knock it till you try it!  

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Book Description:

I should probably start at the beginning, Zed wrote, when things first went wrong.

Zed, Brock, and their friends may have saved Freestone from destruction, but the fight against the Dangers is far from over. No one knows what to expect next from the dark power that forced the elves to abandon their city. And the influx of elf refugees in Freestone strains resources and brews resentment among the townspeople. Things have shifted between best friends Zed and Brock, as well, with their friendship crumbling under the weight of the secrets they're keeping from each other.
When tensions reach an all-time high, Queen Me'Shala, leader of the elves, approaches the Adventurers Guild with a mission. She wants a small group of adventurers to go behind the king's back on a covert mission to save her city, and Zed, Brock, Liza, Jett, Micah, and their elven friend Fel join the quest. To face a powerful form of magic thought to be extinct, the adventurers will have to learn how to rely on each other and fight harder than ever before.

Don't miss this second installment of Zack Loran Clark and Nicholas Eliopulos's Adventurers Guild trilogy, where the stakes are raised, the action is breathless, and the dangers will stop even the bravest of hearts.

I got the chance to ask Nick and Zach this question:

"When dual writing how did you build such an intricate and believable fantasy world with out going over the top?

 Even on my own, much less with a writing partner, a world I created would likely look like a Jackson Pollock painting; an explosion of information."

and they sent me back this amazing response, check it out:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi All-books-readers! 

We’re Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos, authors of THE ADVENTURERS GUILD, a fantasy trilogy for young readers. The second book in the series, TWILIGHT OF THE ELVES, is out this November. 

We’re commandeering this post to talk a little bit about world-building. It can be tricky navigating exactly how many details to fit into your story without the common pitfall of fantasy TMI. Here are some of the pointers we kept to while crafting our setting. Join us in our world-building mutiny! 

1. Is there a high concept? 

We’re both avid fantasy fans and tabletop gamers, and our goal with TAG was to bring the magic of settings like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Dragon Age, and of course Lord of the Rings to younger readers. Not every fantasy needs to be "high" concept — many of our favorites aren’t — but having a clear vision of what we wanted to accomplish with our series helped a lot in shaping the details. 

THE ADVENTURERS GUILD takes place in a world that will be familiar to anyone who’s ever seen a Hobbit movie or rolled a d20. There are elves and wizards and monsters — except in our books the monsters have already won. Hundreds of years ago, a disastrous ritual flooded the setting with supernatural horrors, effectively ending civilization. Now, the city of Freestone is one of only a handful of survivors, and few ever leave the protection of its walls. 

Knowing the tropes we wanted to play with, we were able to use them as a frame for our world-building. Freestone’s whole social structure is literally built upon four archetypal fantasy “classes,” and from there we were able to expand with our own twists! 

2. Is it fun / interesting? 

Yes, it’s probably important that you know how your fantasy denizens get their water and clear their waste. If you’re lucky, someone will love your story enough to try to stump you by asking! But urban planning can make for a dull read, especially if the audience is younger. If you sense yourself beginning to lecture, try to test the facts you’re putting out there. Are they adding something cool or exciting? 

3. Is it important to the story? 

Sometimes, though, that boring old water supply gets poisoned by an evil dragon-worshipping cult, and then all the talk about the town’s well-regulated aquifers suddenly comes back! There’s nothing we love more than the goose bumps after a seemingly innocuous detail becomes a dangerous turn in the plot. 

4. Put it in dialogue. 

Honestly, just having your characters deliver some of the world-building can take the strain off your expositional load. Putting information in dialogue also forces us to think about brevity and tone. Would my protagonist really spend a paragraph talking about how the chamber pots are emptied into the River Stynx? Or would she joke that her friend smells like he took a swim off the wrong bank? 

5. Bring a friend. 

You know the world you built inside-out, and that can make it hard to recognize when some element of your world-building is redundant, unclear, nonsensical, or repetitive. (Wait.) Ask a friend — one who doesn’t already know your city layout or monster food chain — to read your writing and give you honest feedback. They’ll be able to point out your blind spots. (And all writers have to get used to criticism eventually!) 

6. Write an appendix. 

If you’ve done more world-building than you can (or should) fit into the book itself, keep in mind that there are a ton of other venues for sharing that information. An appendix, a website, a behind-the-scenes pamphlet . . . Put all that lovely detail where people who care can find it, and that will lessen the sting of cutting it from the story proper. We’ve shared a lot of our own extra world-building material on our blog at www.dayofdangers.com. 

