I was
thrilled to be invited to join this next blog tour. Author Cindy Cipriano has
created an intriguing world for MGers, filled with mystery, THE CIRCLE. Take a
peek below for a short excerpt, my thoughts on the story, and a giveaway to
enter! Tour
Schedule through I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.
Title: The Circle (Book One of The Sidhe)
Author: Cindy Cipriano
Genre: Children's Fiction; Sci Fi & Fantasy
Pages: 138
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Released Date: June 1, 2013
I'd like to
thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book for an unbiased
review.
Description:
Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will
find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel
shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark.
When Calum learns the details surrounding the
disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum
and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her
brother— revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley
his life.
The Circle
is full of magic and mystery. Readers will be engrossed in faerie realms,
charming characters, and a state of wonder and imagination. The Circle is for
those who delight in reading fantasy and exploring mystical worlds.
~Kathleen Fox, LibraryGames.com
The Circle
is the first in a seven-book series.
For more
information, visit www.thesidheseries.com
An Excerpt
Calum looked at Laurel, trying to measure her
sincerity. “Aren’t you a little big for fairy tales?”
“Can you please just tell me if you have any books
like that or not? If I don’t hurry up and get over to that realtor’s office, my
mom’s gonna freak.” “Sorry. Yeah. They’re
over here.” He
showed Laurel the
Nature and Folklore section,
and tried to
smooth things over.
“I guess your
mom doesn’t like you reading about fairies.”
“She doesn’t believe they exist, but I know they
do.”
Calum stared at her hard. She didn’t seem to
notice. He watched her hand move to her neck. A gray stone with an ill-formed
cross hung from a long silver chain. She held onto it as she scanned the titles
on the stack, the fingertips of her free hand gliding over the spine of each
book.
“I’ll try this one,” said Laurel. She pulled An
Encyclopedia Of Fairies And Other Natural Oddities from the stack. “I’d better
pay for it now.” She carried the book to the cash register where Calum scanned
the book’s barcode.
“That’s seventeen dollars and twenty-five cents,”
he said.
Laurel laid down a handful of money. “I have change.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a quarter. There was a spark and a
soft pop as Calum took the coin from her.
“Ouch!” he said, quickly withdrawing his hand.
“It must be static electricity,” said Laurel. She
tucked the book inside her tote bag along with one of the lavender flyers.
“Yeah, I guess,” said Calum. Static electricity?
In the summer?
The shop bell chimed. Andrea Werner was back.
“Sorry, kiddo. Your dad wants both of us to look at a house."
“Now?” asked Laurel. “But I didn’t get my books
yet, and I only have a few weeks to read them before summer’s over.”
“We’ll have to get them later.” Andrea looked
around the shop for Kenzie. “Would you please thank your mom for me?”
“Yes ma’am,” said Calum. “Do you want me to put
the books on hold?” “No thanks,” said Andrea, hurriedly. “We’re staying two
doors down at the Whitney Hotel. We’ll come back tomorrow.”
Calum drummed his fingers on the desk as he
watched them leave the store. He wanted to know more about Laurel, and her
interest in faeries. Or maybe he just wanted to know more about her. Calum
wondered what Laurel thought about him, although he didn’t know why it should
matter. He hid between the stacks, quietly following them through the
bookstore, listening to their conversation.
“Well?” asked Andrea, as they approached the door.
“He seems nice,” said Laurel, in a hushed whisper.
“Not at all weird like John Phillip said. And, he doesn’t seem to mind that
Dad’s going to be the assistant principal. Maybe I could be friends with a
boy.”
“Imagine that,” said her mother as they closed the
door.
“Imagine that,” said Calum. He watched through the
window as a car rolled to a stop in front of the bookstore.
“Imagine what?” asked Kenzie, stepping from behind
a nearby stack. Calum jumped at the sound of her voice, knocking several books
to the floor. “Geez Mom, don’t sneak up on me.”
“Especially when you’re sneaking up on someone
else, right?” A wave of Kenzie’s hand returned the fallen books to the shelf.
“You’re right to be curious, though. I’m sure you saw it hanging around her
neck. I wonder how that girl got a token from one of the darkest of faerie
clans.” Kenzie squinted as she watched Laurel climb into the backseat of the
Stanton Realtor car.
“I don’t think she knows what it is,” said Calum.
“Either way we’d better keep an eye on her.”
My summer just got a lot more interesting, thought
Calum.
THE AUTHOR
Cindy Cipriano lives in
North Carolina and has taught middle school science since 2001. She was named a
North Carolina Outstanding Science Teacher in 2009 by the North Carolina
Science Teachers Association. In 2012, Cindy received the Burroughs Wellcome
Fund PRISM award for innovative teaching. Cindy has a M.Ed. and is a National
Board Certified Teacher. She is also a North Carolina Certified Environmental
Educator.
Cindy is a member of the Drawbridge Writers Group,
and the Triad Writers Group. Cindy enjoys speaking at conferences and is
available for conference presentations, book club meetings, or other author
visits. Please contact her at cindy@cindycipriano.com to schedule an
appearance. www.cindycipriano.com
NIGHTSTAND
WORTHY +1
MY SPLATS: a heartening tale that will
sweep young readers into the adventurous world of the Sidhe and the importance
of family.
The story opens with a poem, setting up the story
perfectly and giving a 'feel' of mischievous play. There is something
elfish or fairy-like about it.
Middle grade voices abound through distinct
characters. Calum has the typical MG response to a girl of shyness yet
intrigue. He's mature enough to face it head on, though. The friends Cipriano
has created for Calum support his personality--both challenging and comforting
him--as well as his mortal and otherlyworld. What is absolutely atypically
about this story is the names. If you know anything about me then you know I'm
a major name buff. Using unusual character names adds flavor and color to the
world and mounds of the Sidhe; I found that so Harry Potter-like. Ingenious
connections between the Otherworld and the Realm of Man are plausible.
Another aspect that caught my attention was the
sweet, caring relationship Calum has with his mom. It builds trust and a strong
foundation with the reader. His father is also involved, which is a nice change
from a lot of books I've read lately. The family is fully intact; no absent
parents here.
Young readers will enjoy piecing the scattered
crumbs of mystery Cipriano strategically places throughout the story.
As mystery one crumb builds on the next, posing questions as to where and from
who Laurel--Calum's new friend--got the stone she wears, the reader is
challenged to think and evaluate what he/she has already read. But then a
strange reaction from Laurel to old friend/cousin Hagen suddenly turns the
story awkward and very normal. When this happens, Calum senses something odd,
but doesn't know what it is other than it seems he's crushing on Laurel. As you
might have guessed ... well, you'll have to read the story to discover
that.
What do you think? How does this MG sound to you??
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sounds like a great book. Congrats to Cindy!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a delightful read. I love fairy stories.
ReplyDeleteIt really was. I'm glad Cindy and I had a mutual friend who asked if I'd be a part of her tour for her. It's been a pleasure!
DeleteTweeted and shared. Sounds like reads I'd hoard for myself.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Thanks, Shelly. And what's really exciting about his one is that this is book I of seven!!
DeleteI agree, it sounds like a delightful read. Have been burning the candle getting stuff done ahead of time for our move to North Carolina next year. Kicking back with a relaxing read would be purrrfect!
ReplyDeleteALWAYS love a wonderful fantasy story... CONGRATS CINDY! ALL THE BEST!
ReplyDeleteAw, your review was great and makes the book seem so sweet and adventurous for MG readers. Thanks for letting us in on this new release! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, Sheri. This does sound good. Paul nabbed it to review before I did, and I think he's reviewing later today. I also wanted to say thanks for visiting my guest post on Ellie Garratt's blog and for the compliment. I followed you back on twitter. Warm fuzzies!
ReplyDeleteOh, YAY!, for seeing you on Twitter now. You are very welcome; the visit and compliment was much deserved.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
I like the description and the cover seems mysterious. Congrats to the author on her upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteOops, I lost my comment. :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great sweet, MG kind of read. I think it's something I'd enjoy. The cover looks mysterious. Great review, SA!
Thanks so much, Ciara!
DeleteThis book sounds interesting! I like to hear about MG books where the parents are integrated into the story.
ReplyDeleteMagic and mystery is enough for me!!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds fantastic! I've just started working on my own middle grade novel, and I'm always looking for good books to add to my TBR list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on beginning a MG novel! They are so much fun to write; at least I think so. I have the first book in my MG series half written, but I had to put it on hold because of the activity with my YA novel. I'm excited to get back to it!
DeleteThanks everyone! I'd love to hear from those who read The Circle. And, thanks again Sheri :)
ReplyDeleteCindy Cipriano
cindy@cindycipriano.com
You're very welcome! It was a pleasure. :)
DeleteMiddle Grade ROCKS!