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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

ChiZine Publications Giveaways To Promote Family Literacy

In news that shows just how awesome independent presses can be, ChiZine Publications has announced that to celebrate Family Literacy Day (January 27– that’s tomorrow) they will be giving away copies of books from their new YA imprint, ChiTeen. Trade paperbacks will be available in Canada, and PDF copies will be available as well. ChiZine suggests that for more information, you check out the social media channels for both ChiZine and ChiTeen as soon as possible.

I love it when people (and presses) celebrate literacy!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ChiZine Publications to Give Away Books as Part of Family Literacy Day

 

TORONTO, Ontario (January 26, 2015) — To celebrate Family Literacy Day, January 27, ChiZine Publications (CZP) will be giving away copies of its young adult books. Trade paperbacks will be distributed at select bookstores across Canada while PDF versions will be available for free for a limited time from the ChiZine website (chizinepub.com).

 

CZP will be giving out copies of its first two titles printed under its young adult ChiTeen imprint: Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn’t Fly by P.T. Jones (a.k.a. Stephen Graham Jones and Paul Tremblay), and The Door in the Mountain by Caitlin Sweet. Giveaways or contests will take place at Bakka Phoenix Books in Toronto, McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, and BookShelf in Guelph.

 

In addition, PDF versions of titles with young adult themes will be available for free download from the CZP site for a limited time on January 27. Titles that will be available include:

 

  • Picking Up the Ghost by Tone Milazzo
  • The Choir Boats and The Indigo Pheasant by Daniel A Rabuzzi
  • Westlake Soul by Rio Youers
  • Napier’s Bones by Derryl Murphy
  • a ChiTeen sampler of upcoming books: Dead Girls Don’t by Mags Storey, The Good Brother by E.L. Chen and The Flame in the Maze by Caitlin Sweet

 

“The love of reading is something that runs strong in everyone at ChiZine Publications,” says Sandra Kasturi, co-publisher. “And literacy is more than just enjoying books; it’s an essential skill for success in life. We’re hoping to help raise a new generation of readers and book lovers.”

 

Details of when and how to download the free ebooks will be posted to the social media channels of CZP and the dedicated ChiTeen Twitter and Facebook page a few days before the event.

 

Contact

 

Sandra Kasturi, Co-Publisher

ChiZine Publications

http://www.chizinepub.com

sandra@chizinepub.com

 

About ChiZine Publications
ChiZine Publications (CZP) is British Fantasy Award-winning and three-time World Fantasy Award-nominated independent publisher of surreal, subtle, and disturbing dark literary fiction hand-picked by co-publishers Brett Alexander Savory and Sandra Kasturi, Bram Stoker Award-winning editors.

Posted on January 26, 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
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