amreading – Page 6 – Sincerely Karen Jo

bookreview

Hello bookish friends!! Today, I have my review for Titus Fogg by Aaron Piper. This book was so fun to read and suprised me a few times. Many thanks to Aaron Piper for sending me a copy of this book. I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next!

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titusfogg

aboutbook

Independently Published: July 25th 2018

Genre(s): Fantasy

Pages: Paperback 452 and Kindle Edition 328

purchaselinks

AMAZON – BARNES & NOBLE – KOBO – IBOOKS

synopsis

Titus Fogg hates magic, and with good reason. Born into a murderous family of cruel and powerful casters in modern Massachusetts, magic has contributed to every bad thing that has happened to him since birth. After finally managing to banish the most likely evil (but definitely dirty-minded) entity called Shade from his body to the sidelines as his shadow, Titus has the chance to have a normal, magic free, high school life. But, when Tess Roe, his classmate, neighbor and model of justice at their school realizes she can see the creatures Titus calls the Wyrd too, Titus must return to the world of the strange to help her. Soon Titus’s dark past comes to light as he must prove that he isn’t responsible for the death of one of Tess’s friends, and the theft of a magical book that could lead to the destruction of Arkham.

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mythoughts

Wildly Imaginative, Spellbindingly Entertaining, and Wickedly Fun

4halfhearts

What a marvelous debut novel! Titus Fogg was spellbindingly entertaining, wickedly fun, and a bone-chilling adventure that had me on the edge of my seat.

I love stories that can keep me on my toes and make me laugh. Titus Fogg by Aaron Piper definitely did that and caught me off guard with quite a few surprises. With plenty of action, humor, unexpected twists and turns, and spine-tingling suspense, the first book in the Wyrd series was a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me holding my breath a few times. It’s terrifying and absolutely enchanting at the same time. I was intoxicated with the magic, the danger, the unknown, and all the fantasy elements. I knew there would be some suspense based on the synopsis, but I honestly didn’t expect the story to be quite scary or gruesome. Some parts even gave me the chills… totally NOT a bad thing. I LOVE horror movies and being scared, so this absolutely made my reading experience more fun. The beginning did start a bit slow for me, but once it picked up, I was captivated and completely hooked!

I liked the world-building and all the magical aspects. I thought Piper created an amazingly dark, unique and intriguing world that had me engrossed. Even though some parts of the magic world felt a bit familiar, Piper weaved his own interpretations and ideas and that was interesting to read about. I enjoyed all the wonderful quirks, the weirdness, and even the ugly and frightening parts of this book. It was different in a good way and I had so much fun exploring this Wyrd world and going on this fantastical adventure with Titus, Tess and Shade.

Speaking of Titus, Tess and Shade, I thought they were such fascinating characters. Titus frustrated me quite a bit, but he’s such a likable anti-hero. Even if I didn’t always like or agree with his choices or how he went about to do things, he eventually warmed his way to my heart. Titus definitely had a softer and sweet side and I was able to see that in the way he always wanted to protect Tess and be there for her. I loved that Tess was no damsel-in-distress and she made sure Titus knew that. She was strong, feisty, brave, and determined and I really liked that about her. And then there’s Shade… sinister, snarky, and mysterious. Shade’s portrayed to be an evil creature, but he really wasn’t (at least not yet…) and I honestly really liked his character and found him very amusing. The supporting cast were quite interesting too and I can’t wait to meet other strange creatures and characters in the next book.

Aaron Piper created a wildly imaginative and chilling adventure about magic, friendship, and the unknown that had me flipping through the pages. I enjoyed the wonderful suspense, mystery, humor, and surprises. I also really liked that Titus Fogg addressed important issues such as bullying and its consequences and having the courage to do what is right. Overall, I really liked this book and I think both young and adult readers would too.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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favoritequotes

The world is what it is, beautiful, horrible, scary, and magnificent, exactly as it had been before, but now you see it differently.

Everyone’s capable of good. Deep down, everyone cares about the suffering of others.

Time is all we are given in this world, and we have no guarantee how much of it we will receive.

That was the cost of magic, beyond sacrifice, and the feeling of power that overtook a person. It was like being tapped on a path that led straight to a god. Power to change the world, power to bend it to one’s will. There was nothing else like it — no drug, no emotion, no sensation could compare.

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abouttheauthor

Aaron Piper grew up in farmlands of Ohio, reading anything he could get his hands on, in lieu of normal social interaction. When he complained one too many times about books he didn’t like, someone finally told him, “If you think you can do better, why don’t you write a book?” Many years and a minor in English from Ohio University later, he finished his first novel, Titus Fogg. Currently, he lives in southern Indiana with his wife and daughter and have worked as a photographer and journalist for more than ten years.

authorlinks

Website – Facebook – Twitter

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Don’t forget to add this book on your TBR! And if you’ve already read it, let me know what you think.

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day lovelies!!!

authorinterview

Hello Lovely Bookish Friends! Today, I have an interview with Mary Feliciani, the author of Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes and You.

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aboutbook

Published: March 5th 2012 by M.F. Publishing

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Children, Inspirational

Format: Paperback, 50 pages

http://www.mfpublishing.com/shop-from-home/

This book is a collection of seven inspiring mini-biographies. The author uses the voices of Mattie Stepanek, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Terry Fox, Craig Kielburger, and her own reflections to encourage the reader to join a growing movement towards social responsibility and global citizenship.

Does any of your personality ever go into any of your characters?

My personality definitely chooses the content that I write about or subject matter (social issues). Regarding whether my personality traits go into any of the makeup of my characters, is a good question. I role-play with characters in my head when I am writing dialogue. In order to facilitate this, I must consciously assign certain attitudes to the characters. Then the question is — what would this character say in this situation? I choose attributes that I know well and that are based on life experience. I believe that if my own character traits find their way into the story, it is on an unconscious level.

Favorite snack while writing.

I never thought of snacking while I’m writing. This must be a clever way of procrastinating. I drink coffee instead. The snack can be a reward after the writing for the day. Chocolate would be my favourite.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

It was in my first year of university. I was studying psychology and realized that I had something to say, and the best way to say it would be in writing. I didn’t necessarily want to be an author.

What is your favorite part about being a writer?

Writing is therapeutic and a good way to learn about yourself.

Which author(s) have inspired your writing?

Martin Luther King Jr., though not an author per se, wrote a famous and inspiring speech, I Have a Dream. If a picture can say 1000 words, then a speech can write a 1000 books.

If you were not writing books, what would you be doing for a living?

I was an elementary schoolteacher for many years. I would want to be a psychologist, otherwise.

If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be and why?

I try to make a difference in the world through my writing. Humanitarians and their causes have always been important to me. My book, Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You, deals with peace and universal values. Two of my other books deal with bullying in the school environment, Big and Small in the Mirror, and The Invisible Boy. I believe that people, particularly children, can benefit from having good role models and that bullying is still a prevailing issue for young people.

What shows are you currently watching/binging?

I have been hooked on Netflix for a year now. My favourite genre in books, movies and television is mystery. I like cozy mysteries and psychological thrillers the best. Needless to say, I watched all the British mysteries first, such as Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Midsomer Murders, Ms.Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Death in Paradise, and Father Brown. After exhausting the genre, I watched some American series like Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Grace and Frankie. I’m currently not watching TV much. I am looking for my next good series. Any ideas?

Mary Feliciani is a Canadian author, independent publisher and an elementary school teacher. She attended UTM where she studied psychology and still lives in Mississauga, Ontario. Mary’s background in psychology, work with children and passionate interest in the human condition, which stems back as far as she can remember, are all evident in her writing.