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Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island
'Twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren must face his fears to save his family from the ancient evil curse haunting Roanoke Island, stopping it before it destroys him.'
In 1587,121 colonists disappeared without a trace from Roanoke Island, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.
Life on Roanoke Island, North Carolina isn’t what twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren expected. Not only does Dad treat him like a baby, but Dad also blames him for his little sister’s accident. And to top it off, no one at school wants to get to know the new kid who lives in the ‘haunted house’. Could things get any worse?
Jack’s about to find out it can. Inside a mysterious cave on the bluff next to Jack’s new home, a terrifying evil awaits—the very demon from the malevolent curse surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the Lost Colony. Now, it’s up to Jack to unravel the four-hundred year-old mystery and save his family from the devil tormenting his island. With the help of an elusive Giant Mastiff and new-found friend, Manny, a Native American healer, Jack must discover what this monster is and find a way to put an end to its eternal hatred. But can he defeat it, before it destroys him?
In 1587,121 colonists disappeared without a trace from Roanoke Island, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.
Life on Roanoke Island, North Carolina isn’t what twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren expected. Not only does Dad treat him like a baby, but Dad also blames him for his little sister’s accident. And to top it off, no one at school wants to get to know the new kid who lives in the ‘haunted house’. Could things get any worse?
Jack’s about to find out it can. Inside a mysterious cave on the bluff next to Jack’s new home, a terrifying evil awaits—the very demon from the malevolent curse surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the Lost Colony. Now, it’s up to Jack to unravel the four-hundred year-old mystery and save his family from the devil tormenting his island. With the help of an elusive Giant Mastiff and new-found friend, Manny, a Native American healer, Jack must discover what this monster is and find a way to put an end to its eternal hatred. But can he defeat it, before it destroys him?
- GenresMystery
ebook
First published September 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
C.K. Volnek
3 books32 followersI grew up in Nebraska, enjoying life in small town USA; riding horses in summer and sledding the ginormous hills in winter. I am married to my best friend and together we have three children and four Papillon fur-kids. Yes, four. What can I say...Papillons are like potato chips, you can’t stop at one. I like to write, hike, watch movies, and dream about the ‘what ifs’ in life, thus spawning the many stories my muse wants to share. I am both proud and humbled to announce my first three tween novels coming out through MuseItUp Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2011
Jack has a problem. He believes his father blames him for his little sister's life-threatening injury and he feels responsible. That's quite a load to put on a 13-year-old. When he sees the mastiff following a big storm, he desperately wants to keep the dog. He wants to have something to love when he feels like he's an outcast in his own family.
By the title, we know that the dog is a ghost dog. Jack doesn't know that until he meets Manny, a Native American shaman who knows things that Jack slowly discovers, the worst being the Witiku, a legendary monster on Roanoke Island that comes out following big storms. Unlike the ghost dog, Witiku is far too real, almost killing Jack who only escapes with the help of the dog and another ghost, a boy of his own age.
The story follows Jack through many revelations that keep him off-balance, but also lead him to realizing he's not worthless, but essential to the battle that Manny is waging against the Witiku.
Easily and naturally, C.K. Volnek reveals the history of the island and its lost colony and reveals just how the colony was lost--victims of the Witiku conjured by a shaman hundreds of years before.
Okay, carefully avoiding spoilers, I'll give this YA paranormal book thumbs up on readability and keeping you on the edge of your seat. That Witiku is one scary monster!
By the title, we know that the dog is a ghost dog. Jack doesn't know that until he meets Manny, a Native American shaman who knows things that Jack slowly discovers, the worst being the Witiku, a legendary monster on Roanoke Island that comes out following big storms. Unlike the ghost dog, Witiku is far too real, almost killing Jack who only escapes with the help of the dog and another ghost, a boy of his own age.
The story follows Jack through many revelations that keep him off-balance, but also lead him to realizing he's not worthless, but essential to the battle that Manny is waging against the Witiku.
Easily and naturally, C.K. Volnek reveals the history of the island and its lost colony and reveals just how the colony was lost--victims of the Witiku conjured by a shaman hundreds of years before.
Okay, carefully avoiding spoilers, I'll give this YA paranormal book thumbs up on readability and keeping you on the edge of your seat. That Witiku is one scary monster!
November 9, 2011
Excellent weaving of present and past! I have always wanted to read about the "Lost Colony of Roanoke" but of course the Author had no way of knowing this, LOL. I was so glad to have had the opportunity to read this and even more glad that I enjoyed it so much!
