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The Templar Chronicles #1
Jack Templar, Monster Hunter
Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.
As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.
As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.
197 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2012
83 people are currently reading
1772 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Gunhus
27 books550 followersJeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade series, The Jack Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books are available in several languages, been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists, and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 11, 2017
**3.5 stars**
It has been a while since I have read a true middle grade book. I read lots of children's books and young adult books but a book aimed for middle school kids? Not for a long long time. I'm just going to start by saying that I'm not the target audience for this book. This book is clearly aimed for early teen boys. Will 11 and 12 year old boys love this book? I really think so.
This book is excitement through and through. There is blood and guts and beheading (pretty gruesome for me but I think young boys are into those things??), as well as non-stop action. It was actually pretty entertaining to read. The book has a fast, engaging pace and a likable MC. Surprisingly, some of the themes in this book were pretty mature. It touched on child abuse and the death of parents and caregivers. However, the book never dove into being depressing, which I thought was pretty skillful. I have to say, some plot devices (such as speaking directly to the reader) were a bit annoying for me but overall, I found this book to be very successful.
**copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
It has been a while since I have read a true middle grade book. I read lots of children's books and young adult books but a book aimed for middle school kids? Not for a long long time. I'm just going to start by saying that I'm not the target audience for this book. This book is clearly aimed for early teen boys. Will 11 and 12 year old boys love this book? I really think so.
This book is excitement through and through. There is blood and guts and beheading (pretty gruesome for me but I think young boys are into those things??), as well as non-stop action. It was actually pretty entertaining to read. The book has a fast, engaging pace and a likable MC. Surprisingly, some of the themes in this book were pretty mature. It touched on child abuse and the death of parents and caregivers. However, the book never dove into being depressing, which I thought was pretty skillful. I have to say, some plot devices (such as speaking directly to the reader) were a bit annoying for me but overall, I found this book to be very successful.
**copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
February 3, 2013
Jack Smith is about to hit the ripe age of fourteen; the age when he starts noticing (more than usual, anyway) the cutest girl in the class and stops saying, ‘ewww girls has cooties’ and such. It’s that age when he notices some physical changes on his body, least of all the changes in his voice signaling the onset of puberty. But Jack Smith is about to hit serious freak stature when, in a span of a day, he realizes he can bench press 90 lbs, run like an Olympian and block punches from a meaty bully. What. The. Heck.
This is the story of Jack Smith and how he came to terms with a family legacy of which, he had no clue of. In a world where monsters (disguised as humans) roam the earth, Jack’s family is apparently the last line of defense against monsters, vampires and things that go bump in the night. On the eve of his fourteenth birthday, he starts to see what the world - his world actually is. As a descendant of a long line of monster hunters, Jack would have no choice but to accept his role. He wasn’t eased into said role little by little; his baptism of fire is a battle between him and a melee of monsters and their head honcho, Ren Lucre, himself.
I wish I had a boy old enough to read this book. I’m not sure my eleven-year-old girl would enjoy this but I’m going to try and persuade her. On second thought, maybe it’s not such a good idea to pass this book on to her because it did come with a warning. I’m not to pass this on to a friend, most of all a relative. The book apparently has some mojo that attracts monsters. We’ll see.
But man, oh man, this was so much fun! Jack is everything a teenage boy I imagined would sound like. He’s sarcastic and ballsy. Nothing fazes him – not even the principal turning into a massive scary bat right in front of his eyes. I’m not a typical MG reader but this book kicked ass. It had action at every turn, bloodthirsty monsters of different sorts coming at Jack on every angle. I think Jeff sat down one night, enumerated all the stuff nightmares are made of and went with it. But it wasn't convoluted by any means. Trust me, it had direction; it wasn’t just a buffet of monsters told in one dog’s breakfast of a story. Plot twists are cool as well and it will not take too much reading time. It was fast paced but oddly timed aptly to go along with the story theme.
This book will not let you take a breather; but instead of stressing you out, you’ll find yourself enjoying the ride. Recommended for thrill seekers.
This is the story of Jack Smith and how he came to terms with a family legacy of which, he had no clue of. In a world where monsters (disguised as humans) roam the earth, Jack’s family is apparently the last line of defense against monsters, vampires and things that go bump in the night. On the eve of his fourteenth birthday, he starts to see what the world - his world actually is. As a descendant of a long line of monster hunters, Jack would have no choice but to accept his role. He wasn’t eased into said role little by little; his baptism of fire is a battle between him and a melee of monsters and their head honcho, Ren Lucre, himself.
I wish I had a boy old enough to read this book. I’m not sure my eleven-year-old girl would enjoy this but I’m going to try and persuade her. On second thought, maybe it’s not such a good idea to pass this book on to her because it did come with a warning. I’m not to pass this on to a friend, most of all a relative. The book apparently has some mojo that attracts monsters. We’ll see.
But man, oh man, this was so much fun! Jack is everything a teenage boy I imagined would sound like. He’s sarcastic and ballsy. Nothing fazes him – not even the principal turning into a massive scary bat right in front of his eyes. I’m not a typical MG reader but this book kicked ass. It had action at every turn, bloodthirsty monsters of different sorts coming at Jack on every angle. I think Jeff sat down one night, enumerated all the stuff nightmares are made of and went with it. But it wasn't convoluted by any means. Trust me, it had direction; it wasn’t just a buffet of monsters told in one dog’s breakfast of a story. Plot twists are cool as well and it will not take too much reading time. It was fast paced but oddly timed aptly to go along with the story theme.
This book will not let you take a breather; but instead of stressing you out, you’ll find yourself enjoying the ride. Recommended for thrill seekers.
April 4, 2016
Quite the introduction to a new series. I can saw up front that this series is very engaging and entertaining. The book has me amused from the very beginning with Jack's warning to all readers. So you easily feel like a part of the story.
Jack is your everyday teen. One day away from his 14th birthday and his whole life is about to go from ordinary to anything but. He meets some strange individuals and it attacked my a monster! Soon he hinds out he is wanted by the monsters (more officially known as the Creach) and now that he is "of age" all bets are off!
Few are who they seem to be. Teachers, family, and strangers all play vital roles in the 24 hours this book takes place in. That's right, by the way. This whole book takes place in approximately 24 hours! So even though it is short at just under 200 pages, it has a LOT going on!
Filled with action and adventure! This book is a great Young adult book that even some middle grades can enjoy. and what I liked is that it appeals to male readers, but can easily be enjoyed by females. That is very rare it seems nowadays. So I loved finding a book I can share with my younger brothers.
We get vampires, werewolves, zombies, harpies and more in this book. Jeff Gunhus really delivers us the monster race here! Luckily for Jack, he has some good, loyal friends. Although I wish I had been able to get a better feel for them. Sadly, the book was too short for that. Yet this book is more of a prelude of what is to come it seems. I look forward to continuing the series.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair, honest review*
Jack is your everyday teen. One day away from his 14th birthday and his whole life is about to go from ordinary to anything but. He meets some strange individuals and it attacked my a monster! Soon he hinds out he is wanted by the monsters (more officially known as the Creach) and now that he is "of age" all bets are off!
Few are who they seem to be. Teachers, family, and strangers all play vital roles in the 24 hours this book takes place in. That's right, by the way. This whole book takes place in approximately 24 hours! So even though it is short at just under 200 pages, it has a LOT going on!
Filled with action and adventure! This book is a great Young adult book that even some middle grades can enjoy. and what I liked is that it appeals to male readers, but can easily be enjoyed by females. That is very rare it seems nowadays. So I loved finding a book I can share with my younger brothers.
