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Brunderfold
Locker 13 has been sealed shut at Duck Ridge High School for over thirty years, but when freshman Aiden Holmes discovers the lock’s long lost combination and opens the door, he’ll unleash a nightmarish fairy tale brought to life named Brunderfold who looks to feed on the imagination of its victims.
“With one mere prose novel, Jason Burns has completely outclassed the entire catalog of work from R.L. Stein. Heck, Dean Koontz too.”
http://thelotteryparty.com/brunderfold/
"I loved this book. It was light, funny and while short, left nothing to be desired at the end."
http://thesealofoblivion.wordpress.co...
"Above all else, Brunderfold is a great heap of fun, a sort of Where The Wild Things Are for an older, more modern, and more Goosebumps-loving audience. Even as you’re willing Aiden not to open the locker you’re secretly hoping he does so you can see what’s inside. Irresistible."
http://comicbuzz.com/2013/07/brunderf...
"The writing does keep you glued to the page as the suspense is so intense you will not want to put this book down until the last page."
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.a...
“With one mere prose novel, Jason Burns has completely outclassed the entire catalog of work from R.L. Stein. Heck, Dean Koontz too.”
http://thelotteryparty.com/brunderfold/
"I loved this book. It was light, funny and while short, left nothing to be desired at the end."
http://thesealofoblivion.wordpress.co...
"Above all else, Brunderfold is a great heap of fun, a sort of Where The Wild Things Are for an older, more modern, and more Goosebumps-loving audience. Even as you’re willing Aiden not to open the locker you’re secretly hoping he does so you can see what’s inside. Irresistible."
http://comicbuzz.com/2013/07/brunderf...
"The writing does keep you glued to the page as the suspense is so intense you will not want to put this book down until the last page."
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.a...
314 pages, ebook
First published June 26, 2013
20 people want to read
About the author
Jason M. Burns
179 books17 followersNew York Times best selling author Jason M. Burns made the leap into the comic book industry in 2004 after being asked to write a short story for Dead@17: Rough Cut. Since that time he has written and created a number of critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful comic book series, including A Dummy’s Guide to Danger, Curse of the Were-Woman, and The Expendable One, which is being developed into a major motion picture by Intrepid Pictures. Burns has also spent time writing for such recognizable brands as Sesame Street, Shrek, Megamind, Jericho, Pocket God, Kung Fu Panda, Riche Rich, and Fraggle Rock, while working with on-screen talent as well, including Law & Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni.
Most recently Burns wrote, directed, and produced the live action web series Adults Only, which stars Danny Nucci, Vincent Pastore, Brian Austin Green, Sebastian Bach, and others.
Burns was born and raised in Massachusetts where he began his career as an entertainment journalist and public relations professional.
Most recently Burns wrote, directed, and produced the live action web series Adults Only, which stars Danny Nucci, Vincent Pastore, Brian Austin Green, Sebastian Bach, and others.
Burns was born and raised in Massachusetts where he began his career as an entertainment journalist and public relations professional.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 9, 2013
My inner child was hooked from page one! Soon my adventurous inner child joined in, followed by my “all things scary” inner child. We all agree, Brunderfold by Jason M. Burns is a terrific middle grade read that will catch the eye and imagination of readers of all ages who are looking for something fun and a little spooky, too!
Aiden has been sent to live with his father, after some trouble he had gotten into and is now the new kid at a small town school, filled with the typical school population, the pretty girls, the bullies, the geeks, etc. He unleashes an evil monster that has been locked away in Locker 13 at his school and if Aiden thought his current life was a nightmare, meeting what lived within Locker 13 certainly put his life in perspective. Brunderfold is the boogeyman in our deepest imagination, he is what goes bump in the night, and he is dangerous, deadly and seemingly unstoppable. When the danger starts hitting too close to home, Aiden knows he must act or Brunderfold’s reign of terror will only get worse. Can he stop Brunderfold with the help of his arch enemy and his only friend? Can the geek, the bully and the new kid really form an alliance that will find a way to destroy Brunderfold or will help come from the past, from a source that will leave Aiden in shock?
Brunderfold is fast, furious and a delight to read! Jason M. Burns has pulled together characters that we can all relate to, they have distinct personalities, easily similar to someone we may have known in school and given us new heroes fighting against evil! Aiden is often poised beyond his years, although his past is shrouded in mystery until midway through this tale when his own inner turmoil becomes more understandable, as does the relationship with his father. There are characters that do an about face and watching their growth and change truly adds to the story! (Okay, that was my inner adult talking.)
