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Zachary Pill Dragon Magic: Book 1
Getting beat up by three boys is bad enough, but when a swarm of bats invade his Boston apartment and his father disappears, Zachary Pill's world spins out of control. After being forced to move to New Hampshire, he soon learns that cleaning Madame Kloochie's filthy house is the least of his problems. When the evil wizard Krage sends monsters to find him, Zachary has to find a way to defend himself and and his friends...and so begins his journey into the dangerous world of his family's magic.
- GenresFantasy
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Tim Greaton
28 books151 followersI live in Maine with my beautiful wife and three amazing children. We share seven acres with one dog, two cats and a population of ducks that varies with the weather. I'm is a full-time corporate writer and novelist. My fiction and nonfiction have appeared in forums all around the globe. You can find my novels in paperback and ebook formats at all quality book retailers.
Though I'm sometimes referred to as "Maine's Other Author" (TM), I prefer just Tim.
Though I'm sometimes referred to as "Maine's Other Author" (TM), I prefer just Tim.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2021
Who Knows Magic?
Zachary Pill is in a fight at school and ends up in A hospital.
That's just the beginning of his problems!
He'ds soon being driven to live somewhere he hates, awaiting word about how his dad and uncle are fairing on their quest...
One amazing story about a young teenager who has no knowledge of magic, but suddenly finds himself surrounded by it.
Part one of a 3-book series and a most enjoyable introduction to the world and life of Zachary Pill
Zachary Pill is in a fight at school and ends up in A hospital.
That's just the beginning of his problems!
He'ds soon being driven to live somewhere he hates, awaiting word about how his dad and uncle are fairing on their quest...
One amazing story about a young teenager who has no knowledge of magic, but suddenly finds himself surrounded by it.
Part one of a 3-book series and a most enjoyable introduction to the world and life of Zachary Pill
March 12, 2016
Well Plotted, Brisk, Suspenseful, Imaginative and Surprisingly Funny
There are lots of books out there that feature a kid who's different who finds out he has magical abilities and then learns he is being hunted by a villain and has to figure out how to survive, fight back, and save some family member. I'm good with that.
Here's what I ask - The magical world has to be coherent but not overly complicated. The magical world has to have at least some clever and imaginative unique aspects, but it shouldn't be so busy, precious or twee that the world building and the scene setting overwhelm the story. For middle graders I like a straightforward threat and quest and adventure, not some twisted or creepy psychological thriller. If you're with me so far, rest assured that this book meets all of those requirements.
But of course, since you're going to spend some time reading the book I at least also want some agreeable companions, a few thrills, some suspense, and a few chuckles. Again, if anything, that is this book's strongest suit. Our hero Zach is smart and independent but also confused and vulnerable. He's a decent kid in a tough spot who's putting things together as best he can. Fine. As this book develops, (it's the first of three), he gathers a posse of friends and allies, and encounters some enemeies. He runs across a lot of supporting characters. The friends have been well thought out, complement Zach's strengths and weaknesses, and add a lot to the story themselves. The villains are more stock, but that's O.K.. The secondary characters really shine, and there are at least a half-dozen who are interesting enough, funny enough, or just odd enough to deserve much more page time.
All of this is good. The pacing is brisk but not headlong. Descriptions are adequate but not excessive. The hero has to be confused but not the reader, and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader up to speed and in the know on what's going on without throwing down loads of exposition. There are some very funny set pieces, a lot of snappy dialogue, a few surprisingly touching moments and some actually suspenseful action bits.
So, I count this as a happy find for a younger reader just getting into this style of magical adventure, and a nice addition to the shelf. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
There are lots of books out there that feature a kid who's different who finds out he has magical abilities and then learns he is being hunted by a villain and has to figure out how to survive, fight back, and save some family member. I'm good with that.
Here's what I ask - The magical world has to be coherent but not overly complicated. The magical world has to have at least some clever and imaginative unique aspects, but it shouldn't be so busy, precious or twee that the world building and the scene setting overwhelm the story. For middle graders I like a straightforward threat and quest and adventure, not some twisted or creepy psychological thriller. If you're with me so far, rest assured that this book meets all of those requirements.
