FRIENDROID by M.M. Vaughan Official Blog Tour, Tens List and Giveaway

 THE TOUR SCHEDULE AND LINK

SYNOPSIS

Stranger Things meets robots in this sweet story about an unlikely friendship between two boys—one human, one android. 

Eric Young is an android, but he doesn’t know. He does know that he’s just moved to Ashland, so it’s important to make the right kind of friends—the kind that would be interested in skateboarding and the new Slick sneakers his Uncle Martin sends him.

Danny Lazio doesn’t have any friends, but he doesn’t care. Even if his classmates don’t accept him, he still has Land X, the online role play game that he’s actually really good at. But then Eric takes an interest in Land X, and suddenly Danny thinks he might have found a real friend…if he can figure out the mystery behind Eric’s sudden disappearances and strange lifestyle.

It becomes harder to ignore the weird events that happen only around Eric. But uncovering the secret behind Eric’s identity is an act that might cost them both as powerful forces soon move in around them.

This heartfelt story about friendship and what it means to be human is sure to tug at your soul—or your soul-chip if you’re like Eric. 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for FRIENDROID

"A timely parable for this generation of digital natives." ―Kirkus

"Vaughan presents another noteworthy sf middle-grade offering peppered with mystery." ―Booklist

"For middle-grade readers who are ready to fight the power." ―Publishers Weekly

TEN FACTS ABOUT FRIENDROID

1.       Originally, I wrote Friendroid completely from Eric’s perspective. It was only on advice from my editor that I rewrote it so that the story alternated between Eric and Danny’s PoV. It was the hardest edit I’ve had to do but I’m so glad that I took my editor’s advice – I think the story is so much better as a result.

2.      It took me two years to write Friendroid; about half of that was spent planning, and the other half of that writing (and rewriting).

3.      Eric’s nickname is Slick as he’s always talking about how much he loves his Slick sneakers!

4.      The androids in Friendroid are called Canny Valleys. They are named in reference to the uncanny valley concept, which describes the unsettling feeling of being in the company of a robot that is eerily similar to a human.

5.      The developer of the androids in Friendroid, is called Carter Harluck. This is an anagram of the legendary sci-fi writer, Arthur C. Clarke. I think I might have actually whooped out loud when I came up with that!

6.      Ashland is a fictional town in Friendroid, but I had the town of Cazenovia, NY (where my dad has lived for over 25 years) in mind as I was writing.

7.      Although I’m definitely not a twelve-year-old boy, I have some similar interests! I have always loved computers and gaming, which is why technology features so heavily in my stories.

8.      My favorite chapter to write was the one in which Eric gives Danny a gift – much to Danny’s horror (he didn’t get Eric a gift). For me, it was the moment that Eric truly became ‘human’.

9.      I wrote Friendroid as a stand-alone story, but I enjoyed writing it so much, and have so many different ideas of the story that could follow, that I think I’ll probably end up writing a sequel at some point.

10.   Of the five books I have written, Friendroid is the one that I’ve most enjoyed writing. That’s not to say it was always easy, but it never felt like chore. Quite the opposite.

My Review

I Absolutely LOVED this story!! So I feel that if I loved it so much, Middle grade kids are going to devour it and learn a lot about friendships.

Danny is a loner who doesn't have any friends. He spends his time playing an online game which he is really good at. You learn more about Danny through the story, which twists your heart because you know so many other kids go through the same thing.

Erik is the new kid, trying to make friends the the cool kids.  He realizes the only way to fit in is to be involved and like all the things the cool kids do. He is told not to be friends with Danny.

However, Erik realizes he has a lot in common with Danny, and comes to the conclusion that he can reinvent Danny so he can become a cool kid too so he can hang out with Erik and his new friends.

Danny invites Erik over. Danny's mom is just over the moon that Danny has brought someone over. As a mother, I felt this mother's relief and hope. 

So the friendship starts to grow, and Danny starts to realize that everything about Erik is literal...everything he hear and says is literal....and this is kind of confusing to Danny.

