Category Archives: Fiction

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Action & Adventure, Children's Fiction, Children’s Girls and Women’s Books, Detective / Crime, Thriller

The Night Raven – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleThe Night Raven
AuthorJohan Rundberg
PublisherAmazon Crossing Kids (September 5, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, Audio CD
Pages192
GenreChildren’s European Historical Fiction
Children’s Books on Orphans & Foster Homes
Children’s Books on Girls’ & Women’s Issues
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/131662509588 / 978-1662509582

“My name is Mika Moonwind, and I am no longer prey. I am a hunter.”

Mika Moonwind – The Night Raven by Johan Rundberg (2023)

AUTHOR

Johan Rundberg is an award-winning author of children’s books who lives in Stockholm. He has written picture books, early readers, and middle grade, including Kärlekspizzan, Knockad Romeo, and the series Häxknuten. In 2021, he was awarded Sweden’s most prestigious literary prize, the

August Prize, in the children’s and YA category for Nattkorpen, the original edition of The Night Raven, which was first written in Swedish. Nattkorpen was also the winner of a Swedish Crimetime Award in the children’s and YA category. There are now four books in this series published in Sweden.

Excerpt taken from Amazon.com

SYNOPSIS

In 1880 Stockholm, 12-year-old orphan Mika gets entwined in the search for the notorious serial killer the “Night Raven.” She is a very intelligent, determined and caring young girl. Not only does she help look after all of the other orphans at the Public Children’s Home, but she also works at the Chapel, a local bar.

Late one night in the orphanage, Mika answers the door to find a young boy with a new born baby. He quickly puts the child in Mika’s arms, but before he runs off he says, “The Dark Angel knows I’m the one who took her.” The boy disappears before Mika can stop him. That’s not the only odd thing happening in Stockholm that night – there is a murder! Not just any murder, but a murder that fits the modus operandi of the “Night Raven!” However, the Night Raven was supposedly dead; “The executioner’s axe made sure of that.”

Detective Valdemar Hoff, who is investigating the murder, is impressed with Mika’s uncanny ability to remember explicit details and how well she makes deductions based on her observations. He takes her to the murder scene and asks her opinion. Impressed with her analysis, he enlists her help in solving the crime. Together, they have to work in opposition to the local government and overcome police corruption to locate and apprehend the villain before they can hurt someone else.

Who was the boy that left the baby behind and who’s baby was it? Who is the “Dark Angel?” Is the Night Raven truly dead or is he on the rampage again? Can a 12-year-old orphan really help the police solve such a horrific crime?

CONCLUSION

The Night Raven is an enthralling fast-moving period crime mystery. Rundberg’s writing is well rounded, the characters are well defined, and the plot is multi-faceted and easy to follow. The descriptions of 1880’s Stockholm are detailed and allow the reader to formulate the scenes in their mind easily.

I really like this book. Even though I find a 12-year-old orphan a stretch working with the police on a gruesome murder investigation, Rundberg creates a believable justification for her involvement. She is pretty much a young Sherlock Holmes, or Holly Gibney (Stephen King).

Overall, I think this book is great for all audiences, even though it is marketed for 10-14-year olds.

There will be 4 books in The Moonwind & Hoff series: The Night Raven (November 1, 2023) , The Queen of Thieves (March 5, 2024), The Angel of Death, and The Blood Pact. I can’t wait for the other 3 books to be released in english.

One final note; SF studios has acquired the film rights to the Moonwind and Hoff series. They are expected to start filming the first movie based on “The Night Raven” in 2024 with a projected film release in 2025.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Johan Rundberg, Amazon Crossing Kids, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review The Night Raven.

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Action & Adventure, Children's Fiction, Detective, Detective / Crime, Mystery

The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleThe Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle
AuthorTaryn Souders
PublisherSourcebooks Young Readers (July 11, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages288
GenreChildren’s Mystery, Detective, & Spy
Children’s Humor
LanguageEnglish
ISBN10/13172827141X / 978-1728271415

AUTHOR

Taryn Souders was born in Texas. She didn’t plan on being a writer. She worked as a middle school math teacher prior to trying to be a poet. However, serendipitously she turned her poetry into books. She now lives in Florida with her husband and three kids.