We get vampires, werewolves, zombies, harpies and more in this book. Jeff Gunhus really delivers us the monster race here! Luckily for Jack, he has some good, loyal friends. Although I wish I had been able to get a better feel for them. Sadly, the book was too short for that. Yet this book is more of a prelude of what is to come it seems. I look forward to continuing the series.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair, honest review*
February 15, 2013
My daughter and I read and reviewed this book for Mother Daughter Book Reviews. Here's what we have to say about it:
DAUGHTER SAYS:
This story is about a boy named Jack Templar who, when he turns 14, turns into a Monster Hunter. Then a bunch of changes start happening in his life. He has to kill all the monsters especially the vampire named Ren Lucray. I wish the cover showed more people other than Jack so I could see what they look like. When I first saw the cover, it looked like Jack was a man, but after I read the story and looked again, I could see that he was a boy. The main character is Jack Templar who is 13 at the start of the book. He was ok. Nothing like this has happened to me in my life, but it might someday…when I’m 14!
My favorite part of the story was a bit of a surprise so I can’t really tell you but it’s about the girl that he likes and it happens near the end. I liked the parts where they described the monsters and how there were lots of different kinds of monsters like vampires, werewolves, and zombies. I liked the Warnings at the start of the book and me and my brother even followed them by locking the doors and bolting the windows. That was cool! It was sad how some people in the book died in a not nice way when you didn’t expect them to die. It was sad because they were nice people and they sacrificed themselves.
Sometimes I was scared at the monstery parts and the last part (the surprising part that I talked about at the start of this review) and there were parts that made me sad like when the people died. I learned that even when you’re scared you should still be brave – but then you might die. In this book, it also teaches you that dying is ok.
I really, really loved this book and would recommend it to girls and boys about 8 years and older because it has scary stuff and it might be too hard for younger kids to read themselves. I might also recommend it to someone who wants to be a monster hunter (because of the warnings, you might actually need to be one!) Hmmm…I think I actually saw a vampire after I read the book.
MOM SAYS:
Any book that begins with a warning to young readers about the “consequences” of reading this book spoken by the title character himself will certainly get my attention. So, it’s one thing to get my attention (check), it’s a far different thing to keep it (check). The story contained within the pages of Jack Templar: Monster Hunter will grip you by the neck from the get-go, will keep your eyes glued to the page (except for when you think you see a shadow in the next room), and will leave you begging the author to “hurry up already” for the second book in the series. In short, Jack Templar: Monster Hunter is a fast-paced, edge-of-your seat adventure that will leave you wondering if there’s a monster hiding within the fleshy confines of your neighbor, postman, or your child’s principal perhaps?
We meet the title character, Jack “Smith” on the day before his fourteenth birthday when he is noticing strange changes to his body (i.e., he’s faster, he’s stronger, he can jump higher, and so on…). Little does he know that his world is about to be turned upside-down as he is preparing to take part in an epic battle of good versus evil. Although in this case, the “evil” consists of vampires, werewolves, zombies, and other monsters. Who knew monsters existed? No, really…monsters exist.
This is what author Jeff Gunhus does so well – the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred within the first pages of the book when the narrator desperately tries to warn his audience that monsters are, in fact, real. You are given plenty of warning to stop reading, because if you read the book, you will become a monster hunter too. How well does Gunhus accomplish this? Let me put it this way: we were advised by Jack himself in an intermission that should we continue to read, we should “put the book down and check to make sure all the doors and windows are locked.” My children insisted on going through all three floors of our house to ensure that the windows and doors were safely locked. I’m not joking…
The story itself is completely captivating and contains so many plot twists that you are kept guessing what will happen next. No one is who they seem to be, there are many turns in the plot that are completely unexpected, and you really cannot guess how it will end. We generally only read together snuggled up on the couch before bedtime, but with this book, my kids begged me to keep reading it every spare moment we had. No laments of “we’re bored” (to which I typically respond “I don’t have a problem with that.”)
Is this book scary? Hmmm….well, the narrator warns us that the content is filled with bloody scenes of battle, death, violence, and well, monsters. Yes, that’s all true. When my kids gleefully shared with their Dad what we were reading, let’s just say he was taken aback and I may have received “a look”. That being said, there is humour interspersed within the more frightening scenes which really helps to relieve the tension in the story. What I can say is that my son (6) is fearless and pretty much nothing scares him. My daughter is more “sensitive” (as we like to put it) and she just loved this book and couldn’t stop raving about it after we finished it. I think that says alot about how “scary” it is.
As for appropriateness, every household has different views on this. I know some kids who were younger than mine when they watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy; yet, it will be a long time before I let my kids watch those movies because I feel that they are very dark and violent and have mature themes. Another controversial book/movie is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know some parents who brought their daughter (same age as mine) to see the movie. My daughter has not seen the movie nor read the books. My personal opinion on this is that every child is different and parents have to make those judgment calls on their behalf. I just have to make decisions for my kids, not other people’s kids.
My bottom line:
This book was so much fun to read aloud to my kids! There is a great plot line, magnificent character development, and the right balance between humour and tension to keep you completely captivated as a reader. This book is just as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. With regards to age recommendations, I’ll suggest 9 years and older because it could be frightening for very sensitive children. Also, I think both boys and girls would really enjoy Jack Templar: Monster Hunter. I really need you all to read it because, let’s face it, the world really needs more monster hunters! ;-)
*** Jack Templar – Monster Hunter was provided to us free-of-charge by the author through the Jack Templar Blog Tour organized by Kathy from I am a Reader Not a Writer in exchange for an honest review.***
DAUGHTER SAYS:
This story is about a boy named Jack Templar who, when he turns 14, turns into a Monster Hunter. Then a bunch of changes start happening in his life. He has to kill all the monsters especially the vampire named Ren Lucray. I wish the cover showed more people other than Jack so I could see what they look like. When I first saw the cover, it looked like Jack was a man, but after I read the story and looked again, I could see that he was a boy. The main character is Jack Templar who is 13 at the start of the book. He was ok. Nothing like this has happened to me in my life, but it might someday…when I’m 14!
My favorite part of the story was a bit of a surprise so I can’t really tell you but it’s about the girl that he likes and it happens near the end. I liked the parts where they described the monsters and how there were lots of different kinds of monsters like vampires, werewolves, and zombies. I liked the Warnings at the start of the book and me and my brother even followed them by locking the doors and bolting the windows. That was cool! It was sad how some people in the book died in a not nice way when you didn’t expect them to die. It was sad because they were nice people and they sacrificed themselves.
Sometimes I was scared at the monstery parts and the last part (the surprising part that I talked about at the start of this review) and there were parts that made me sad like when the people died. I learned that even when you’re scared you should still be brave – but then you might die. In this book, it also teaches you that dying is ok.
I really, really loved this book and would recommend it to girls and boys about 8 years and older because it has scary stuff and it might be too hard for younger kids to read themselves. I might also recommend it to someone who wants to be a monster hunter (because of the warnings, you might actually need to be one!) Hmmm…I think I actually saw a vampire after I read the book.
MOM SAYS:
Any book that begins with a warning to young readers about the “consequences” of reading this book spoken by the title character himself will certainly get my attention. So, it’s one thing to get my attention (check), it’s a far different thing to keep it (check). The story contained within the pages of Jack Templar: Monster Hunter will grip you by the neck from the get-go, will keep your eyes glued to the page (except for when you think you see a shadow in the next room), and will leave you begging the author to “hurry up already” for the second book in the series. In short, Jack Templar: Monster Hunter is a fast-paced, edge-of-your seat adventure that will leave you wondering if there’s a monster hiding within the fleshy confines of your neighbor, postman, or your child’s principal perhaps?
We meet the title character, Jack “Smith” on the day before his fourteenth birthday when he is noticing strange changes to his body (i.e., he’s faster, he’s stronger, he can jump higher, and so on…). Little does he know that his world is about to be turned upside-down as he is preparing to take part in an epic battle of good versus evil. Although in this case, the “evil” consists of vampires, werewolves, zombies, and other monsters. Who knew monsters existed? No, really…monsters exist.