7. Save it for the sequel. 

One of the joys of writing a sequel is that you have a bit more breathing room. With a first book there is a lot of pressure to introduce your world and your characters in a succinct way. But anyone who comes back for the sequel has already been won over, at least a little, so you have some breathing room in book two. We show off a little bit more of the world we built in TWILIGHT OF THE ELVES, hoping fans of the series will be happy to spend time there. We certainly were! 

There you have it – the inside scoop on how we handled world-building. We hope these tips prove useful as you craft castles, populate enchanted forests, and, yes, plumb the depths of fantasy plumbing. Now go forth and create! 

Zack & Nick

If you haven't already check out book 1, The Adventures Guild.  Here's a link to my review in case you were interested, click on book cover:

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Book Description:

Few ever asked to join the Adventurers Guild. . . . Their members often died young.

In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone's only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he'll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild.

But just as it seems the boys' dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild.

Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers-hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies-Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf-must prove their worth once and for all.

This start of a thrilling new series is sure to be a hit with readers who like their fantasies clever and action-packed, with tons of humor and heart.

ZACK LORAN CLARK and NICK ELIOPULOS grew up in Florida and now live in New York. Best friends, they get together to play Dungeons & Dragons every week. Zack fervently hopes that magic is real; Nick desperately hopes that monsters are not. The Adventurers Guild is their first novel.

Zack Loran Clark 

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Nick Eliopulos

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Grump by Liesl Shurtliff - Review

“A hilarious reimagining of its origin story with a wonderfully detailed world and interesting twists on classic characters.

Sure to be a hit with fantasy fans looking for comedy.”

—BOOKLIST

GRUMP

THE (FAIRLY) TRUE TALE OF SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES

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Author: Liesl Shurtliff

Publication Date:  29 May 2018

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Series:  Standalone

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 9 and Up

Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

You know her from the New York Times bestselling books, Rump, Jack and Red. Now, Liesl Shurtliff is BACK with the real story behind Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in GRUMP , a fast-paced and clever middle grade that stars a—you guessed it!—grumpy dwarf who gets tangled up in Snow White’s feud with the wicked queen.

Ever since he was a dwarfling, Borlen (nicknamed "Grump") has dreamed of visiting The Surface, so when opportunity knocks, he leaves his cavern home behind. At first, life aboveground is a dream come true. Queen Elfrieda Veronika Ingrid Lenore (E.V.I.L.) is the best friend Grump always wanted, feeding him all the rubies he can eat and allowing him to rule at her side in exchange for magic and information. But as time goes on, Grump starts to suspect that Queen E.V.I.L. may not be as nice as she seems. . . .

When the queen commands him to carry out a horrible task against her stepdaughter Snow White, Grump is in over his head. He's bound by magic to help the queen, but also to protect Snow White. As if that wasn't stressful enough, the queen keeps bugging him for updates through her magic mirror! He'll have to dig deep to find a way out of this pickle, and that's enough to make any dwarf Grumpy indeed.

My Review:

I love these little middle grade fairytale retellings.  They are just so much fun and full of laughter and moments of truth and understanding.  

How does an author take a beloved children's fairytale and make it new, by bringing it to you from a different point of view.  Grump is the story of Snow White but from the point of view of one of our beloved Seven Dwarves.  I have to say that Borlen's story is a little sad at times, his life isn't an easy one and he comes by his nickname 'Grump' honestly.  I think that Grump's story is a wonderful way to bring the idea of not feeling like you fit in and how hurtful bullying is to our youngest readers, As well as learning to look inward and reflect on who you are and the choices you make.  These Middle grade readers re ones who are about to embark on the journey of middle school and high school and will be more inclined to find themselves dealing with the issue of bullying and with feelings of being 'different'.  I love the way Liesl uses these challenges in Grump' story and helps him fight back and overcome, finding his place in the world and not relying on others to be that place.  

Liesl keeps Grump fresh and page turning by giving us unexpected twists and turns, keeping moments suspenseful and engaging.  I will say that I was not a huge fan of Snow White but as this is Grump's book and his POV I am okay with that.  Yes, I would have liked to have found her as engaging as the original but Grump shines enough on his own to let me wash away Snow White's failings as a character this time around.  

All in all Grump is simply a wonderful character and I think will be a huge hit ( I can't wait to pass it along to my 9 year old now) with the Middle Grade set.  All of these Fractured Fairytales are wonderful additions to your school/classroom/home libraries.  Each on a new twist on a favorite fairytale full heart and with a heartfelt lesson included.  I can't recommend them enough!  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Meet Liesl

“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy-tale.” – Hans Christian Anderson

I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah the fifth of eight children. My seven siblings tortured me but I really like them now. I loved dancing, singing, playing the piano and reading books by Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, and Roald Dahl. I also read Grimms’ Fairy Tales so often I wore through the binding. Today I live with my husband and four children in Chicago, which is a wonderful city except that it is decidedly flat and very cold in the winter. When I write, I often wander back to my childhood and gather the magic that still remains. I hope to share that magic with children everywhere.