Learn more about Taryn Souders at her site https://tarynsouders.com/about-me/

SYNOPSIS

When Eudora “Kooky” Klinch passes away, she leaves Grady a 300-year-old tapestry and a note that reads: “To Whom It May Concern: This is no ordinary piece of needlework. It’s a treasure map. Riddles and clues. To the victor go the riches. Don’t forget to feed the cats.”

Grady and his father are down on their luck. Living very poorly after his mother passes away and the huge debt left from her medical bills, they are forced to sell their last possession; the trailer and 5 acres of land they live on. Grady doesn’t want to leave his friends and everything he knows behind. This is why when they receive the tapestry, Grady feels as if it could fix all of their problems. Only he isn’t the only one interested in obtaining the treasure. Someone else wants the treasure and is willing to steal and even kill for it.

Grady, with the help from his friends Thadddeus Carlton (Thad) and Clementine Powell (Clemmie) race against time and a killer, to discover the treasure and save his home. They have to investigate the images on the tapestry, research the ancient inhabitants of the town, study the local history and remain one step ahead of the villain.

Can they save Grady’s home? Will they unearth the treasure? Can they avoid the killer?

CONCLUSION

The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle is a suspenseful, action-adventure tale. It has drama, mystery, crime, suspense, thrills and murder mixed with a little history. It also has a bit of a “Goonies” feel to it.

The characters are diverse, well composed and the interplay is superb. “Kooky” Klinch, and Ophelia add little bits of unique characteristics to the tale. The plot is easy to follow with plenty of twists and turns.

The War of Jenkins’s Ear features heavily in this book. I must admit, I had never heard of this particular war and so I did some research and learned some interesting history.

Although the book is advertised for reading ages 8-12, I found this book entertaining and enlightening for all ages. Anyone with a little bit of kid left in them will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Taryn Souders, Sourcebooks Young Readers, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle.

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Aviation History, book review, Military, Non-Fiction, World War 2

CLEAN SWEEP – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

Clean Sweep by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
TitleClean Sweep: VIII Fighter Command Against the Luftwaffe, 1942–45
AuthorThomas McKelvey Cleaver
PublisherOsprey Publishing (May 23, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
Pages464
GenreMilitary Aviation History / World War II History /
Air War
LanguageEnglish
ASIN#B0BLHC79XC

AUTHOR

Thomas McKelvey Clever grew up in Denver, Colorado. At a very young age, aviation history excited his mind and imagination. He would spend his Saturday’s at the public library reading everything he could get his hands on about aviation and WWII history. Later, he joined the U.S. Navy and served

during the Vietnam War as an enlisted soldier in the field of aviation. In 1970 he obtained his own pilots license and has been flying ever since. His passion is the aircraft of WWII, which he had the chance to fly a few over the years. He met many famous WWII pilots and wrote various articles in such publications as: Air Enthusiast Quarterly, Air International, Air Force, Aviation History and Flight Journal magazines.

As an author, Thomas has several “best-selling” titles in the aviation and military history genre, including the best-sellers “The Frozen Choseen: The First Marine Division at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir” and “MiG Alley: The US Air Force in Korea 1950-53.” He is also a produced screenwriter.

SYNOPSIS

Clean Sweep is a detailed chronological book about the air war in Europe during WWII. The book details the air war mainly as it pertained to the U.S. Army Air-corps, but additionally includes the RAF and the Luftwaffe. It covers some of the great battles and aerial conflicts of the war. It further provides personal accounts by some of the pilots involved in the life and death struggle of aerial combat.

In his book, Thomas Clever describes the fighter and bomber aircraft as they pertain to both sides of the conflict. He provides the reader with a descriptive evolution of aircraft as they were modified and improved to meet the enemy and the mission requirements. He further discusses air battle techniques, operating procedures, and fighter concepts employed by all sides.

No book about WWII would be complete without a discussion of the toll the war took on the people, countries, and soldiers involved. Thomas does discuss the cost of war as it pertains to manpower, economics, resources, and lives. We also get a glimpse at the decision makers and their policies that effected the outcome of the war.

CONCLUSION

Clean Sweep is an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning more about this great conflict. I especially enjoyed reading some of the personal notes and stories of the pilots; no matter which side they were on. This book was so well written that I felt bad for the young German pilots towards the end of the war. They were thrown into aircraft with minimal training just to become cannon fodder.

When one reads this book, it discusses the toll mainly in aircraft numbers, but one has to realize that each aircraft had a crew compliment. A fighter might only have 1 pilot, but a B-17 has 10 crewmen. When the air battle aftermath is discussed and the reader is told that 60 B-17’s out of 146 were shot down, the reader has to realize that means 600 men; the author seems to gloss over this important aspect at times.

I must admit, some of the stories are very personal and tragic, while others are hard to believe. An example might be: the pilot that tried to bail out but his parachute got caught on the vertical stabilizer of his aircraft and it drug him down to his death; or the pilot that did bail out only to land in his mother’s back yard and then went in to his home to eat pancakes.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. Clean Sweep is full of great historical characters and stories full of valor and bravery. It also provides the reader a brief glimpse into the lives of the pilots that flew these life-or-death missions.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, Osprey Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Clean Sweep: VIII Fighter Command Against the Luftwaffe, 1942–45.

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book review, Children's Fantasy, Children's Fiction, Children's Science Fiction, Children’s Space Exploration, Fiction, Suspence, Thriller

One Giant Leap – Review

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Litercurious Book Review

One Giant Leap - Ben Gartner
TitleOne Giant Leap
AuthorBen Gartner
PublisherCrescent Vista Press (February 21, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover
Pages304
GenreChildren’s Action & Adventure / Children’s Sci-Fi /
Children’s Dystopian / Children’s Survival Story
LanguageEnglish
ASIN#B0BHRDBKZ2

AUTHOR

To find out more about Ben Gartner and what he is up too, check out his website here.

SYNOPSIS

Written mainly through the eyes of Fin, the teenage main character, One Giant Leap is his story. He starts by talking about how he is drifting through space with a leak in his suit and water from his cooling system seeping around his face and mouth. He knows he is about to die drifting forever in the dark void, but then he goes back in time and tells the story of just how and why he ended up in this particular predicament.

Four teenage kids, Fin, David, Kal and Mae, win the ultimate worldwide competition and the grand prize: an all expenses paid trip into outer space!

After all of the physicals, psychological assessments and training; Fin, David, Kal and Mae are on their way to the International Space Station (ISS). Mission plan: stop and resupply the ISS, then move on to the Gateway outpost orbiting the moon to drop off two astronauts, and then slingshot around the moon and head back to earth.

After visiting the ISS the four kids move back into their launch vehicle, Aether, to await the adults; then BAM! The whole space station is turned topsy turvey and sent spinning out of orbit. With holes in the space station, air leaking out and the whole thing spinning uncontrollably the kids are on their own. Separated from the flight crew and their guardians, the kids have to work together and think fast to save themselves and hopefully, the adults.

Will they make it? Can they save themselves? What about the adults trapped on the ISS slowly falling out of orbit to burn up in Earths atmosphere? How long can the astronauts survive on the ISS with all of the oxygen slowly leaking out into space? Can Fin, David, Kal and Mae save themselves? Can they save the adults? Can Mae even fly a spaceship? Will Fin’s body drift forever in the cold dark void of space?

CONCLUSION

One Giant Leap is Space Camp (1986) meets Gravity (2013). It is an intriguing tale of heroism, overcoming insurmountable odds, faith and courage. Ben Gartner has once again written a story that ignites the imagination and fuels the passion.

It is obvious that Ben did a lot of research for this book. The story plot is solid and the characters are well rounded and established. The interplay between each character is stable and believable. There is plenty of suspense, thrills, sorrow, excitement, danger and mystery in the story to keep the reader riveted to the book.

I not only enjoyed the story, but I really enjoyed all the little tidbits of education that is strewn throughout the book. Ben includes a section at the end that separates the facts from fiction and a glossary. He discusses future space missions and mentions some of the important milestones in space exploration. This book is not only enthralling, but it is educational as well. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Ben Gartner and Crescent Vista Press for affording me the opportunity to review One Giant Leap.

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

book review, fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural

THE HUNTED – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

The Hunted - Jeff Wheeler
The Hunted – Jeff Wheeler
TitleThe Hunted
AuthorJeff Wheeler
Publisher47North (September 20, 2022)
FormatKindle, Paperback, Audiobook, Audio CD
Pages317
GenreHistorical Fantasy / Coming of Age Fantasy
/ Folklore
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/13154203504X / 978-1542035040

AUTHOR

Jeff Wheeler is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He majored in History at the San Jose State University. He worked at Intel while attending college but retired early to write full time. Learn all about Jeff, his books, and his new projects on his website here.