This is what author Jeff Gunhus does so well – the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred within the first pages of the book when the narrator desperately tries to warn his audience that monsters are, in fact, real. You are given plenty of warning to stop reading, because if you read the book, you will become a monster hunter too. How well does Gunhus accomplish this? Let me put it this way: we were advised by Jack himself in an intermission that should we continue to read, we should “put the book down and check to make sure all the doors and windows are locked.” My children insisted on going through all three floors of our house to ensure that the windows and doors were safely locked. I’m not joking…
The story itself is completely captivating and contains so many plot twists that you are kept guessing what will happen next. No one is who they seem to be, there are many turns in the plot that are completely unexpected, and you really cannot guess how it will end. We generally only read together snuggled up on the couch before bedtime, but with this book, my kids begged me to keep reading it every spare moment we had. No laments of “we’re bored” (to which I typically respond “I don’t have a problem with that.”)
Is this book scary? Hmmm….well, the narrator warns us that the content is filled with bloody scenes of battle, death, violence, and well, monsters. Yes, that’s all true. When my kids gleefully shared with their Dad what we were reading, let’s just say he was taken aback and I may have received “a look”. That being said, there is humour interspersed within the more frightening scenes which really helps to relieve the tension in the story. What I can say is that my son (6) is fearless and pretty much nothing scares him. My daughter is more “sensitive” (as we like to put it) and she just loved this book and couldn’t stop raving about it after we finished it. I think that says alot about how “scary” it is.
As for appropriateness, every household has different views on this. I know some kids who were younger than mine when they watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy; yet, it will be a long time before I let my kids watch those movies because I feel that they are very dark and violent and have mature themes. Another controversial book/movie is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know some parents who brought their daughter (same age as mine) to see the movie. My daughter has not seen the movie nor read the books. My personal opinion on this is that every child is different and parents have to make those judgment calls on their behalf. I just have to make decisions for my kids, not other people’s kids.
My bottom line:
This book was so much fun to read aloud to my kids! There is a great plot line, magnificent character development, and the right balance between humour and tension to keep you completely captivated as a reader. This book is just as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. With regards to age recommendations, I’ll suggest 9 years and older because it could be frightening for very sensitive children. Also, I think both boys and girls would really enjoy Jack Templar: Monster Hunter. I really need you all to read it because, let’s face it, the world really needs more monster hunters! ;-)
*** Jack Templar – Monster Hunter was provided to us free-of-charge by the author through the Jack Templar Blog Tour organized by Kathy from I am a Reader Not a Writer in exchange for an honest review.***
March 8, 2024
Jack Templar, Monster Hunter
By Jeff Gunhus
This is one of those rare middle grade books that crosses the age barrier and is enjoyable to many people! The boy Jack, is turning 14 and doesn't realize what that means. He is an orphan and raised by his aunt. He is clueless about the real monsters that is hidden in plain sight. It's the day before his birthday and he feels different. Stronger, faster, and his reflexes are faster. His body is preparing to fight. Because the whole monster community has been waiting for years to kill Jack Templar on his 14th birthday!
It was so entertaining! Even for this old lady!
By Jeff Gunhus
This is one of those rare middle grade books that crosses the age barrier and is enjoyable to many people! The boy Jack, is turning 14 and doesn't realize what that means. He is an orphan and raised by his aunt. He is clueless about the real monsters that is hidden in plain sight. It's the day before his birthday and he feels different. Stronger, faster, and his reflexes are faster. His body is preparing to fight. Because the whole monster community has been waiting for years to kill Jack Templar on his 14th birthday!
It was so entertaining! Even for this old lady!
February 18, 2014
Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Middle Grade (12 and up)
Recommended for: People who have been looking for a boy-friendly MG to YA urban fantasy, people who like MG to YA urban fantasy
Trigger Warnings: violence, fighting, betrayal
My Thoughts: I had noticed this book a number of times, and been waffling on it, until I read Kriss Morton’s excellent review and feature. That decided me and I finally decided to go ahead and accept this book for review.
Ever have one of those days? Yeah, so have I. This story covers that day with Jack Templar, the day before his 14th birthday. The day that everything changes.
I have to say that the devil-werewolf? That freaked me out. When I was really young—before I even went to school—I used to have nightmares about a creature that looked very much like the devil-werewolf was described. I had never even heard of werewolves at that point in my life, so yet another of the mysteries in my life: knowledge I have that I shouldn’t.
It’s fast-paced. It’s intense. And it’s wonderful! I really like that it’s told from a boy’s point of view—there are not nearly enough boy-friendly MG/YA adventure reads—and I really like the story, the world... the whole thing. I really can’t recommend it enough, and I’ll definitely be watching for future adventures in this new series. If you’ve been looking for a book that your younger male reader will enjoy, that will give him someone to look toward as a role model, this is a good place to start. Be sure to check it out! There is also a website where you can keep up on Jack Templar while you wait for the next book. I’ve linked it, where formatting is allowed. Otherwise, you can probably find it in a Google search.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits... until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.
As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.
Reading Level: Middle Grade (12 and up)
Recommended for: People who have been looking for a boy-friendly MG to YA urban fantasy, people who like MG to YA urban fantasy
Trigger Warnings: violence, fighting, betrayal
My Thoughts: I had noticed this book a number of times, and been waffling on it, until I read Kriss Morton’s excellent review and feature. That decided me and I finally decided to go ahead and accept this book for review.
Ever have one of those days? Yeah, so have I. This story covers that day with Jack Templar, the day before his 14th birthday. The day that everything changes.
I have to say that the devil-werewolf? That freaked me out. When I was really young—before I even went to school—I used to have nightmares about a creature that looked very much like the devil-werewolf was described. I had never even heard of werewolves at that point in my life, so yet another of the mysteries in my life: knowledge I have that I shouldn’t.
It’s fast-paced. It’s intense. And it’s wonderful! I really like that it’s told from a boy’s point of view—there are not nearly enough boy-friendly MG/YA adventure reads—and I really like the story, the world... the whole thing. I really can’t recommend it enough, and I’ll definitely be watching for future adventures in this new series. If you’ve been looking for a book that your younger male reader will enjoy, that will give him someone to look toward as a role model, this is a good place to start. Be sure to check it out! There is also a website where you can keep up on Jack Templar while you wait for the next book. I’ve linked it, where formatting is allowed. Otherwise, you can probably find it in a Google search.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits... until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.
As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.
February 12, 2013
Jack Templar was a fun and fast read, a page turner the whole way. It started with a warning and the main character often talked to the audience in Percy Jackson style. The formula certainly works for the target audience, middle grade boys, and I'm sure some younger ones will love it too. I'm pretty sure young girls will like the book almost as much as boys because I once was one--young that is. I'm still female, thanks.
I think I've gone soft. What I liked best was the humor. I always love awkward and unpopular characters, fish-out-of-water experiences, and unlikely matches done well. Gunhus did all those well. The bully was too typical but Jack's aunt was very cool. Eva was mysterious enough that I want to know her better, and T-Rex was genius. The pretty girl Jack longs for made another great diversion from the norm. I define normal as boring, by the way. Jack Templar was anything but normal, although the emphasis switched from humor to horror once Jack found out he was becoming a monster hunter for his fourteenth birthday.
The plot had plenty of twists. The turning points were all in place even though the story was too short to have a saggy middle. There was some intentional misdirection about a death, not exactly a spoiler in a book full of monsters. I expected someone else to die than the person hinted at, but not the person who did. I'm hard to trick, so score for Gunhus!
I want to give separate ratings, one for Percy Jackson readers and another for those who haven't read Rick Riordan's series. For my taste Jack Templar was a little too violent, but I can't complain I wasn't warned--a lot. The warnings were the only parts I thought should be cut back. They reminded me the author was using Riordan's formula each time, losing points on originality. I would give Jack Templar a 4.0. As for the target audience, I think 4.0 for those who read Percy Jackson, recognized the similarities, and expected a longer book, and 4.5 for those who haven't. It's far too good not to read. Enjoy!