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Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi - Review

I am beyond excited to be a part of this blog tour for Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi.  

Whichwood is a Middle Grade Fantasy and is available now! 

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Author: Tahereh Mari

Publication Date:  14 November 2017

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Series:  Furthermore, book 2

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 10 and Up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Tahereh Mafi brings readers on a dark and lush new adventure about a girl who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead in this companion to her bestselling Furthermore.

Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It's become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear.

But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee's world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

My Review:

I was thrilled when this book hit my email, I have been a fan of Tahereh Mafi's since her Shatter Me series, yes I loved Warner, no I am not a fan of how the end played out with Adam, yes I want more Kenji.  When I saw that she was writing middle grade fantasies, I was over the moon.  Tahereh's writing style is as magical as the worlds that she creates and I know will send middle grade readers off on extraordinary journeys with out 'dumbing down' the prose.  The Furthermore books are books that give the reader an amazing adventure, while stretching the mind, and teaching important lessons along the way.  

I loved the way that Tahereh Mafi wrote Whichwood, loved that she used 4th person to explain a little back story or to answer questions that aren't clear within the character dialogue.  I loved that as I read I had Lemony Snicket feelings underneath all the playful and beautiful prose.  

I could talk about her writing style and world building for days but that's not really what you are here for however, I don't want to go into too much detail about the story because once you move past the writing details and into the actual story you will find that the story arc itself is very short and difficult to discuss without giving away important elements.  So what takes up 360 pages of this book, descriptions.  Normally I would hate this, I will say there were times where I wish we could just get to the point but at the same time I was so in love with the words and the way that Tahereh was weaving the story that I didn't want to look away, I didn't want to jump ahead because every little detail was beautiful and poignant.  

So I will skip over the details of the story, you know it is a story about a girl who washes the dead and the discovery of new friends and a wonderful moral for any age to learn.  What you may not know is that this is a pretty dark book.  I would hesitate to let my 9 year old read it, perhaps if I read it to her.  I think that my 11 year old would love it but I do worry that it could create vivid and perhaps scary dreams if she read it at bedtime.  There is one particular part that I found quite 'skin crawling' and I will say if you or your young reader are extremely sensitive to the idea of bugs you may want to take a deep breath before diving in.  This is a book based around the dead, it is not what the story is ultimately about but dead bodies are discussed regularly, there is a moment where a parent is killed.  Do I think that means you shouldn't let your upper middle grade readers read it, not at all.  I think this is a beautiful story that is so much more than dark and creepy, but you may want to give it a quick read yourself and determine if it is a good fit for your middle grade reader first.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book.  Laylee has had a hard life, she's basically on her own at the age of 13 and has a weight on her shoulders that no child should ever have to bear.  I loved her strength and determination.  Her compassion for people who have not been compassionate to her in return.  I loved her grace and beauty, outside and in.  I also adored Benyamin and am hopeful that we will get more from him in future books, his story makes me a bit squeamish but he is much like Laylee and I am curious to see more of him in the future.  Alice, I need to go back for her story, she's a wonderful character and Olivier...well, Oliver is a bit of something special I think.  I can say in the beginning I thought he was a careless, thoughtless, self-absorbed boy, but in the end I fell head over heels for him and I want to see him in the future.  His heart is bigger and more compassionate than I ever could have expected and out of all the characters he moved me the most, maybe it is my romantic heart and maybe it was an ending line in the story that did me in, but he is the guy.  He in this story is my Warner.  He may be your middle grade readers first book boyfriend!  

Speaking of Oliver and Alice, some how I missed reading Furthermore, I think time just got away from me and it got pushed back until it was so deep in my TBR that I just couldn't get to it.  Even though I hadn't read Futhermore I was not lost while reading Whichwood, it is a standalone within a series.  What it did do is make me want to dig down in that pile bump Furthermore up to the top.  I loved that Oliver and Alice make an appearance and though I didn't know there story I wasn't confused, I just want to get to know them better now so as soon as I am done here I am off to start reading all about those two. 

This is a wonderful read, with beautiful characters.  Whichwood is a magical journey that will have your readers minds spinning with fantastical stories and will introduce them to friendships that go beyond looks, education, race, and beliefs.  It will remind them that it is not what is outside of the person but what is inside them that is the most important when finding new friends.  I really loved this book even with all of its faults. Tahereh has made me fall in love with another world and I just want more!  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Tahereh Mafi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series and Furthermore. She can usually be found over-caffeinated and stuck in a book. You can find her online just about anywhere at @TaherehMafi or on her website, www.taherehbooks.com.

