Showing posts with label YA fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA fantasy. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 29, 2010



Venom and Song:
The Berinfell Prophecies Series - Book Two
by
Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper


Blog Tour - Day 3
WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

(click image for Amazon link or click link below)

Venom and Song - available from:




Author Blogs:
Wayne Thomas Batson – http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/
Christopher Hopper – http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/

Months before I heard about the Venom and Song CSFF Blog Tour,
I purchased a copy of the book at SAMS Club because
I enjoyed Curse of the Spider King so much.


This is Day 3 of the CSFF blog tour for a great read by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper. The book title is Venom and Song, a sequel to another arachnophically titled book named, The Curse of the Spider King. I mentioned the Spider King in my tour day 2 blog. Today's blog title comes from the view that the Spider King would have everyone at odds with one another so that he can achieve what is best for himself. In contrast, Ellos the Creator, would have his followers work together to achieve for is best for all. The Spider King's focus is ever inward, while Ellos focus is on others around us.

The Spider King would have everyone the same, much like tiny chess pieces he continually moves around his strategy board. Ellos created each one with a different gift. Even among the young Elf lords, there are differences between what each can accomplish as different situations require different abilities.


There are temperament differences , and even skin colors like Kat Simonson the blue-skinned Elf. I liked the way the authors handled this point for young readers. Kat Simonson thought she was strange and different, but at the coronation she realises her skin is merely a different manifestation of Elven kind. Young readers who feel left out because they look or act differently than their peers will empathize with the blue-hued Elf maiden. Reading Venom and Song may help readers come to realize their differences are what provide different abilities complimenting and augmenting the abilities of others.


I Corinthians 12 points out that we can not all be an eye, for then where would be our sense of hearing? Venom and Song points out that not all Elf Lords are able to cast fire or perfectly aim arrows. Each gift strengthens Ellos' work when the members combine forces. Even the Spider King grudgingly admits that removing one Elf lord will change little, but it will weaken the seven lords' group as a whole. The seven young lords were brought to Allyra because they are part of a grand plan that was centuries in the making by Ellos. Returned home, they must learn to unite for this plan to work together, or all is lost.


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Friday, January 29, 2010







North or Be Eaten
Beware of Toothy Cows, Terrible Trolls, and Evil Fangs!

DAY 3

Book - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073871
Series site - http://wingfeathersaga.com/?p=464
Author site - http://www.andrew-peterson.com/

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book
from the publisher, the nice people at Waterbrook Press.


North or Be Eaten positions itself as a young adult fantasy, but you might also think of it as a teacher of spiritual truths. The Igiby family often refer and defer actions to The Maker, the creator of their world.

Recapping the job description of the Igiby family members, everyone has a job and each is important. Nia, the mother, loves and nutures her family. A member of the royal family, at times she must step in and take charge when things get out of hand. Podo, grandfather and former pirate, is a wealth of first-hand knowledge about the world and self-protection. Peet the sock man, or Uncle Artham the previous Throne Warden, strikes me as a sad character. As first son, he was presented the responsibility of protecting the his younger brother, the King. With overwhelming forces killing the King, Artham lost both his brother and his sanity.


The next generation begins with Janner, the new throne warden, and I couldn't help but notice the similarities of Janner and Peet. Both care for their brother, the King, but if something happens to Tink, the new king, will Janner better cope with the loss? As the new protector, Janner finds an inner strength and braveness when the family faces legions of Fangs and trolls. He looks to his Uncle Peet and wonders how Peet would handle the situation. The youngest, Leeli, must use crutches to move because of a troubled leg. Rather than dwell on her problems and sink into self pity, Leeli works to improve her gift, her voice, and finds she her singing brings encouragement, hope, and happiness to the sea dragons and other people.

Oskar Reteep, brings a new hero class to the story, a book-loving librarian. A bit chubby, and balding on top, Oskar provides comic relief with his recounts of various facts he has learned over the years. This guy would excel at Trivial Pursuit. What's nice about Mr. Peterson's story,is the way he meshes the various personalities and gifts into a group that's stronger than it's parts. Each party member has a job, and without one of its members, the group would be a little weaker, and a little less likely to accomplish their goals. Like our own place in life, everyone has a purpose and the best place for each of us is where the Maker would have us be. When we work contrary to that plan, or that job with which we are gifted, we accomplish less and go through more troubles than needed. Mr. Peterson's book, North or Be Eaten, illustrates that point well by showing everyone has a worth and a contribution they can make.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Amy Browning
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve and Andrew
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

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Thursday, January 28, 2010




North or Be Eaten
Beware of Toothy Cows, Terrible Trolls, and Evil Fangs!

DAY 2

Book - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073871
Series site - http://wingfeathersaga.com/?p=464
Author site - http://www.andrew-peterson.com/



In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book
from the publisher, the nice people at Waterbrook Press.

Recapping the job description of the Igiby family members, everyone has a job and each is important. Nia, the mother, loves and nutures her family. A member of the royal family, at times she must step in and take charge when things get out of hand. Podo, grandfather and former pirate, is a wealth of first-hand knowledge about the world and self-protection. Peet the sock man, or Uncle Artham the previous Throne Warden, strikes me as a sad character. As first son, he was presented the responsibility of protecting the his younger brother, the King. With overwhelming forces killing the King, Artham lost both his brother and his sanity.