I think I've gone soft. What I liked best was the humor. I always love awkward and unpopular characters, fish-out-of-water experiences, and unlikely matches done well. Gunhus did all those well. The bully was too typical but Jack's aunt was very cool. Eva was mysterious enough that I want to know her better, and T-Rex was genius. The pretty girl Jack longs for made another great diversion from the norm. I define normal as boring, by the way. Jack Templar was anything but normal, although the emphasis switched from humor to horror once Jack found out he was becoming a monster hunter for his fourteenth birthday.
The plot had plenty of twists. The turning points were all in place even though the story was too short to have a saggy middle. There was some intentional misdirection about a death, not exactly a spoiler in a book full of monsters. I expected someone else to die than the person hinted at, but not the person who did. I'm hard to trick, so score for Gunhus!
I want to give separate ratings, one for Percy Jackson readers and another for those who haven't read Rick Riordan's series. For my taste Jack Templar was a little too violent, but I can't complain I wasn't warned--a lot. The warnings were the only parts I thought should be cut back. They reminded me the author was using Riordan's formula each time, losing points on originality. I would give Jack Templar a 4.0. As for the target audience, I think 4.0 for those who read Percy Jackson, recognized the similarities, and expected a longer book, and 4.5 for those who haven't. It's far too good not to read. Enjoy!
September 19, 2014
Look I gave this a 4 star rating but there are some major things I've got to say here. I spent a great deal of time shoving down my annoyance at the writing and the characters.
So remember, this does get a 4 star rating.
First, this is a kid's book. To say YA may give a false idea of it. The tone, the writing all of it is just so...young and elementary. The "hero" Jack is supposed to be just turning 14 but he sounds much younger at times.
Now I have tried to push some of the annoyance back as obviously this book isn't written for an adult reader. The idea is one I think will fire the imagination of many young readers (maybe primarily boys). There's adventure and lots of action.
I think a lot of us (this is at least me) "found" Harry Potter when our kids read it or we read it with them or even to them. Since then (and of course for some of you before) I at least have continued to read YA books. My kids have grown but I keep reading YA. Since Harry Potter there have been dozens, maybe hundreds of YA fantasies that take place in schools, academies and so on where "youths" are taught about magic, monsters etc. So, that's where we're headed here. This book sadly isn't even in the same ball park with Ms. Rowling's masterpiece.
So, what else? Well I've discussed with other the "first person" viewpoint. Some people say they just dislike it sort of on "spec". Personally I like it when it's a "good" fist person story. This one is at best fair. If the use if the "I" key had been rationed the book would probably have been 25% shorter. "I did this" and "I did that", "I saw this" and "I saw that"...sigh.
Okay no56t great but the idea is good enough and story fast enough that I think young readers will like it.
Will I follow Jack to the Monster Hunter Academy? Not right away as I have a lot of books waiting, but I may pick it back up. I can hope the books may age a bit with the readers. I won't count on it, but I can hope.
So remember, this does get a 4 star rating.
First, this is a kid's book. To say YA may give a false idea of it. The tone, the writing all of it is just so...young and elementary. The "hero" Jack is supposed to be just turning 14 but he sounds much younger at times.
Now I have tried to push some of the annoyance back as obviously this book isn't written for an adult reader. The idea is one I think will fire the imagination of many young readers (maybe primarily boys). There's adventure and lots of action.
I think a lot of us (this is at least me) "found" Harry Potter when our kids read it or we read it with them or even to them. Since then (and of course for some of you before) I at least have continued to read YA books. My kids have grown but I keep reading YA. Since Harry Potter there have been dozens, maybe hundreds of YA fantasies that take place in schools, academies and so on where "youths" are taught about magic, monsters etc. So, that's where we're headed here. This book sadly isn't even in the same ball park with Ms. Rowling's masterpiece.
So, what else? Well I've discussed with other the "first person" viewpoint. Some people say they just dislike it sort of on "spec". Personally I like it when it's a "good" fist person story. This one is at best fair. If the use if the "I" key had been rationed the book would probably have been 25% shorter. "I did this" and "I did that", "I saw this" and "I saw that"...sigh.
Okay no56t great but the idea is good enough and story fast enough that I think young readers will like it.
Will I follow Jack to the Monster Hunter Academy? Not right away as I have a lot of books waiting, but I may pick it back up. I can hope the books may age a bit with the readers. I won't count on it, but I can hope.
February 1, 2013
Jack is in for the shock of his life! He goes from a normal boy to a super hero on his fourteenth birthday! Not only is he expected to save the world from evil, he may very well be the last of his kind! Pretty heavy stuff for an orphaned boy who lived with is loving aunt!
Jack and his friends are priceless! They act and react like the kids they are! They talk about things kids talk about, deal with things kids deal with in school!
Jack did not start out a hero. He wasn't in the school's top cliches, not even close! His take on life is both age-appropriate and comical! when he realizes his destiny, he is still clueless about what is expected of him, but his loyalty to his friends and his sense of right and wrong give him the strength he needs to step up and go beyond his wildest dreams, facing danger head on because its the right thing to do!!
I have recommended this to my grandchildren and several teachers as a book their students will love!!
A wonderful way to get kids to learn the love of books! Fun, funny, full of adventure!
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Seven Guns Press in exchange for an honest review!
Jack and his friends are priceless! They act and react like the kids they are! They talk about things kids talk about, deal with things kids deal with in school!
Jack did not start out a hero. He wasn't in the school's top cliches, not even close! His take on life is both age-appropriate and comical! when he realizes his destiny, he is still clueless about what is expected of him, but his loyalty to his friends and his sense of right and wrong give him the strength he needs to step up and go beyond his wildest dreams, facing danger head on because its the right thing to do!!
I have recommended this to my grandchildren and several teachers as a book their students will love!!
A wonderful way to get kids to learn the love of books! Fun, funny, full of adventure!
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Seven Guns Press in exchange for an honest review!
February 11, 2013
Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for review.
This is, overall, a serviceable middle grade fantasy/monster/adventure novel, with some entertaining characters and a slightly too clever framework. While the writing was a little simplistic for me, and a few of the scenarios were extremely hackneyed, the intended audience of under-13 boys will likely be charmed by Jack's voice and the predicaments he finds himself in.
That too-clever framework is a little much, though. The book begins by warning readers not to read it, and continues by breaking into the action several times to point out little tidbits about monsters, or about when and where to read the book, etc. This framing device could be interesting, executed well, but unfortunately, it's REALLY heavy-handed, and serves more to interrupt the narrative than to supplement and enhance it. Plus, the end commentary makes it seem as though this is a letter being written...to whom, we have no idea...that is later assembled into a book, rather than the book it was posited as in the beginning. Bit of a head-scratcher, that.
The premise itself is a fun one - young Jack is about to turn 14, and his aunt (who's raised him; his mother died when he was born, and his father a few years later) has a special night planned. Something strange is going on with Jack, though, who's noticing some really rapid physical changes, including enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes. After a cafeteria fight (which I was quite disappointed by, actually, since there was NO teacher/adult intervention, which is a pet peeve of mine with MG/YA stories - where the heck are the grownups?), Jack gets suspended and has a very surreal encounter with the principal, who seems more monstrous than usual.
On his way home, he's accosted by a strange old woman...who immediately turns out to be a hot, leather-clad, weapon-bearing teen girl, and who helps Jack fight off a band of harpies.
Turns out, Jack is the last of a great line of monster hunters, and he becomes fair game the instant he turns 14. The monsters want to torture him, then murder him, ending his line.
...great birthday present, huh?
There are some clever twists and turns in the story, and some nicely wrought, colourful characters, including Jack's friends Will and T-Rex. The writing and plotting could be a lot tighter, but all the unanswered questions and withholding of information DOES set up Jack's exploration of the monster hunter society in an ongoing series. The treatment of/depiction of women in the book could also be a lot more nuanced; there's an unfortunate maiden/mother/crone setup going on (at least the females fall into those categories, instead of only virgin/whore?), but at least several of the women are independent and fierce/competent, instead of merely being there to ogle or swoon for. The slightly problematic way they're depicted may be more a result of channeling a young teen boy's mindset than anything.