Mr. Burns’ writing style is fresh, up-tempo and his use of phrases and comparative references are definitely attention-getting and helped make this the great piece it is. I would mention the lessons learned and the understandings gained, but those were like bonus points for a tale that was already a huge success in my “book.”
Would “we” recommend it for younger readers? Definitely! I was provided a review copy by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 26, 2013
Publisher: Plymouth Rock Creative, LLC
ISBN: 9781620986
Page Count: 171
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Recommended Age: Middle Grade on up
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Aiden has been sent to live with his father, after some trouble he had gotten into and is now the new kid at a small town school, filled with the typical school population, the pretty girls, the bullies, the geeks, etc. He unleashes an evil monster that has been locked away in Locker 13 at his school and if Aiden thought his current life was a nightmare, meeting what lived within Locker 13 certainly put his life in perspective. Brunderfold is the boogeyman in our deepest imagination, he is what goes bump in the night, and he is dangerous, deadly and seemingly unstoppable. When the danger starts hitting too close to home, Aiden knows he must act or Brunderfold’s reign of terror will only get worse. Can he stop Brunderfold with the help of his arch enemy and his only friend? Can the geek, the bully and the new kid really form an alliance that will find a way to destroy Brunderfold or will help come from the past, from a source that will leave Aiden in shock?
Brunderfold is fast, furious and a delight to read! Jason M. Burns has pulled together characters that we can all relate to, they have distinct personalities, easily similar to someone we may have known in school and given us new heroes fighting against evil! Aiden is often poised beyond his years, although his past is shrouded in mystery until midway through this tale when his own inner turmoil becomes more understandable, as does the relationship with his father. There are characters that do an about face and watching their growth and change truly adds to the story! (Okay, that was my inner adult talking.)
Mr. Burns’ writing style is fresh, up-tempo and his use of phrases and comparative references are definitely attention-getting and helped make this the great piece it is. I would mention the lessons learned and the understandings gained, but those were like bonus points for a tale that was already a huge success in my “book.”
Would “we” recommend it for younger readers? Definitely! I was provided a review copy by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: June 26, 2013
Publisher: Plymouth Rock Creative, LLC
ISBN: 9781620986
Page Count: 171
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Recommended Age: Middle Grade on up
Available to Purchase From: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
February 19, 2015
You can read this review and more on my blog:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great little Halloween read for all ages!
When the story begins, the main character, Aiden, is forced to leave his mother; and move back into his childhood home, so he can live with his father who he hasn't seen since he was a small child.
As you can imagine, being forced at 15 years old to leave the only parent that he's ever really known so he can move in with a the father he felt abandoned him, doesn't make Aiden very happy.
When he makes it to town he's got nothing but a duffel bag full of clothes and his dog Chester to keep him company, and he's pretty miserable. He and his dad have a pretty rocky start too.
On his first day of school, Aiden meets the usual suspects:
Ronnie the bully, Ethan the nerd, and Olivia the romantic interest.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping the characters familiar without letting them become cliché.
At some point Aiden stumbles upon a mysterious locker in his new school with a giant padlock on it, and of course just like any 15-year-old would, he opens it. And that's when the fun begins!
He meets a very creepy boogeyman named Brunderfold who uses the pages of books to travel around and steal people's imaginations. Isn't that just too spooky and fun?!
When he's not stealing imaginations, Brunderfold likes to make "friends" with children, and guess who he wants to be his new friend? That's right, Aiden!
By "friends" he really means someone who will be his slave and help him feed on more imaginations. But what I liked most about Brunderfold as a villain, is that he feels like he's right. The fact that it doesn't seem evil to him to feed on the imaginations of unsuspecting kids, makes him extra creepy!
character development is very important to me even when I'm reading a cute, fun book. This book may be short, but the author manages to pack a lot of character development into the pages.
Aiden fit into the role of the hero very well. He makes some mistakes a long the way, but he learns from them.
Ethan was probably my favorite character in the entire book! He was sweet and funny, but he also gets his moments to shine and has some hero moments of his own.
I enjoyed watching him grow into is own person a lot!
