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Rosehaven: The Hidden City #1
Rise of the Retics
What would you do if you found out you weren't entirely human and specially trained hunters were trying to kill you? For Tyranna, a young orphan, it means moving to Rosehaven: a hidden city filled with sword-fighting squirrels, goblin assassins, and a dangerous criminal organization run by an emotionally imbalanced fairy. It might not be the safest place in the world, but when you're Retic it's the only place left.
322 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2012
46 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Lantz
16 books22 followersT.J. Lantz is a teacher, writer, and goat rancher from York, Pennsylvania. In his spare time, he works as a chauffeur for his two children.
T.J. is the author of the best-selling Rosehaven series--a Mid-grade level Fantasy filled with humor and adventure. He holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, an M.S. in Instruction from Drexel University, and a B.A. in History/Anthropology from York College of Pa.
T.J. is the author of the best-selling Rosehaven series--a Mid-grade level Fantasy filled with humor and adventure. He holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, an M.S. in Instruction from Drexel University, and a B.A. in History/Anthropology from York College of Pa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 5, 2013
I received this book in a first-reads giveaway. One thing I really liked about the book was the cover. After reading a complicated character description I could just look at the back and see what the characters are supposed to look like! There were some strong female characters in this book. An evil but fierce fairy villain, Tyranna the shapeshifter, and Sam the sword-fighting squirrel. The squirrels were hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing while reading about them. I love the different citizens of Rosehaven. Branchy is also awesome, but a huge tree called an ent? Tolkien could totally sue if he was alive. Tyranna said something that I really enjoyed and applies to my life, "Sometimes no matter how much she grew as a person, or what she was able to accomplish, she would always be the 'little girl' of Lipkos". So true. It was also interesting how Tyranna mentioned that the boys made fun of her for her eating habits, but nobody ever cared what they ate. Also true!! T.J Lantz pretty much just puts words to my feelings. There was a couple words I had to look up in the dictionary but overall pretty easy to understand and visualize. At first though I did have trouble with all the strange names of people and places but got used to it as the story went on. The plot was very interesting and exciting.
I loved all the main characters, especially Jaxon. Great character development there for him. Do I sense a possible romance for him and Tyranna? I hope so!
One major thing I noticed were some very obvious grammar errors. Was this book edited? Or am I wrong and these aren't mistakes after all? Honestly I haven't taken an English class in years so either these mistakes are super obvious or I'm imagining it. I'm listing the ones I found here:
Pg 110: "We need to leave, NOW, " demanded a powerful, deep voice! Does the exclamation mark go after what the guy said? It doesn't really sound right to have it when it's just describing that he said something.
Pg 177 "Now he just had to figure out way to befriend Gnipper and reap the benefits of her position (...)" Figure out way to befriend? Shouldn't it be figure out A way?
Pg 196 "She stood up for him to Bull had meals with him, and helped him take Rigby for walks..." There should be a comma after "stood up for him to bull"
Pg 221 "Cletus returned a minute later with a shot class" A sentence later it is then returned to as a glass. What is a shot 'class'???
Overall I really enjoyed the book. Will definitely buy the next book in the Rosehaven series. Thanks a lot for the giveaway!! I'd love to pre-read your next book TJ Lantz, I could even edit it for you if you'd like :)
I loved all the main characters, especially Jaxon. Great character development there for him. Do I sense a possible romance for him and Tyranna? I hope so!
One major thing I noticed were some very obvious grammar errors. Was this book edited? Or am I wrong and these aren't mistakes after all? Honestly I haven't taken an English class in years so either these mistakes are super obvious or I'm imagining it. I'm listing the ones I found here:
Pg 110: "We need to leave, NOW, " demanded a powerful, deep voice! Does the exclamation mark go after what the guy said? It doesn't really sound right to have it when it's just describing that he said something.
Pg 177 "Now he just had to figure out way to befriend Gnipper and reap the benefits of her position (...)" Figure out way to befriend? Shouldn't it be figure out A way?
Pg 196 "She stood up for him to Bull had meals with him, and helped him take Rigby for walks..." There should be a comma after "stood up for him to bull"
Pg 221 "Cletus returned a minute later with a shot class" A sentence later it is then returned to as a glass. What is a shot 'class'???
Overall I really enjoyed the book. Will definitely buy the next book in the Rosehaven series. Thanks a lot for the giveaway!! I'd love to pre-read your next book TJ Lantz, I could even edit it for you if you'd like :)
April 15, 2014
"Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting." - Sydney J. Harris
"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will." - Patton Oswalt
The right to survival. Throughout history, there have been those who have seen that right stripped, demeaned, destroyed. Native Americans decimated by the white invaders, the Jews (and everyone else) by the Nazis, and everyone not of their religion by the Church. And the depredations of the Church weigh heavily upon the world and the lives of those who are “different” in Rise of the Retics. In this new and fascinating world, based loosely upon the Spanish Inquisition, the church and government attempt to decimate all of the retics, creatures of myth and legend. Driven into refugee camps and denied the most basic of rights, this is their tale, a tale of imagination and great humor, yet also of viciousness and discrimination, pain and angst. And as much as I would like to say that it is only the humans who bring pain, it is also the retics who bring about pain and intolerance amongst their own.
