Heirs of Prophecy Blog Tour: Guest Post

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Michael A. Rothman to the blog as part of the Heirs of Prophecy tour!  Today I asked Michael to write on a topic that piqued my interest when reading about him and his writing on his website: In the Heirs of Prophecy series, what role does the family as a whole play and what's your take on family dynamics and depictions in literature of kids and young adults? 

Without further ado, welcome, Michael!!

 As I’ve mentioned in some previous blog posts, the rule of thumb for most fiction today is that your young protagonist(s) must have a hectic home life. Assume they are either an orphan, have family issues of all varieties, or are otherwise stressed by their day-to-day situation.

My books are written in opposition to such norms, and headline protagonists which are likable, fallible, but otherwise should be very relatable. Everyone knows a brother who is a pain in the butt who you would protect with your own life, or an over-protective mother, etc. I aim to prove that the action and strife need not come from the family, but through the situations and adventures they are put through.

In HEIRS OF PROPHECY I strive to bring the family as a whole "Down the Rabbit Hole" from the modern world into the world of Trimoria. Unlike many novels which insist on depicting the family as an element of strife, I put the reader in a situation that forces them to think, "Well – what if this really happened to me and my family, how would we react and how could we handle it?"

In this tale, I put the two young protagonists into a situation that immediately makes note that they will become the focus of attention. Attention that they might not necessarily care for. Unlike today’s world, where the parents can control many of the elements of their children’s lives, the parents are integral to the process of adapting to this new world.

As a parent, they must try to protect their children, yet they too are embroiled in a miasma of confusion as they must learn to adapt to their surroundings as well.

As it becomes clear that the children are meant for greater things in this world, the parents must maintain guardrails as best they can, while the kids themselves must explore and push their way through this new world.

A child’s world and an adult’s world is very different, and the tale covers elements of both, while ensuring the kids are brought forth as the “main” characters in the story.

I’d point to one review I got from another author when he read the book, and it was his opinion that the approach I was taking was quite different than the norm – and unlike the traditional advocacies of “kill the parents” for Fiction – having a more wholesome traditional tale that involves families (all the good and bad involved with such) was a refreshing change from the norm.

"There is a sweetness and light to this novel that often seems missing in modern fantasy. I think that a wise reader will recognize that this is something the world needs, and has been waiting for."- David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Fantasy Author

Thank you so much for sharing, Michael! I love that the family gets to take the journey "down the rabbit hole" instead of leaving behind the parents and never wondering what they're thinking or up to!

The Riverton family had been enjoying a simple summer vacation when, through a fluke of nature, they found themselves in a strange new land.

The Riverton brothers quickly realize that in this world, they have gained unusual powers. Powers that their parents fear will attract the attention of Azazel himself - the merciless wizard who brutally controls this world.

The two brothers soon learn that an ancient prophecy has finally been initiated by their arrival in Trimoria. As the heirs of this prophecy, they are destined to lead the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and even a misfit ogre against the prophesied demon horde.

Only one thing stands in their way:

The evil wizard who has learned of their presence, and has sent assassins to wipe them from existence.

The TOOLS OF PROPHECY is the second volume in an epic saga which describes a prophecy that has placed the Riverton brothers in the lead roles of a struggle to save their world from being overrun by unspeakable horrors. This destiny requires that they face off with the demons that nearly destroyed their world over five centuries ago.

In the first book, the population of wizards had been practically eradicated by the former tyrant. The Rivertons are now charged with creating an Academy of Magic, recruiting qualified students, and furthering their own training with secrets that have long been held by the reclusive elves.

Despite their youth, a mysterious spirit has engaged them in an epic struggle to gain mastery of their newfound skills, help raise and train two armies, and stay alive long enough for their final showdown with destiny.

The only things that stand in their way are the assassins hired to destroy them and the Demon Lord’s minion who holds a personal grudge and intends to witness the young boys’ deaths.

Meet Michael! 

I am an Army brat and the first person in my family to be born in the United States. This heavily influenced my youth by instilling a love of reading and a burning curiosity about the world and all of the things within it. As an adult, my love of travel allowed me to explore many unimaginable locations. I participated in many adventures and documented them in what will be a series of books, the first of which you have just read.

Some might put these books in the Fantasy genre, and I never had issues with this label. After all, the adventures were, without any doubt in my mind, fantastic. I simply quibble with the label of "Fiction" that some might put on these tales. These tales should be viewed as historical records, more along the lines of a documentary.

I've learned one thing over the years. Magic is real. Keep exploring, and you too will find your magic.
- Mike Rothman

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Check out the rest of the tour stops as well!
Monday, July 16th - Mundie Kids
Tuesday, July 17th - Owl for YA
Wednesday, July 18th - Chapter by Chapter
Thursday, July 19th - Book and A Latte
Friday, July 20th - Sweeping Me
Monday, July 23rd - Reading in the Corner  (You're Here!)
Tuesday, July 24th - Soul Unsung 
Wednesday, July 25th - Proud Booknerd
Thursday, July 26th - Bitter Sweet Enchantement 
Monday, July 30th - My Reading Room 
Tuesday, July 31st - Book Brats 
Wednesday, August 1st - Paranormal Indulgenlence 
Thursday, August 2nd - Mandy Kay Reads
Friday, August 3rd - Snowdropdreams

Tween Tuesday Review: See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great MG reads for tweens! 

Release Date: 8 May 2012

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N

Goodreads description:

Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. It seems as though everyone in her family has better things to do than pay attention to her: Mom (when she's not meditating) helps Dad run the family restaurant; Sarah is taking a gap year after high school; and Holden pretends that Mom and Dad and everyone else doesn't know he's gay, even as he fends off bullies at school. Then there's Charlie: three years old, a "surprise" baby, the center of everyone's world. He's devoted to Fern, but he's annoying, too, always getting his way, always dirty, always commanding attention. If it wasn't for Ran, Fern's calm and positive best friend, there'd be nowhere to turn. Ran's mantra, "All will be well," is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe it's true. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart. All will not be well. Or at least all will never be the same.

My Thoughts...

MG Book Review: Poison Most Vial by Benedict Carey

Release Date: 1 April 2012

Publisher: Abrams

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N

Goodreads description:

Murder in the lab! The famous forensic scientist Dr. Ramachandran is stone-cold dead, and Ruby Rose’s father is the prime suspect. It’s one more reason for Ruby to hate the Gardens, the funky urban neighborhood to which she has been transplanted. Wise but shy, artistic but an outsider, Ruby must marshal everything and everyone she can to help solve the mystery and prove her father didn’t poison his boss. Everyone? The list isn’t too long: there’s T. Rex, Ruby’s big, goofy but goodhearted friend; maybe those other two weird kids from class; and that mysterious old lady in the apartment upstairs, who seems to know a lot about chemistry . . . which could come in very handy.

My Thoughts...

(ARC) MG Review: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

Release Date: 28 February 2012

Publisher: Fiewel & Friends

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N

Goodreads description:

Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

My Thoughts...

In this adorable novel, Ellen Potter has updated the magical story of The Secret Garden and made it into a fun story that young readers will thoroughly enjoy.  The reader is pulled into a world where it is uncertain what is real and you're constantly wondering if this is going to be magic or reality and in the end maybe it's a little of both.

Space can be a friend or an enemy, so you should always know how much of it your body needs.

-p2, eARC

Roo is a really interesting character. She's closed herself off from the world and then she's taken to an unknown uncle and ends up more isolated than ever in an island mansion.  She's tough, though, and finds ways to make herself and home.  I really enjoyed her and I'm not even sure that I can define WHY precisely, but she doesn't back down from what she believes and she doesn't let others bully her.

The likeness to The Secret Garden can't be missed with this storyline, but the updating that Ms. Potter has given the story works very well.  The writing flows well and I don't think readers will be able to resist the pull of the story that she has so beautifully crafted. Ms. Potter has also succeeded in crafting a setting that has a life of its own.  The island and the house almost become characters in their own right--with secrets waiting to be discovered.

The Humming Room will easily appeal to its intended audience of middle grade readers.  The writing and story will capture their imaginations without putting undue strain on their reading abilities.  I'd recommend this one to some reluctant readers who possible enjoy a little bit of mystery and strong female characters.  It's also, clearly, a must-read for fans of The Secret Garden.

(ARC) MG Review: Cold Cereal by Adam Rex

 
Release Date:  7 February 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Goodreads description:

Cold Cereal Facts
Serving size: 1 chapter | Number of servings: 40
Primary human characters: 3
Scottish Play Doe, aka Scottpossible changeling
Erno Utz genius
Emily Utz supergenius
Magical creatures: at least 3
Mick Leprechaun (or Clurichaun)
Harvey Pooka (rabbit-man)
Biggs, indeterminate origin (hairy, large)
Evil organizations 1
Goodco Cereal Company - Purveyor of breakfast foods aspiring to world domination
Adventure 75%
Diabolical Schemes 40%
Danger 57%
Legend 20%
Magic 68%
Humor 93%
Puzzles 35%
Mystery 49%

Not a significant source of vampires.
May contain nuts.

Daily values based on individual interest. Reader's estimation of value may be higher or lower, depending on your tolerance for this sort of thing

My Thoughts...

Tween Tuesday: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day Goerge

Release Date: 25 October 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: NetGalley

Buy It! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Goodreads description:

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic..

My Thoughts...

I've ogled many a Jessica Day George book at the library while browsing the YA section but they never seem to make their way home with me.  When Bloomsbury offered this middle grade novel through NetGalley, I knew I had to request it.  What I encountered in reading this book was a darling mystery adventure that will really capture your heart. I quickly fell in love with the setting, the characters, the villians, the magic, the adventure--everything!

Castle Glower isn't a normal castle--it's enchanted.  It shifts its rooms and hallways to suit its mood and needs.  It shifts to show favor. It does all of these things seemingly on its own, but it shows special favor to Princess Celie, our young MC who loves the castle eccentricities and spends much of her time creating an atlas of the castle.  When Celie's parents and oldest brother go missing, she and her siblings, Rolf and Lilah, must work together with the castle to fight the bad guys who want to take over the kingdom, and Celie's knowledge of the castle comes in handy more than once.

Celie is an incredibly endearing main character. She's fiercely loyal to her family and deeply suspicious of outsiders.  She's also really smart and thinks on her toes.  She comes up with fabulous schemes to outsmart the bad guys and keep them guessing.  It's easy to see why the castle favors her because she simply believes in its magic to its fullest extent.  

Kids and adults alike will easily fall in love with this fun tale of daring tricks and escapes. I think kids will delight in the childrens' plans to outsmart and outwit the adults.  It's the kind of novel that will let your imagination run wild, from the ever changing castle to the plans that kids devise. Magic is well-incorporated into the story and the castle really almost becomes a character in its own right. It's ever-changing rooms and it's secret passages are sure to strike a chord with kids.  What kid doesn't imagine living and playing in secret passageways and spying on adults through secret peepholes hidden behind drapes? It's a kind of fantasy world that gives you a clear, beautiful picture of the surroundings but leaves a lot to your imagination.

The simplicity of the writing strikes a beautiful contrast to the imaginative landscape of the novel. This is a quick read because once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down, and Ms. George's writing simply flows wonderfully.  One of the best things (for me) about this book is that it has a well-structured beginning, middle, and end--despite being the first in a series.  Gone are the all-too-popular cliffhangers. This book will make readers want to pick up the next book because it's sure to be a fun, magical read--not simply because the author left them hanging in the previous book.

2012 Tween (P)Review: The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen focusing on MG literature. Do you read and review MG books? Hop on over and join the fun!

Release Date: 17 January 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Around the World ARC Tours

Pre-Order It! Amazon

Goodreads description:

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.
When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

My Thoughts...

In this stunning MG novel, Jasmine Richards has brought life to a mesmerizing fantasy story of magic, friendship, and adventure. The world of Arribitha will pull you in and captivate you page after page. The characters, the magic, the journey, the settings--each element is woven together beautifully to create a magical story that will delight readers of all ages.

Enter the world of Arribithia--where magic is forbidden and everyone is at the mercy of the all-powerful Sultan--including his advisors.  This is the world we enter when we meet Zardi, a young tomboy of a girl who dreams of sailing the open seas and embarking on dangerous quests. Zardi's best friend (and basically adopted brother) Rhidan, her constant companion in her (mis)adventures, is a mystery in and of himself. He was simply left abandoned by his family, whoever them may be. In the span of a day both of their lives change drastically--Rhidan is given a clue to his past from a story Sinbad the sailor shares and Zardi's sister is taken by the Sultan to be the new "praisemaker"--a position that means eventual death for the girl unfortunate to hold the position. The two set off on a quest to discover the past and hopefully save the future.

Zardi and Rhidan are instantly loveable characters. Their sense of wonder at the world around them and their fierce determination to accomplish extraordinary things make them come alive as strong yet quite naive characters. Maybe it's their bright-eyed wonder and maybe it's their dreams of grandeur that make them seem this way, but whatever it is, these two are a pair to get to know and become friends with. As you accompany them on their journey, they each discover strengths they never knew they had and learn to lean on each other for support. Rhidan, who is definitely the quieter of the two at the beginning, really comes into his own as he discovers more about himself and gains the self-confidence that he seemed to lack at the beginning. He definitely becomes more than just Zardi's "side-kick."

The world itself is a site to see. Ms. Richards employs vivid imagery that truly immerses you in the various settings.  Whether it's on the docks in Taraket or on Desolation Island, the images that the story conveys are mesmerizing. You'll find yourself right there alongside Zardi and Rhidan as they embark on their journey. The fantasy world of magic truly comes alive for the reader.

My only regret with this book is that I don't get to keep it! I'll be sending it along for the ATWT very soon and I'm sad to see it go. The ending leaves me thinking that Ms. Richards plans to continue the story and I most certainly hope that she will! Trust me--I'll be first in line to read it if she does!