 | Today's featured book is the Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard... you are in for an adventure! Title: Ghost Leopard (Zoe and Zak Series, Book #1) Authors: Lars Guignard Publication Date: July 21, 2012 Publisher: Fantastic Press Pages: 338 Recommended Age: 8+ |
Written from the perspective of Zoe, an 11 year old girl, the book begins with a bang. Caught up in the overwhelming sights and sounds of India, she arrives at her hotel ready for an adventure. Unfortunately, her mother's work interferes with her plans, and she must find a way to entertain herself for awhile. Joined by a school friend, the slightly annoying and greatly impulsive Zak, these two embark on a journey that puts them in the middle of magic, mythology, and imminent danger. An adventure bigger than she could ever imagine.
I was immediately drawn in. The author captured the voice of a young girl perfectly. So perfectly in fact, that I literally felt like I was the one in the story... and could see my own daughter acting or thinking this way. Throw in the development of Zak, and their imposing antagonist "Rhino Butt," and you have wonderful character development. It was a joy watching Zoe & Zak's partnership of necessity turn into a dynamic duo. True to themselves, each character had their own voice, set of skills, and shortfalls. It was a delight watching them work together and overcome their differences.
In addition to the story, I really appreciated how the author blended in history about India, the culture, religion, dress, locations. I finished the book knowing more about it, and didn't feel as if I was learning.
This is a story that leaves an impact in so many ways. This is a book that does not disappoint. I am looking forward to the sequel.
5 Stars!
Summary (Amazon):
Zoe and Zak are lost in exotic India, where gods and magic still exist. Before they can find their way home, they just have to do one little thing… …Save a mythical creature from an ancient evil that wants to rule the world. When Zoe Guire goes along on her mom’s business trip to India, things get very weird, very quickly. An elephant god speaks to her from the bottom of a swimming pool… She and her classmate Zak get locked in a trunk and shipped off to a strange city near the foothills of the Himalayas… and a crazy snake charmer tells them they’ve been chosen to protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard from an ancient evil that wants to take over the world. As they travel deeper into the majestic mountains known as the Realm of the Gods, things get even weirder. If she and Zak want to make it back to their parents, they’re going to have to tap into powers they never knew existed. Because if they don’t, things will never be the same for any of us ever again.
Purchase
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The Buzz
"Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. " ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon
"This was a fun read. This book was like a kid's version of Indiana Jones. It's also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read. " ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon
"I'm sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35 year old loved this book! It had action, adventure and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of." ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon
About The Author: Lars Guignard
Lars Guignard[/caption] Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range. For news about new releases, please join his email list here: http://www.larsguignard.com/contact/ Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Ask Lars Guignard a Question on Goodreads
Fantastic Press is pleased to announce that Lars Guignard will be answering questions about Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard throughout the day on Monday, December 16th, 2013 on Goodreads. If you have any questions for Lars or just want to introduce yourself, you can head on over to Goodreads and say hello now. Also, everyone who joins the Forum will earn an entry into the Ghost Leopard Blog Tour giveaway (see below for more details).Click on the Goodreads Button below to go to the Mon, Dec 16 - "Ask Lars Guignard about Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard" event and leave a question for the author anytime from now until December 16th, 2013.
The Ghost Leopard Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
November 15Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
November 16Brooke Blogs (Author Interview)
November 18Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review)
November 19Black Words - White Pages Kids (Review)
Fantasy Fun With Kirsten Pulioff (Review)
November 20For the Love of Books (Review)
Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)
November 21Fiona Ingram (Author Interview & Review)
November 22 November 24When I Grow Up, I Wanna Write a Kid's Book (Review)
November 25Bibliothecary Prescriptions (Review)
November 26 November 27We are the DinoFamily (Review)
Sher A. Hart: Written Art (Review)
November 28The World of ContestPatti (Review)
November 29 December 1Every Free Chance Book Reviews (Review)
December 2 December 3 December 4 December 5Geo Librarian (Author Interview)
December 7 December 10 December 11Cheryl Carpinello's Writing Pages (Author Interview)
December 12 December 13 December 14Dalene's Book Reviews (Review)
** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 2 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Yogi's Curse" coming December 15, 2013. **
* Ghost Leopard Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: Three winners will receive a print (U.S. & Canada) or electronic (international winners) copy of Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard. Contest runs: November 15 to December 17, 11:59 pm, 2013 Open: Worldwide How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway 
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