Lantz is brilliant in his character development and perspective, his humor and world building. There are levels and degrees of creativity that are rare in many more ‘idolized’ modern books. While Lantz’s writing is perfect for the preteen audience, it is extremely pleasant for a more adult audience as well. Honestly, I would like to see this wonderful novel rise to the level of the Harry Potter series in popularity. It is more creative, the characters both more and less likable, the world fascinating and beautifully written.
And let us not forget the footnotes – they are absolutely hysterical, and lend an extra level of brightness to the story.
All in all, if you are open to a new and creative world, filled with layers and dimensions, I would highly recommend Lantz’s story. It was, in a word, fantastic.
I received this book from Storycartel in return for a realistic review. All thoughts on the book are my own. It is beautifully written, though it could use a bit of an edit. I would recommend it to the adventurous reader!
"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will." - Patton Oswalt
The right to survival. Throughout history, there have been those who have seen that right stripped, demeaned, destroyed. Native Americans decimated by the white invaders, the Jews (and everyone else) by the Nazis, and everyone not of their religion by the Church. And the depredations of the Church weigh heavily upon the world and the lives of those who are “different” in Rise of the Retics. In this new and fascinating world, based loosely upon the Spanish Inquisition, the church and government attempt to decimate all of the retics, creatures of myth and legend. Driven into refugee camps and denied the most basic of rights, this is their tale, a tale of imagination and great humor, yet also of viciousness and discrimination, pain and angst. And as much as I would like to say that it is only the humans who bring pain, it is also the retics who bring about pain and intolerance amongst their own.
Lantz is brilliant in his character development and perspective, his humor and world building. There are levels and degrees of creativity that are rare in many more ‘idolized’ modern books. While Lantz’s writing is perfect for the preteen audience, it is extremely pleasant for a more adult audience as well. Honestly, I would like to see this wonderful novel rise to the level of the Harry Potter series in popularity. It is more creative, the characters both more and less likable, the world fascinating and beautifully written.
And let us not forget the footnotes – they are absolutely hysterical, and lend an extra level of brightness to the story.
All in all, if you are open to a new and creative world, filled with layers and dimensions, I would highly recommend Lantz’s story. It was, in a word, fantastic.
I received this book from Storycartel in return for a realistic review. All thoughts on the book are my own. It is beautifully written, though it could use a bit of an edit. I would recommend it to the adventurous reader!
March 11, 2020
ALRIGHT, HERE IT IS!😍GO BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍
MY OH MY!😍 I was so engrossed , totally swept away by this author and breathtaking descriptions! I'm definitely going to recommend this book! Fae, dwarfs, walking /talking huge trees! 😍 This "AMAZING STORYLINE" is so well written and 📚 reading this book was so enjoyable!BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍GET IT NOW!
MY OH MY!😍 I was so engrossed , totally swept away by this author and breathtaking descriptions! I'm definitely going to recommend this book! Fae, dwarfs, walking /talking huge trees! 😍 This "AMAZING STORYLINE" is so well written and 📚 reading this book was so enjoyable!BUY THIS BOOK NOW!😍GET IT NOW!
May 5, 2013
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
Eleven year old Tyranna Wolfskin was used to being different. Among all the orphans at Lipkos Monastery, she was the only female. She was always pushed into activities like mending clothes or working in the kitchen when she would much rather be studying or learning about the forest. But if she thought she was different just because she was a girl, she would soon discover a much greater difference as she came to learn about the non-human species she had never known existed. These “retics” were as different from each other as they were from humans, but they had a common goal of surviving against the human “retic” hunters.
This story revolves around the theme of difference and how those differences are treated. T. J. Lantz’ story is very loosely set in Europe during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. While Lantz has the Coalition of the Burning Heart searching out non-humans or half-humans, the message is the same as it was in the Inquisition. Differences will not be tolerated and those who are different must be destroyed. In order to save themselves, the “retics” have built a hidden sanctuary governed by the Counsel of Rosehaven. The “retics” must learn to put aside their own personal differences and work together for the survival of all.
I like the way Lantz tells the story from multiple perspectives. We begin with Tyranna, who discovers she is half human and half elf, and then we are introduced to Jaxon, a demon/human half-breed. One of the problems with the “retics” is that they too have difficulties with differences and they also don’t like half-breeds. So for Tyranna and Jaxon the challenges become immense.
