Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy

Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisSHE SAW HIM IN HER DREAMS. NOW HE'S MAKING HER LIFE A NIGHTMARE . . . No matter how hard she tries, Rebekah just doesn't fit in at Grant High, her prestigious Ivy League prep school. The cruel, privileged students ridicule and bully her on a daily basis. And instead of standing up for herself, Rebekah retreats into a dark, unsettling world of nightmarish visions . . . In her dreams, a tall man in a dark cloak turns the tables on her tormentors, exacting bloody revenge. She calls him the Raven, and she secretly relishes the opportunity to strike back at the teens who hurt her. But then she discovers her dreams have terrifying consequences: The Raven's brutal revenge is real. Ripped straight from the pages of Edgar Allen Poe, her mysterious savior enacts gruesome punishments that escalate in their severity. And when Rebekah tries to stop this mysterious killer, he turns his sadistic attentions toward her . . . As the trail of bodies grows, Rebekah learns a shocking secret from her past . . . She alone knows the Raven's true identity. And she's the only one who can stop him . . . "Edgar Allen Poe's poem, 'The Raven,' is used in such as creative manner...adds to the mystery." - Screencraft Fans of Edgar Allen Poe and Urban Legend will love "unexpected" tale. (Screencraft)

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Book SynopsisFans of the literary phenomenon known as the Twilight series can't help wanting more. A New Dawn gives it to them, inviting readers to join some of their favorite YA authors as they look at the series with fresh eyes and fall in love with Edward, Bella, and the rest of Forks, Wash., all over again.Edited by bestselling author Ellen Hopkins, A New Dawn is packed with the same debates readers engage in with friends: Should Bella have chosen Edward or Jacob? How much control do Meyer's vampires and werewolves really have over their own lives? The collection also goes further: Is Edward a romantic or a (really hot) sociopath? How do the Quileute werewolves compare to other Native American wolf myths? What does the Twilight series have in common with Shakespeare? With contributions from Megan McCafferty, Cassandra Clare, Rachel Caine, and many more, A New Dawn answers these questions and more for a teen (and adult!) audience hungry for clever, view-changing commentary on their favorite series.

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Book SynopsisFifteen-year-old Courtney wants to be normal like her friends. But there’s something frighteningly different about her—and it’s not just the mysterious tattoo her conspiracy-obsessed grandfather marked her with when she was a child. The last thing Courtney wants to do is end up crazy and dead like her grandfather—but what about the tattoo? And the alien scouts who visit Courtney in her bedroom at night, claiming to have shared an alliance with her grandfather? With her new friend Agatha’s apocalyptic visions, Courtney begins connecting the dots between the past, present, and future—of her bloodline, and the ancient history that surrounds it. So is she going mentally insane, like her family claimed her grandfather did, or is she actually a “chosen one” with ancestral connections to another world? Either way, Courtney has a mission: untangle her past, discover the truth, and stop the apocalypse before anyone from school finds out she’s missing.Trade Review2017 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorites: Science Fiction 2017 Independent Press Awards: New Fiction (First Time Published), Winner 2016 New Apple Annual Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing: Young Adult Science Fiction Medalist Winner Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2016: Finalist in the First Novel category Readers’ Favorite Awards 2016: Finalist in Young Adult Fiction "If you love Stranger Things, read The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman." —Elle magazine "A must-read sci-fi book" —Hypable “Chock-full of sharp tonal contrast . . . This debut novel fuses a serious issue—the stigma of mental illness—with sci-fi to chronicle a girl’s unusual coming of age.” —Kirkus Reviews "This novel has a breakneck pace and Stefani's writing is fluid and perfectly suited to this most extraordinary tale that blends the coming of age, adventure, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic genres—and it all works beautifully." —Readers' Favorite, Five Stars “Brady G. Stefani’s The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman finds a way to thread together a fast-paced young adult novel feel with a