The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos - A Mom Monday Review

A MOM MONDAY REVIEW

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Author:  Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

Publication Date:  3 October 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Series:  The Adventurers Guild, book 1

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 8 and Up

Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

In one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters, best friends Zed Kagari and Brock Dunderfel have high hopes for the future. Zed desperately wishes to join the ranks of the Mages Guild, where his status as Freestone's only half elf might finally be an asset. Brock, the roguishly handsome son of merchants, is confident he'll be welcomed into the ranks of the Merchants Guild.

But just as it seems the boys' dreams have come true, their lives take a startling turn . . . and they find themselves members of the perilous Adventurers Guild.

Led by the fearsome Alabasel Frond, the guild acts as the last line of defense against the Dangers-hungry, unnatural beasts from otherworldly planes. And when the boys uncover a conspiracy that threatens all of Freestone, Zed, Brock, and their new allies-Liza, a fierce noble, and Jett, a brave dwarf-must prove their worth once and for all.

This start of a thrilling new series is sure to be a hit with readers who like their fantasies clever and action-packed, with tons of humor and heart.

My Review:

I lost myself in this book, yes a middle grade fantasy completely consumed me for the 3 hours it took me to read it.  I could not put it down and seriously contemplated calling my girls in from playing with the neighbors so I could read it out loud to them.  When I was done I jumped form my favorite reading chair, shook the book at them and told them both that they had to read it!  

There is so much going on in The Adventurers Guild, monsters, magic, intrigue, suspense, friendship, family, a possible light romance, betrayal, amazing world building....it's all there and though it may sound jam packed it flows beautifully together to tell an amazing story of friendship and courage.  

The Dangers (monsters) gave me all the chills, in fact they reminded my quite a bit of something you may see in a Studio Ghibli film, particularly Spirited Away with No Face. While they can be pretty darn creepy don't let that turn you or your more 'monster sensitive' readers away, there's so much goodness that it out weighs the little bits of scary or the intensity.  

The world building, you 'guys' the world building is fantastic.  I never felt bogged down in the details, never felt lost in the twists and turns.  A picture of the city of Freestone was clear in my mind, the city, the people...they all came alive in my head as I read.  

The characters, Oh how I loved these characters.  I loved that each one of them is fighting against societies rules of who they are supposed to be, I love that we have a mix of friendships with what would be lower, middle, and upper class, boys and girls.  I love that Liza is willing to go against the patriarchy and make her own dreams come true.  I love that Brock for all his faults truly cares about his friends and is discovering that things are not always what they seem.  That he is finding he needs to take a look at the bigger picture and make his own decisions.  I am still not sure where his story will lead him but I have faith he will find his way.  Micah, now he's an interesting character as far as development and I hope the little glimpse we get of him at the end is an indicator of who he might become.  Zed, he is my favorite.  A boy not given many chances in life but the bravest and kindest of them all.  He is not as witty and open as Brock, not as determined or fierce as Liza but he is the heart of the story and a true hero.  Lastly I have to mention Guildmaster Frond, I love her, she is this strange combination of crude, loyal, independent, fierce, and soft.  I can understand the loyalty that is given to her and also the fear that people have of her.  She is an 'unknown' in a way, she's a interesting cross of Mad-Eye Moody, Snape, and Dumbledore and I can't wait to read more about her.  

There is really so much to love about this book, not least of which is the fact that it is plain and simple a read that will take you to a new world and will give you new friends.  I am not done with these characters or this world and I am so glad that the authors aren't either.  The Adventurers Guild ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am left with a deep yearning to know what happens next, so hurry up guys, I need the next book yesterday, haha!  

This is the perfect read for any Fantasy fan no matter your age!  If you loved The Golden Compass, Harry Potter, The Lord of The Rings you will adore The Adventurers Guild as well!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

ZACK LORAN CLARK and NICK ELIOPULOS grew up in Florida and now live in New York. Best friends, they get together to play Dungeons & Dragons every week. Zack fervently hopes that magic is real; Nick desperately hopes that monsters are not. The Adventurers Guild is their first novel.

Zack Loran Clark 

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Nick Eliopulos

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The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - Review by Olivia and Mom

In anticipation of the release of 

The Book of Dust on 19 October, 2017  

my 11 year old, Olivia and I read The Golden Compass. Below you will find her review as well as some notes from mom! 

 We can't wait for this coming release and new spin-off series! 