Tyranna is forced to learn about the world of the retics very abruptly and cruelly. Nevertheless, she doesn’t lose her smile and her enthusiasm for learning. She is also a very kind person, able to see the true nature of others, and in this way, her gentleness and her determination, her skills and her wisdom, enable her to make friends with a variety of personalities in a way that has her friends working together even when they had begun as enemies. Her vision for herself and her world is one which sees past any individual differences and instead focuses on what individuals have in common.
Lantz does an excellent job of portraying the many different species in his world. Each character is well developed with a clear and unique voice. Lantz alternates between Tyranna’s story and Jaxon’s, but the switches are easy to keep up with and by the end Lantz has brought them as well as a smaller third thread into a cohesive ending for this first novel in his series.
I really enjoyed this novel and I feel that Lantz tells a compelling and riveting story about how differences are handled. I can recommend it for any reader of fantasy, adult or young adult. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Eleven year old Tyranna Wolfskin was used to being different. Among all the orphans at Lipkos Monastery, she was the only female. She was always pushed into activities like mending clothes or working in the kitchen when she would much rather be studying or learning about the forest. But if she thought she was different just because she was a girl, she would soon discover a much greater difference as she came to learn about the non-human species she had never known existed. These “retics” were as different from each other as they were from humans, but they had a common goal of surviving against the human “retic” hunters.
This story revolves around the theme of difference and how those differences are treated. T. J. Lantz’ story is very loosely set in Europe during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. While Lantz has the Coalition of the Burning Heart searching out non-humans or half-humans, the message is the same as it was in the Inquisition. Differences will not be tolerated and those who are different must be destroyed. In order to save themselves, the “retics” have built a hidden sanctuary governed by the Counsel of Rosehaven. The “retics” must learn to put aside their own personal differences and work together for the survival of all.
I like the way Lantz tells the story from multiple perspectives. We begin with Tyranna, who discovers she is half human and half elf, and then we are introduced to Jaxon, a demon/human half-breed. One of the problems with the “retics” is that they too have difficulties with differences and they also don’t like half-breeds. So for Tyranna and Jaxon the challenges become immense.
Tyranna is forced to learn about the world of the retics very abruptly and cruelly. Nevertheless, she doesn’t lose her smile and her enthusiasm for learning. She is also a very kind person, able to see the true nature of others, and in this way, her gentleness and her determination, her skills and her wisdom, enable her to make friends with a variety of personalities in a way that has her friends working together even when they had begun as enemies. Her vision for herself and her world is one which sees past any individual differences and instead focuses on what individuals have in common.
Lantz does an excellent job of portraying the many different species in his world. Each character is well developed with a clear and unique voice. Lantz alternates between Tyranna’s story and Jaxon’s, but the switches are easy to keep up with and by the end Lantz has brought them as well as a smaller third thread into a cohesive ending for this first novel in his series.
I really enjoyed this novel and I feel that Lantz tells a compelling and riveting story about how differences are handled. I can recommend it for any reader of fantasy, adult or young adult. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
December 30, 2016
I won a copy of this book in Elle Casey's 2013 January Anniversary Indie Book Giveaway.
Then, as the author had subsequently put it up for sale on Smashwords, I also bought a copy there because I liked the book so much!
I was concerned at first that this would be more "high fantasy" than what I've lately been into, but it wasn't. It tied in really nicely and plausibly with our own recorded European history, while at the same time creating a rich fantasy world more or less alongside our own.
I loved the structure of the book, with Tyranna's story and Jaxon's story alternating until halfway through when they dovetail (although POV continues to shift as needed, while never becoming confusing). Young Tyranna is as new to the world of the retics as we are as readers, and Young Jaxon is the best kind of unreliable narrator. There are also plenty of little details shining through everything - you never know who or what will become important later.
And the footnotes! The hilarious, glorious footnotes!
I am looking forward to Book 2. In the meantime, I immediately went and read Gnit-Wit Gnipper and the Perilous Plague, a short companion piece that explains more about Gnipper, a Rosehaven character. There is a second short Gnipper story that I plan to read soon. Good times.
Then, as the author had subsequently put it up for sale on Smashwords, I also bought a copy there because I liked the book so much!
I was concerned at first that this would be more "high fantasy" than what I've lately been into, but it wasn't. It tied in really nicely and plausibly with our own recorded European history, while at the same time creating a rich fantasy world more or less alongside our own.
I loved the structure of the book, with Tyranna's story and Jaxon's story alternating until halfway through when they dovetail (although POV continues to shift as needed, while never becoming confusing). Young Tyranna is as new to the world of the retics as we are as readers, and Young Jaxon is the best kind of unreliable narrator. There are also plenty of little details shining through everything - you never know who or what will become important later.
And the footnotes! The hilarious, glorious footnotes!
I am looking forward to Book 2. In the meantime, I immediately went and read Gnit-Wit Gnipper and the Perilous Plague, a short companion piece that explains more about Gnipper, a Rosehaven character. There is a second short Gnipper story that I plan to read soon. Good times.