But of course, since you're going to spend some time reading the book I at least also want some agreeable companions, a few thrills, some suspense, and a few chuckles. Again, if anything, that is this book's strongest suit. Our hero Zach is smart and independent but also confused and vulnerable. He's a decent kid in a tough spot who's putting things together as best he can. Fine. As this book develops, (it's the first of three), he gathers a posse of friends and allies, and encounters some enemeies. He runs across a lot of supporting characters. The friends have been well thought out, complement Zach's strengths and weaknesses, and add a lot to the story themselves. The villains are more stock, but that's O.K.. The secondary characters really shine, and there are at least a half-dozen who are interesting enough, funny enough, or just odd enough to deserve much more page time.
All of this is good. The pacing is brisk but not headlong. Descriptions are adequate but not excessive. The hero has to be confused but not the reader, and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader up to speed and in the know on what's going on without throwing down loads of exposition. There are some very funny set pieces, a lot of snappy dialogue, a few surprisingly touching moments and some actually suspenseful action bits.
So, I count this as a happy find for a younger reader just getting into this style of magical adventure, and a nice addition to the shelf. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
March 12, 2016
Well Plotted, Brisk, Suspenseful, Imaginative and Surprisingly Funny
There are lots of books out there that feature a kid who's different who finds out he has magical abilities and then learns he is being hunted by a villain and has to figure out how to survive, fight back, and save some family member. I'm good with that.
Here's what I ask - The magical world has to be coherent but not overly complicated. The magical world has to have at least some clever and imaginative unique aspects, but it shouldn't be so busy, precious or twee that the world building and the scene setting overwhelm the story. For middle graders I like a straightforward threat and quest and adventure, not some twisted or creepy psychological thriller. If you're with me so far, rest assured that this book meets all of those requirements.
But of course, since you're going to spend some time reading the book I at least also want some agreeable companions, a few thrills, some suspense, and a few chuckles. Again, if anything, that is this book's strongest suit. Our hero Zach is smart and independent but also confused and vulnerable. He's a decent kid in a tough spot who's putting things together as best he can. Fine. As this book develops, (it's the first of three), he gathers a posse of friends and allies, and encounters some enemeies. He runs across a lot of supporting characters. The friends have been well thought out, complement Zach's strengths and weaknesses, and add a lot to the story themselves. The villains are more stock, but that's O.K.. The secondary characters really shine, and there are at least a half-dozen who are interesting enough, funny enough, or just odd enough to deserve much more page time.
All of this is good. The pacing is brisk but not headlong. Descriptions are adequate but not excessive. The hero has to be confused but not the reader, and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader up to speed and in the know on what's going on without throwing down loads of exposition. There are some very funny set pieces, a lot of snappy dialogue, a few surprisingly touching moments and some actually suspenseful action bits.
So, I count this as a happy find for a younger reader just getting into this style of magical adventure, and a nice addition to the shelf. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
There are lots of books out there that feature a kid who's different who finds out he has magical abilities and then learns he is being hunted by a villain and has to figure out how to survive, fight back, and save some family member. I'm good with that.
Here's what I ask - The magical world has to be coherent but not overly complicated. The magical world has to have at least some clever and imaginative unique aspects, but it shouldn't be so busy, precious or twee that the world building and the scene setting overwhelm the story. For middle graders I like a straightforward threat and quest and adventure, not some twisted or creepy psychological thriller. If you're with me so far, rest assured that this book meets all of those requirements.
But of course, since you're going to spend some time reading the book I at least also want some agreeable companions, a few thrills, some suspense, and a few chuckles. Again, if anything, that is this book's strongest suit. Our hero Zach is smart and independent but also confused and vulnerable. He's a decent kid in a tough spot who's putting things together as best he can. Fine. As this book develops, (it's the first of three), he gathers a posse of friends and allies, and encounters some enemeies. He runs across a lot of supporting characters. The friends have been well thought out, complement Zach's strengths and weaknesses, and add a lot to the story themselves. The villains are more stock, but that's O.K.. The secondary characters really shine, and there are at least a half-dozen who are interesting enough, funny enough, or just odd enough to deserve much more page time.
All of this is good. The pacing is brisk but not headlong. Descriptions are adequate but not excessive. The hero has to be confused but not the reader, and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader up to speed and in the know on what's going on without throwing down loads of exposition. There are some very funny set pieces, a lot of snappy dialogue, a few surprisingly touching moments and some actually suspenseful action bits.
So, I count this as a happy find for a younger reader just getting into this style of magical adventure, and a nice addition to the shelf. (Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
February 7, 2013
I really want to give this book 3 1/2 or 4 stars because the story is great and I liked the characters some of whom are wonderfully bizarre. Also I think most any MG boy would enjoy it.