SYNOPSIS

The Hunted is the second installment of the Dawning of Muirwood series.

In the first book, The Druid, Eilean is a young woman who was raised at Tintern Abbey. She and a few others were chosen to travel to the swampy Bearden Buir and help establish the new Abbey: Muirwood. There, she is tasked with looking after the Druid Mordaunt; a prisoner within the abbey accused of heresy.

Slowly, Eilean learns from Mordaunt how to speak in different tongues, read different languages and how to control her hidden powers. The more she learns the more her eyes open to the injustice of his imprisonment.

In this installment of the Dawning of Muirwoord, Mordaunt tasks Eilean with recovering a sacred tome, translating it and delivering it to another Aldermaston. This tome is prized by the High Seer and the Aldermaston of Muirwood who will stop at nothing to obtain it. When Eilean leaves on her quest, she is hunted by Captain Hoel an inquisitor and loyal to the High Seer. He has been tasked with recovering the tome. The two play a cat and mouse game across the lands and through many dangers. Utilizing the power of the Medium, both characters duel throughout the chase. Will Eilean succeed or will Captain Hoel?

CONCLUSION

Jeff Wheeler has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy authors. This installment is in keeping with his exceptional story telling talents. As with his other books, the intrigue, mystery, suspense and fear is palatable. The constant “what comes next” kept me reading the first two books which I completed in just a couple of days. I can’t wait for book three, The Betrayed, to be released in February, 2023.

The story is well rounded and thought out, whilst the characters are both dynamic and compelling. The entire plot throughout the series is exceptional, and Jeff does a great job bringing the story to life in technocolor detail.

I really loved this book and the entire series so far. If you like fantasy, then you will love this series. Check out Jeff Wheelers other books; you will not be disappointed!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Jeff Wheeler, 47North, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review The Hunted.

OTHER WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR

  • Poisoners Enemy - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Poisoners Revenge - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Maids War - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Queens Poisoner - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Thiefs Daughter - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Kings Traitor - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Hollow Crown - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • The Silent Shield - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • Forsaken Throne - Jeff Wheeler
    The Kingfountain series
  • Knights Ransom - Jeff Wheeler
    The First Argentines series
  • Warriors Ransom - Jeff Wheeler
    The First Argentines series
  • Ladys Ransom - Jeff Wheeler
    The First Argentines series
  • Fates Ranson - Jeff Wheeler
    The First Argentines series
  • The Wretched of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Legends of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Blight of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Legends of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Scourge of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Legends of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Lost Abbey - Jeff Wheeler
    The Covenant of Muirwood prequel
  • The Banished of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Covenant of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Ciphers of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Covenant of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Void of Muirwood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Covenant of Muirwood trilogy
  • The Druid - Jeff Wheeler
    The Dawning of Muirwood Series
  • The Hunted - Jeff Wheeler
    The Dawning of Muirwood Series
  • Storm Glass - Jeff Wheeler
    The Harbinger Series
  • Mirror Gate - Jeff Wheeler
    The Harbinger Series
  • Iron Garland - Jeff Wheeler
    The Harbinger Series
  • Prism Cloud - Jeff Wheeler
    The Harbinger Series
  • Broken Veil - Jeff Wheeler
    The Harbinger Series
  • Thew Killing Fog - Jeff Wheeler
    The Grave Kingdom Series
  • The Buried World - Jeff Wheeler
    The Grave Kingdom Series
  • The Immortal Words - Jeff Wheeler
    The Grave Kingdom Series
  • Fireblood - Jeff Wheeler
    The Whispers from Mirrowen trilogy
  • Dryad-Born - Jeff Wheeler
    The Whispers from Mirrowen trilogy
  • Poisonwell - Jeff Wheeler
    The Whispers from Mirrowen trilogy
  • Landmoor - Jeff Wheeler
    The Landmoor Series
  • Silverkin - Jeff Wheeler
    The Landmoor Series
Audiobook, Audiobooks, book review, History, Humor, Humor, Non-Fiction, paranormal, Supernatural, Travel & Adventure, True Crime