June 3, 2013
First off, this is not an adult level novel. This is a young adult fantasy, and definitely on the younger side of young adult. Having said that, I really enjoyed “Rise if the Retics” by T. J. Lantz.
This is a novel about the fight for the right to survive in a world where being different is utterly unacceptable. Lantz does a fantastic job with this overall theme. Just because someone is different doesn’t make him or her less. In “Rise of the Retics” differences will not be tolerated, and those who are different must be destroyed. It is loosely set during the Spanish Inquisition.
I also liked how Lantz not only had intolerance on the human side, but also on the side of the retics. He does a fantastic job with character development and describing the many species in his novel. The novel switches between the perspective of a few different characters, which really helps to add dimension and understanding to the characters.
There is humor, suspense, mystery, pain, and joy in “Rise of the Retics.”
This is a great young adult fantasy novel with a brilliant message permeated throughout. I would definitely recommend this novel.
This is a novel about the fight for the right to survive in a world where being different is utterly unacceptable. Lantz does a fantastic job with this overall theme. Just because someone is different doesn’t make him or her less. In “Rise of the Retics” differences will not be tolerated, and those who are different must be destroyed. It is loosely set during the Spanish Inquisition.
I also liked how Lantz not only had intolerance on the human side, but also on the side of the retics. He does a fantastic job with character development and describing the many species in his novel. The novel switches between the perspective of a few different characters, which really helps to add dimension and understanding to the characters.
There is humor, suspense, mystery, pain, and joy in “Rise of the Retics.”
This is a great young adult fantasy novel with a brilliant message permeated throughout. I would definitely recommend this novel.
April 14, 2014
Rise of the Retics fizzes with humour and imagination. It tells the story of Tyranna, an orphan with a secret, and is set in a skilfully blended world of late medieval Europe where churches and governments are trying to stamp out the 'retics' - creatures of fable and fantasy, who are actually real and persecuted. They have been driven into a large refugee camp, their city called Rosehaven. Tyranna is rescued (at some cost) from the bad guys and whisked away to her new life in Rosehaven.
The strongest elements of the book are the author's excellent imagination and sense of humour. Don't miss out on reading the footnotes as they come up, they are hilarious. The plot was also strong along with the characterisation. Each character has a unique voice. The story has a positive message about dealing with difference.
On the negative side the editing was below par and could be easily remedied. The pace lagged in places, however, the sheer strength of the author's imagination I believe carries this story through. Thoroughly enjoyable and well recommended reading for the younger set, with a few scenes that keep the book at the YA (not middle grades) level.
The strongest elements of the book are the author's excellent imagination and sense of humour. Don't miss out on reading the footnotes as they come up, they are hilarious. The plot was also strong along with the characterisation. Each character has a unique voice. The story has a positive message about dealing with difference.
On the negative side the editing was below par and could be easily remedied. The pace lagged in places, however, the sheer strength of the author's imagination I believe carries this story through. Thoroughly enjoyable and well recommended reading for the younger set, with a few scenes that keep the book at the YA (not middle grades) level.
November 22, 2013
At first glance, I assumed this was a book geared toward middle school children due to the cartoon-style illustrations on the cover, but it is actually written more for teens and adults who are able to read lots of big words. I liked the characters and the plotline and had no problem imagining the world of Rosehaven, but I did find the ridiculously large amount of footnotes throughout the novel to be more annoying than entertaining, and there were plenty of times where I felt the author was coming off as pretentious by using bigger words when he could have summarized things in a simpler way. The book also could use a whole lot of editing, as there were many many errors throughout the reduced the quality of this book. I'd give this book 3.5 stars due to that, but since Goodreads doesn't allow half stars I'm going to round this up to 4 because I still enjoyed it enough to read the next book in the series if there is one. Just be aware that if you are someone like me that gets annoyed by numerous editing errors, this book will be a bit tedious for you!
June 25, 2014
This was cute and quite humorous! The footnotes were hilarious! If you generally are one to skip the footnotes, I suggest you don't on this one...you'll be missing out otherwise. I, personally, would have liked the setting in a completely different world, not ours (though it is set in the past), but that's just be a personal preference. I would probably suggest this read for ages 10/12+ (and the young at heart, of course!) or it might even be one a parent would enjoy reading to their child (and could quite possibly open up some discussion themes about people's differences, good and bad, etc). I'll be on the lookout for another (there will be another, yes?) and am already looking into the short stories of Gnipper (who I absolutely loved, by the way)!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2016
A wonderful read for young fantasy lovers.
This kooky tale requires much suspension of belief but once you settle into the world of Rosehaven it’s definitely worth the effort. It’s not at all a subtle story, yet delightfully humorous if not taken too seriously. Perhaps it won’t suit the tastes of older fantasy readers but for the age bracket that T.J Lantz has targeted (8-16) it’s perfect!