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Author:  Philip Pullman

Publication Date:  13 November 2001

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Series:  His Dark Material, book 1

Genre:  Middle Grade/Young Adult Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 10 and up

Rating: 4-5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars of Jodan College, with her daemon familiar always by her side. But the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible struggle—a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold far North, Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: she alone is destined to win, or to lose, this more-than-mortal battle.

Olivia's Review: (5 Stars)

The Golden Compass is a book that takes place in Philip Pullman's own version of the real world.  In this world humans live together with daemons, every human has their own daemon and they can never go far from each other.  Daemons take on the forms of animals, like cats and dogs, only children's daemons can shift between forms.  One day a girl at Jordan College, named Lyra, goes on an incredible journey all because of a series of unfortunate events (hahahahaha).  She and her daemon, Pantalaiomon, end up meeting all sorts of people, also some armored bears.  

The writing in The Golden Compass is great and in my opinion it is a similar style to Watership Down. [Mom Note: This is a huge compliment because Watership Down is Olivia's favorite book, period]  The characters are very interesting and for some of the evil ones I felt almost as angry as Lyra herself.  

Since it is the first book in the series, the outcome is a bit of a cliffhanger, it made me really eager to read the next book!  

Mom's Review: (4 Stars)

I truly adored this book.  As Olivia mentioned the world building is the real world yet not.  In the beginning I struggled a little to grasp that while everything seemed familiar to me, this is not the world that I am used to.  The world building gave me vibes of a parallel universe and once you let that settle in your soul it is so easy to get lost in this world of mystery and magic.  

I know as I read the book after Olivia I kept asking her, but why is this happening, where did they go, etc and she just kept telling me 'Mom, read the book.  I can't tell you with out going you spoilers!' and it was so true.  You have to trust that this book is going to take you where you need to go, it is going to wind you down a path with several surprises but ultimately and satisfyingly get you to the 'end' (as much of an end as the first book in a trilogy can be) and answer the majority of your questions.  I loved that I wanted more all the time, I wanted to flip to the middle of the book, then I wanted to flip to the end...but I am telling you now do not do that.  Ride this book out page by page and let yourself go in it's beauty.

Now with all that said I know that this book is not for everyone.  This is a book that will challenge your thoughts on adults and children.  It will challenge your ideas on how you see the world, on your thoughts about large government or religion having power over the masses.  It will make you think about the purity of children and their inherent goodness and how the choices they make and the choices the adults around them make will shape them.  These aren't things that most young children are going to pick up on.  As you saw in Olivia's review, her thoughts while reading the book leaned more to the magical aspects of the daemons, the action, and of course the bears.  I loved train theme (to me) in the story, the growth in Lyra as she begins to discover just who she is and who the people around her are.  Do I always like the choices she makes, certainly not but I am coming at this from an adult with children stand point and while I would like them to be brave and to find their own path, I wouldn't like how Lyra spends a good portion of her time lying to discover what she wants to know.  Does it get us to the end and is she better than what we see at times, yes, but as an adult mom it made me cringe now and again. These same things aren't aspects that a young reader will really pick up on.  What they will see is her desire to find answers, her bravery, her protection of her friend, her understanding that people are people no matter their wealth, ability, etc and of course the bears...because seriously the bears are freaking awesome.  

The Golden Compass will turn some readers away.  Philip Pullman is unabashed in his agnostic beliefs and that comes through in this book.  Again, this isn't something that most children will pick up on with out the guidance of an adult in their ear but it is certainly a heavy part of the book and you should be aware of that before going in.  Think of the Golden Compass as the antithesis of The Chronicles of Narnia.  The Golden Compass is a beautifully written story full of adventure and daring and a truly wonderful read.  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

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Five Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel - A Mom Monday Review

A Mom Monday Review:

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Author: Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel

Illustrators: Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, Boya Sun

Publication Date:  2 May, 2017

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Series:  5 Worlds, book 1

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel, Fantasy 

Age Recommendation: 8 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. When war erupts, three unlikely heroes will discover there's more to themselves and more to their worlds than meets the eye. . . .
The clumsiest student at the Sand Dancer Academy, Oona Lee is a fighter with a destiny bigger than she could ever imagine.
A boy from the poorest slums, An Tzu has a surprising gift and a knack for getting out of sticky situations.
Star athlete Jax Amboy is beloved by an entire galaxy, but what good is that when he has no real friends?
When these three kids are forced to team up on an epic quest, it will take not one, not two, but 5 WORLDS to contain all the magic and adventure!

My Review:

What an enjoyable read.  I chose this one thinking of my reluctant middle grade reader but found that I enjoyed it just as much as she did.  It took her a few days to get through it, but considering how fantastic the art work is that is no surprise, you could spend days just perusing the pictures.  For me it was a quick read, though I will say don't expect that you will just blow through it otherwise you will miss a lot of little details.  