This story was SO FUN to read.  It was a joy to watch Danny and Slick's (aka Erik) friendship grow.  With several twists, the story kept you guessing, even after you find out that Erik is an android.  It is a story full of emotions...and I will have to say that I shed a tear or two.  It has a surprise ending that I thought was absolutely brilliant.  BRILLIANT!  A fast paced read for sure, with lots of lessons to be learned.  I have always told my children, it's not the quantity of friends you have but the quality, and if you have just one great friend, that's all you need.  This story teaches that lesson and so much more.  With online gaming, social media, and the struggle to find friends, I think that story just fits perfect with the world today.  

I HIGHLY recommend this book. When you think about a book days after you finish, that's a good book that needs to be shared and enjoyed by all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The daughter of South American parents, Monica Meira Vaughan grew up in Spain before moving to London at the age of five where she learnt English by watching Sesame Street and reading every Roald Dahl book she could get her hands on. On leaving school, and after a brief stint in public relations, Monica decided to train as a primary school teacher. She spent over ten years working in special needs, mostly with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, before becoming a full time writer.

Monica loves writing after midnight, building cardboard cities and playing Lego with her daughter. She lives in London, UK.  

PHOTO CONTENT FROM M.M. VAUGHAN

WEBSITE: http://www.mmvaughan.com/

TWITTER: @NoSleepNeeded
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6459572.M_M_Vaughan
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/mmvaughanbooks/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nosleepneeded/

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

-  2 Winners will receive a Copy of FRIENDROID by M.M. Vaughan.

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Cover Reveal for Helix by Mary Ting

Did you miss the Cover Reveal for Helix?

The Second installment for the ISAN series is releasing July 9, 2019!!

Helix (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) Release date: July 9, 2019 Cover designer: Justin Paul IMDB: https://imdb.to/2C9yEBn Publisher: Vesuvian Media Group Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2TyfSh4 They are offering a giveaway too!! Giveaway: https://bit.ly/2C9MBiZ

Synopsis: Alliances are forming. The resistance is growing. Everything is about to change.

With her memory still fragmented, Ava returns to the International Sensory Assassin Network (ISAN) to find the twin sister she never knew she had.

But as Ava hunts for information, she finds herself tangled in a web of yet more lies and conspiracy. The Helix serum may not be required to access her superpowers, and the number of male assassins—previously considered too volatile to tolerate Helix—is growing in every territory.

The more Ava uncovers, the more of a threat she becomes to ISAN. Her only salvation is to join the rebels—if she isn’t killed first.

Pre-order: https://Books2read.com/Helix Amazon ebook link coming soon. Paperback: https://amzn.to/2HkMDrx

The Rebel Mages by Laurie Forest Nerd Blast and Giveaway

THE NERD BLAST LINK 

SYNOPSIS

Journey to the magical world of Erthia in these two exciting prequels to The Black Witch by critically acclaimed author Laurie Forest.

Wandfasted 

Twenty years before Elloren Gardner enrolled at the illustrious Verpax University, Erthia was rent asunder during the devastating Realm War. When Tessla Harrow is driven from her home by the fighting, she discovers a depth of power she never knew she had...and an irresistible draw toward Vale Gardner, the son of the most powerful mage her people have ever known-the Black Witch.

Light Mage 

Before Elloren Gardner came to possess the White Wand of myth, the Wand was drawn to another bearer: Sagellyn Gaffney. Sage's affinity for light magery, a rare skill among Gardnerians, makes her the perfect protector for the one tool that can combat the shadows spreading across Erthia. But in order to keep the Wand safe from the dark forces hunting for it, Sage must abandon everything she once knew and forge a new path for herself...a dangerous course that could lead to either triumph or utter ruin.  

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for THE BLACK WITCH Chronicles 
“Elloren learns to question authority and Gardnerian history, while developing real empathy for different races and species. Forest uses a richly imagined magical world to offer an uncompromising condemnation of prejudice and injustice.” —Booklist, starred review

“Exquisite character work, an elaborate mythology, and a spectacularly rendered universe make this a noteworthy debut, which argues passionately against fascism and xenophobia.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This briskly paced, tightly plotted novel enacts the transformative power of education, creating engaging characters set in a rich alternative universe with a complicated history that can help us better understand our own.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurie Forest lives deep in the backwoods of Vermont where she sits in front of a wood stove drinking strong tea and dreaming up tales full of dryads, dragons and wands. The Black Witch (Book 1.0, The Black Witch Chronicles – OUT NOW) & Wandfasted (Book 0.5, The Black Witch Chronicles Prequel) are her first published novels. Coming in 2018 are Light Mage (Book 1.5, The Black Witch Chronicles) & The Iron Flower(Book 2.0, The Black Witch Chronicles). She is currently ensconced in the woods, hard at work on The Shadow Dryad (Book 3.0, The Black Witch Chronicles).

PHOTO CONTENT FROM LAURIE FOREST

WEBSITE: http://laurieannforest.com/
TWITTER: @laurieannforest
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14107386.Laurie_Forest
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009503414837
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/laurieannforest/  

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

-  2 Winners will receive a Copy of THE REBEL MAGES by Laurie Forest.   

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Spotlight: We Call It Monster by Lachlan Walter @lachwalter79

       WE CALL IT MONSTER

One ordinary day, an enormous creature dragged itself out of the ocean and laid waste to a city. In the months and years that followed, more and more creatures appeared until not a single country remained untouched. At first, people tried to fight them. In the end, all they could do was try and stay alive.

We Call It Monster is a story of forces beyond our control, and of immense and impossible creatures that make plain how small we really are. It is the story of our fight for survival and our discovery of that which truly matters: community and compassion, love and family, hope and faith.

***

A story-cycle/novel-in-stories, We Call It Monster is written in a grounded and realistic way, with each chapter unfolding from the perspective of a different character, and detailing his or her first-hand experience of the conflict between humans and monsters.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Title: We Call It Monster           
Author: Lachlan Walter                   
Genre: Giant Monster/Kaiju Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Paperback: 210 pages   
Publisher: Severed Press
Publication Date: 13th February, 2019         
Language: English ISBN-10: 1925840522 ISBN-13: 978-1925840520

About the Author

Lachlan Walter is a writer, science-fiction critic and nursery-hand (the garden kind, not the baby kind), and is the author of two books: the deeply Australian post-apocalyptic tale The Rain Never Came, and the giant-monster story-cycle We Call It Monster. He also writes science fiction criticism for Aurealis magazine and reviews for the independent ‘weird music’ website Cyclic Defrost, his short fiction can be found floating around online, and he has completed a PhD that critically and creatively explored the relationship between Australian post-apocalyptic fiction and Australian notions of national identity.  

He loves all things music-related, the Australian environment, overlooked genres and playing in the garden. He hopes that you’re having a nice day.   

 IMPORTANT LINKS, SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACTS

LINKS

www.lachlanwalter.com

www.severedpress.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK 

Twitter 

CONTACTS

contact@lachlanwalter.com

info@severedpress.com

AN EXCERPT

     The old man shuffled out to the balcony, dusted off an outdoor chair and then made himself comfortable. The sky was a shade of blue that painters only dream about; it was a beautiful sight. The old man drank it in, leaning back in his chair. He sipped at his coffee and smoked a cigarette. He was happy to wait as long as was necessary – he had all the time in the world and he wasn’t going anywhere.
      The monster finally appeared, a blurry smudge in the distance.
     Slowly, but not as slowly as he would have thought, it grew both closer and more distinct. The old man laughed out loud; it looked like nothing more than a child’s drawing of something that might have been a lobster or might have been a spider or might have been both, propped up on flagpole-like legs that supported a wetly-shining carapace, a beaked head, and a tail as long as a bus.
     It was enormous and ridiculous in equal measure. The old man was surprised to find that it failed to frighten him.
     It drew closer to the city. It stopped suddenly and bit a great chunk out of a stately old tree lining a boulevard. Chewing slowly and methodically, it worked its way through the mass of wood and foliage before throwing its head back and opening its mouth wide. Despite his deafness, the old man felt the monster’s keening in his bones and in the pit of his stomach.
     He pulled his hearing aid from his pocket, turned it on then slipped it in place.
The beast’s cry was low and mournful, more a melancholy bellow than a ferocious roar. Thankfully, the klaxon-blare of the evacuation alarms had stopped. The monster cried out again and it shook the old man, both literally and metaphorically. The beast shifted its legs, presumably adjusting its weight, and destroyed an office building in the process.
     Almost comically, it looked down at the destruction it had wrought and seemed to shake its head.
It looked back up and cried out a third time, and then started walking again. It seemed to meet the old man’s eye. Without breaking its gaze, the old man took another sip of coffee before lighting another cigarette.
     Slowly-slowly-slowly, the monster drew closer. You could almost see a smile on the old man’s face. 