In fact, it’s exactly the kind of thing I would have got lost in as a young reader with a crazy imagination!
Rosehaven, Rise of the Retics is simply overflowing with colourful characters. I loved the way T.J Lantz has breathed new life into so many tried and true fantasy species, giving them quirky, original backstories and temperaments that are sure to bring them to life in the minds of new generations.
I would definitely read this book to my children if I had any! Five stars!
This kooky tale requires much suspension of belief but once you settle into the world of Rosehaven it’s definitely worth the effort. It’s not at all a subtle story, yet delightfully humorous if not taken too seriously. Perhaps it won’t suit the tastes of older fantasy readers but for the age bracket that T.J Lantz has targeted (8-16) it’s perfect!
In fact, it’s exactly the kind of thing I would have got lost in as a young reader with a crazy imagination!
Rosehaven, Rise of the Retics is simply overflowing with colourful characters. I loved the way T.J Lantz has breathed new life into so many tried and true fantasy species, giving them quirky, original backstories and temperaments that are sure to bring them to life in the minds of new generations.
I would definitely read this book to my children if I had any! Five stars!
June 16, 2013
Tyranna Wolfskin was a character very easy to like. All she wants to do is make others proud of her. Very easy to cheer for and worry about what would happen to her next. Jaxon is a character that you just want to see hurt. He is egotistic and thinks it is all about himself. But Tyranna and Jaxon form a bond even though they are so different. And when Jaxon gets himself in trouble Tyranna and her friends come to his rescue even though it might mean getting expelled from the school she so wanted to be in. The story kept you wanting to read it and has you booing and hissing as well as laughing and cheering the characters on. But one of the best parts was actually the foot notes which really had you laughing. Well Written and a very different Fantasy Story.
April 13, 2014
I received this book from Story Cartel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book tells the story of the Retics and how they are trying to survive by not only tricking the humans who are out to slaughter them all but also the Retics themselves that are not quite as good and trustworthy as you might hope. Kindness and cruelty are themes that run through the book, along with compassion and honour. A world built with imagination and a journey that has only just begun.
Recommended for all young teens and upwards.
This book tells the story of the Retics and how they are trying to survive by not only tricking the humans who are out to slaughter them all but also the Retics themselves that are not quite as good and trustworthy as you might hope. Kindness and cruelty are themes that run through the book, along with compassion and honour. A world built with imagination and a journey that has only just begun.
Recommended for all young teens and upwards.
April 3, 2013
My god, this author must have one hell of an amazing imagination.. Love the cover illustration, the lightheart fell and style of the book, and the simple eloquence which shines through in every sentence. As good as it was, it wasn't actually brilliant but a 4* review but it's definitely worth 4 stars.
January 14, 2013
This is a Y A novel & being a much older adult I think this is a book for all ages. A true escape from reality, so many warm, funny & amusing characters, this is a great adventure can,t wait for another helping in the follow-up.WON THIS ON GOODREADS GIVE-AWAYS.
October 1, 2017
This was a freebie on the Kobo store, which means it wasn't marked YA when I picked it up. I wouldn't have otherwise, since not even Terry Pratchett's YA can hold my attention. That is not condemnation of the meta-genre, but it does color my reviews when I give them. I slogged through this book on general principle that the author was well-meaning and it was clearly a self-published debut, meaning a severe lack of polish that could have been repaired with a good editor and a decent proofreader (or a good beta reader).
The author can't seem to make up his mind whether he wants to write a comedic or a sombre story. While masters of writing have managed to tackle dark topics with humor, this is not the case here. The "strong" female characters have their development and personalities shoved aside in order to get the male lead's development done by the end of the book - a development that's pretty forced. Again, I think the author is well-intended. He meant for those girls to be strong and independent but they are written as little more than tropes of strong women, and they only serve to repair the insufferable male perspective character to decency by the end of the book. Once the female character is introduced to him, her thoughts revolve around him, and the book fails to pass the Bechdal test despite a scene featuring no less than 5 named women (and a female dog).
The comedic footnotes are sadly not optimized for Kobo, so I only read them without their context at the end of the book, though I was aware they existed. The first couple didn't prove funny enough to make it worth paging back and forth.
The author can't seem to make up his mind whether he wants to write a comedic or a sombre story. While masters of writing have managed to tackle dark topics with humor, this is not the case here. The "strong" female characters have their development and personalities shoved aside in order to get the male lead's development done by the end of the book - a development that's pretty forced. Again, I think the author is well-intended. He meant for those girls to be strong and independent but they are written as little more than tropes of strong women, and they only serve to repair the insufferable male perspective character to decency by the end of the book. Once the female character is introduced to him, her thoughts revolve around him, and the book fails to pass the Bechdal test despite a scene featuring no less than 5 named women (and a female dog).
The comedic footnotes are sadly not optimized for Kobo, so I only read them without their context at the end of the book, though I was aware they existed. The first couple didn't prove funny enough to make it worth paging back and forth.
December 13, 2017
Bring your kids!
This is a fun book for sharing with the whole family! Read a chapter every night and follow along with the next generation of mythological creatures learning how to save their way of life!
This is a fun book for sharing with the whole family! Read a chapter every night and follow along with the next generation of mythological creatures learning how to save their way of life!
September 29, 2017
Lots of fun
What a fun and entertaining book. It did take me a short while to get into this book but after I did it was quite enjoyable and entertaining
What a fun and entertaining book. It did take me a short while to get into this book but after I did it was quite enjoyable and entertaining
April 27, 2016
Rosehaven Rise of the Retics is the introductory book to a series which takes the reader on an epic adventure and into another time – 1503 as it has never been portrayed. This is a beautifully created fantasy which reads like an instant classic. There are hints of elements that I personally know and love – a touch of Harry Potter, a touch of Tolkien and even a little Chronicles of Narnia. The strong female leading character of Tyranna is one that boys will want to hang out with and girls will want to be!
The world and the characters are jaw-dropping as far as creative – and they are masterfully developed. Particularly impressive is the large cast of supporting characters that reside in this world – they are as unique and as fascinating as the principals. Although the bad guys are truly bad – some supporting characters are so humorous that I literally laughed out loud at certain names and descriptions throughout. (For example, an elf named “Phart” – kids should delight in the clever and extremely funny spelling – which, in all fairness, would make this a literary reference if brought up during dinner.)
The comedy is beautifully woven throughout, not only in the characters and dialogue but even in the amusing endnotes. ( I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came upon the first endnote – and they are interactive endnotes in the Kindle version! This is an innovative touch and makes a great introduction to endnotes in general. (The “cites” are well worth clicking on.)
This is both a Rainy and Sunny Day treasure that would give any kid (or adult) an excuse to hide away and spend the day reading. (No easy feat for any young audience book to accomplish.)
Hat’s off! Looking forward to book two.
The world and the characters are jaw-dropping as far as creative – and they are masterfully developed. Particularly impressive is the large cast of supporting characters that reside in this world – they are as unique and as fascinating as the principals. Although the bad guys are truly bad – some supporting characters are so humorous that I literally laughed out loud at certain names and descriptions throughout. (For example, an elf named “Phart” – kids should delight in the clever and extremely funny spelling – which, in all fairness, would make this a literary reference if brought up during dinner.)
The comedy is beautifully woven throughout, not only in the characters and dialogue but even in the amusing endnotes. ( I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came upon the first endnote – and they are interactive endnotes in the Kindle version! This is an innovative touch and makes a great introduction to endnotes in general. (The “cites” are well worth clicking on.)
This is both a Rainy and Sunny Day treasure that would give any kid (or adult) an excuse to hide away and spend the day reading. (No easy feat for any young audience book to accomplish.)
Hat’s off! Looking forward to book two.
June 4, 2016
I received this book as part of a Children’s Book Review Group, and first up: this is not a children’s book. It is more suitable for young adult fantasy readers, but not for children. The sheer length of the work, paired with a myriad of characters of different species (along with some violent scenes), will probably not appeal to young readers. That said though, young adult fantasy readers might very well enjoy this. In this story, young orphan girl Tyranna is trying to escape a band of human assassins out to kill her. Tyranna, a non-human classified as a retic, escapes to the fictional place of Rosehaven, a setting similar to what you would picture medieval Europe to have been like. The Retics themselves are a flawed and interesting group. While made up of different species, all of them are non-human. They despise other retics who are half-breeds made up of more than one species, but finally realize their need to work together in their joint quest to outsmart the humans out to kill them. The theme is mature, and the language quite humorous, which will probably appeal to an older audience. I might have been the completely wrong person to review this as I am not a fantasy reader, and spend a lot of my time working with small children, who are definitely not the target audience here. That said though, if you are a teenage fantasy reader, you will probably enjoy this! I commend the author on his vivid imagination and unique plot and would definitely recommend this to an older audience.
May 11, 2016
Although Rise of the Retics is a fantasy novel written with young readers in mind, it may be an entertaining read for all ages. It’s a weird tale, a combination of action and adventure. Personally, I didn’t like the story but I was impressed with the author’s creativity and imagination, by his ability to craft a strange imaginary world and a large cast of characters, a whole species of unique creatures and that’s why I gave it four stars rating. His writing style is clear and easy to understand.
However, I had a few issues with the story.
I found the plot badly structured. It was all over the place and difficult to follow. The pace was too slow.