When I asked her what she thought she said (she's 8): "I really liked this one.  I liked how there were the 5 worlds and everything needed to be saved.  That there were Sand Warriors (to this she added in a little dance, ha), and the plant people were really cool. Oona was my favorite!"

I loved that three different characters from three different backgrounds come together in this book and find a way to not only work together but to become friends.  They are able to set aside all that they think they know about each other and instead learn the truth of who they each are and accept one another because of those differences.  I loved that Oona is just this average girl who when she finds her own strengths and stops believing what others have said about her she becomes the hero we knew she could be.  I loved that Jax, this bigger than life athlete isn't what any one expects at all.  I loved that Tzu, who may not have wealth is the richest of them all because he is the one to bring them all together.  He is the friend that binds them, encourages them, and stands beside them.  I loved that while this is a fantasy, there is the underlying story that we must take care of our world if we want it to thrive.  

My only challenge, and this could simply be because I am not an avid graphic novel reader, is that there were a few times I felt like I missed something.  Now, maybe that's because there are stories still to be written and they don't want to give away everything at once, I am not sure, but a few times the plot veered off and I really wanted more. It may be that because they had so much information to get out in this first book some things that will be touched in other books were just left out of this one.   I will mention that my 8 year old never mentioned not knowing what was going on so again, this may just be me, haha.  

Like I mentioned above the art in this book is just wonderful, I believe that, unlike in the ARC, finished copes will be in all color which in the few pages I saw is amazing.  You really can get lost just looking at everything.  There is still a lot of story to be told and I can't wait to see what happens, how everything develops and plays out.  If you are a graphic novel fan I think this is the start to an amazing new series and I hope that you will pick it up!  Teachers, this is a great book to have in your classrooms as it will appeal to boys and girls, reluctant and advanced readers, as well as having a plethora of teaching opportunities, from friendship and bullying to environmental and cultural studies.

~ HAPPY READING ~

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MARK SIEGEL has written and illustrated several award-winning picture books and graphic novels, including the New York Times bestseller Sailor Twain, or the Mermaid in the Hudson. He is also the founder and editorial director of First Second Books. He lives with his family in New York. Follow Mark on Tumblr at @marksiegel and the 5 Worlds team on Twitter at @5WorldsTeam.

ALEXIS SIEGEL is a writer and translator based in London, England. He has translated a number of bestselling graphic novels, including Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat, Pénélope Bagleu’s Exquisite Corpse, and Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese (into French).

XANTHE BOUMA is an illustrator based in Southern California. When not working on picture books, fashion illustration, and comics, Xanthe enjoys soaking up the beachside sun. Follow Xanthe on Tumblr at @yumbles and on Twitter at @xoxobouma.

MATT ROCKEFELLER is an illustrator and comic book artist from Tucson, Arizona. His work has appeared in a variety of formats, including book covers, picture books, and animation. Matt lives in New York City. Follow him on Tumblr at @mrockefeller and on Twitter at @mcrockefeller.

BOYA SUN is an illustrator and co-author of the graphic novel Chasma Knights. Originally from China, Boya has traveled from Canada to the United States and now resides in the charming city of Baltimore. Follow Boya on Tumblr at @boyasun and on Twitter at @boyaboyasun.

Dream Magic by Joshua Khan - A Mom Monday Review

A Mom Monday Review

 

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Author: Joshua Khan

Publication Date:  11 April, 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Series:  Shadow Magic, book 2

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy

Age Recommendation: 9 and up

Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Things are dire for the inhabitants of Castle Gloom and the surrounding villages. The undead are leaving their graves in droves, a troll army is on the march from the north, and people are mysteriously disappearing from their homes. The people of Gehenna are blaming their misfortunes on Lilith Shadow, their young queen. They believe she has cursed them by using magic, a practice forbidden to women. With her trusty executioner among the missing and her blackguard soldiers busy battling trolls, it is up to Lily and her friend Thorn to root out the real cause of all the trouble. Their search will uncover ugly truths and eventually lead to a nightmarish confrontation with nothing less than the rulership of the realm at stake.

Zombies, ghosts, trolls, dream weavers, a black-hearted villain, and a giant hero bat are only some of the imaginative delights that await readers in DREAM MAGIC by Joshua Khan, 

a soaring adventure combined with a hair-raising mystery.

My Review:

Where to begin with this book, except to say that I have enjoyed this series immensely.  I know some of you are looking at this and saying UGH, Middle Grade Fantasy but this is so much more than your run of the mill Middle Grade anything.  This book will have you completely enamored with the world and the characters, even down to the heroic, lovable, gigantic bat Hades.  