But... The main character Zachary is supposed to 14. He seems more like a 12 year old to me. But that's minor and not all that bothersome. What is bothersome are the number of sentences beginning with a dependent clause.
Examples in the prologue:
Though he was temporarily blinded from the flash, Zachary heard the bat fall in a wet thump on the hallway floor not far from him.
Ashamed to be leaving his father alone with the bats but not having a choice, Zachary groped along the door and forced his trembling fingers to turn the lock.
This is the first sentence of chapter one:
Wishing that magic really did exist, Zachary Pill kept smashing the Billy Timkin voodoo doll he had made from a white hand towel until its blue toothpaste eyes and mouth were smudged beyond recognition.
A few paragraphs later:
Disgusted, Zachary ran a wet comb through his offensive hair and managed to push a few stray cowlicks back where they belonged.
These kinds of sentences are so prevalent that I got bored reading. I doubt it would be a problem for kids, but as an adult it was a bit frustrating. Which is too bad because like I said, it's a great fast paced, magic filled, weird and wonderful story.
But... The main character Zachary is supposed to 14. He seems more like a 12 year old to me. But that's minor and not all that bothersome. What is bothersome are the number of sentences beginning with a dependent clause.
Examples in the prologue:
Though he was temporarily blinded from the flash, Zachary heard the bat fall in a wet thump on the hallway floor not far from him.
Ashamed to be leaving his father alone with the bats but not having a choice, Zachary groped along the door and forced his trembling fingers to turn the lock.
This is the first sentence of chapter one:
Wishing that magic really did exist, Zachary Pill kept smashing the Billy Timkin voodoo doll he had made from a white hand towel until its blue toothpaste eyes and mouth were smudged beyond recognition.
A few paragraphs later:
Disgusted, Zachary ran a wet comb through his offensive hair and managed to push a few stray cowlicks back where they belonged.
These kinds of sentences are so prevalent that I got bored reading. I doubt it would be a problem for kids, but as an adult it was a bit frustrating. Which is too bad because like I said, it's a great fast paced, magic filled, weird and wonderful story.
September 30, 2014
The only reason I gave this 3 stars instead of 4 or even 5 is that the book had no ending. Nothing was resolved. We'd just barely gotten to meet all the characters and get a glimpse of the plot. I think the tactic was to offer the first half of the story cheap or as a free download, end it on a cliff hanger, then charge more for the next installment. Very unsatisfying. I'm not buying the next installment because for all I know, it will end the same way and I'll feel cheated.
That said, I liked Zachary, and I loved the imagination that went into the story. I was just beginning to see the reasons for the odd characters and really start to like them when the book cut off. I think the writing was well done. It's a fast read.
But with the ending, I really can't recommend it.
That said, I liked Zachary, and I loved the imagination that went into the story. I was just beginning to see the reasons for the odd characters and really start to like them when the book cut off. I think the writing was well done. It's a fast read.
But with the ending, I really can't recommend it.
March 8, 2014
Zachary has green hair and a seemingly cowardly father. But when Zachary gets in a fight in school and his arm is broken, things change. His dad rushes him to a different state to see a special doctor, refusing to let him go to a normal hospital or go near plants. More strange events occur and Zachary realizes his family is in danger.
It was an okay book. The story was interesting, but not that well written. The idea was intriguing, but a lot of questions are raised that aren't answered and though it is a series book, it doesn't seem like a story was told in the first book. It seemed to cut off mid-thought.
It was an okay book. The story was interesting, but not that well written. The idea was intriguing, but a lot of questions are raised that aren't answered and though it is a series book, it doesn't seem like a story was told in the first book. It seemed to cut off mid-thought.
January 18, 2013
Young adult fantasy isn't a huge interest to me, but I greatly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Greaton's (Maine's other Author) characters. Madame Koochie with her jelly-filled donuts is a hoot!
I'm working through the next in the series now.
I'm working through the next in the series now.
March 21, 2014
It was a fun book until it just ended. It literally feels like this is the first half of a book, and it was torn in half without any thought over making it feel finished or complete in any way. This is not the way to make a series, it's disrespectful to the reader.
April 3, 2017
Short but well written.
August 15, 2013
I thought this book was interesting. Madame Klootchie is a nut.
March 31, 2012
Great first novel just easing into the second this evening.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews