Lord of Monsters, by John Claude Bemis, for MMGM

Many of you will remember my spotlight on John’s first book in this series, Out of Abaton: the Wooden Prince. It came at a particularly challenging time for me, and provided exactly the kind of richly metaphorical read I needed. Reading Lord of Monsters provided me a similar escape this past week, but for totally different reasons. I have very cool writing news in the works, which has had me super preoccupied, and won’t be resolved for another week! When sitting on all that’s happening became too much for me, I slipped into my daughter’s room and persuaded her to loan me her newly signed copy of Lord of Monsters.

Rianna and John at Lord of Monsters Launch June 2017

What’s amazing about these Bemis’s storytelling and these two books and the circumstances in which I read them is the level of transport possible. I wouldn’t, personally, label them super ‘voice’ heavy. Lord of Monsters is told in both Lazuli and Pinochio’s povs, and the story-telling serves the adventure rather than the other way around. However, the world building, sense of adventure, and glorious wonder that suffuses both books sweeps the reader along no matter what else demands their attention. Or, so it is for me, and for that I’m grateful!

In this second book we pick up with Pinochio and Lazuli at the Moonlit Court, in Abaton, the fabled land of magic and peace. However, there are mysterious workings afoot from the beginning, and adventure quickly finds them when a dreaded manticore attacks in the middle of a fancy banquet in the gardens. The beast has escaped a prison which was established centuries before, and she’s only the first to come calling. Pinochio must travel to the source of the problem and but a stop to the prison escapes, and Lazuli will have to come with him because of a small snag he’s experiencing–whenever he uses his magic, part of him turns to wood once again. There is nothing Pinochio fears so much as losing his humanity and becoming an automata again, so the dangerous path they are on is doubly dangerous for him.

Let’s see what Apricot-kitty thought of it:

Apricot Headshot opinion looking down“I liked the twists and turns among the people. Friend. Enemy. These folks didn’t seem to know which was which, and had to reconsider every time they turned around. Very like cats, that. You never know if someone’s going to give you a lick or rip off your whiskers.”

Um, yeah. I think every friend-to-a-cat  has been on the receiving end of that!

I don’t plan to post on July 3rd, because I plan to take a family weekend for the Fourth, so according to my very lazy every-other-week summer schedule, I will see you all the following week, July 10th. Hopefully with news. 😉

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, spotlights, interviews and giveaways, stop by Shannon Messenger’s blog, and happy reading!

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8 Comments

  1. Reply

    Ooh, can’t wait to hear your writer news. Already excited for you. Glad you found this fantastic-sounding story to keep your mind occupied. Awesome that your daughter and you love the same books.

    • Reply

      Thank you, Natalie! I can’t wait to share. 🙂 I feel super lucky that my daughter may still my clothes, but I can steal her books. 😉

  2. Reply

    Sounds like a book I must read. I’ve added it to my growing TBR list. I’ll be anxiously awaiting more about your little teaser of writer news.

    • Reply

      I hope you do, Greg, though this is one where you really should start with the first book. Way too many spoilers, otherwise, and the first book is also very worth the read!

      Thanks for being patient with my teaser! 😀

  3. Reply

    I’m looking forward to hearing your news! This sounds like a great book to escape into — total fantasy. Can’t think of a better thing to do when you need a break!

  4. Reply

    Writer news is so exciting that even a teaser of news in the works thrills us all. Can’t wait to hear it!

    And I know I still need to read the first book in this series. Glad to hear the second book is just as compelling. Love what Apricot Kitty has to say.

    • Reply

      Thanks for cheering, Joanne! You know I’m cheering for you, too. 😀 Whenever you get to the Abaton books, they will be worth your time!

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