A HAUNTED ROAD ATLAS – REVIEW

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LITERCURIOUS BOOK REIVEW

A Haunted Road Atlas by Christine Schiefer & Em Schultz
A Haunted Road Atlas – Christine Schiefer & Em Schultz
TitleA Haunted Road Atlas: Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales
AuthorChristine Schiefer & Em Schultz
PublisherAndrews McMeel Publishing (May 31, 2022)
FormatKindle, Paperback, Audiobook
GenreHistory Humor, Supernaturalism, Internet
Social Media Humor
Pages / Runtime304 / 6 hours and 45 minutes / 473 KB
LanguageEnglish
ISBN / ASINBook 978-1524872106
Kindle B09TVHJLLC
Audiobook B09VYDGBWQ

AUTHORS

Taken from the A Haunted Road Atlas

SYNOPSIS

A Haunted Road Atlas is written and performed by Christine Schiefer and her co-author Em Schultz. There is one word that sums up this insanity; cleverly wrapped up in either the written work or the unabridged audiobook, and that word is – fun. Schiefer and Schultz have created a powerful diversion from everyday irrelevant concerns with their fantabulous journey across the entire Continental United States!

Now back to the review. The book is subdivided into individual geographic locations. The reader joins the trip mentally with Christine and Em, visiting haunted hotels, paranormal tours and strange and weird places. That’s not all; oh no! A Haunted Road Atlas also covers: notorious criminals, murders, mayhem, massacres, and con-men. All these are accompanied by fun facts and opinions. I both read and listened to their productions, and I highly recommend the audiobook version. The narrative is rapid delivered and the staccato humor just blew my socks off.

CONCLUSION

Imagine for a moment the most unhinged but fun person that you know or can imagine. Now add in a touch of Zac Bagin’s of Ghost Adventures fame. Sprinkle in some spooky places with two uproarious, loud and gregarious story tellers, and you have a simple idea of just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

It confounds me just how they managed to cram so much humor into this book. If you enjoy alternative humor, delivered by consummate entertainers look no further.

I sincerely hope that they manage to get to visit Alaska and Hawaii just so that there will be another magical creation.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Christine Schiefer & Em Schultz, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review A Haunted Road Atlas: Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales.

Thank you for visiting Litercurious.com.

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A Hunted Road Atlas by Christine Schiefer and Em Schultz
A Hunted Road Atlas by Christine Schiefer and Em Schultz

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London A-Z – REVIEW

Be it the times of Pax Romanaus or Pax Britainica always have your trusty and reliable cartographic entertainment on your person, because you never know when you’ll need the London A-Z.

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by Nemo

Norman 2 – REVIEW

Norman 2 is the sequel to Norman: The Doll That Needed to Be Locked Away. An ominous comment from the store owner peaked Lancaster’s interest, and he bought the doll and took it…

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by Nemo

DEAD SILENCE – REVIEW

The crew, alerted to an emergency transmission, reluctantly answers the call and discovers horrors, mysteries, phantoms, and challenges beyond their imagination. Claire Kovalik must conquer her conflicted self, the crew, and the company…

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by Nemo
book review, Children's Fantasy, Children's Fiction, fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Horror Fiction, Horror Fiction, paranormal, Supernatural

THE CROOKED DOOR – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

The Crooked Door - Brad McLelland & Louis Sylvester
The Crooked Door – Brad McLelland & Louis Sylvester
TitleThe Crooked Door
AuthorsBrad McLelland & Louis Sylvester
PublisherHenry Holt and Co. (BYR) (April 11, 2023)
FormatKindle, Hardcover
Pages320
GenreChildren’s Spine-Chilling Horror /
Children’s Action & Adventure Books (Books)
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/131250124387 / 978-1250124388

AUTHORS

Brad McLelland was born and raised in Arkansas and spent several years working as a crime journalist in the South. In 2011, he obtained his MFA in creative writing from Oklahoma State University, where he met his writing partner, Louis. A part-time drummer and singer, Brad lives in Oklahoma with his wife, his stepdaughter, a mini Aussie who gives hugs, and a chubby cat who begs for ham. He is also the co-author of the Legends of the Lost Causes series.