For middle-grade readers, this should be a fun, fairly rapid read, with potential for an interesting series to spring from it. The framing device is inelegant and heavy-handed, and the deliberate teasers and withholding of information is a little infuriating, but I can see where it's in service of the overall plot of "Jack discovers he's a monster hunter and must cope with his genetic and cultural heritage" and, well, monsters are fun. So just run with it, eh?
This is, overall, a serviceable middle grade fantasy/monster/adventure novel, with some entertaining characters and a slightly too clever framework. While the writing was a little simplistic for me, and a few of the scenarios were extremely hackneyed, the intended audience of under-13 boys will likely be charmed by Jack's voice and the predicaments he finds himself in.
That too-clever framework is a little much, though. The book begins by warning readers not to read it, and continues by breaking into the action several times to point out little tidbits about monsters, or about when and where to read the book, etc. This framing device could be interesting, executed well, but unfortunately, it's REALLY heavy-handed, and serves more to interrupt the narrative than to supplement and enhance it. Plus, the end commentary makes it seem as though this is a letter being written...to whom, we have no idea...that is later assembled into a book, rather than the book it was posited as in the beginning. Bit of a head-scratcher, that.
The premise itself is a fun one - young Jack is about to turn 14, and his aunt (who's raised him; his mother died when he was born, and his father a few years later) has a special night planned. Something strange is going on with Jack, though, who's noticing some really rapid physical changes, including enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes. After a cafeteria fight (which I was quite disappointed by, actually, since there was NO teacher/adult intervention, which is a pet peeve of mine with MG/YA stories - where the heck are the grownups?), Jack gets suspended and has a very surreal encounter with the principal, who seems more monstrous than usual.
On his way home, he's accosted by a strange old woman...who immediately turns out to be a hot, leather-clad, weapon-bearing teen girl, and who helps Jack fight off a band of harpies.
Turns out, Jack is the last of a great line of monster hunters, and he becomes fair game the instant he turns 14. The monsters want to torture him, then murder him, ending his line.
...great birthday present, huh?
There are some clever twists and turns in the story, and some nicely wrought, colourful characters, including Jack's friends Will and T-Rex. The writing and plotting could be a lot tighter, but all the unanswered questions and withholding of information DOES set up Jack's exploration of the monster hunter society in an ongoing series. The treatment of/depiction of women in the book could also be a lot more nuanced; there's an unfortunate maiden/mother/crone setup going on (at least the females fall into those categories, instead of only virgin/whore?), but at least several of the women are independent and fierce/competent, instead of merely being there to ogle or swoon for. The slightly problematic way they're depicted may be more a result of channeling a young teen boy's mindset than anything.
For middle-grade readers, this should be a fun, fairly rapid read, with potential for an interesting series to spring from it. The framing device is inelegant and heavy-handed, and the deliberate teasers and withholding of information is a little infuriating, but I can see where it's in service of the overall plot of "Jack discovers he's a monster hunter and must cope with his genetic and cultural heritage" and, well, monsters are fun. So just run with it, eh?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2013
First of all I must say that I’m awesome. No, is not me who says this (is not like I’m bragging), it’s Jack: „you’re a girl awesome enough to be reading this book”. Now, let's get to work.
“You only know the very surface of our world”
If you liked knight stories that crossed through history and that have heated our imagination with their adventures and struggles against the most terrible fantastic or human enemies and eventually break through despite all the odds that seemed against them, then you’ll like Jack Templar the Monster Hunter. But do not think that it’s a dusty, dull, old story. Not at all! Jack Templar is a refreshing, heroic tale with everything that is best in the modern fantasy stories. Our hero has to face: harpies, zombies, trolls, vampires, werewolves, well and truly... beings of all sorts and types.
The beginning is in a funny note and despite warnings that are given you expect a quiet cruise and not the fighting and victims to come.
“You know the old saying: it’s all fun and games until someone gets eaten by a mug-wump.”
Humor sprinkled as an exotic condiment flavors story, will bring you back to the age of 14 and will also reduce the strain of events making them enjoyable for those that are most faint-hearted. I say this because some scenes are worthy of The Walking Dead Series. Do not worry, it's still a story for young people, but for those that are daring.
“Even now, thinking back to that day, it’s hard to believe that one of us was going to be dead in less than twenty-four hours.”
Neither the author nor yet the ordinary beginning of the eve of the anniversary ¬ will give you any clue about what will happen, even if Jack begins to realize that he has some improved skills. He will be happy to try those abilities, but he will have to face also less pleasant consequences, time for readers to receive a new lesson.
"People want help when they are in danger, but after the danger has passed, people fear you if you’re different. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just rescued them from a bully or just saved their lives by skewering a werewolf with a sword right in front of them. Fear beats appreciation. Every time."
Jack will have to discover the truth, to find out who, what and why vital things are hidden from him. A real challenge to stay alive especially since the time that should be available doesn’t exist anymore and with all unexpected help that comes, everything will hang by a single hair.
"Not only that, but if monsters around the world could choose one human to kill, it would be me. Why? I haven’t a clue. I’d like to find out some day, but for right now, I’m happy just to stay alive."
Everything that was expected to flow smoothly like a calm river will become rapids and whirlpools of action: battles, losses, failures and repositioning, other mysteries and betrayals and finally the growing up of the heroes. The cost of this maturity you’ll find yourself.
Jack narrates the events in the same way that secrets are shared between friends, sheltered by night, and his story is truly one that you can read at any age. I will “Double-check the shadows. Lock the doors. Bolt the windows.” waiting for the next adventures of the Monster Hunter Academy. I’m sure that they will amaze me.
"Do your duty, come what may."
“You only know the very surface of our world”
If you liked knight stories that crossed through history and that have heated our imagination with their adventures and struggles against the most terrible fantastic or human enemies and eventually break through despite all the odds that seemed against them, then you’ll like Jack Templar the Monster Hunter. But do not think that it’s a dusty, dull, old story. Not at all! Jack Templar is a refreshing, heroic tale with everything that is best in the modern fantasy stories. Our hero has to face: harpies, zombies, trolls, vampires, werewolves, well and truly... beings of all sorts and types.
The beginning is in a funny note and despite warnings that are given you expect a quiet cruise and not the fighting and victims to come.
“You know the old saying: it’s all fun and games until someone gets eaten by a mug-wump.”
Humor sprinkled as an exotic condiment flavors story, will bring you back to the age of 14 and will also reduce the strain of events making them enjoyable for those that are most faint-hearted. I say this because some scenes are worthy of The Walking Dead Series. Do not worry, it's still a story for young people, but for those that are daring.
“Even now, thinking back to that day, it’s hard to believe that one of us was going to be dead in less than twenty-four hours.”
Neither the author nor yet the ordinary beginning of the eve of the anniversary ¬ will give you any clue about what will happen, even if Jack begins to realize that he has some improved skills. He will be happy to try those abilities, but he will have to face also less pleasant consequences, time for readers to receive a new lesson.
"People want help when they are in danger, but after the danger has passed, people fear you if you’re different. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just rescued them from a bully or just saved their lives by skewering a werewolf with a sword right in front of them. Fear beats appreciation. Every time."
Jack will have to discover the truth, to find out who, what and why vital things are hidden from him. A real challenge to stay alive especially since the time that should be available doesn’t exist anymore and with all unexpected help that comes, everything will hang by a single hair.
"Not only that, but if monsters around the world could choose one human to kill, it would be me. Why? I haven’t a clue. I’d like to find out some day, but for right now, I’m happy just to stay alive."
Everything that was expected to flow smoothly like a calm river will become rapids and whirlpools of action: battles, losses, failures and repositioning, other mysteries and betrayals and finally the growing up of the heroes. The cost of this maturity you’ll find yourself.
