Litercurious Book Review
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE – FREE TO READ ON KINDLEUNLIMITED JUNE 2020
Category Archives: fantasy
THE KILLING FOG – Review
Litercurious Book Review
| Title | The Killing Fog |
| Author | Jeff Wheeler |
| Publisher | 47North (March 1, 2020) |
| Format | Kindle, Audiobook, Paperback |
| Pages | 404 |
| Language | English |
| Audience | Broad Appeal for Fantasy Readers |
| ASIN | B07RJQPB63 |
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.
With some of his best friends, they founded the electronic magazine Deep Magic. It is a magazine where new and aspiring authors can get their fantasy and science fiction stories published.
He started his writing career self-published with Amazon’s Createspace and the Kindle Direct Program. His works caught the eye of Publisher 47North and 2013 he became one of their authors.
SYNOPSIS
Bingmei was orphaned at a very young age. Luckily, she was taken in by a kind and noble woman who just happened to be the leader of an ensign. Under Kunmia Suun’s tutelage, Bingmei continues to expand her martial arts skills. While on assignment for the local King, Bingmei unwittingly awakens a terrible ancient entity who is unleashed on the world and only she can stop it.
The story takes place in the future after all history is forgotten. No one really knows who the Ancients where, why they built the “Great Wall,” or why they disappeared. All that is known is that they left great cities and magical artifacts behind. Unfortunately, when the artifacts are used, they summon the “Killing Fog.” The fog kills everything it touches, but does not destroy anything leaving the bodies as if they were in a deep sleep.
Bingmei has a naturally ability to use magic and is an exceptional fighter. She must use all her wit, skill, and abilities to stay ahead of the ancient entity determined to capture and kill her. With the help of her friends and colleges, she embarks on a mission of survival.
CONCLUSION
The Killing Fog is a very well written book. The author established the plot and characters from the start. The imagery is exceptional and the detail exquisite. The use of China’s history intertwined with the fantasy of the future adds to the mysticism of this tale.
Jeff Wheeler obviously did a lot of research for this series. The detail in his descriptions of people, places and things are brilliant. The reader has no problem imagining the places or the people in vivid imagery. He has created a fantasy world that readers will enjoy for many years.
I genuinely enjoyed this first book in The Grave Kingdom series and I cannot wait for the next one to be released on 23 June, 2020: The Buried World.
THE LOST WONDERLAND DIARIES – REVIEW
Litercurious Book Review
| Title | The Lost Wonderland Diaries |
| Author/Illustrator | J. Scott Savage |
| Publisher | Shadow Mountain (Sep 8, 2020) |
| Format | Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover |
| Pages | 384 |
| Language: | English |
| ISBN 10/13 | 1629727865 / 978-1629727868 |
AUTHOR
J. Scott Savage is a noted author and presenter. He was a teacher and developed Common Core-aligned projects for elementary school writing curricula. He routinely presents at schools across the country inspiring the youth of today to embrace their creativity. He has been nominated for several awards. You can learn more about him on his website here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
This book is intended for children 8-11 years old or grade level 4-6. I will testify that people of all ages will enjoy this story, as I am much older than 11 and I enjoyed this very much.
SYNOPSIS
The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a wonderful story about a young girl and her friend in Wonderland. Celia is the main character and she is dyslexic. She befriends a young boy named Tyrus who happens to be a book worm. Together they accidently get sucked into Wonderland. Their guide in Wonderland is a charming new character named Sylvan. She is a young rabbit, barely out of bunnyhood, and tasked with finding “Alice” to save Wonderland. Together they have many adventures.
Celia is the daughter of a librarian, which for her is a nightmare because of her difficulty reading. Due to her dyslexia, Celia has put more effort into learning mathematics. Tyrus is a bit of a book nerd with a giant imagination. Celia and Tyrus must combine her knowledge of math with his imagination and knowledge of books to solve puzzles and riddles while making their way through Wonderland and avoiding its hazards.
Something terrible is happening in Wonderland when they arrive. The characters are being turned into monsters! Celia, Tyrus and Sylvan must navigate a variety of hazards, puzzles and monsters not only to get home but to stop whatever is happening in Wonderland. With the help of some of the original cast of characters and a few new ones, they work their way through wonderland discovering not only what is happening, but they discover themselves in the process!
CONCLUSION
The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a magical book! J. Scott Savage does a superb job of bringing his characters to life. The story line is exceptional, intriguing, and educating. I love books that can entertain as well as teach, and this book does it all.
The little puzzles that the main characters have to solve are wonderfully crafted and educational. J. Scott Savage does a great job of introducing his readers to the problems associated with dyslexia and the difficulties coping with the disability.
I whole heartily recommend this book for anyone of all ages.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank J. Scott Savage, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for affording me the opportunity to review The Lost Wonderland Diaries.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. Why did the rabbit try to eat a diamond?
A. Because someone told him it was 2 carats.
OTHER WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR
Norman 2 – REVIEW
Litercurious Book Review
| Title | Norman 2: The True Story of a Possessed Doll’s Revenge |
| Author | Steven Lancaster |
| Publisher | Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2020) |
| Format | Kindle, Paperback |
| Pages | 264 |
| Language | English |
| ASIN# | B0841637W9 |
AUTHOR
Stephen Lancaster is a self-proclaimed phenomenologist and has been involved in the field of paranormal research since 1997. In 2010 he became an author; chronicling his experiences investigating the paranormal.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The target audience for this publication is all those who have an interest in the paranormal and horror stories.