Ronnie is your typical bully, but there is a very sweet little twist that involves him, and I grew to tolerate, if not like, him.
Olivia was a decent romantic interest, but she was pretty much non-existent for most of the book. When she did show up, I liked her well enough though.
For me this book had elements of Nightmare on Elm Street, but instead of dreams the monster uses books to travel through. But we also get to travel to this great world towards the end that reminded me of a spooky version of Wonderland.
For the older readers who are still young at heart and would enjoy reading a slightly spooky, very entertaining quick read this season, I suggest you give Brunderfold a try.
This isn't anything that you haven't watched or read before, but it's done extremely well!
For the younger readers who think they might enjoy reading something a little spooky to get them in the mood for some Halloween fun, I definitely think you guys would enjoy this story! :D
I would recommend it for ages 9 and up. A small warning for parents of younger children: This book does have some creepy moments, but it doesn't get too intense at all, and there's no profanity.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great little Halloween read for all ages!
When the story begins, the main character, Aiden, is forced to leave his mother; and move back into his childhood home, so he can live with his father who he hasn't seen since he was a small child.
As you can imagine, being forced at 15 years old to leave the only parent that he's ever really known so he can move in with a the father he felt abandoned him, doesn't make Aiden very happy.
When he makes it to town he's got nothing but a duffel bag full of clothes and his dog Chester to keep him company, and he's pretty miserable. He and his dad have a pretty rocky start too.
On his first day of school, Aiden meets the usual suspects:
Ronnie the bully, Ethan the nerd, and Olivia the romantic interest.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping the characters familiar without letting them become cliché.
At some point Aiden stumbles upon a mysterious locker in his new school with a giant padlock on it, and of course just like any 15-year-old would, he opens it. And that's when the fun begins!
He meets a very creepy boogeyman named Brunderfold who uses the pages of books to travel around and steal people's imaginations. Isn't that just too spooky and fun?!
When he's not stealing imaginations, Brunderfold likes to make "friends" with children, and guess who he wants to be his new friend? That's right, Aiden!
By "friends" he really means someone who will be his slave and help him feed on more imaginations. But what I liked most about Brunderfold as a villain, is that he feels like he's right. The fact that it doesn't seem evil to him to feed on the imaginations of unsuspecting kids, makes him extra creepy!
character development is very important to me even when I'm reading a cute, fun book. This book may be short, but the author manages to pack a lot of character development into the pages.
Aiden fit into the role of the hero very well. He makes some mistakes a long the way, but he learns from them.
Ethan was probably my favorite character in the entire book! He was sweet and funny, but he also gets his moments to shine and has some hero moments of his own.
I enjoyed watching him grow into is own person a lot!
Ronnie is your typical bully, but there is a very sweet little twist that involves him, and I grew to tolerate, if not like, him.
Olivia was a decent romantic interest, but she was pretty much non-existent for most of the book. When she did show up, I liked her well enough though.
For me this book had elements of Nightmare on Elm Street, but instead of dreams the monster uses books to travel through. But we also get to travel to this great world towards the end that reminded me of a spooky version of Wonderland.
For the older readers who are still young at heart and would enjoy reading a slightly spooky, very entertaining quick read this season, I suggest you give Brunderfold a try.
This isn't anything that you haven't watched or read before, but it's done extremely well!
For the younger readers who think they might enjoy reading something a little spooky to get them in the mood for some Halloween fun, I definitely think you guys would enjoy this story! :D
I would recommend it for ages 9 and up. A small warning for parents of younger children: This book does have some creepy moments, but it doesn't get too intense at all, and there's no profanity.
July 19, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. It was light, funny and while short, left nothing to be desired at the end.
First of all, this book was moving from beginning to end. There were no long introductions at the beginning and background history of the main character. That stuff is given a little at a time as needed throughout the novel. Instead the story starts at the beginning of the novel and I was instantly intrigued by Aiden. My curiosity about his troubled past kept me reading even before I got to know him as a character. Someone, Aiden manages to be a very cool and suave guy who is sometimes wise beyond his years, but at the same time still suffers from the same problems and issues any average fifteen-year-old does. His characterization was very believable.
And speaking of characterization, I loved the characters. The author is really great at making the characters distinct people and most of the time I was always able to tell who was talking at any given time. Even the bullies, who I at first thought would fall into the stereotypical role, had personality and I was surprised what he did with him at the end. The interactions between the teenagers was spot on, right down to the way teenagers, whether friend or foe, naturally kind of antagonize each other, sometimes without meaning anything by it.