substantive agenda. Stefani’s storytelling skills and elegantly simple language immediately get you involved in an emotional, suspenseful, off-balance reading experience that is equal parts drama and science fiction.” —Ian Kahl, author of Anxiety is a Rambling Dagger, and That Faraway Place "Beyond our everyday world there lies the alternative reality of childhood, a universe populated by strange beings and powered by our collective imaginations. The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is a doorway for readers of all ages that returns us to that world from which so many have become disconnected. Brady G. Stefani's ability to connect us to that larger, weirder reality is a gift from an ever-changing, ultimately unknowable cosmos." —John E. L. Tenney, Paranormal Researcher "Stefani’s The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is a thought-provoking and emotional journey through a young girl’s mind as she struggles to understand who she is, where she came from, and who she is supposed to be—all while deciphering between reality and the tricks our minds can sometimes play on us. Stefani beautifully demonstrates how difficult life can be for anyone who thinks or acts a little differently, and reminds us that, more often than not, the things that terrify us the most are the things trying to save us." —Jessica Stevens, author of Within Reach “As the father of two teenage girls, I can tell you that Brady Stefani must have some sort of supernatural helmet that helps him think and write in their language. But The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman is much more than a novel for teens. This fast-paced adventure kept my attention, blazing back-and-forth from reality to an alter-world so close by that it’s creepy. Here’s a page-turner that captures a lot about childhood struggles through an imaginative story filled with surprises.” —Jim Schaefer, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and writer for the Detroit Free Press "Brady Stefani has written a wonderful coming-of-age tale of an adolescent girl who is struggling to grasp what is real and what is not real. While conveying the actual inner experience of an adolescent is a difficult task, because of the unconscious and incomprehensible facets of the mind, Stefani uses a scientific metaphor to accurately convey the demands, perils, and triumphs of adolescence that must be traversed to become an adult. With The Alienation of Courtney Hoffman, Stefani has achieved an important literary form that will be of interest to adolescent and adult readers alike." —Melvin Bornstein, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Wayne State University, Training and Supervising Analyst at Michigan Psychoanalytical Institute, and editor of Psychoanalytic Inquiry

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Book SynopsisWhen frumpy senior citizen Archie goes in search of his missing son in the Spanish Canary Islands, he stumbles upon a higher mission: locating a magical cure for his ailing fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Ella. Using a portal-jumping device called the Tillastrion, Archie and a stone-headed creature named Zeno are transported to Jarr-Wya, a magnificent yet terrifying island in a connected realm—along with Ella and her strong-willed mother, Tessa, who accidentally stow away on this not-so-secret quest. What they find on Jarr-Wya is an island tortured by a wicked Star anchored in the sea, and a raging three-way battle for dominion between the stone-wielding Bangols, the fiery Olearons, and the evil Millia sands. Ella’s wit and resourcefulness emerge in this new world, while Tessa is forced to confront her long-buried secrets and a confusing new love triangle. When Ella is captured, Tessa and Archie—with the help of a company of peculiar allies—set out to save her and unravel the terrible mystery of her cure. A mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night adventure of three unlikely heroes, Above the Star reminds us that even the smallest act of bravery can transform our lives and the fates of the worlds around us.Trade Review2019 Readers View Literary Awards Winner: YA category 2018 IPPY Bronze Medal Winner in Fantasy 2018 International Book Awards Finalist in Best New Fiction 2018 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Fantasy 2018 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Young Adult “Though reminiscent of beloved fantasies—think A Wrinkle in Time meets The Princess Bride—Above the Star is a magical rendition of a wholly creative tale. Chute imagines unheard of lands, mythical characters, and irresistible folklore, weaving all the magic together with