SYNOPSIS
Norman 2 is the sequel to Norman: The Doll That Needed to Be Locked Away. The earlier publication introduced Norman, a doll that the author and his wife discovered in a store. An ominous comment from the store owner piqued Lancaster’s interest, and he bought the doll and took it home. All too quickly, Stephen Lancaster claims, Norman began performing for his new audience. Almost immediately, sinister occurrences began to take place that forced him to utilize cameras to capture footage of the paranormal happenings. The author claims to have extensive footage relating to the possessed doll. The Lancaster’s lives become a nightmare that escalated exponentially over time. Eventually provoking the author to place the doll in a vacant room in an attempt to assuage the temper of Norman the doll.
It is now two years later and Norman 2 continues the haunting tale. As the saying goes, sensational claims require sensational proof and that seems to be where the wheels come of this project. I am only too aware that paranormal investigators claim that their methods are based in science but that just isn’t so. The scientific method requires a number of things: for example, the experiment is repeatable producing the same result. In addition, it must be possible for your peers to replicate the same experiment and attempt to prove your theory wrong. In the paranormal world it is impossible to find irrefutable proof derived from the scientific method.
In Norman 2 Lancaster attempts to prove with visual evidence the voracity of his claims. I remain skeptical as I felt the events described fell short of proof of paranormal occurrences.
Lancaster recounts various disturbing situations including a seemingly spontaneous fire claimed to have been created by Norman in its room. There are instances of exaggerations or sensational claims that reduce, rather than increase the probity of the claims. The telling of the story reminded me of the over elaboration of a bad liar. I came to the uncomfortable conclusion that I was being lied to.
CONCLUSION
Throughout the book there were examples of repetition, misspellings and an amateurish writing style. This devalued the trope almost as much as the outlandish claims themselves. The work could have been far more concise and measured. I found myself being less subjective in part due to the lack of skilled writing, language, grammar, and vocabulary.
If the family are so afraid of the doll it seems odd that they should wish to continue to house it in their home. Is the doll inhabited by a restless spirit, a demon, or the soul of a dead child? That question I leave for you to decide.
I am aware the force of my review may indicate I do not enjoy the entertainment value of paranormal entertainment shows and literature. I am intrigued with the subject and have been since I read The Amityville Horror as a child. I consumed the book in less than 24 hours, not stopping to sleep until I finished it.
Incidentally, I do enjoy reading publications on the paranormal, especially when they are well written, balanced, and subjective. I enjoy paranormal literature that present the claims and evidence that leave it for me to decide if the claims carry any weight or not.
This is simply my opinion and you have your own and that is why I recommend you read the first book and then decide if you would like reading Norman 2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Steven Lancaster, NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for affording me the opportunity to review Norman 2: The True Story of a Possessed Doll’s Revenge.
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR
SPOOKS AND KNOCKERS UNCENSORED IS CURRENTLY FREE TO READ on KindleUnlimited
THE TOOTH QUEEN – REVIEW
Litercurious Book Review
| Title | The Tooth Queen |
| Author | Neil A. Ewart |
| Publisher | Olympia Publishers (26 Mar. 2020) |
| Format | Kindle, Paperback |
| Pages | 23 |
| Language | English |
| ISBN 10/13 | 1788304055 / 978-1788304054 |
AUTHOR
Find out about Neil A. Ewart on his publishers web-site here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The Tooth Queen is written for children 5-7 years old.
SYNOPSIS
The Tooth Queen is a very short children’s story. It relates the trials and tribulations of the Tooth Fairy and her work for the “evil tooth queen.”
It explains in a magical way, why it’s important not to have tooth decay.
CONCLUSION
This book is very well scripted and flows nicely. It is written in a rhyming prose, and the illustrations are both colorful and vibrant. Neil uses his story telling not merely to entertain but to educate. In this case he is advocating proper tooth care in a way that young children will easily understand.
I especially liked the picture puzzle. I had to go back through the book to find all of the pictures, which was very entertaining. Children will absolutely love this book.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Neil A. Ewart and Olympia Publishers for affording me the opportunity to review The Tooth Queen.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. What does the Tooth Fairy use to fix a broken wand?
A. Why tooth paste, of course.
TEN FINGERS TOUCHING – REVIEW
Litercurious Book Review
| Title | Ten Fingers Touching |
| Author | Ellen A. Roth MFA |
| Publisher | Getting to the Point, Inc.; First edition (April 12, 2015) |
| Pages | 110 |
| Language | English |
| ASIN # | B00W1XABD0 |
AUTHOR
Ellen A. Roth MFA is the author of Ten Fingers Touching. You can find out all about her here
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Anyone who enjoys a heartwarming tale sprinkled with love and adventure in equal measure set against the fight between good and evil.
SYNOPSIS
Ten Fingers Touching is a well crafted and sculpted story written by a consummate professional in the person of Ellen A. Roth.
Roth has managed to combine a romance within the epic struggle between the honorable and the malevolent, skillfully woven with a surprising conclusion.
Whilst a brief tale, the story has something for everyone; ethical dilemmas, copious moments of adventure, love interest, and plenty of mystery.
One cannot comment on Roth’s exquisite manuscript without mention of the simply magnificent illustrations produced by John Blumen. Obviously, John completely understood what was required artistically to further enhance a most beautiful fairy-tale. Collectively they make a stunning combination and a spectacular book.
Whilst the story is concise at 110 pages in length it left me wanting to read more. I sincerely hope that Roth follows up with a second offering in the near future. I for one, will be in the queue to purchase a copy.
CONCLUSION
Ten Fingers Touching was a joy to discover. It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling that is frequently lacking in many of today’s tales. I enjoyed following the well crafted characters and frankly, I never wanted the tale to conclude. It was engaging throughout and left me wanting more.
A beautifully crafted love story in the midst of adversity with a twist in its tale.
Ten Fingers Touching is a steal at the price right now on Amazon. It is flying off the shelves. I strongly recommend snatching up your copy while they’re still available. It would make an ideal gift for anyone over 10 years old.