A Q&A WITH THE AUTHOR 

What is it about giant monsters that appeals to you? 

Initially, it was a childish fascination with things being smashed. Let’s face it: Every little kid has thrown a tantrum for reasons they can’t explain, broken something and then experienced relief at the wordless release this brings. A giant monster barging through a city for no fathomable reason can reflect our own difficulties in articulating and making sense of our emotions at that age.

This fascination soon turned to awe and wonder at their scale and mystery, a reflection of the feelings inspired in me by my discovery of dinosaurs and cryptozoology (the study of creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, Yetis and the like). My love of dinosaurs is easy to explain – show me a kid who hasn’t at some point gone through a ‘dinosaur’ phase’ and I’ll eat my hat – while my love of cryptozoology was inspired by a book entitled Creatures From Elsewhere, which my parents gave me and which is actually still sitting on my bookshelf. 

Beginning in my teenage years and continuing on into the present day, I’ve loved the metaphorical and symbolic potential that giant monsters possess, and the ways in which they can ‘stand in’ for so many different problems that seem beyond our control and almost impossible to deal with. Nuclear war, our negative impact on the environment, international terrorism, industrial pollution, climate change, the staggering number of displaced people around the world – giant monsters have represented them all.   

Why did you decide to write about giant monsters? 

As mentioned, I’ve always been fascinated by them. But I’ve also always been a voracious reader, and sometimes an obsessive one. I’ve been known to occasionally get my nerd on for a particular sub or micro-genre, looking up ‘similar title’ and ‘you might also like’ lists online when I should be doing better things with my time. But I still keep searching, because there can’t just be one example of Mystery Sub/Micro-genre X out there.

Giant monster fiction was one such obsession that carried me away, the timing of which coincided with the completion of my first book. I binged on literally anything I could find, looking for something that took giant monsters as seriously as some of the movies do, something that was more than just capital-A action. I found lots of fun, post-modern stuff out there – some of which could even be described as zany – but not much that approached giant monsters with a serious eye.

Looking for a new book to throw myself into writing – a book that I wanted to be distinctly different from my first book – I decided upon a piece of serious giant monster fiction. In other words, I decided to write the book that I wanted to read. Isn’t that what an author does? 

Do you need to be a fan of giant monsters to appreciate We Call It Monster?  

Nope, but it probably helps… In all seriousness, though – no, you don’t need to be a fan. My aim with We Call It Monster wasn’t only to write a serious piece of giant monster fiction because giant monsters have, historically, rarely been written about in such a way. Instead, I also wanted to write a piece of speculative fiction that does what all good speculative fiction should: Use the speculative element within to make us look at ourselves and our place in the world with fresh eyes.

Despite its title, We Call It Monster is more concerned with people than monsters. It isn’t a ‘wham-bam, shoot-em-up’ but instead a serious look at how we might react to forces beyond our control, and to forces that illuminate the precariousness of our position as world-conquerors sitting atop the food chain. And ultimately, it’s the story of what really matters: community and compassion, love and family and friendship, hope and faith. Anyone that appreciates such people-centric stories should find something within We Call It Monster that they can enjoy. 

Why did you decide to write We Call It Monster as a storycycle/novel-in-stories? 

To me, one of reading’s biggest attractions has always been in my sense of engagement with the world being built on the page (a process even more absorbing when reading science fiction and speculative fiction). I think this enjoyment of engagement applies to most people. We all ‘see’ things in written worlds that the author didn’t actually write, even at the most mundane level: we populate a footpath with pedestrians, a street with cars.
A story-cycle/novel-in-stories can increase this sense of engagement to an incredibly strong degree, and their traditional structures allow writers to work magic. They can give us different perspectives on the same events, blocks of ‘missing time’ that exist between stories/chapters, events that are only alluded to rather than seen first-hand, a multiplicity of narrative “voices”, and so much more. But ‘missing time’ begs to be filled; events only alluded to tantalise us; we can’t know the truth when presented with different perspectives, or even if the truth exists. And so our minds do this work for us, conjuring up and giving life to parts of the story the writer has withheld.