Jack narrates the events in the same way that secrets are shared between friends, sheltered by night, and his story is truly one that you can read at any age. I will “Double-check the shadows. Lock the doors. Bolt the windows.” waiting for the next adventures of the Monster Hunter Academy. I’m sure that they will amaze me.
"Do your duty, come what may."
December 17, 2012
Jack is a pretty normal almost-fourteen year old. He lives with his Aunt Sophie, spends his day in boredom at school, and hangs out with his friends, Will and T-Rex. But as his fourteenth birthday draws nearer, Jack starts noticing some changes.
He's gotten stronger. A LOT stronger. And faster, too. He chalks it to finally hitting a growth spurt and the extra hours he's been putting in to working out.
Then there's the way his principal stares at him. She was always a little creepy before, but now? Jack starts noticing some new faces in his small town as well.
Jack finally discovers that these changes are all related. He's a monster hunter, descended from monster hunters, and on his fourteenth birthday the monsters around him are finally allowed to take him out. He'll have to figure out how to fight for his life while trying to fight for what's right.
What I liked about this book:
This was a well paced, action packed book with a great MG voice. It was reminiscent of the 'Percy Jackson' books -- a great balance of humor, adventure, and just a hint of horror.
Jack's character is beautifully drawn, and the down-to-earth narrative style of the book sucked me right in. I felt like I could hear jack conversing with me (and telling me to put the book down to keep the monsters at bay!)
I *LOVED* Aunt Sophie's character, and I enjoyed that Gunhus left the monsters ambiguously evil. Some of the monsters are clearly over-the-top psychopaths, but others aren't all bad. It led to more moral dilemmas for Jack, and I'm interested to see where this goes in the next book.
What I didn't like about this book:
The body humor. I guess this is because I'm not a thirteen/fourteen year old boy, but nose picking isn't funny to me. Thankfully, there wasn't too much of this.
I also wanted a little more explanation about how Jack was able to so quickly identify and defeat the monsters he fought. He's thrown into a strange world, and while he's gotten stronger, he still hasn't learned about all the different creatures and how to fight them.
*SPOILER*
I was also a little disappointed at the very end when the group leaves town to go to the Monster Hunter Academy. I had a hard time believing T-Rex wouldn't say goodbye to his grandma. I think a short, emotional farewell would have worked better.
Final verdict:
4 1/4 stars (yes, I'm doing quarter stars now. Next week I might do elevenths). If you have a reluctant MG reader on your hands, I would highly recommend this book. It's quick, fun, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read the next Jack Templar installment!
He's gotten stronger. A LOT stronger. And faster, too. He chalks it to finally hitting a growth spurt and the extra hours he's been putting in to working out.
Then there's the way his principal stares at him. She was always a little creepy before, but now? Jack starts noticing some new faces in his small town as well.
Jack finally discovers that these changes are all related. He's a monster hunter, descended from monster hunters, and on his fourteenth birthday the monsters around him are finally allowed to take him out. He'll have to figure out how to fight for his life while trying to fight for what's right.
What I liked about this book:
This was a well paced, action packed book with a great MG voice. It was reminiscent of the 'Percy Jackson' books -- a great balance of humor, adventure, and just a hint of horror.
Jack's character is beautifully drawn, and the down-to-earth narrative style of the book sucked me right in. I felt like I could hear jack conversing with me (and telling me to put the book down to keep the monsters at bay!)
I *LOVED* Aunt Sophie's character, and I enjoyed that Gunhus left the monsters ambiguously evil. Some of the monsters are clearly over-the-top psychopaths, but others aren't all bad. It led to more moral dilemmas for Jack, and I'm interested to see where this goes in the next book.
What I didn't like about this book:
The body humor. I guess this is because I'm not a thirteen/fourteen year old boy, but nose picking isn't funny to me. Thankfully, there wasn't too much of this.
I also wanted a little more explanation about how Jack was able to so quickly identify and defeat the monsters he fought. He's thrown into a strange world, and while he's gotten stronger, he still hasn't learned about all the different creatures and how to fight them.
*SPOILER*
I was also a little disappointed at the very end when the group leaves town to go to the Monster Hunter Academy. I had a hard time believing T-Rex wouldn't say goodbye to his grandma. I think a short, emotional farewell would have worked better.
Final verdict:
4 1/4 stars (yes, I'm doing quarter stars now. Next week I might do elevenths). If you have a reluctant MG reader on your hands, I would highly recommend this book. It's quick, fun, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to read the next Jack Templar installment!
November 10, 2012
This book was written for middle aged children by Jeffrey Gunhus. I'm not a middle aged child but perhaps the book brings out the child in you SO read it and be a child for a while.
The beginning is with an orphan, Jack Smith. He lives in the little town of Sunnyvale with his Aunt Sophie. Supposedly his parents died when he was an infant. He knows nothing of his past.
As with all of us, when we get to be a teen our whole world seems to change. Everything you think is one way turns out to be just the oposite.
This book is written so realistic in a lot of ways. You can place yourself as the characters in the book. Jack felt the people around him were monsters, out to get him.
Ther is so much surprise and wonderment as to what the turning of the page will bring. The monsters seem to exist only in fiction, but do they?
There is a truce between monsters and man that children are off-limits until their 14th birthday. Jack finds his heritage and great friends who watch his back.
Jack is the center character, orphaned and loveable, but out there are angry monsters just waiting to kill 14 year old Jack. His city is about to come under attack.
He finds his legacy from a mysterious girl named Eve. His legacy is that he is now a Monster Hunter. He comes from a long line of Monster Hunters. He is now in the family business. His demise will come is he doesn't save himself, his friends and the world. Is Jack "The One"? Is he the last "Templar"?
The book is awesome. It's written not just for children but for fantasy seekers (us adults). It leaves you wondering what the next page holds. As you read page by page, you want to be there fighting alongside Jack. Fighting not only for his life but the world, what's right and wrong.
Keep on with The Templar Chronicles. They have a lot to give to the children. Books like these keep children motivated "to read".
I received a complimentary e-book from Jeffrey Gunhus for this review.
The beginning is with an orphan, Jack Smith. He lives in the little town of Sunnyvale with his Aunt Sophie. Supposedly his parents died when he was an infant. He knows nothing of his past.
As with all of us, when we get to be a teen our whole world seems to change. Everything you think is one way turns out to be just the oposite.
This book is written so realistic in a lot of ways. You can place yourself as the characters in the book. Jack felt the people around him were monsters, out to get him.
Ther is so much surprise and wonderment as to what the turning of the page will bring. The monsters seem to exist only in fiction, but do they?
There is a truce between monsters and man that children are off-limits until their 14th birthday. Jack finds his heritage and great friends who watch his back.
Jack is the center character, orphaned and loveable, but out there are angry monsters just waiting to kill 14 year old Jack. His city is about to come under attack.
He finds his legacy from a mysterious girl named Eve. His legacy is that he is now a Monster Hunter. He comes from a long line of Monster Hunters. He is now in the family business. His demise will come is he doesn't save himself, his friends and the world. Is Jack "The One"? Is he the last "Templar"?
The book is awesome. It's written not just for children but for fantasy seekers (us adults). It leaves you wondering what the next page holds. As you read page by page, you want to be there fighting alongside Jack. Fighting not only for his life but the world, what's right and wrong.
Keep on with The Templar Chronicles. They have a lot to give to the children. Books like these keep children motivated "to read".
I received a complimentary e-book from Jeffrey Gunhus for this review.
February 4, 2013
Jack Templar Monster Hunter was such a great read. It's fun for adults and kids a like. After about the 3rd Chapter I downloaded it on my 11 year old sons Kindle and we started reading it together. "MOM this is the best monster book EVER" were his exact words. There was just enough monster action to keep me turning the pages and not too much blood and gore that a he would get scared. This is a great story for anyone. It was written so well. From the introduction of the first monster to the last fight in the book, it all flowed together perfectly and I was never bored..not one minute. The characters were all well developed and we found out exactly what we needed to about each one as the story went along.