Although the author writes about an imaginary world, he hints to 16th century Europe and names Poland as one of the countries where his story happens. I found it so odd because the events he writes about have nothing to do with Poland, are totally untrue and historically incorrect. Why use the country name creating a false image of it? The author shows his total lack of knowledge about Poland or its history and even the place names are totally wrong and do not sound at all Polish. If you write an imaginary, fantasy tale you should stick to it. If you use real place names than you should get your facts right. Otherwise you create misconceptions and spread false messages, especially dangerous in this case because the story is aimed at the young reader.
However, I had a few issues with the story.
I found the plot badly structured. It was all over the place and difficult to follow. The pace was too slow.
Although the author writes about an imaginary world, he hints to 16th century Europe and names Poland as one of the countries where his story happens. I found it so odd because the events he writes about have nothing to do with Poland, are totally untrue and historically incorrect. Why use the country name creating a false image of it? The author shows his total lack of knowledge about Poland or its history and even the place names are totally wrong and do not sound at all Polish. If you write an imaginary, fantasy tale you should stick to it. If you use real place names than you should get your facts right. Otherwise you create misconceptions and spread false messages, especially dangerous in this case because the story is aimed at the young reader.
July 11, 2016
Rise of the Retics introduces with a very dark setting. I wondered at first why the author compared his writing style to Douglas Adams. However, by the second chapter I understood. And I think he added a flare of comedy the great comedic masters of literature would admire.
The good: Lantz created here a very comical world. His use of simile was very imaginative. I loved a lot of what I read and I laughed a lot. His writing is also of a very exceptional quality. I couldn't put this book down after I was introduced to Jaxon, whose mischievous nature will be a delight to readers in need of a good laugh.
The bad: There were a few jokes that I wasn't so fond of. There were times when Lantz used expressions like "Jaxon laughed", as if to suggest that the reader was unable to catch the humor. I'm of the feeling that characters generally shouldn't laugh at themselves.
I was also not fond of his use of a Demon as one of the main characters. I view this sort of thing in a bad light.
For the most part, the good outweighs the bad. T.J. is a skillful storyteller with a lot of imagination. And though many of the races he writes about are almost hackneyed in fantasy: goblins, dwarfs, and the like; I believe he adds a refreshing take on the genre.
I was grateful to acquire a copy of T.J. Lantz's book in exchange for a free review.
The good: Lantz created here a very comical world. His use of simile was very imaginative. I loved a lot of what I read and I laughed a lot. His writing is also of a very exceptional quality. I couldn't put this book down after I was introduced to Jaxon, whose mischievous nature will be a delight to readers in need of a good laugh.
The bad: There were a few jokes that I wasn't so fond of. There were times when Lantz used expressions like "Jaxon laughed", as if to suggest that the reader was unable to catch the humor. I'm of the feeling that characters generally shouldn't laugh at themselves.
I was also not fond of his use of a Demon as one of the main characters. I view this sort of thing in a bad light.
For the most part, the good outweighs the bad. T.J. is a skillful storyteller with a lot of imagination. And though many of the races he writes about are almost hackneyed in fantasy: goblins, dwarfs, and the like; I believe he adds a refreshing take on the genre.
I was grateful to acquire a copy of T.J. Lantz's book in exchange for a free review.
July 8, 2016
I enjoyed this book as the characters' motivations and actions are believable, the plot is well formed, and the story doesn't stall whatsoever.
It does contain some dark elements along side of a lot of clever humor. It clearly isn't a book for children but for young adults.
I have two small issues with the novel though.
First, I want to preface my first issue with the fact that I like both humor interjections in novels, like comic relief, but it seemed a little weird for me in this particular novel. Reading so much of both in one novel as though the author didn't know whether he wanted the novel to be lighthearted or serious. Maybe since the author wanted this to be a novel for children, he thought the humor would lighten the seriousness a bit. But don't mistake me, both elements are very well written, which is why it's weird for me to be slightly complaining about it. The author has an excellent sense of humor. I think humor is his strongest suit. (I've read his Gnipper series as well.)
Second, I didn't like the footnotes whatsoever. Having to flip back and forth in the story to get a tidbit that was short enough to include in the main body of the novel was a little bothersome. It interrupted the flow of reading quite a bit.
It does contain some dark elements along side of a lot of clever humor. It clearly isn't a book for children but for young adults.
I have two small issues with the novel though.
First, I want to preface my first issue with the fact that I like both humor interjections in novels, like comic relief, but it seemed a little weird for me in this particular novel. Reading so much of both in one novel as though the author didn't know whether he wanted the novel to be lighthearted or serious. Maybe since the author wanted this to be a novel for children, he thought the humor would lighten the seriousness a bit. But don't mistake me, both elements are very well written, which is why it's weird for me to be slightly complaining about it. The author has an excellent sense of humor. I think humor is his strongest suit. (I've read his Gnipper series as well.)
Second, I didn't like the footnotes whatsoever. Having to flip back and forth in the story to get a tidbit that was short enough to include in the main body of the novel was a little bothersome. It interrupted the flow of reading quite a bit.
