Jason King And Jon Grundvig's "Thomas Destiny"...A Book Review

When the main character of a middle grade story is named Thomas Destiny, you might think the story will be about something bigger than the normal day-to-day dealings of a jr. high school student. And when you throw in cover art by the supremely talented Carter Reid, you know the pages will contain monsters, magic, unique characters, and a rip-roaring story.

And that's what King and Grundvig deliver.

Thomas Destiny is a great little book. It's a fast read and even though it's official genre is "middle grade," I think it's more relatable to Young Adult, or in the very least, Tween. The cover gives a good indication of the type of action you're going to see in this book. There's death and blood and inter-dimensional travel, betrayal and redemption.

Thomas is your average kid. His adventure begins on a scout campout. Unfortunately for Thomas (and the rest of the troop...), Thomas accidentally unleashes a demon that spreads devastation and death. Thomas, along with another surviving scout embarks on a journey which leads the pair to another dimension where they battle monsters, zombies, and other evil forces all bent on Thomas's destruction. The boy becomes a leader of a band of unusual characters--from a untruthful druid to a green globule being that speaks a language only the druid understands.

I don't know which author is responsible for which sections of the book, but I have read several of Jason King's stories. Much of the humor reminds me of Jason. If you know him, you know he's a very funny guy. But humor is only part of what makes Thomas Destiny such an enjoyable read. The fantasy elements are top-notch, as good as many fantasy series written for older readers. If you're interested in ordering either the digital copy or the hard copy of Thomas Destiny, you can access the Amazon page: HERE.

The by line to the title is, The FATE of the Cosmos couldn't be in LESS capable hands. It's a good summation of what you can expect. If you're up for a good fast read fantasy, give this one a shot.

Immortal Works...Is Looking For Voice Talent!

Last weekend I had a chance to sit down and chat with Jason King from Immortal Works Press. We talked about what it's like to launch a new publishing company, dealing with deadlines and authors and everything that goes into transforming an idea in a writer's mind to the finished product--a story for the masses.

One topic that came up--getting narrators for the crop of titles Immortal Works is releasing.

A huge thing that I feel sets Immortal Works apart from a lot of other publishers out there--especially small press publishers--is the company's goal to make everything they publish available in an audio version. Jason, like me, listens to a lot of books. It's a way to read/listen to stories we normally wouldn't be able to get to. I used to listen to a lot more books, but I'm trying to get back in the audiobook groove.

We are looking for voice talent! We've got a lot of books in the works (including my story, release date near the end of 2017...) and we need people to read these amazing stories.

If you're interested, contact the company. You can access the Immortal Works Contact website: HERE. Leave a message and who knows? You could be the voice of the next bestseller!

And, of course, if you've got a story, check out our submission guidelines and set us know. We want the world to read that incredible story that's been brewing in your brain for years.

And we also want to hear it, too!

Jason King's "Dream Breaker"...A Book Review

It's been a while since I posted a book review. I've trying to do some reading, but changing job duties, being in a couple of shows, and trying to edit a book have but a serious dent into my reading schedule. It's too bad, but as with many things in life--can't do everything, even when all those things are good things to do.

Thankfully Jason King came through and wrote a story perfect for my schedule. I didn't read it, but listened to it as an audiobook. It's perfect for me right now because it's less than an hour long.

Dream Breaker introduces an interesting concept, the ability for people to move in and out of different dimensions by entering a dream-like state. As it's explained in the story:

Dream breaking is the process of reaching through one's subconscious to that state of being between life and death.

There's dangers, of course, both physical and metaphysical. Some believe you can lose your very soul by tampering in this in between existence.

We meet Dareth and he becomes intoxicated by the world he finds by dream breaking. He's given an assignment--protect a high priest from assassins. Though the story is short, King pack a lot in the pages--a sign of a good writer. He more than adequately describes the world and it's magic systems in a way that's both understandable and believable. I would imagine there are more stories set to come forward from the world he's created--he's certainly set the stage for it. Seriously, it's less than an hour of your time and you can enjoy the story, too. 

I got my audiobook copy by becoming a subscriber of the Immortal Works Publishing mailing list. If you'd like to sign up, click: HERE and you too can enjoy Dream Breaker.

Hopefully, there'll be be other fine literary products coming from this new and exciting publishing house. If Dream Breakers is an indication of what's ahead, I look forward to what they produce next.

Jason King's "The Lure Of Fools"...A Book Review

There's something about reading a book when you personally know the author, and it's a little strange. Yesterday I finished Jason King's The Lure of Fools: The Age of the Infinite, Book I, and some of that strangeness returned.

I'm so glad I finally got to finish one of Jason's books. I've had one of his ebooks on my Kindle for several months. I still plan on reading it, but this was a real life, paper and ink copy (which I like so much better...).