From the time we meet Jack, he's a day away from 14 and has no idea that his entire life is about to change. From his aunt, to his teachers, all the way to the girl he likes, nothing is as it seems. His birthday brings him face to face with what he really is. He is the last in a long line of Templar Monster Hunters. He really doesn't have much time to get ready for what he has to do...save the world!! He's a typical 14 year old with one friend that's a "bad boy" and the other is a chubby boy who the other kids made fun of. Jack like any other boy of that age thinks he's invincible and not scared of anything until he is face to face with one of the worst monsters of all and he gets scared and runs. Then finding the courage and strength to save his friends, he returns to be the monster hunter that is is destined to be.
Read this book by yourself or use it in a family reading time. I know my son loved it and the time we spend reading together is priceless. I give Jack and his friends 5 Stars!!!
For more of my reviews check my blog http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
From the time we meet Jack, he's a day away from 14 and has no idea that his entire life is about to change. From his aunt, to his teachers, all the way to the girl he likes, nothing is as it seems. His birthday brings him face to face with what he really is. He is the last in a long line of Templar Monster Hunters. He really doesn't have much time to get ready for what he has to do...save the world!! He's a typical 14 year old with one friend that's a "bad boy" and the other is a chubby boy who the other kids made fun of. Jack like any other boy of that age thinks he's invincible and not scared of anything until he is face to face with one of the worst monsters of all and he gets scared and runs. Then finding the courage and strength to save his friends, he returns to be the monster hunter that is is destined to be.
Read this book by yourself or use it in a family reading time. I know my son loved it and the time we spend reading together is priceless. I give Jack and his friends 5 Stars!!!
For more of my reviews check my blog http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
January 2, 2013
My honest thoughts and opinions on this wonderful, mysterious, fantasy and a book that I would give to any one of my grandchildren to read, is a guaranteed book and author that I would recommend to all who love some amazing fantasy in their lives.
Okay with that being said, you can understand that this was an amazing book for me. I really loved the characters and the story line is so well written that it flows so well from the start to the finish.
To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I was enthralled in Jacks life. At times I was scared and then at times I was rooting him on to finish his task at hand. He kept me so engrossed that there was nothing that could take my attention away from it.
I truly believe that my first grandson that is 8yrs old will also love this book. And to that fact I will be purchasing him one for Christmas and will also make sure he keeps up with any new books by Jeff Gunhus on this line. Not to mention that I have several other grandchildren that I will also purchase this book for them.. two being girls that I feel will also enjoy reading this book.
Alright, as you know I do not really get into the actually book, due to the fact that I feel You need to check it out for yourself.
So due to the above, I am giving this book a Breath of Life ratings of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: I received this book for my honest opinion and review. Opinions are my own and yours may differ.
Okay with that being said, you can understand that this was an amazing book for me. I really loved the characters and the story line is so well written that it flows so well from the start to the finish.
To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement. I was enthralled in Jacks life. At times I was scared and then at times I was rooting him on to finish his task at hand. He kept me so engrossed that there was nothing that could take my attention away from it.
I truly believe that my first grandson that is 8yrs old will also love this book. And to that fact I will be purchasing him one for Christmas and will also make sure he keeps up with any new books by Jeff Gunhus on this line. Not to mention that I have several other grandchildren that I will also purchase this book for them.. two being girls that I feel will also enjoy reading this book.
Alright, as you know I do not really get into the actually book, due to the fact that I feel You need to check it out for yourself.
So due to the above, I am giving this book a Breath of Life ratings of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: I received this book for my honest opinion and review. Opinions are my own and yours may differ.
November 15, 2012
“Jack Templar Monster Hunter” by Jeff Gunhus keeps the reader on the edge of the chair for the whole story. Never has any thirteen-year-old had a fourteenth birthday to rival the amazing circumstances Jack and his friends find themselves embroiled in.
Mild mannered and almost geeky Jack Smith, awakens one morning to find changes happening to his thirteen-year-old body that he can’t explain. But these changes are not the ordinary signs of growing up - they are much more baffling and, frankly, unexplainable. When Jack makes mincemeat out of the school bully, he — and everyone else — knows that something very different is in the offing.
Suddenly, on the very eve of his fourteenth birthday, Jack is plunged into a world fraught with very believable gremlins, zombies, Minotaur and harpies, Jack must navigate and use the art and power of a Monster Hunter - something he’s never even heard of - as he and his friends Eva, Will and T-Rex are pursued by the evil and very nasty Ren Lucre.
Vivid imagery and tight, fast-paced narrative make this first book of a series a great read not only for middle teens, but for any reader who enjoys suspense a little on the darker side. There is a website associated with this book that is interactive and quite entertaining. Looking forward to more adventures with Jack Templar Monster Hunter!
Mild mannered and almost geeky Jack Smith, awakens one morning to find changes happening to his thirteen-year-old body that he can’t explain. But these changes are not the ordinary signs of growing up - they are much more baffling and, frankly, unexplainable. When Jack makes mincemeat out of the school bully, he — and everyone else — knows that something very different is in the offing.
Suddenly, on the very eve of his fourteenth birthday, Jack is plunged into a world fraught with very believable gremlins, zombies, Minotaur and harpies, Jack must navigate and use the art and power of a Monster Hunter - something he’s never even heard of - as he and his friends Eva, Will and T-Rex are pursued by the evil and very nasty Ren Lucre.
Vivid imagery and tight, fast-paced narrative make this first book of a series a great read not only for middle teens, but for any reader who enjoys suspense a little on the darker side. There is a website associated with this book that is interactive and quite entertaining. Looking forward to more adventures with Jack Templar Monster Hunter!
December 27, 2012
I have recently read the book Jack Templar Monster Hunter. I found it very enjoyable and thank you for letting me read this interesting book. Here is my review.
Jack Templar Monster Hunter is a thrilling, action-packed book about a young boy who is suddenly thrown into an unknown world of danger and monsters on his fourteenth birthday. As he learns dark secrets and discovers his past and future readers will be swept away in a whirlwind of intrigue, action and fun. This book is a wonderful read, the little asides help readers to connect well with the boy Jack and properly enjoy his story. The story is told from the main character, Jack’s, perspective ; this makes it more enjoyable and helps the reader to properly enjoy the story. With added twists and turns this book has edge-of-seat moments, more sentimental parts and a humorous thread the whole way through. Readers who enjoy adrenaline pumping books that are quick to action and fast to read will absolutely love this book. If you are the kind of reader who enjoys a big, thick book that you can curl up with for a few days than this might not be up your street. However, this book is thoroughly enjoyable, has a good, strong plot as well as lovable characters. It might be a short read, but it is definitely a great read.
SAFIYAH (15)
Jack Templar Monster Hunter is a thrilling, action-packed book about a young boy who is suddenly thrown into an unknown world of danger and monsters on his fourteenth birthday. As he learns dark secrets and discovers his past and future readers will be swept away in a whirlwind of intrigue, action and fun. This book is a wonderful read, the little asides help readers to connect well with the boy Jack and properly enjoy his story. The story is told from the main character, Jack’s, perspective ; this makes it more enjoyable and helps the reader to properly enjoy the story. With added twists and turns this book has edge-of-seat moments, more sentimental parts and a humorous thread the whole way through. Readers who enjoy adrenaline pumping books that are quick to action and fast to read will absolutely love this book. If you are the kind of reader who enjoys a big, thick book that you can curl up with for a few days than this might not be up your street. However, this book is thoroughly enjoyable, has a good, strong plot as well as lovable characters. It might be a short read, but it is definitely a great read.
SAFIYAH (15)
March 22, 2016
I love having fun while I read a book. I laughed out loud at Jack's warnings during the first few pages of the book and was intrigued enough to keep reading. I'm glad I did. This is an amazing story. Jack is a great character, I mean, monster hunter.