what we know to be true: everyone is searching for something. Her sympathy for the characters—both human and not—is palpable, leaving even the most despicable anti-heroes with room for redemption. And while the story is relentless in its conflict, there are enough moments of tenderness to keep the reader from being overwhelmed. Above the Star is as fanciful as it is grounded, and as gritty as it is fantastic. Chute's visual, visceral storytelling will pull you into a reality you never saw coming and a world you'll be sad to leave behind.” —Lee Lee Thompson, publisher of The Perpetual You magazine “Above the Star is one weird and wild ride full of memorable characters created by an imaginative writer. A mesmerizing and other-worldly read that kept me off-balance from beginning to end. Think of Star Wars, The Lord of The Rings and Homer’s Odyssey all wrapped up together in a gift box called Above the Star. A spellbinding tale of a hero’s quest to save his daughter from the clutches of illness and evil.” —Raymond Gariepy, editor of WestWord magazine “Above the Star is a creative tour de force from the wildly talented author/artist Alexis Marie Chute. Part adventure, part fantasy, part family saga, part quest, the novel leads its heroines and heroes—some human, some extra-human—into peril and redemption, love and loss, and terrors generated by both illness and magic until they finally emerge into a world where courage makes everything possible. The first in the 8th Island Trilogy, Above the Star ingenuously incorporates Chute’s own drawings as important clues that keep the tale racing forward. Her images help to create a strange new world so thoroughly real that when you put the book down—if you do—you won’t remember where you are.” —Pamela Petro, author of Sitting up with the Dead and the artist’s book AfterShadows "Alexis Marie Chute's vivid, descriptive passages transported me into a fantastic yet dangerous world. But this is more than an incredible voyage; this is a story about family — it raises the question: How far would a parent go to save the life of a child? You will cheer for Ella, as she transforms from helpless victim to savvy heroine, spurred to greatness by her strange new allies. This is a book that combines adventure, mysticism and also offers a worthy character study." —Steven Sandor, editor of Avenue Magazine “Infused with the mysterious and the fantastical, Above the Star is both a page-turning story of a young girl's coming-of-age and a gripping tale of a family's journey through illness, grief, aAbove the Star will leave readers reluctant to leave this magical world and breathlessly awaiting more.” —Laurie Foos, author of Ex Utero and The Blue Girl “Chute’s debut fantasy novel takes you on an exhilarating trip to an enchanting, dangerous world where adventure, discovery, and the cure to a young girl’s illness awaits . . . an enticing first installment to the 8th Island Trilogy.” —Naomi Maharaj, Masters of Library Information Studies “In this endlessly inventive fantasy, Alexis Marie Chute handles a prismatic but utterly compelling plot with the skill of an expert storyteller, effortlessly blending the magical and the matter-of-fact. Chute’s imagination evokes a dazzling, sometimes scary, world—a world both enchanted and cursed—but her deepest strength may be her gift for creating indelible characters. The more we get to know the book’s three intrepid heroes, the more time we want to spend with them. Above the Star is a wild ride indeed, and we gratefully go along for the ride, not just for the adventures, but also for the company we keep." —Steven Cramer, author of Clangings and Goodbye to the Orchard “Above the Star is a fantastical fast-paced quest, anchored in the familial–in this case, a father’s desire to find his missing son and to care for his teenaged granddaughter. It is parental love to the extreme, beyond all bounds, even into the next dimension. Chute’s experience as an award-winning artist brings Above the Star to life with her visual storytelling, clearly crafting an entirely new world, and through the thought-provoking ink illustrations. Above the Star shows readers that there is a power within all of us to change the world, right where we are.” —Jessica Kluthe, author of Rosina, The Midwife “Above the Star is an adrenaline-charged ride that grips you tight! Just when you think you know what’s coming next, you’re hit with a new twist! With relatable characters (some that are out of this world), expressive description, and an attention-grabbing premise, book one of The 8th Island Trilogy leaves you breathless in anticipation of what’s to come in the next installment.” —Adrianne Baker, Librarian “Get ready to be lost and then found in a world of intrigue, suspense, and love. Time will stand still as you travel through dimensions to the far-off land of Jarr-Wya and engage in a battle between good and evil. You may just discover Naiu inside of yourself as you fight alongside the heroes of Above the Star to find a cure and a way back home.” —Donloree Hoffman, author of If I Die, Please Bring Cheesecake to My Funeral “Fasten your seat belts and break out the life preservers. Above the Star, the first book in Alexis Marie Chute's The 8th Island Trilogy sucks the reader, as well as a cruise ship, through a dimensional portal into a world filled with compulsive stony beings, fiery philosophers, and deliciously dangerous and horrifyingly sentient crushed shell people. Propelled by a grandfather's determination to save the life of his dying teenaged granddaughter, Chute’s exquisite prose powers a rollicking roller coaster of a tale filled with the kinds of twists and turns that will leave even the most stalwart of armchair adventurers breathless.” —Mindy Tarquini, award-winning author of The Infinite Now and Hindsight “In Above the Star, a regular family with heartbreaking problems enters a world of epic adventures and the possibility of extraordinary solutions. Alexis Marie Chute manages to tell a fantastical tale that is also deeply human.” —Todd Babiak, author of Son of France “Above the Star is a debut fantasy novel by Canadian author-artist Alexis Marie Chute. Like Alexis Marie herself, this novel has unexpected corners and charmingly quirky characters. This piece would be just another adventure-fantasy, were it not for the main character of Ella, a 14-year-old girl who doesn’t speak. Ella is seriously ill and deteriorating, and the novel’s quest is for her family (grumpy grandpa Archie, strong-willed mother Tessa) to find her a cure by whatever means possible. Including a journey to a planet-world that no-one has ever heard of in company with Zeno, a yellow-eyed mystic who sports stones on his face, and various other strange beings who inhabit the world of Jarr-Wya. This imaginative tour-de-force is outstanding for the sensitive treatment given to Ella, who despite her illness shines quietly as an emerging character. Highly recommended for Middle Grade and their parents.” —Cynthia Sally Haggard, author of Thwarted Queen and Farewell My Life “An amazing novel that easily transports you to another world. Filled with excitement and adventure, Above the Star is a must-read!” —Maya Breen, Grade 11 student “Centered around a magical underworld in the sea off the west coast of Africa, Above the Star is a lively tale of hope, loss, and love written with layers of visual detail that draw the reader into Jarr-Wya, where sand, fire, glass and water take on political dimensions as the Wellsley family seeks a cure for fourteen-year-old Ella’s terminal illness. The intermingling of mythology and imagination fuel this exploration of good, evil, and the unintended consequences of risky choices. Fast-paced and engaging, Above the Star will fascinate readers.” —Casandra Goldwater, word-and-image photographer, writer, and professor “An exciting ending that sets up the story to come.” —RT Book Review "A land that exists above a fallen star and is filled with amazing landscapes and fabulous creatures will hold you spellbound until the last page. Above the Star not only grips you with tales of magical beings but is also about the very real problems of parenting a sick child. Ella is a gifted girl who sketches the sights she sees, and these sketches really bring the book alive. The characters in the book are incredibly well written and both the human and Jarr-Wya inhabitants will have you entranced. This is an epic tale." —Reader's Favorite "As much as this book is about magic and strange creatures, it is the tale of a family united through a difficult time. It the story of love and how far someone will go to protect the people that mean the most to them." —Motherbooker “Chute has created a young adult fantasy with teeth." —US Review of Books “Above the Star took me on a wild ride! I did not want to put this book down. I highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy fiction. It’s a captivating start in what promises to be a spectacular series!” —Reader Views “I am fully invested in the lives of the Wellsley family and their time on the island. As a YA fantasy Above the Star really delivered the goods in terms of adventure, intrigue, substance, and suspense. The author has a gift for writing with great detail. I am anxious to see the rest of the story unfold.” —Reader Views

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