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Book Review: Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen

Schwartz & Wade, 2014

ISBN-13: 978-0385371032

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook, audio download

 

Once humans and ravens were friends, and then one day a desperate raven, told he could achieve immortality by eating human flesh, betrayed a human friend and transformed into a murderous valraven, an immortal bird with an insatiable appetite for gore, but otherwise identical to ordinary ravens.  Unable to tell the difference, human/raven relationships dissolved.  Now, the only way to tell the difference between an ordinary raven and a valraven is by asking a riddle.

This is the background of Gabriel Finley’s story.  Gabriel’s parents have both mysteriously disappeared, leaving with his loving but distracted Aunt Jaz, and a lot of unanswered questions.  When his father’s childhood diary appears, Gabriel begins to discover answers to some of those questions. The desire of the valravens for immortality has tainted his family, which has always had a special relationship with ravens. It is up to Gabriel, Paladin (his new raven friend), and a motley group of companions, to save Gabriel’s father and the world.

The journey Gabriel must take requires all of his wits, for the only way a raven or his companion can be identified as trustworthy is by solving riddles. And there are obstacles in the way—runaway writing desks, thieves, bullies, owls, and tyrannical houseguests. Gabriel’s father taught him to love riddles, though, so he has a fighting chance.

There is so much that feels familiar about Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle.  The boy who leaves home on a quest to find a parent and save the world; travels through a strange, underground world; animal companions; solving puzzles and riddles; selflessness that saves the day. All these are familiar tropes in a children’s fantasy adventure story, and at times certain aspects reminded me of other books I’ve read: Gregor the Overlander also includes an underground quest to save his father, and animal companions; Chasing Vermeer takes place in a modern school setting, with puzzles and riddles a major part of the story; A Wrinkle in Time depends on selflessness and love to save the day. None of those books are really like Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle, though; instead, Hagen has successfully taken the familiar and made it new, giving us a fresh take. Children aged 9-12 and Harry Potter readers looking for their next fix won’t want to put down this Gothic-touched, magical, contemporary fantasy. Highly recommended.
 
 
Contains: Some gore, violence
 
 
Reviewed by Kirsten Kowalewski

Posted on January 28, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: Sheila: Baby’s First Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Sheila: Baby’s First Zombie Apocalypse by Brian Malbon

Bad Day Books, 2014

ISBN- 13:978-1-62827-962-7

Available: Paperback

 

In a genre that seems like its brain must be, by now, completely dead, Brian Malbon has figured out how to keep it not just alive, but interesting. He presents readers with an understated page-turner, using common zombie tropes to his advantage by making several quirky references to film and other well-known works. The massive quantity of existing zombie literature frees Malbon from having to provide detailed backstory; he simply picks up the common thread and continues to his tale. Zombie fiction lovers looking for a gore-filled tale of monster mayhem will want to look elsewhere; this is a human story.

 

Set in Toronto, characters enter at a steady pace, weaving in and out of the threads of micro-plots; the apocalypse creates fast friends, and this is what keeps Sheila from being ordinary. The main story is about Wendell, an antihero who, having lost his pregnant wife to zombies, is placed in charge of an infant, Sheila. The baby gives Wendell a reason to live, and the situation provides a great platform for Malbon’s humor and obvious sensitivity. The solution to their isolation is a hook-up with a band of young teens. This gives Wendell a realistic chance to grow, and prove his courage and survival skills, despite constant, palpable self-doubt.

 

Sheila is a true crossover, (adult/young adult), and it’s an enjoyable break from the gore and other adult-only content of many horror works. Malbon’s style is quick and vibrant, and he has an interesting timing mechanism; there are several suspenseful cliffhangers, and he got me every time. He’s clearly setting up for a series, and I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.   Recommended for 13 and up

 

Contains: light profanity

 

Reviewed by Sheila Shedd

 

Posted on January 26, 2015 by , 2 comments

Book Review: The Halloween Children by Brian James Freeman and Norman Prentiss

The Halloween children

The Halloween Children  by Brian James Freeman & Norman Prentiss

Earthling Publications, 2014

Available: Limited edition hardcover, lettered traycased hardcover.

          Note: You must order directly from Earthling Publications here.

 

Earthling Publications’ Halloween books are something that no reader of horror fiction, or any genre of fiction, should ever miss, and The Halloween Children is no exception; Freeman and Prentiss  have produced another book that has been knocked out of the park.   This is a disturbing, claustrophobic, enjoyable read that encompasses everything Halloween should be.

This is an everyman’s horror story: the best, most relatable kind, that holds family close to its dark heart. Harris, the handyman for the Stillbrook apartment complex, narrates the events through diary entries.  Harris lives with his wife, Lynn, his son, Matt, and his daughter, Amber.  From the opening diary entries, we learn that Harris’s and Lynn’s marriage is about as frayed as possible, without blood being spilled (for the moment).  Lynn is paranoid about her husband’s work around the complex, assuming the worst. She also believes  something is seriously wrong with their son. Parents can have favorites, and this usually leads to hurt, deceit, and psychological wounds that have far-reaching effects. In this case, mother sides with daughter, and father with son.  Neither parent, however, is aware of what their children are doing, or planning. Then the owner/manager of the complex decides that Halloween should be canceled this year. No party will take place, no decorations will adorn the buildings and grounds. When the children hear about the holiday cancellation,  the slow-motion disintegration of the family, community, and soul is already underway.

Parallels may be drawn to The Shining, but The Halloween Children is utterly original and deserves to be given applause on its own merits. Freeman and Prentiss are talented, far more than has been recognized by the masses.  The storytelling here is near flawless, as is the writing– always a challenge in a collaboration.  If this is what they are capable of as a team, I hope that more writing from both will be on the way soon.  The characters make the story, and it’s actually more frightening than seeing the Torrance family torn apart, because it draws in neighbors, friends, or maybe something much closer.  While The Halloween Children can be read in one sitting, take some time and enjoy it, allowing its effects to take hold.  A perfect tale for any holiday. Well, any holiday that includes a fragmented, fragile family. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by David Simms

Posted on January 25, 2015 by , Reply
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