Something else I surprisingly enjoyed was the use of metaphor, simile, and prose. Normally, the amount of simile and metaphor that this book has would bother me, but they didn't. That was because they weren't cliches. They were creative and thoughtful and gave a perfectly clear picture of what the author was trying to convey. I appreciated that. One of my favorite:
Wearing straight legged jeans folded at the cuffs and a checkered bowling shirt last seen in TV Land repeats of Happy Days, the second string minion shuffles a deck of cards with his unusually large hands, shadowing Ronnie like a superhero sidekick from the Golden Age of comics.
Something else that surprised me was the role of Aiden's dad. Normally in a YA such as this, the parents are somehow oblivious to what their children are dealing with or conveniently out of the picture. This wasn't the case for Aiden's dad.
And Brunderfold him... it... whatever... self. When the author gave me this, he told me The Goonies meets the Beetlejuice. I say throw in a little Goosebumps, but much less contrived, although I did figure out how to beat defeat the monster way before the characters did.
All in all, this was a great book. Sure there were one or two inconsistencies, but the story and pace more than made up for it and overall it was very well written. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something light and funny with a great story and characters.
I loved this book. It was light, funny and while short, left nothing to be desired at the end.
First of all, this book was moving from beginning to end. There were no long introductions at the beginning and background history of the main character. That stuff is given a little at a time as needed throughout the novel. Instead the story starts at the beginning of the novel and I was instantly intrigued by Aiden. My curiosity about his troubled past kept me reading even before I got to know him as a character. Someone, Aiden manages to be a very cool and suave guy who is sometimes wise beyond his years, but at the same time still suffers from the same problems and issues any average fifteen-year-old does. His characterization was very believable.
And speaking of characterization, I loved the characters. The author is really great at making the characters distinct people and most of the time I was always able to tell who was talking at any given time. Even the bullies, who I at first thought would fall into the stereotypical role, had personality and I was surprised what he did with him at the end. The interactions between the teenagers was spot on, right down to the way teenagers, whether friend or foe, naturally kind of antagonize each other, sometimes without meaning anything by it.
Something else I surprisingly enjoyed was the use of metaphor, simile, and prose. Normally, the amount of simile and metaphor that this book has would bother me, but they didn't. That was because they weren't cliches. They were creative and thoughtful and gave a perfectly clear picture of what the author was trying to convey. I appreciated that. One of my favorite:
Wearing straight legged jeans folded at the cuffs and a checkered bowling shirt last seen in TV Land repeats of Happy Days, the second string minion shuffles a deck of cards with his unusually large hands, shadowing Ronnie like a superhero sidekick from the Golden Age of comics.
Something else that surprised me was the role of Aiden's dad. Normally in a YA such as this, the parents are somehow oblivious to what their children are dealing with or conveniently out of the picture. This wasn't the case for Aiden's dad.
And Brunderfold him... it... whatever... self. When the author gave me this, he told me The Goonies meets the Beetlejuice. I say throw in a little Goosebumps, but much less contrived, although I did figure out how to beat defeat the monster way before the characters did.
All in all, this was a great book. Sure there were one or two inconsistencies, but the story and pace more than made up for it and overall it was very well written. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something light and funny with a great story and characters.
August 19, 2013
I recieved an advanced copy in exchange for a review and what hooked me was that it was a cross between Beetlejuice and The Goonies but sadly it isn't like either of them. If you're reading Brunderfold based on that premise you may be slightly disappointed.
As I read Brunderfold I was reminded of cheesy eighties horror flicks like Troll or even Leprechaun. They were easy like because they were so damn fun to watch. Brunderfold is a creature that feeds off your imagination in order to survive. In a way it could also be interpreted as a calmer less violent It.
The end result is the same though. it's a fun fast read that's a bit creepy more than scary but Jason M Burns is a talented writer that blends in the creepiness with a bit of a fairy tale element. The only issue is the lack of Brunderfold. Where did he come from? How did he come into existence?
Regardless of that I still enjoyed the book despite the second half. It felt a bit rushed but the first half was so good it didn't really matter because I was hooked and wouldn't have stopped reading anyway. When this book is released I have a feeling it'll do quite well because it is a decent read and blends the creepy horror and fairy tale genre quite seamlessly.