Louis Sylvester is a professor at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. He and his wife spend their free time playing tabletop games from his collection of over a thousand card and board games. Louis enjoys watching Western films and reading fantasy novels. He has two dogs that go wild when they hear the word treats. He is also the co-author of the Legends of the Lost Causes series.

Excerpt taken from The Crooked Door.

SYNOPSIS

Thirteen year old Ginny and her family are moving to a new state and a new town. They are forced to take a detour off the main highway when their troubles begin. Bernard, their crusty old pick-up truck, breaks down just outside of picturesque Pottsville. It is a story book town; clean, no traffic, happy people, with kids playing and riding their bikes in the streets.

While the local mechanic takes a look at Bernard, Ginny is taken away by some of the local kids for a tour of the town. Toy stores, ice cream shops, and bike shops are everywhere but there is something disturbing about the town. The lack of cars on the streets, the aged dress of the locals and the distant looks on their faces give Ginny a bad vibe. When the kids take her into the Town Hall basement, she really gets spooked. There, in the middle of the floor is a crooked door. She’s told to knock twice, donate some blood and the thing most dear to her and she will receive a wish. Her wish comes true but what is the price?

After Ginny gets back to the hotel, things really get spooky. The town at night transforms into something twisted with demonic creatures roaming the streets. Her parents are no where to be found, and Ginny is frantic. She learns that picturesque Pottsville is really a dimensional realm for twisted fairies and creatures of the night. The creatures demand sacrifice and Ginny’s parents are next on the menu. No one can escape Pottsville; everyone that tries to leave always end up back where they started.

Will Ginny find her parents in time? Can they escape Pottsville? Can she avoid the creatures of the night and the ghouls that are tracking her? Can she save her family and the kids of Pottsville?

CONCLUSION

The Crooked Door is a slow starter; about half-way the book took off and I couldn’t put it down once things got going. Reminiscent of Stephen King, it has just the right creepy feel to it. As I read the book, it reminded me of the Twilight Zone episode “It’s a Good Life,” featuring Bill Mumy. It also has a “Children of the Corn” vibe throughout the story, and it even takes a little from “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson. A really good combination of horror and creepy.

Although the first half of the book was slow and the story and characters weren’t fully developed, the second half more than made up for it. In the second half the characters really come to life and the suspense is palatable. You can feel the fear and anxiety in the prose. The authors take the reader on a fantastic but scary journey filled with suspense and excitement. The horror seen through a young desperate girls eyes trying to save her family and escape demonic beings is an intense and adrenalin fueled journey.

Suitable for all ages, I highly recommend sticking with the book once you start it. You will not be disappointed. I really enjoyed The Crooked Door.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

ACKNLOWLEDGEMNTS

I would like to thank Brad McLelland & Louis Sylvester, Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review The Crooked Door.

OTHER WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR

book review, Children's Fantasy, Children's Fiction, Children's Self-Esteem Book

MY GIRLY UNICORN – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

My Girly Unicorn - J. Pedicini
My Girly Unicorn  J. Pedicini
TitleMy Girly Unicorn
AuthorJ. Pedicini
IllustratorCono
PublisherNewhall Publishing Co (June 7, 2022)
FormatKindle, Paperback
Pages34
GenreChildren’s Fiction, Children’s Fantasy
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/130962743631 / 978-0962743634

AUTHOR

Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Former freelance writer for the Philadelphia Bulletin.

Excerpt taken from Amazon.

SYNOPSIS

In a far away land up in the clouds, a herd of young unicorns play and laugh out loud. But one little unicorn so sad and shy, was left all alone when the other unicorns went by. They would not play with the Girly unicorn, she had a great big purple horn. Then one day the clouds turned dark and grey, the rain threatened to wash them all away. The Girly unicorn danced and danced, she chased the clouds away as if by chance. All of the other unicorns were so happy and glad, they hugged the Girly unicorn and she was no longer sad.

