Masters of the Thread
Woven...I've been waiting for you. I read this story pre-release (cause I'm special) and it is wonderful. I don't say something is wonderful lightly. I am a Plot Nazis. There are so few stories on this earth whose plots I wouldn't want to tweak. It's my greatest flaw as a reader.
So, as I read Woven, I was pleased. The story had all the elements I'm looking for in a good book.
Characters- love Nels, He's a real humble, noble hero.
Relationship dynamics- Nels and Princess Tyra have great chemistry; their cat and mouse game of love never feels contrived.
Setting- love the fantasy world of castles and kingdoms. I mean, I still prefer to live in a Hobbit Hole, but I will happily vacation in Cobblestown.
And then my brain turned to the plot. As I was reading, there was just one tiny thing (not giving away spoilers...sorry!) that I put in my mental check list as a negative in the story line. I thought, No!!! This happening ruins the love angle...unrequited love is never good. It's like having a Tootsie Roll when you want chocolate. People try to convince you it's satisfying, but really, it's not.
But then...like the master word weavers these fellas are, they took that bitty tear in the perfect story, put a slip knot around it, and pulled that puppy tight. At that moment, I had to pause and admit- these guys are the masters of the story thread.
Well done guys, well done.
Now, I know you'll want to buy this book...perhaps get several for all your peeps, because this story is perfect for all ages...and I have the perfect way to bring them home!
It's a No-Sew Book Bag!
David and Michael might be masters of the thread, but not me. I've been known to hot glue a hemline rather than handle a needle. I'm just NOT crafty. But, I saw a tee-shirt bag on Pinterest and thought- I can manage that! And I did:
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| One old tee shirt |
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| Cut both sides of the hem |
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| Cut off the sleeves and set aside |
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| Cut out the collar |
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| Cut the sleeve |
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| Turn shirt inside out and tie the "ribbons" you cut at the bottom |
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| Turn the shirt right side out, use the cut sleeves to tie up the handles at the top. Viola- you have a new book bag! Great way to re-purpose an old shirt. (And no, I'm not showing a photo of the one on Pinterest...just assume mine is as awesome as the pro-crafter chicks!) |
WOVEN by Michael Jensen and David Powers King, published by Scholastic
Two unlikely allies must journey across a kingdom in the
hopes of thwarting death itself.
All his life, Nels has wanted to be a knight of thekingdom of Avërand
But that was before Nels died, murdered outside his home by a mysterious figure.
Now the young hero has awoken as a ghost, invisible to all around him save one person—his only hope for understanding what happened to him—the kingdom’s heir, Princess Tyra. At first the spoiled royal wants nothing to do with Nels, but as the mystery of his death unravels, the two find themselves linked by a secret, and an enemy who could be hiding behind any face.
Nels and Tyra have no choice but to abscond from the castle, charting a hidden world of tangled magic and forlorn phantoms. They must seek out an ancient needle with the power to mend what has been torn, and they have to move fast. Because soon Nels will disappear forever.
All his life, Nels has wanted to be a knight of the
But that was before Nels died, murdered outside his home by a mysterious figure.
Now the young hero has awoken as a ghost, invisible to all around him save one person—his only hope for understanding what happened to him—the kingdom’s heir, Princess Tyra. At first the spoiled royal wants nothing to do with Nels, but as the mystery of his death unravels, the two find themselves linked by a secret, and an enemy who could be hiding behind any face.
Nels and Tyra have no choice but to abscond from the castle, charting a hidden world of tangled magic and forlorn phantoms. They must seek out an ancient needle with the power to mend what has been torn, and they have to move fast. Because soon Nels will disappear forever.
Available now wherever books are sold!
About the Authors:
Michael Jensen is
a graduate of
Photo credit: Michael Schoenfeld
Links:
David Powers King
was born in beautiful downtown
Photo credit: Katie Pyne Rasmussen
Links:
Praise for Woven:
"It’s
not often that you read a fantasy that feels as epic and original as Woven
by King and Jensen. Clever, well-paced, and full of intrigue, it’s a superb
read. Highly recommended."
— James
Dashner, author of The Maze Runner
"WOVEN
reads like a lost classic that was somehow just rediscovered. It has the feel
of a comfortable, familiar blanket that's somehow been newly-made of the
brightest, most original material possible, and it is pure pleasure to
read."
— James A. Owen, author & illustrator
of Here, There Be Dragons
"The
worldbuilding is dynamic, original and intriguing … and the characters,
appealing. A sure bet for high-fantasy fans." — Kirkus
Reviews
"This
brisk adventure from first-time authors Jensen and King is a charming quest
tale in classic fantasy tradition." — Publisher’s
Weekly
Rafflecopper Giveaway
Link (One of 5 copies of Woven – signed by both authors):
Do you have that same sense of wanting to tweak the storyline when it comes to the all-time classics? How would you improve To Kill a Mockingbird? Pride and Prejudice? Harry Potter?
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Well done to David and Michael for writing an untweakworthy novel :-)
ReplyDeleteNoah that sounds like some book! And I LOVE the cover... it's beautiful. Oh and well done of the book bag. Very cool :D x
ReplyDeleteDavid and Michael will be really pleased with your review!
ReplyDeleteEven with no sewing, that still might be too complicated for me.
I'm ordering it for my classroom!
ReplyDelete(I can suggest more things to do with any Eagles paraphernalia...growing up as a Cowboys fan...never liked 'em to begin with...then they hired Michael Vick...and there was no coming back...just saying)
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading Woven! I've heard so many good things!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great one indeed and such awesome reviews to
ReplyDeleteThey do sound like masters of threading a story together. I'm going to enjoy this book!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to see Woven everywhere. :D
ReplyDeleteI have a few shirts I could try this out on...
ReplyDeleteThank you for having us on your site, Elizabeth! :)
Just heard this book is selling out everywhere! Congrats David and Michael. It's headed for the movies! I'm sure of it :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've had those moments wherein I'm articulating my 5-star Amazon review - with just one factor that could've made it even more stellar. Then, boom! They dragged me in and shook things up. Manipulative masters are the best, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteMuch success to David and Michael, and Michael's son (I saw him in a photo David posted on fb) is a cutie.
Nice having a book that appeals to all ages.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing Woven everywhere lately--good marketing on his part!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT review. Man, you did as good a job of "weaving" as they did in writing their story. Ok. I just might have to go and spend the nine bucks to read the book...oh, and, I LOVE that idea of the no sew bag. I have so many t shirts I don't use. Also, does it stretch much when in use?
ReplyDeleteIngenious bag. David and Michael are making waves! Or making "weaves"? :)
ReplyDeleteA creative way to handle a t-shirt. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a book I intend to read. Nice job with the review.
Big congrats to Michael and David.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
You are a crafty one Liz and let no one tell you different. That bag is genius. David and Mike are blowing up on the internet and I'm sure Woven is an amazing book.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks amazing and I want to stop what I'm doing and read it so bad--I do intend on buying and reading it.
ReplyDelete