As I read Brunderfold I was reminded of cheesy eighties horror flicks like Troll or even Leprechaun. They were easy like because they were so damn fun to watch. Brunderfold is a creature that feeds off your imagination in order to survive. In a way it could also be interpreted as a calmer less violent It.
The end result is the same though. it's a fun fast read that's a bit creepy more than scary but Jason M Burns is a talented writer that blends in the creepiness with a bit of a fairy tale element. The only issue is the lack of Brunderfold. Where did he come from? How did he come into existence?
Regardless of that I still enjoyed the book despite the second half. It felt a bit rushed but the first half was so good it didn't really matter because I was hooked and wouldn't have stopped reading anyway. When this book is released I have a feeling it'll do quite well because it is a decent read and blends the creepy horror and fairy tale genre quite seamlessly.
September 12, 2013
I found this to be a well written enjoyable story that stuck with me well after I was done reading. While it is a horror story, in it's core it has a great tale of a young boy finding himself as well as learning forgiveness.
The descriptions of the shadowy and creepy Brunderfold left my imagination going in crazy directions. My mind would hear an evil version of Smeagal's voice from Lord Of The Rings whispering around, while seeing a disjointed starving and pixelated bogeyman crawling out of swirling text. I loved the vivid world of Brunderfold. While it was on one hand horrific, it was completely fascinating. I found my gag reflex scream a few times, then I would say that was totally awesome!
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who love to read about a twisted horror adventure.
The descriptions of the shadowy and creepy Brunderfold left my imagination going in crazy directions. My mind would hear an evil version of Smeagal's voice from Lord Of The Rings whispering around, while seeing a disjointed starving and pixelated bogeyman crawling out of swirling text. I loved the vivid world of Brunderfold. While it was on one hand horrific, it was completely fascinating. I found my gag reflex scream a few times, then I would say that was totally awesome!
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who love to read about a twisted horror adventure.
September 4, 2013
I received a free e-copy of Brunderfold from the author to review (a big thank you by the way). This story is about a young teen navigating a move to a new school, where his father is the principal. We are quickly engrossed in Aidan’s first day of school, where he meets a bully; his to be new best friend and a love interest. He also encounters Brunderfold, who is entrapped in the locker next door.
I was engaged throughout the book and at times did not want to put the book down. I enjoyed that there was a parallel of Aidan’s interaction with Brunderfold and his dad’s interaction all those years ago.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading further books by this author.
I was engaged throughout the book and at times did not want to put the book down. I enjoyed that there was a parallel of Aidan’s interaction with Brunderfold and his dad’s interaction all those years ago.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading further books by this author.
August 25, 2013
I received a copy of this book for a review.
I really enjoyed this book. Brunderfold is a very interesting & creepy creature. I love how he enters our world. This is a easy, fast read. I had no problems with it at all. I would like to know more about Brunderfold... Is there more like him? Did he just spring into existence one day or is he the result of a spell or something?
I really enjoyed this book. Brunderfold is a very interesting & creepy creature. I love how he enters our world. This is a easy, fast read. I had no problems with it at all. I would like to know more about Brunderfold... Is there more like him? Did he just spring into existence one day or is he the result of a spell or something?
July 23, 2013
A very detailed and creative creature story! Great characters, and setting. I don't think the cover does Brunderfold justice, as I pictured him a much scarier thief. Well told and keeps you turning the pages, I ended up reading it in one seating!
August 17, 2013
This book is a lot of fun with some funny parts and a little scary parts. This is the kind of book that you don't what to stop reading. This book is one that will creep you out but make you laugh at the same time. The author did a grate job righting the book. Nothing in this book I would change
October 10, 2013
Someone said goonies vs beetlejuice... that hits the nail on the head. Fun easy reading :-)
July 18, 2013
Fun read! It has a nice flow to it that keeps you onboard for the entire ride.
August 5, 2013
Brunderfold is a great book, it catches your attention from the beginning and holds it till the end.
