Monday, October 29, 2012

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
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.






14 comments:

  1. Joanne's a sweetie. Glad she passed on an ARC to you. I loved Herbie Brennan's last series. This sounds good too. I'd love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't heard of this one, but it does sound like an interesting read. Awesome MMGM post!

    Orchid @ The Haunting of Orchid Forysthia
    hauntingorchid(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad you liked it, Julie. Thanks for the kind mention. Oh, and obviously, don't include me in the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh boy! Oh boy! This sounds like a must read.
    Thank you for a chance to win the ARC.

    Oh and welcome to the super-secret society of ARC readers. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like a winner. Thanks for the review and for running the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on getting an ARC! I can understand why you are so excited about it. This book sounds great and I would love to read it. Awesome review! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.
    ~Jess
    haightjess@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great review. Thanks for offering a giveaway! It sounds good.

    Also, I noticed you recently finished "Wonder". Me too. Great book! The multiple POV's threw me off at first, but I thought it worked well in the end.

    Jill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jill... Wonder is a great book and yes, I was thrown off by the first POV switch but in the end thought it made the story better. And I guess I need to update my sidebar b/c I read that a while ago! :-)

      Delete
  8. Pick me! Pick me! This sounds fun!

    And I have only owned one ARC, and it was only briefly. I gave it away on my blog, too, after reading it. Boo hoo!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds like a great fast-paced story. I'm one of those not in the secret club, either. So I'd love the chance to read an ARC. Otherwise I'll be watching for it in the library! :)

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the great review! This is the first I've heard about it and it sounds like an awesome book : )

    ame1184 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ooh an ARC - how fun! This book sounds like a good one too - fast paced and a compelling cover! Great review Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This book sounds amazing and the cover is beautiful!
    Happy Halloween!
    star_chaser76(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This does sound really good! I actually hadn't heard of it previously, but it is now on my to read list! Thanks for the heads up and thanks for the chance to win :0)

    sarah(at)thebooklife.com

    ReplyDelete