Dream Magic is the second book in the Shadow Magic series and is a fantastic addition to the Shadow Magic realm.  I am absolutely lost enthralled with this world and these characters.  Lily's strength, her wit, her desire to do what is right for her land and people.  She's a 13 year old girl thrust into an almost impossible situation but she faces each new challenge with her head held high and the knowledge that while she may fumble things every now and again she is doing all she can to be everything her people need.  She is putting aside her childhood to lead and to lead with grace, honor, and dignity...or at least as much of all that as a 13 year old girl can.  Thorn...oh Thorn, he is the epitome of a hero.  He comes from nothing (though I have to wonder how true that will be in the end), he is brave, he is a bit brash, he is daring and more than occasionally reckless.  He jokes of things like honor and station but he continually proves his honorable traits by caring for a land that is not his home, a people that do not always acknowledge his worth, and saving time and time again those that are well above his 'station' in life because he cares. 

 I love Lily and Thorn together as well, they are clearly still children yet we watch them battle with more than monster, we see them battle with growing 'teenage' feelings and Joshua writes it in such a way that while it is simple looks, jokes that aren't really as much of a joke as the parties might want the other to believe, and deep concern for each other.  The friendship and possible budding 'relationship' between Lily and Thorn is not a huge part of the book and yet it is, it's this little teaser that readers will love because we so want these two to be happy and in the end we want them to be happy together.  It is a beautiful bit of romance for a young reader who is just now finding that maybe boys and girls aren't so gross after all.  

As if Lily and Thorn aren't enough I dare you to not fall in love with Mary, Tyburn (though you really need to go back to Shadow Magic for more of him), Wade, Hades (gah, that lovable bat who reminds me of Toothless!), the zombies...yes ZOMBIES, and all the secondary characters, even the evil ones.  Joshua's world and character building are fantastic and will have you wanting to live in Castle Gloom even with Jewel Spiders and a villain that you can't help but hate and feel a bit sad for terrorizing Gehenna.  The action and adventure are constant, making you keep turning pages until you realize that you haven't moved for three hours and you're almost done with the book, which means of course you have to stay there until you are done.  It kept me...MOM, completely engrossed and younger readers will be absolutely enthralled.  This may be a Middle Grade book, but it is a fantastic read for any Fantasy book lover.  I suggest reading from book one, as I always do, but it isn't a must.  You won't be completely lost, but you will have missed out on a bit of history about the characters and you won't have met Tyburn properly, which everyone must do to understand Thorn better.  I am so excited that there will be a book three, I have so many hopes for this series and I can't wait to see if they work out and what happens next because honestly in this world, anything could happen!  These books are a must for any middle grade class room in my opinion.  You will have so many of your readers scrambling to get these books in their hands you may even want two sets.  My 11 year old who is a huge Lord of the Rings and Hobbit reader (I can't even tell you how many times she has read those now...they are her version of my Pride and Prejudice addiction) is in love with this series, so I know if you have any fantasy reader in your house you will want these on your shelf!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Don't Forget to read the first book!

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JOSHUA KAHN was born in Britain, a land filled with ancient castles, dark forests, and tales of legendary heroes and fantastical monsters. His head stuffed with magical stories, it was inevitable that Joshua would want to create some of his own. Hence SHADOW MAGIC and DREAM MAGIC. Josh lives in London with his family, but he’d rather live in a castle. It wouldn’t have to be very big, just as long as it had battlements. Follow him on Twitter @WriterJoshKhan.

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Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies by Bruce Hale - A Mom Monday Review

A MOM MONDAY REVIEW

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Author: Bruce Hale

Publication Date:  7 March 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Series:  A Monstertown Mystery, book 2

Genre:  Middle Grade Mystery

Age Recommendation: 8 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

How well do you know the lunch servers at your school? Sure, they seem like nice people, but what if secretly they are something much, much weirder?
Best friends Carlos and Benny, who just saved their teacher from becoming a were-hyena, have been called upon to investigate the strange goings-on in the cafeteria. Why are the lunch ladies suddenly so grumpy? Why are the girls' meals different from the boys'? And what was that thing seen scuttling around the kitchen wearing an apron?
It's going to require a lot of courage--and more than an industrial size can of Raid--for the boys to avoid extermination in this buggy adventure.

My Review:

The first thing that I loved about this book is the beginning, I know that sounds silly but you will totally understand when you read it.  I loved that I had no clue what was going on and I thought, OMGosh, what have I missed...is there another book in this series, besides The Curse of the Were-Heyena?  We met Carlos and Benny in that first Monstertown Mystery but there was no talk of Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies so what's going on....then the author said (haha while pointing at me and laughing) and I had to nod my head and admit, hands held up in surrender, "you got me!" It was my first laugh of the book but definitely not the last.  