October 3, 2013
(possible spoilers) I received this book free to review. I had already read the sample to my boys (10 & 11) and they were quite happy they would be able to finish it. The boys really liked it (They would give 5 stars) and felt it especially appropriate to be one of the first family books read for October. Unfortunately, they terrorized their 7 yo sister with the idea a Brunderfold would come out of one of her books. >.<
I, however am a bit more stingy with my stars. I really liked the main premise and it opened well. Boy's parents are divorced, boy has a minimal strained relationship with dad, boy comes to live with father, it's obvious boy did something pretty bad and dad is going to be strict due to that. I like how it's obvious he did something major but it wasn't revealed what he did until much later in the storyline where it actually worked much better to define the main character, Aiden.
The characters were very believable in their thoughts and actions and I had no trouble seeing that teenager saying/doing that if he were real and not simply a grouping of letters tumbling across the pages of a book. Each character was well defined and I was never confused about any of them. I liked how the father is involved and not just in the background; he actually understands what's happening. One thing that often bugs me about most YA literature involving magic or the paranormal is that the parents never seem to know what's going on with their child when conceivably, at least part of the time, said offspring should be receiving their powers or abilities from at least one of those parents and not just a random sequence of events choosing them for the honor in which case the parent(s) should be able to help guide them through the whole thing but instead are often portrayed as bumbling and clueless.
The story had a good pace to it with an almost lighthearted feel to the whole thing which is a bit of a contradiction since this is supposed to be horror. It quickly pulls you in once Aiden starts noticing the same sequence of numbers everywhere and doesn't take long for him to try the sequence on the mysterious look. Of course, here's my first question. Had Brunderfold been able to try that before with previous kids and they just didn't make the connection or could he do it because Aiden had come on the scene and was related to the jailer of "poor" Brunderfold? Of course we're already aware that Aiden's father is very involved in this thanks to a letter he wrote to Aiden and is read over the course of the book although it's never clear if Aiden ever actually read it, if it was being written during these events or had been written previously to be given to Aiden someday to help him understand his father's actions.
One thing I especially loved about this book were the descriptors. My boys had no problem "seeing" it because this book is full of assorted similes, metaphors and prose that really brought things to life although some were a bit over the top and almost cliched (for me). There were a few I had to explain to my boys, and a couple of times I had to pull up a pic online such as when Tricky Dan was described.
And now, Brunderfold. This is one area I was disappointed. I didn't feel we really got to know that character. For one, I felt his language to be too simplistic, like that of a small child, and it diminished him as a character. Of course, he's also very devious and perhaps that was just a persona chosen to lull Aiden into a false sense well-being but Brunderfold persists with it throughout the book. And there's no backstory for him. HOW did his book come to be there to be found in the first place? It's mentioned he's very old but his book isn't very big. How did he come to be in the book?
I almost gave this four stars and I debated it for quite a while but I really am stingy with stars, not just in this instance. One of the detractors was the grammar and punctuation. There were several errors I noted, such as wrong personal pronouns, etc. That always bugs me although, I'll be the first to admit if the story really grips me, I often won't notice them and am surprised when I see the errors noted in the reviews. :) Also, this just wasn't meaty enough for me. Although the boys enjoyed the fast pace, it was too fast for me and left too many questions unanswered. I could have easily seen another hundred pages on this. If this had been fleshed out better, I wouldn't have even had to debate the fourth star.
Still, overall this was a unique story that I enjoyed, my boys loved and I wouldn't mind reading more of this authors work.
I, however am a bit more stingy with my stars. I really liked the main premise and it opened well. Boy's parents are divorced, boy has a minimal strained relationship with dad, boy comes to live with father, it's obvious boy did something pretty bad and dad is going to be strict due to that. I like how it's obvious he did something major but it wasn't revealed what he did until much later in the storyline where it actually worked much better to define the main character, Aiden.
The characters were very believable in their thoughts and actions and I had no trouble seeing that teenager saying/doing that if he were real and not simply a grouping of letters tumbling across the pages of a book. Each character was well defined and I was never confused about any of them. I liked how the father is involved and not just in the background; he actually understands what's happening. One thing that often bugs me about most YA literature involving magic or the paranormal is that the parents never seem to know what's going on with their child when conceivably, at least part of the time, said offspring should be receiving their powers or abilities from at least one of those parents and not just a random sequence of events choosing them for the honor in which case the parent(s) should be able to help guide them through the whole thing but instead are often portrayed as bumbling and clueless.