The way story-cycles/novels-in-stories allow us to create the world right alongside the writer is a beautiful thing. However, the structures behind them aren’t just beautiful, but also incredibly practical. They can allow a story to cover a span of time longer than a regular person’s life; and help do away with the inevitable and repetitive ‘amazing coincidences’ that prop-up stories where one single character guides us through an incredible sequence of events covering an incredible amount of time; and enable a wider representation of voices from a wider variety of countries and cultures, without also falling back on the aforementioned trope of inevitable and repetitive ‘amazing coincidences’. 

DAMNED by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor Official Blog Tour

 THE TOUR SCHEDULE 

SYNOPSIS

Over a hundred years after the death of Magnus Blackwell, Altmover Manor sits abandoned.

Lexie Arden and her fiancé, Will Bennett, are determined to rescue the neglected Mount Desert Island landmark. They want to make Altmover Manor their home. But Magnus has other plans.

A spirit bound to his former residence, Magnus finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young woman. She has a supernatural gift; a gift Magnus wants to exploit.

As Lexie and Will settle in, secrets from Magnus's past begin to surface. Compelled to learn all she can about the former owner, Lexie becomes immersed in a world of voodoo, curses, and the whereabouts of a mysterious dragon cane.

Magnus's crimes won't be so easily forgotten, and what Lexie unearths is going to change the future ... for everyone.  

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for DAMNED

"... seamlessly blends mystery, magic and matters of the heart to create and enthralling read." ―RT Book Reviews

"Damned is absolutely riveting, an absolute page turner. Just when you think the carnival ride is over you discover it's barley begun... If you only read one book, this should be it." ―Tracy Riva, Midwest Book Review 

"Damned is full of intricate characters, voodoo, and a luxurious setting that will steal your breath away. You'll want to follow Magnus and Lexie to Hell and back, and that's stunningly likely." ―Mercedes B. Yardley, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author of Little Dead Red

EXCERPT FOUR:

A horrible nightmare woke Lexie before dawn. Her heart thudded, and her damp nightshirt clung to her back. Will remained in a peaceful slumber next to her.

When she swung her legs over the side of the bed, the dream came back to her. In the living room of the house, two men—mere shadows—had been out to destroy each other. She attempted to stop them, but couldn’t. Lexie reasoned the dream resulted from the previous day’s events.

Not wanting to go back to sleep, she stood and reached for her fuzzy robe. She craved coffee to clear her head and a few minutes of peace.

In the kitchen, she loaded the coffeemaker and waited for the muddy liquid to fill the pot. The first rays of sunlight crept over the floor, and she ran her fingers through the beams. It was a shame the house had endured such misery. It was a beautiful place to live.

Coffee in hand, she had a seat at the kitchen table and put her feet up on a chair.

“You’re up,” Will said from behind her.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She spoke without turning around.

He filled a mug with coffee. “Wanna talk about it?”

“I’m okay.”

Still in his blue pajama bottoms, he lifted her feet from the chair placing them in his lap as he sat.

“You never get up this early unless something’s bothering you.” He took a sip from his mug. “When you’re sad, you eat ice cream. When Angela ticks you off, you drink. And when something is really bothering you, you don’t sleep.”

“You know me pretty well, don’t you?”

“I know you, baby.” His hand rubbed along her calf. “I’m sorry I was such a grouch yesterday. This house must be getting to me. I shouldn’t have said the things I did.”

“It’s fine. I understand. We’ve both been under a lot of stress lately. And you’re right, this house is getting to us.”

“So if you’re not mad at me, what’s wrong?”

She put her coffee mug on the table. “This house is haunted, Will.” She bit her thumbnail while she waited, anxious for his reply.

“Okay. Why do you think this house is haunted?” he asked, remaining calm.

