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MMGM: “Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow” by James Rollins

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Adventure, Book Reviews, Middle Grade, MMGM, Thriller

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Adventure, Archeology, Dinosaurs, Elizabeth Fais, Jake Ransom, Jame Rollins, Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday, MMGM, The Skull King's Shadow, Thriller, Time Travel

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow coverWhen a mysterious envelope arrives for Jake Ransom, he and his older sister, Kady, are plunged into a gripping chain of events. An artifact found by their parents—on the expedition from which they never returned—leads Jake and Kady to a strange world inhabited by a peculiar mix of long-lost civilizations, a world that may hold the key to their parents’ disappearance.

But even as they enter the gate to this extraordinary place, savage grackyls soar across the sky, diving to attack. Jake’s new friends, the pretty Mayan girl Marika and the Roman Pindor, say the grackyls were created by an evil alchemist—the Skull King. And as Jake struggles to find a way home, it becomes obvious that what the Skull King wants most is Jake and Kady—dead or alive. [Jacket Flap Synopsis]

Smart and Fun, Adventure for All Ages

James Rollins, New York Times bestselling master of adventure for adults, doesn’t hold back on the thrills in this middle-grade tale that will satisfy boys and girls of all ages. With amazing aplom, Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow delivers with authentic richness, as well as with the adrenaline fun factor.

Thirteen year-old Jake Ransom is ahead of his class when it comes to science, and has a special love for archeology. So when Jake and Kady are invited an exhibit at the British Museum in honor of their parents, he’s excited and intrigued. He’s also suspicious. The logo for the company sponsoring the exhibit reminds Jake of a recent nightmare. Is it a coincidence, or not?

The large golden pyramid at the exhibit, gives Jake a hunch about the artifact that came in the mysterious package. A hunch that sends him and Kady tumbing through time to a mythical city called Calypsos. Always a scientist, Jake assesses the situation with analytic detachment.

Fifteen year-old Kady isn’t as level-headed. She’s scared and angry. But who can blame her? Almost immediately, a dinosaur—that Jake knows the name of—decides they’re its next happy meal. Luckily, a Mayan girl and a Roman boy, about their same ages (Marika and Pindor), get Jake and Kady safely inside the protected walls of their city. Once in back in civilization, Kady adapts to her new surroundings with speed and grace. Her impulsive gutsiness provides a balance to Jake’s is rational straight-ahead approach.

And they need all the help they can get…

Jake and Kady tumbled through time, bringing them closer to the evil Skull King. In order to stay alive, Jake has to discover who the Skull King is and what he really wants. The stakes are raised when Colypsos is invaded by the Skull King’s mutant monsters. For Jake and Kady to outwit the Skull King, they must combine their strengths and trust in the support of their new friends.

What I Liked Most…

This is one of those books that after reading the first line, I didn’t want to put it down. Here’s a few reasons why:

  • The characters: Jake and Kady are strong in different ways, and both have their share of flaws. I especially liked how Rollins translated Kady’s high school twirl squad skills into an adeptness at swordsmanship. The secondary characters are unique individuals, who satisfactorily round out the story.
  • The world: Rollins’ knowledge of animals and love of science shines through on every page. I learned quite a bit, without even trying. The inhabitants of this world are created from a blend of historical facts from various time periods, grounding the fantasy in believability. Likewise, the science fiction elements of the story are woven through with scientific facts that bring along a refreshing dose of authenticity.
  • The mystery: Multiple threads intertwine to shape a story that is rich in intrigue and suspense. Where are Jake and Kady’s parents? Are they still alive? Who is the Skull King and why does he want Jake and Kady? How will they ever get back home? No spoilers here. You have to read the book to find out.
  • The adventure: This is an Indiana-Jones-esque thrill ride that girls as well as boys will enjoy. The fast pace would makes this an excellent choice for a reluctant reader, as well as for those of us who thrive on adrenaline spiked escapism.

The Adventure Continues…

Jake and Kady continue their search for their parents, as the threat of the Skull King presses closer in the next installment of this adventure: Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.

Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx cover


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Dangerous Reflections & Twisted Reflections ~ GIVEAWAY Winners!

20 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adult

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Mystery, Shay Fabbro, supernatural, Time Travel, Young Adult

It’s time folks! What we’ve all been waiting for … The Adventures of Alexis Davenport giveway winners! A BIG Thank You to everyone who participated!!!

The Deets: The winners were randomly selected from everyone who left a comment on Monday’s Guest Blog by Shay Fabbro. One winner receives a signed copy of Dangerous Reflections and another a signed copy of Twisted Reflections, both by the fabulous Shay Fabbro.