May 8, 2016
I’m not usually one to read fantasy but reading the description at once I was drawn into this fantasy world created by the author. The setting of medieval Europe was perfect for the story of Tyranna the orphan with a secret, rescued and taken to Rosehaven where she starts a new life. The story moves along at a brisk pace and is full of interesting characters that make the story flow. Although basically a YA novel, there are elements that are darker and more adult. But also it has its fair share of humour which helps to contrast the good and evil. The author must have a vivid imagination which allowed me to be transported into the world that he created. Top marks, looking forward to the next in the series.
July 14, 2016
This book is geared towards younger readers, but it also appeals to the young at heart. The characters are wonderfully written, and the fantasy world of Rosehaven is completely captivating.
Rosehaven is a sanctuary for the retics (fantasy creatures), who are hunted simply because they aren't human.
Tyranna, an orphan, is rescued from the bad guys and taken to Rosehaven, where she quickly learns that she is not alone in being persecuted for being different.
Tyranna, is a very strong female character, and I really enjoyed her progression throughout the book. I also found the cast of supporting characters both unique and fascinating. I loved the vast array of mythical creatures portrayed in this book. I would recommend this story to adults and children alike.
Rosehaven is a sanctuary for the retics (fantasy creatures), who are hunted simply because they aren't human.
Tyranna, an orphan, is rescued from the bad guys and taken to Rosehaven, where she quickly learns that she is not alone in being persecuted for being different.
Tyranna, is a very strong female character, and I really enjoyed her progression throughout the book. I also found the cast of supporting characters both unique and fascinating. I loved the vast array of mythical creatures portrayed in this book. I would recommend this story to adults and children alike.
April 21, 2016
This was a great book, and perfect for all ages. It's a fantasy novel with a collection of characters of all kinds - half demons, centaurs, dryads, dwarves, and everything you could think of. They live together on an island called Rosehaven, which is kind of a refugee camp / city for non-humans. Non-humans, or "retics" (from heretics) are persecuted by humanity, hunted down by retic-hunters and called monsters. The story follows several of the retics in Rosehaven, as well as Tyranna, a girl who finds out she's a shape-shifter.
The book is filled with humor throughout, and it's a really cool story that blends fantasy with history in new and interesting ways. Highly recommended.
The book is filled with humor throughout, and it's a really cool story that blends fantasy with history in new and interesting ways. Highly recommended.
July 24, 2016
Rise of the Retics is a great fantasy novel for the Young Adult/MG set—and the young at heart as well. The prose and character development really had me turning the pages. Lantz beautifully blends fantasy, humor and suspense in this action-packed tale.
I won’t go into a synopsis as you can read the book blurb. But, I’ll say that the story takes common fantasy tropes, and an age-old theme of persecution of those that are different, and adds a fresh twist, spliced with humor and imagination in a clever coming-of-age tale. I am definitely adding this read to my list of books to share with the tweens and teens in my life. Fun read!
I won’t go into a synopsis as you can read the book blurb. But, I’ll say that the story takes common fantasy tropes, and an age-old theme of persecution of those that are different, and adds a fresh twist, spliced with humor and imagination in a clever coming-of-age tale. I am definitely adding this read to my list of books to share with the tweens and teens in my life. Fun read!
April 25, 2016
Rise of the Retics feels like a mash-up of Terry Pratchett's Good Omens and Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books. This fantasy book is chock full of creatures of every description and T.J. Lantz manages to juggle the complicated characters and the heroic narrative quite well. The protagonists are classic anti-heroes who stumble into greatness despite all their character flaws. The young adult crowd will appreciate the up-beat, average-guy-makes-good story, and the fantasy lovers will find something in here to like from fairies to warrior squirrels.
July 17, 2016
It is an amazing fantasy story set in the medieval times where faerie creatures exist alongside humans. The text has a number of footnotes which define qualities of these beings in a humorous sort of way which gives it more depth and reality of the world that is created in the story. Even though it is supposed to be a children’s book, there are elements of violence and persecution which give the tale a darker edge. It makes it a good read for any lover of fantasy fiction. I just have a slight issue with the structuring of the story but apart from that it has been a very enjoyable read.
December 20, 2012
I just finished this book today and absolutely loved the story. The characters were well defined and the end of each chapter left me wanting to read the next. I really enjoyed how the author worked fantasy into historical events which not only gives the reader a sense of realism, but can also pique the interest of the reader to find out more about European history (like what was this Spanish Inquisition really about). I am looking forward to a sequel to see what happens with the Retics!
April 25, 2016
Great fantasy story for young readers! I found this story imaginative and quite humorous at times. It had a well-defined colorful cast and a positive message about acceptance. The footnotes in this story were hilarious and found them to be an added benefit! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend this for young readers as well as the young at heart!
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