“I’ve spoken to Magnus Blackwell’s ghost, and I’ve seen Jacob O’Connor. They’re here, trapped in this house.”

“I’ll admit you do have a gift. You can sense things I can’t begin to grasp. I’m trying to understand it, but this is new territory for me. Tell me how to help you.”

She eased closer to him. “Stay open minded for me. If I have to appease you and a house filled with discontented ghosts, I may have to leave.”

He put his coffee down and pulled her into his lap. “Don’t ever leave, Lexie. I’d die without you.”

Her tears blurred her vision as his arms held her close. “I never want to leave you.”

“From now on, I swear I will listen to your ghost stories and not get angry. And if you can talk to ghosts,” he nuzzled her neck, “ask them where the family treasure is buried.”

Relieved, Lexie laughed and wiped her eyes. “You got it.”

“I need this house to work, baby. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. I’ll do whatever necessary to keep it.”

In the distance, a rumble of thunder shook the house.

“Storm’s coming.”

“Yeah,” Lexie agreed. “Sounds like a big one…”

Copyright © 2017 by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

My Review

This read held more than I expected...I thought it was just going to be about a ghost causing problems with new people doing renovations on his mansion, but it turned a totally different angle leading to voodoo and high priestess.

Magnus Blackwell was a horrible person while he was alive, and I think now he is trying to make amends. He is attached to Lexie, and helps guide her through her journey in New Orleans to learn something huge about herself that she would have never dreamed for herself. 

I feel that Magnus was my favorite character in this story, even though Lexie was the main focus.  I would like to learn more about Magnus.  I enjoyed Lexie and Magnus banter back and forth.

It was a fun story to read and if you like a little bit of spooky with a dash of murder, this story is for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

Lucas Astor is a multi-award-winning author from New York. He has resided in Central America, the Middle East, and traveled throughout Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is a writer and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Weis and Astor’s first collaboration was the multi-award-winning Magnus Blackwell Series.

PHOTO CONTENT FROM ALEXANDREA WEIS AND LUCAS ASTOR

WEBSITE: http://www.alexandreaweis.com/
TWITTER: @alexandreaweis
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1211671.Alexandrea_Weis
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/authoralexandreaweis/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/alexandreaweis/ 

--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

-  1 Winner will receive a $20 Dollar PayPal/Amazon Gift Card.

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Review: Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo @thebookglutton

Synopsis

The Lightning Thief meets the Story Thieves series in this middle grade fantasy inspired by Hispanic folklore, legends, and myths from the Iberian Peninsula and Central and South America.

Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.

But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.

Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).

No pressure, muchacho.

My Review

If you love stories about Myths and legends, you are going to have your mind blown with this new series full of Hispanic folklore, myths, and legends.

This is the PERFECT Debut series for all to be swept away. It was such a fun and fast paced read. You can't help but fall for Charlie's infectious humor while discovering more about himself than just the average growing pains.  As his life is turned upside down after his parents disappear, he learns that the adventure has just started. Luckily having a surprising new friendship with Violet, she helps Charlie with her talent of detail and wit. 

I loved how different legends were woven into the story. Some of those characters were a little creepy but I found it amazing that these bedtime stories that Charlie grew up with was actually preparing him for a journey he might take someday.

I was drawn to this story for the main reason that it takes a twist on Myths that I never knew existed. Yes, I did some googling after I finished the story because I have always been fascinated with Greek  and Norse Mythology, I was delighted to expand my knowledge to something new! The world is too small to stay in your own little bubble people!!

I really recommend this book...the story just popped off the page, I could see the scenes unfold right before my eyes.  I hope we will see more of Charlie...I think his world is full of adventure and I hope to experience the ride with him!

Buy on AMAZON HERE

About the Author

Twitter: @thebookglutton

Ryan Calejo was born and raised in south Florida. He graduated from the University of Miami with a BA. He’s been invited to join both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key International Honour Society. He teaches swimming to elementary school students, chess to middle school students, and writing to high school students. Having been born into a family of immigrants and growing up in the so-called “Capital of Latin America,” Ryan knows the importance of diversity in our communities and is passionate about writing books that children of all ethnicities can relate to. His first novel was Charlie Hernández & the League of Shadows.