Dangerous Reflections (Book 1) Giveaway Winner!

Alexis Davenport wants to go home. She hates her new school, her mother for moving her away from her friends, living in her aunt’s guesthouse, and her father for walking out.

To make matters worse, Alex is haunted by the images of strange girls reflected in her mirror. It is bad enough juggling homework, a relentless bully, boys, and a deadbeat dad. Now, she must save the world from an evil presence hell-bent on changing the past–and our futures. Who knew her A+ in history was going to be this important?

And the winner is…

Tami Clayton
*** Tosses confetti ***

Twisted Reflections (Book 2) Giveaway Winner!

Alexis Davenport wants to be rid of her gift of time travel, and the duty that has been thrust upon her to protect the time line from an evil lunatic trying to change the past.

When she travels back to ancient Egypt, Alex gets a most unexpected surprise; she meets a fellow Traveler like herself, someone who can possibly help her figure out how to use her powers to stop Drifter from altering the past.

But can she learn how to control her gift before Drifter finds a way to stop her from meddling in his plans?

And the winner is…

Lisa Gail Green
*** Tosses even more confetti ***

Stay connected with Shay:

  • Check out her Website
  • Visit The Adventures of Alexis Davenport fan page on Facebook
  • Follow @DrShayFabbro on Twitter

YA Voice Dilemma ~ by Guest Author Shay Fabbro

16 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Young Adult

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Dangerous Reflections, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Shay Fabbro, Time Travel, Twisted Reflections, YA, YA Voice

Today I have special guest author Shay Fabbro on board to share her secrets about writing in an authentic YA voice. It might seem easy peasy when you’re reading a great YA novel, but just try it sometime. You’ll find out it’s NOT. Take notes folks. Because Shay’s more than earned her street creds:

  • Shay Fabbro, PhD is published with BookTrope Publishing
  • A Finalist in the Indie Excellence 2011 Book Awards (Fantasy category)
  • The author of the Portals of Destiny series and The Adventures of Alexis Davenport series
  • A Member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
  • Website: shayfabbro.com

Shay’s new book, Twisted Reflections, just released and is the second in The Adventures of Alexis Davenport series.

Stop back this Friday for a chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Dangerous Reflections and Twisted Reflections!

Authentic vs. Realistic YA Dialog … What’s best?

Take it away Shay…

For me, writing dialog for adults is so much easier. I am, after all, an adult (alright
you guys, quit yer laughing!) so this sorta makes sense. But you can’t write dialog in an adult voice and connect with YA readers. You gotta speak their language, get in their heads and put on paper the way their thoughts sound in their own minds.

The problem is this: if I were to actually write dialog exactly how young people talk nowadays, it would have to be rated R and couldn’t be marketed as YA. I spent a lot of time listening to conversations carried on by teens who had no idea they were being observed as part of a scientific/writerly experiment. The results were not all that shocking to me: teens have filthy little mouths and use language that isn’t appropriate for a YA audience to read. They throw out curse words as well as derogatory comments that I can’t even write down.

They, like, also, like use the word “like”, like a lot! And it’s like so annoying and makes me, like, want to shoot myself. Even writing that was painful. As a professor of college students, it STUNS me how many young people can’t formulate a sentence without throwing in the word “like” after every other word. I think it’s the new “umm”.

So while I totally understand the need to write realistic dialog for a teen audience, I am restrained by the very rules that exist to make YA books appropriate for age 13 and up. Most moms wouldn’t want their teen reading something that has the F-word or the n-word thrown in every time one of my characters opened their mouth. I had to find a fine line between realistic and age-appropriate. My YA series, Adventures of Alexis Davenport, has some mild language (damn, hell, etc) and some mild violence but I think it’s totally fine for teens to read. No worse than Harry Potter.

Now as for the “like” every other word…*sigh*. I had to take s stand as a girl, as a nerd, as an educator to refuse to write characters that sound like idiots. I just couldn’t do it. I think it degrades those teens that are smart enough to construct a complete sentence and sound logical and mature. I would rather write dialog that makes my readers smarter, not encourage them to continue to like, talk like idiots.

So what are your thoughts? Should writers be completely genuine when it comes to teen dialog or is there some room to improve (refusing to use idiotic words)?

Leave your comment below for your chance to win one of two FREE autographed paperbacks of Dangerous Reflections or Twisted Reflections!

You can connect with Shay in the following ways:

  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

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