The next generation begins with Janner, the new throne warden, and I couldn't help but notice the similarities of Janner and Peet. Both care for their brother, the King, but if something happens to Tink, the new king, will Janner better cope with the loss? As the new protector, Janner finds an inner strength and braveness when the family faces legions of Fangs and trolls. He looks to his Uncle Peet and wonders how Peet would handle the situation. The youngest, Leeli, must use crutches to move because of a troubled leg. Rather than dwell on her problems and sink into self pity, Leeli works to improve her gift, her voice, and finds she her singing brings encouragement, hope, and happiness to the sea dragons and other people.

Oskar Reteep, brings a new hero class to the story, a book-loving librarian. A bit chubby, and balding on top, Oskar provides comic relief with his recounts of various facts he has learned over the years. This guy would excel at Trivial Pursuit. What's nice about Mr. Peterson's story,is the way he meshes the various personalities and gifts into a group that's stronger than it's parts. Each party member has a job, and without one of its members, the group would be a little weaker, and a little less likely to accomplish their goals. Like our own place in life, everyone has a purpose and the best place for each of us is where the Maker would have us be. When we work contrary to that plan, or that job with which we are gifted, we accomplish less and go through more troubles than needed. Mr. Peterson's book, North or Be Eaten, illustrates that point well by showing everyone has a worth and a contribution they can make.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Amy Browning
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve and Andrew
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010



North or Be Eaten
Beware of Toothy Cows, Terrible Trolls, and Evil Fangs!

Book - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073871
Series site - http://wingfeathersaga.com/?p=464
Author site - http://www.andrew-peterson.com/



In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book
from the publisher, the nice people at Waterbrook Press.

The Igiby family is back, and bigger, bolder, and braver than before. The story picks up after the harrowing escape of the family from the terrible Fangs in the previous book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.

For those who missed the opportunity to hear the first book, Mr. Peterson is offering the unabridged version on iTunes for $3.95. It's eight-hours of fun, adventure, and narrow escapes for the Igiby family.
A great price for a fun read. Click here if you have iTunes.

You may want to order the first book too, as North or Be Eaten references back to pages in the previous volume, and contains some great sketches of the scenes and characters. North or Be Eaten (NoBE), includes some nice sketches of creatures, places, and things Janner, Tink, Leeli, Nia, Podo, and Peet encounter along the way.

Once again, Mr. Peterson has written a book that's not only a good story, but a fun read. The Toothy Cows of Skee are a good example. "The toothy cow defies description. It oozes fear as it oozes slobber from its oozy teeth." The story is sprinkled with side notes like you would find in a traveler's journal, that provide a deeper, fuller understanding of whatever the family has recently confronted. Rather than the dry details of some boring encyclopedia, the side notes let the reader feel as if they are being let in on extra journey details.

Okay, this book is a bit less light-hearted than the first book. But life isn't always goodness and light, sometimes we go through the tough times in the middle. NoBE keeps the tension turned up. Each time you think a problem is solved, a newer, larger problem presents itself. These are darker days for the Igibys, but through it all they depend on The Maker, and never lose sight of the importance of family and friends.

This brings up the them for tomorrow's blog. Everyone has a job that is important, be it a King, a Throne Warden, or a singer to sea dragons.

*Participants’ Links:

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Amy Browning
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Todd Michael Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve and Andrew
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Jason Waguespac
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009


BLOG TOUR - DAY 2
E.T. - Elfin Terrestrials!


Curse of the Spider King
by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper

Wayne Thomas Batson’s blog - http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/
Christopher Hopper’s Web site - http://www.christopherhopper.com/
The Prophecies of Berinfell series Web site - http://www.heedtheprophcies.com

(Click book for Amazon link) or

Amazon Link:



Today's blog tour title comes from the fact that the seven elfin children have been dropped off on Earth. Each has grown up on Earth, and yet while in the world they are not from or of this world. I took this idea as an allegory of sorts in Curse of the Spider King. Seven young elfin children are raised on Earth, yet they still feel separate from others around them. Like the elfin seven, we are admonished to be in the world and yet not of the world. In the case of the elfin children, though they grew up here on Earth, each wanted some more. Each knew a better place awaited them.


That better place is Berinfell, their true home and that of their ancestors, the great Elven Lords. The people of Berinfell looked to the Elven Lords for protection, when the city fell and the Lords destroyed nearly all hope was lost. Yet some kept to their faith that the lost offspring of the Lords might one day return and defeat the Spider King. While only a few years passed on Earth, hundreds of years pass in the Elven lands. Through diligent faith and expectation of their Lords return, the elves held to a slim hope of deliverance from the Spider King. The problem was, the elves didn't know when the Lords might return, and for a long time, if they would return.

When at last the children are found, Elven warriors must do their best to protect their young charges by keeping them hidden until the proper time. The elves soon noticed that the Spider King's own troops also searched for the children, and not with the children's best interst in mind. Gateways connecting our two worlds allowed passage between, but the Spider King's minions watched these in case the world housing the children was found. With time running out, elven waarriors must locate all the children and return them safely to their true home. The Spider King has other plans and means to destroy the last of the elven people once and for all.
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