The character development was excellent. I loved Jack, what an amazing and brave kid! The scene description was also excellent. I could picture very clearly every tree in the woods, the house, and especially the "monster", but what thrilled me the most was the historical part of this book. She did a great job of taking us back to that early colony and really gave you the feeling of what it must have been like for them.
This book was riveting. I was on the edge of my seat on every page. I was even scared in parts! Oh my goodness this would make a great movie! This was written for young readers (I think middle school) but I enjoyed it very much, certainly enough to keep my attention all through.
"The Secret of the Stones" (A Merlin-loving tween is thrust into magic mayhem when the gift he’s been entrusted to protect turns out to be the enchanted object detailed in a mysterious prophecy.) is a new book she has coming up in 2012 and I am certain I will be reading this one too! I can't wait.
The character development was excellent. I loved Jack, what an amazing and brave kid! The scene description was also excellent. I could picture very clearly every tree in the woods, the house, and especially the "monster", but what thrilled me the most was the historical part of this book. She did a great job of taking us back to that early colony and really gave you the feeling of what it must have been like for them.
This book was riveting. I was on the edge of my seat on every page. I was even scared in parts! Oh my goodness this would make a great movie! This was written for young readers (I think middle school) but I enjoyed it very much, certainly enough to keep my attention all through.
"The Secret of the Stones" (A Merlin-loving tween is thrust into magic mayhem when the gift he’s been entrusted to protect turns out to be the enchanted object detailed in a mysterious prophecy.) is a new book she has coming up in 2012 and I am certain I will be reading this one too! I can't wait.
August 16, 2012
The Lost Colony is a centuries old unsolved mystery involving colonists who settled on Roanoke Island and then disappeared with barely a trace. Into this mystery, author C.K. Volnek has woven a story that seeks to provide a possible answer for what happened to Virginia Dare and the rest of the colonists. Rich in detail and filled with Native American mysticism, this story will captivate readers from start to finish. Crammed with adventure, middle grade readers will enjoy following Jack along his journey to unravel the mystery and halt a beast bent on revenge.
What I feel Volnek did a superb job with is keeping the tension level high. There weren’t a lot of valleys in this story. With numerous storms, the fractured relationship between Jack and his father, and the suspense of the mystery, readers will be on the edge of their seats most of the time.
The Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island is middle grade ghost story worth every penny. The adventure, mystery and historical elements blend together to create an excellent read.
What I feel Volnek did a superb job with is keeping the tension level high. There weren’t a lot of valleys in this story. With numerous storms, the fractured relationship between Jack and his father, and the suspense of the mystery, readers will be on the edge of their seats most of the time.
The Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island is middle grade ghost story worth every penny. The adventure, mystery and historical elements blend together to create an excellent read.
March 30, 2013
I thought C.K. Volnek did a great job blending the facts of Roanoke Island with a great mystery from the past and placing it into the present. Twelve-year-old Jack isn't happy to be living on Roanoke Island and away from his friends in Ohio. He feels responsible for his little sister's accident and he feels his father's anger that he can't do anything right. But when told he was the only person who could solve the four century old mystery and rid the island of a monster, Jack doesn't hesitate. Even with a hurricane coming he will try or die for his sister, his father and for himself.
I support Independent book stores - please use this link to find a store near you or to buy GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978061...
I support Independent book stores - please use this link to find a store near you or to buy GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978061...
October 23, 2011
A ghost dog. An American Indian. The vanished colonists of Roanoke Island. And a boy afraid of disappointing his father who uncovers all their secrets. Who could ask for anything more?
This is an entertaining and educational book. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I'm not sure whether or not it might be a tiny bit slow for its intended middle-grade audience. Today's kids seem to expect a television formula for their reading.
But as I said, I enjoyed the book despite not being much into the supernatural. The writing is good, the plot has unexpected twists, and the author has obviously done the research.
All in all, a nice story.
This is an entertaining and educational book. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I'm not sure whether or not it might be a tiny bit slow for its intended middle-grade audience. Today's kids seem to expect a television formula for their reading.
But as I said, I enjoyed the book despite not being much into the supernatural. The writing is good, the plot has unexpected twists, and the author has obviously done the research.
All in all, a nice story.
February 5, 2012
This is a good nook for upper elementary grades
I think boys or girls would like this book. I think it would great to have your class read it together. this book will appeal to kids if they like history and or time travel.
My 9 year old is going to read it next!
I think boys or girls would like this book. I think it would great to have your class read it together. this book will appeal to kids if they like history and or time travel.
My 9 year old is going to read it next!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews