Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: The Secret Prophecy by Herbie Brennan and ARC Giveaway

Today marks a first for me. The first time I get to post my thoughts about a book that has yet to be released! Don't tell my kids, but sometimes when you whine about something you actually get rewarded. And really I wasn't whining, but I mentioned in this post that I was jealous of other people who got to read and review ARCs. My new blogging buddy Joanne Fritz took pity and offered to send me an ARC she scored when working in the childrens' department of a book store and voila, now I am in the super-secret society of those who read ARCs. Well, probably not super-secret to anyone reading this blog, but I do feel a little special.

 

Title: The Secret Prophecy

Author: Herbie Brennan

Release Date: October 30, 2012

 

Book Description: (from Barnes and Noble)

 

Imagine your father has been found dead. Strange men armed with guns show up at his funeral. And those same men have begun to follow you. Now you're on the run.

 

When Edward Michael "Em" Goverton uncovers the key to a five-hundred-year-old deadly prediction by the prophet Nostradamus, personal tragedy morphs into international crisis. Soon Em finds himself enmeshed in a sinister web of shocking events where nothing is quite as it seems. Aided by Victor, a mysterious stranger, and Charlotte, a family friend, Em follows a trail of cryptic clues that leads the trio into a conspiracy of world-shattering proportions.

 

But the ominous forces behind the plot are not about to sit back and let their plans be ruined. Soon their net begins to close in on Em, and it's a race against the clock for the trio to finish what Em's father started—and prevent a catastrophe that threatens the lives of an entire generation. Bestselling author Herbie Brennan has crafted an edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs readers by the throat and won't let them go until they've reached the very last page.

Why it is Marvelous: Herbie Brennan has written a fast-paced thriller and I was absolutely entertained. The main character is a young teenager so there were a couple places where as an adult, I questioned his trusting nature, but overlooked them because 1) he is a young teenager in a tough situation, and 2) I was enjoying the ride and chose to move on. I also enjoyed the overseas setting and dialect, the travel between London and France, and reading "mum" in place of mom. The conflict the author created was unique enough to keep me wanting to find out more without being too implausible. Add a teenager trying to put the pieces of his life back together, while on the run and maybe having a little crush on the young teenage girl who is helping him, and this would definitely appeal to the target age group of 10 and up.

ARC giveaway: Although my son is 10 and in the target age group, I am holding off on passing this one onto him. So lucky for all of you who would like a chance to win my copy. Of course the book will be released by the time one of you gets it, but I'm sure that will not take away from the enjoyment of this action-packed adventure!

Just add a comment and a way to reach you (if you don't have an e-mail attached to your blog account) and I will announce the winner next Monday. Open to US and Canada residents only please.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM) was created by Shannon Messenger. To find other bloggers participating in MMGM go to her blog for a list of links.