Benny and Carlos are coming of the 'high' of having saved their teacher from becoming a were-hyena, they have discovered that their average little town of Monterossa isn't so average and they are now of course experts when it comes to all the weirdness that seems to keep popping up at their school.  First Were-Heyena's and now 2nd graders are disappearing, a new lunch system based of of differing nutritional needs of the boys and girls has been implemented, girls are starting to take on middle school boy traits, and there have been unconfirmed spotting of overgrown bugs in the lunch room...like really overgrown, adult people sized over grown.  What's going on in Monterossa and can Carlos and Benny solve the mystery in time?

Muntant Mantis Lunch Ladies is just plain and simple a fun book.  If you have readers that are looking for a light mystery full of action, adventure, witty come backs, some (mom speak here) not so polite behavior, silliness, and most importantly a strong friendship then this is a perfect read to have on hand.  I really get a kick out of these two boys.  They are just a fun couple of kids and while we get caught up in all the madness that surrounds them there are the wonderful underlying stories about sibling relationships, about knowing when you need help and not being afraid to ask for it, about realizing that the majority of adults are supportive and caring, about realizing that there is a fundamental difference in the world in the way boys and girls are treated.  No, this book isn't going to 'preach' at your young readers about gender equality but it could be the little eye opener to a generation that hasn't yet discovered these differences. It is subtle but it is there and maybe that will sit in their minds as they age and help them to look toward the future with an open mind. 

Having said what I just said don't get nervous that this book is too deep, it is not.  The things I just talked about are all small underlying bits that weave the story together, they are points that aren't going to jump out on the pages for young readers but they may plant seeds and none of those seeds would be bad to plant in young readers minds.  Caring for your family, having strong friendships, opening your mind to girls and boys being able to do the same things...these are all great concepts for your young readers to have marinating around in their brains even when they don't realize it yet.  

In the end this is simply put a fun read.  Your readers will be engaged, laughing, sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to discover what mayhem comes next.  They do not have to have read The Curse of the Were-Hyena to read Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies, these books are all standalones with in the seres.  This is a fairly easy read so even your younger MG readers will be able to get through the book in just a few days, maybe even less with how engaging the story is.  I have to say these would be so much fun to see in a comic book style too...so maybe in the future and because of that if you have Manga or Anime readers in your classroom that have been reluctant to pic up a 'traditional' book this might be the perfect choice for them.  

I have an ARC copy so the cover isn't in the Lenticular style like the finished copies will be but I can't wait to see them.  I think it's going to be such a draw to some reluctant readers and honestly I can't wait for it because I just want to play with it, haha.  If you have readers at home that like any of R.L. Stine's book, or the Terrible Two series by Mac Barnett and Jory John you will have fans of the Mostertown Master Series.  If you have boys in your classroom that feel like they struggle to find books with strong boy hero you will want this on your shelves, if you have girls that are tired of reading about princesses or ponies and want something that takes them out of the magical fairytale like realms you will want this series.  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Raised by wolves just outside Los Angeles, Bruce Hale began his writing career while living in Tokyo, and continued it after moving to Hawaii. He’s too modest to mention his Nobel Peace Prize and his Olympic Gold Medal (in long-distance procrastination), so we won’t mention them. Before entering the world of children’s books, Bruce worked as a magazine editor, toymaker, gardener, actor, corporate lackey, and DJ.

From picture books to novels and graphic novels, Bruce has written and/or illustrated over 40 books for kids. His popular series include the award-winning Chet Gecko Mysteries, School For S.P.I.E.S., and Clark the Shark, among others.

When not writing or illustrating, Bruce loves to perform. He has appeared on stage, on television, and in an independent film called The Ride, where he played a surfer’s agent. Bruce is a popular speaker and storyteller for audiences of all ages, from the lunchroom to the boardroom. In 1998, he won a Fulbright Grant to teach storytelling and study folklore in Thailand. (No, he doesn’t speak much Thai, but he loves the food.)

A member of the National Speakers Association, Bruce has presented at colleges, universities, and conferences, both nationally and internationally. On top of that, he has visited schools and libraries from New York to New Delhi. (And yes, he loves to travel.)

These days, Bruce lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, his sweet mutt, Riley, and his massive collection of hats. When he’s not at the computer or drawing board, you can find him hiking, kickboxing, watching movies, or bicycling. Bruce also sings with a latin jazz band called Mezcal Martini.

And for all those who have asked…

Favorite food: sushi
Favorite dessert: chocolate chip cookies
Favorite color: aqua blue

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