This story is well written. Not too scary for young children. A bit of fantasy/horror mixed together. The characters are well developed. The story fast paced and interesting.
I started reading the warnings aloud to my 12 year old son. He was interested enough to state "I want to read it when your done" I gave him my ereader when I finished, and he was glued to the reader until he finished the story. His response..."Is there more?" Thankfully, there is a second novel coming soon.
Any book that gets a stamp of approval from my 12 year old is a great story. Right now, he's obsessed with Percy Jackson and not much interested in anything else. In other words, this is an amazing story, one that encouraged him to read something other than PJ. Must be the monsters.
A 5 star story for middle graders, young adults.
I was given this book for an honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions are mine and those of my 12 year old.
This story is well written. Not too scary for young children. A bit of fantasy/horror mixed together. The characters are well developed. The story fast paced and interesting.
I started reading the warnings aloud to my 12 year old son. He was interested enough to state "I want to read it when your done" I gave him my ereader when I finished, and he was glued to the reader until he finished the story. His response..."Is there more?" Thankfully, there is a second novel coming soon.
Any book that gets a stamp of approval from my 12 year old is a great story. Right now, he's obsessed with Percy Jackson and not much interested in anything else. In other words, this is an amazing story, one that encouraged him to read something other than PJ. Must be the monsters.
A 5 star story for middle graders, young adults.
I was given this book for an honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions are mine and those of my 12 year old.
January 9, 2015
Jack has lived with his Aunt Sophie most of his life. He thinks that the world is wonderful. When he wakes up the day before his 14th birthday, everyone and every thing seems to be acting different. His body is changing. He is all of the sudden much stronger.
Jacks adventure begins right off the bat. He runs into a stranger on the street, who is dressed in a cloak with weird teeth, and he thinks he is just dreaming up these weird happenings.
I love how this book is told in first person. I love first person. It is so much easier for me to connect with the character when I feel like they are talking right to me. This book is full of adventure, strange creatures, awesome battles, and friendships. I cannot wait to read this with my 10 yr old son. I think he will love this book. Jack is a great character. Strong, and kind.
The creatures in this book are interesting, and a little creepy, but so fantastic. I cannot wait to see what Jack does in the next book. I will definitely be reading more of this series. It's a quick, easy, and fun read. Great for middle age kids.
Source: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
Jacks adventure begins right off the bat. He runs into a stranger on the street, who is dressed in a cloak with weird teeth, and he thinks he is just dreaming up these weird happenings.
I love how this book is told in first person. I love first person. It is so much easier for me to connect with the character when I feel like they are talking right to me. This book is full of adventure, strange creatures, awesome battles, and friendships. I cannot wait to read this with my 10 yr old son. I think he will love this book. Jack is a great character. Strong, and kind.
The creatures in this book are interesting, and a little creepy, but so fantastic. I cannot wait to see what Jack does in the next book. I will definitely be reading more of this series. It's a quick, easy, and fun read. Great for middle age kids.
Source: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
December 1, 2012
Jack Templar thinks his name is Jack Smith. He thinks he is a normal teenager about to celebrate his fourteenth birthday. But, he is wrong about everything. He really doesn't know as much about himself as he thought. His birthday brings him face to face with who he truly is and what he must do with the rest of his life, that he is a monster hunter, and is actually from a long line of monster hunters. He doesn't have a whole lot of time to prepare for this new identity that has been thrust upon him as he finds himself up against every monster that he could imagine.
Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One is a book that is sure to interest the middle school aged child and adults as well. It is a book that will interest both the reluctant reader and the avid one with the fast moving plot and of course it's fair share of monsters!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review, but my opinions are my own.
Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One is a book that is sure to interest the middle school aged child and adults as well. It is a book that will interest both the reluctant reader and the avid one with the fast moving plot and of course it's fair share of monsters!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review, but my opinions are my own.
February 5, 2013
Wad up? Just finished this review now it shows no review. Ok, this is one great little MG book! Hooks you from the first page and does not let up. Jack will turn 14 tomorrow, but not before one of the wildest rides of YA fiction. Every page jumps out at you with another surprise, well every other page is more like it. It will be a very hard to put down book. Enjoy.
Ok pretty good first book, rough in a few places but overall I liked it. This is worth reading for any MGer, YA or YA Fantasy.
[[ASIN:B009SRYACA Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One]]
Ok pretty good first book, rough in a few places but overall I liked it. This is worth reading for any MGer, YA or YA Fantasy.
[[ASIN:B009SRYACA Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One]]
April 12, 2013
Right away the author grabs your attention. It's the best beginning I have ever read. Gosh, I laughed. Thankfully, it's not true though, but you would have to read the book to get that statement.
I would agree kids ages 10 and up would be appropriate for this book. Kids younger will be scared silly, heck, maybe the older ones will be too, but then again, that is part of the fun in the story.
Great writing, very clever, an exciting story, and wonderful characters make up this book.
A big thumbs up from me.
I would agree kids ages 10 and up would be appropriate for this book. Kids younger will be scared silly, heck, maybe the older ones will be too, but then again, that is part of the fun in the story.
Great writing, very clever, an exciting story, and wonderful characters make up this book.
A big thumbs up from me.
March 19, 2015
2.5 stars.
I'm seeing that most of the people who read this enjoyed it, but it was not so in my case. I'm a fan of middle-grade reads; I think they're fun, full of excitement and adventure, and even though Jack Templar, Monster Hunter did include that, it was missing the thing that usually draws me into books.
I'm seeing that most of the people who read this enjoyed it, but it was not so in my case. I'm a fan of middle-grade reads; I think they're fun, full of excitement and adventure, and even though Jack Templar, Monster Hunter did include that, it was missing the thing that usually draws me into books.
March 6, 2016
Wow. Loved this first installment in the Jack Templar Chronicles. It's fast-paced, geared toward middle-school age, I'm 49 (a bit beyond the middle-school years), and I loved it. Ordering the second installment today. I will definitely have my 9 year-old son read this, after he finishes the Percy Jackson series. I think he'll love it too.
November 18, 2012
pretty good, can't wait 4 the sequl.
November 30, 2012
I really like this book even though the author is my dad. I think it is a great book with the right amount of humor and action.
January 21, 2013
Good action, great hooks! If Jersey Shore was good enough for a second season, then certainly we deserve an anthology of Jack Templar books.
January 1, 2023
This was a fun middle grade read. The author seemed to know how to write 14 year old boys. It was short but packed a lot of story in its pages. There were a lot of cute moments interspersed with significant violence when the main characters were fighting the monsters, which included harpies, vampires, trolls, and zombies to name a few. I found myself smiling quite a bit throughout the book. This is a coming of age story and does not hesitate to explore the characters' family dynamics, to include child abuse and being an orphan, all from a 14 year old kid's view. The author managed to build an interesting world that kept my adult attention throughout. I think this would be quite an engaging book for a middle grade child as the author speaks directly to the reader using the point of view of the main character. This worked very well fro drawing the reader in. I definitely will be picking up the next book in this series.
July 31, 2017
Jack Smith finds out he comes from a long line of monster hunters on the eve of his 14th birthday. He has been raised by an aunt after his parents died. He unknowingly has his protection lifted to find out that many monsters are looking for him, especially a big bad. Will Jack make it to 14? older MG will love it.
Aunt turns out to be monster. Jack speaks to audience. Mom may not have been human. Dad may be alive. Like Buffy and HP, raised in human world and unfamiliar with the rules of this new world.
Aunt turns out to be monster. Jack speaks to audience. Mom may not have been human. Dad may be alive. Like Buffy and HP, raised in human world and unfamiliar with the rules of this new world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2018
I received a free copy from NetGalley. Reads like the first in a series, which it is. Leaves you wanting more. Very quick read and doesn't seem to assume you know what all the monsters are, so it is a great book for someone new to this style of writing. I'm just thankful my kid didn't turn 14 the way Jack did.
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