The Lure of Fools starts us on a journey into a land of magic, alien species and waring factions. Jak (short for Jakaran...), a teenager is given charge over a magic sword. In this world--unless I totally misunderstood--many common items can contain magic. Magic weapons, however, are the most prized and most dangerous. In the beginning we don't know the extent of the sword's magical properties, but as it gets used, we find out quickly just how powerful it is. Jak finds himself in dangerous situations where not only his life, but the lives of others are on the line, and somehow the boy escapes. It's a testament to the author's imagination and storytelling that the perils are overcome in such a convincing way.

Equally impressive is King's introduction of several alien species. From a beast of burden to a reptilian race that humans despise, mostly because they're not understood, and ultimately to a people who lived before humans arrived, who humans hunted and almost destroyed completely, the complexity and uniqueness of each entity shines forth. 

I loved the magic system in this book. The magical items, and the people with magical abilities, were not all-powerful. They hold charges and when called upon some of that magical energy is expelled. The weapons, items, and people need to be re-charged in order to keep going and to function. With this in mind, the situations the characters find themselves become even more dire.

So, why was it weird reading a book written by someone I know? We get to know people a certain way. I know Jason from conventions. I know Convention Jason. He's a great guy, a talented guy. As I read his words, sometimes Writer Jason and Convention Jason are slightly different. 

Book II of the Age of the Infinite is out. I'd better get my hands on a copy. The first one just wasn't enough! Well done, Jason (both Writer and Convention...)!

Conduit 25...I've Been There And I Went Back Again

A few years ago I had no idea how many literary symposiums and conventions there were out there. Then I got a short story published and everything changed. Now, they seem to be all over the state. I'm sure the same could be said for Colorado, Arizona, Idaho and Nevada. If I wanted to, I could most likely attend a convention that benefits writers every weekend.

One of the conventions I had never heard of before last year was Conduit, a local science fiction and fantasy convention held in Utah each year. Last year's event was held in connection with the first ever FantasyCon so Conduit got lost in the mix. This year it was all by itself.

I was asked to participate on one panel, Geek Parenting. I love those kinds of panels. You're pretty sure what you're going to get from both the panelists and those there to listen to them. The panel was held in the strangest room for a panel that I've ever been in. It was right next to the swimming pool. Had someone been swimming during our discussion, we would not have been able to hear ourselves talk.

On our panel was me, Tom Carr (one of the very first people I ever met at a convention...) and John Olsen, fellow Xchyler writer. We had nine people attend, including two youths. We pointed out that those who brought their kids to the convention were on their way to successful Geek Parenting.

I saw fellow writer friends--Holli Anderson and Jason King pictured above--and even attended a panel on the latest Star Wars movie developments. I wish I could have stayed for other panels and to hear Sarah Seeley, Xchyler Author extraodinaire, when she gave a reading. 

When I attended my first convention I had no idea how they worked, what I was supposed to do or much of anything. Now after a couple of years, things have changed--and for the better. You might say, I'm now a "Professional."

Intoducing "POLAIK"...Up First: Jason King

One of the reasons I was so excited about last week's Salt Lake Comic Con FanX 2015 edition and next week's LTUE literary symposium was because of all the good friends I'd be able to see. And thinking about that, I decided to highlight each one of them in this blog. The purpose of this decision is two fold. First, I get to spotlight several very talented people which will hopefully spread their literary influence to more people.

And second, it allows me to fill up several blog posts--something I'm always looking to do.

This is the first of a series of posts that I call POLAIK, which stands for "Profiles Of Local Authors/Artists I Know." The first POLAIK person I've chosen is local author Jason King.

I first met Jason last year at the Salt Lake Comic Con FanX 2014 edition. He sat at the "Curiosity Quills" author table, him being one of their authors. I knew Curiosity Quills author, James Wymore (another POLAIK who I'll profile at a future date...) and at that convention I got to know Jason.

I'm so glad I did.

I should say at this point that I have not yet read the written works for several of these authors. Not that I don't want to, mind you. I think every author, as they find themselves learning the ropes from other authors, soon realize that it becomes very difficult to not only keep up with their own writing, but also reading the works of the new authors they've gotten to know.

Such is the case with Jason. He's a member of the Space Balrogs performing troupe (you can access their website: HERE) and he's published two major works, Valcoria: Children of the Crystal Star and The Lure of Fools (great titles...). 

I do plan on reading them, rest assured. So how can I possibly discuss an author without reading his/her work?

Good question.

Since I haven't read his books, I can tell you about what I do know about Jason. He's a great guy. Even after speaking for only a little while, I could tell the dude was quality, and his actions toward me since we first met has done nothing to change my opinion of him. He's invited me to be on convention panels with him, he's always accommodating, always a blast to be around, and--believe it or not--he can translate the language of dogs.

Hopefully as time goes on I can read his books and properly review them. Until them, I look forward to spending more time with him and the rest of the POLAIKs. If you get a chance to meet him, don't hesitate to introduce yourself and if you're lucky, he just might do a little canine translation for you.