CONCLUSION

A cute book well animated. The colors are bright and the pictures are great for young children. The plot is pretty much Rudolph the Red Nose reindeer adapted for a girly unicorn instead. The story is told through rhyme and is quite short. A good bedtime story for children 2-5 years old.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank J. Pedicini, NetGalley and Newhall Publishing Co for affording me the opportunity to review My Girly Unicorn.

book review, Children's Fiction

THE LITTLE PRINCE AROUND THE WORLD – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

The Little Prince Around the World by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry estate
The Little Prince Around the World by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry estate
TitleThe Little Prince Around the World
AuthorCorinne Delporte
IllustratorAntoine de Saint-Exupéry estate
PublisherCrackBoom! Books (October 4, 2022)
FormatHardcover
GenreChildren’s Fiction / Children’s Europe Books
Pages24
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/132898023531 / 978-2898023538

CREATOR OF LITTLE PRINCE SERIES

Author ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY, the “Winged Poet,” was born in Lyon, France, in 1900. A pilot at twenty-six, he was a pioneer of commercial aviation and flew in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. His writings include The Little Prince, Wind, Sand and Stars, Night Flight, Southern Mail, and Airman’s Odyssey. In 1944, while flying a reconnaissance mission for his French air squadron, he disappeared over the Mediterranean.

SYNOPSIS

The Little Prince’s flower is sick. He decides to travel around the world and take some pictures of tourist attractions in order to cheer up his flower. The end.

CONCLUSION

Although the graphics are nice and the historical data included for each landmark is accurate, there is no plot and no story. The Little Prince Around the World is simply a bunch of colorful drawings of landmarks with a small blurb of information about each one. I would give this one a miss, there are much better books out there for your children.

Rating: 1 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry estate, NetGalley and CrackBoom! Books for affording me the opportunity to review The Little Prince Around the World.

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by Britney Haim
book review, Children's Bedtime Stories, Children's Fiction, Children's Reading & Writing, Educational, Travel & Adventure

ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS – REVIEW

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LITERCURIOUS BOOK REVIEW

All Aboard the London Bus
TitleAll Aboard the London Bus
AuthorPatricia Toht
IllustratorSam Usher
PublisherFrances Lincoln Children’s Books (June 7, 2022)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages40
GenreChildren’s Europe Books /
Children’s Travel Books (Books)
LanguageEnglish
ISBN-10/13071127973X / 978-0711279735

AUTHOR

Author Patricia Toht

I’ve lived most of my life in Chicagoland. But for four years, our family was blessed to live in England. Windsor Castle was close to our home, and horses often clip-clopped down our lane. We made wonderful friends, ate lots of good pub food, and took long walks in Windsor Great Park. On weekends, we explored London. And sometimes we traveled to other countries, too.

Those years were magical ones, with a royal wedding (Will and Kate), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and the Olympics all happening during our time there. Lucky us!
​

My book, ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS, grew from my experiences in London. 

Excerpt from https://www.patriciatoht.com

ILLUSTRATOR

Illustrator Sam Usher

Sam Usher graduated from the University of West England and his debut picture book Can You See Sassoon? was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize and the Red House Children’s Book Award. He is particularly admired for his technical drawing skill and prowess with watercolour. Also a talented pianist, when he’s not holding a pen and wobbling

at paper you’ll find him perfecting a fiendishly difficult piece of Chopin.

Excerpt from https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/illustrator/2693/Sam-Usher.html

SYNOPSIS

Come with us aboard the London bus. Let’s take a fantastic ride, through the streets both narrow and wide. Let’s see the sights that stimulate and thrill. Aboard the bus, excitement you will feel.

All Aboard the London Bus is a sojourn through the streets of London, England. Patricia Toht explores some of London’s most famous tourist attractions both historic and new. She visits such places as Buckingham’s Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, the Tower of London, the London Eye and many more.

CONCLUSION

All Aboard the London Bus is a wonderfully illustrated children’s story about the sites around London. Pat captures the excitement and grandeur of some of London’s most famous places to visit. She takes the reader on a journey using rhymes and stunning graphics.

Sam Usher does an exceptional job illustrating All Aboard the London Bus. The drawings are vibrant in color and entertaining to look upon. Along with the narrative, the pictures help tell the story in an exciting and interesting way.

At the end of the book, the author includes a section “Find out more about London.” Here she gives little tidbits of historical data about the places the books visits. These tidbits of information are accompanied by illustrations.

All Aboard the London Bus is an entertaining fun read for children and adults. Both the narrative and the plates are child appropriate, radiant, colorful and beautifully delivered. This book is great for bedtime or just for reading. I heartily recommend this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Patricia Toht, NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for affording me opportunity to review All Aboard the London Bus.

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