The story had a good pace to it with an almost lighthearted feel to the whole thing which is a bit of a contradiction since this is supposed to be horror. It quickly pulls you in once Aiden starts noticing the same sequence of numbers everywhere and doesn't take long for him to try the sequence on the mysterious look. Of course, here's my first question. Had Brunderfold been able to try that before with previous kids and they just didn't make the connection or could he do it because Aiden had come on the scene and was related to the jailer of "poor" Brunderfold? Of course we're already aware that Aiden's father is very involved in this thanks to a letter he wrote to Aiden and is read over the course of the book although it's never clear if Aiden ever actually read it, if it was being written during these events or had been written previously to be given to Aiden someday to help him understand his father's actions.
One thing I especially loved about this book were the descriptors. My boys had no problem "seeing" it because this book is full of assorted similes, metaphors and prose that really brought things to life although some were a bit over the top and almost cliched (for me). There were a few I had to explain to my boys, and a couple of times I had to pull up a pic online such as when Tricky Dan was described.
And now, Brunderfold. This is one area I was disappointed. I didn't feel we really got to know that character. For one, I felt his language to be too simplistic, like that of a small child, and it diminished him as a character. Of course, he's also very devious and perhaps that was just a persona chosen to lull Aiden into a false sense well-being but Brunderfold persists with it throughout the book. And there's no backstory for him. HOW did his book come to be there to be found in the first place? It's mentioned he's very old but his book isn't very big. How did he come to be in the book?
I almost gave this four stars and I debated it for quite a while but I really am stingy with stars, not just in this instance. One of the detractors was the grammar and punctuation. There were several errors I noted, such as wrong personal pronouns, etc. That always bugs me although, I'll be the first to admit if the story really grips me, I often won't notice them and am surprised when I see the errors noted in the reviews. :) Also, this just wasn't meaty enough for me. Although the boys enjoyed the fast pace, it was too fast for me and left too many questions unanswered. I could have easily seen another hundred pages on this. If this had been fleshed out better, I wouldn't have even had to debate the fourth star.
Still, overall this was a unique story that I enjoyed, my boys loved and I wouldn't mind reading more of this authors work.
November 10, 2013
This review can also be found on my blog Love at First Write
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
The book is about Aiden Holmes and his father Don (letter is read about Don’s experience) and how they face this boogeyman named Brunderfold. Let me just say that Brunderfold was extremely creepy and scared the heck out of me in every scene he was in. He reminded me of Smeagle/Gollum except without the 'pity me/lovable' side. Brunderfold is basically a book monster that eats the imagination of children and the book titled 'Brunderfold' grows with each of his actions (self written). He also travels around by coming out of books. So Don trapped Brunderfold in locker 13 when he was a kid. Aiden opened that locker and accidentally released Brunderfold, which is our big dilemma.
Characters:
I really liked the characters in this book (aside from Brunderfold), which isn't always the case in books I read. The dad was lovable, Aiden was lovable, Ethan was ADORABLE, heck even Ronnie was likable. Chester was by far my favorite <3. One thing I disliked was that there didn't seem to be much character depth to Olivia. There was basically nothing to her and it felt like she was only there to cause tension between Ronnie and Aiden and to be the love interest. It didn't feel like there was any substance to her at all. Aside from that, I felt like all of the character's actions and background were believable (except the ending) I also enjoyed the character growth and how the reader doesn’t know about the bad thing Aiden did until later in the story, it gives the reader a chance to like the main character without the bias, which is what all of the other high school kids in the book are going through.
Writing:
The detail in the book was great and really captured the characters thoughts, appearances, what was going on around them, etc. Burns told the book in new and interesting ways. This book had extremely creative description, while also not going over the top, which was something I LOVED. Brunderfold was well written, face paced, and unique. I hope to read more from Burns in the future, though maybe not a Brunderfold sequel…
Loose Ends:
I have a couple critical points I would like to, well, point out. This book ends up leaveing me with more questions than I started out with…. There were just a lot of loose ends for me and the book obviously didn't leave the reader with a ‘final’ feeling.
For the above reasons I can’t possibly give this book more than 4 stars but I’ve seen some of my concerns in other reviews as well so this will hopefully be avoided in future writing :D
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
The book is about Aiden Holmes and his father Don (letter is read about Don’s experience) and how they face this boogeyman named Brunderfold. Let me just say that Brunderfold was extremely creepy and scared the heck out of me in every scene he was in. He reminded me of Smeagle/Gollum except without the 'pity me/lovable' side. Brunderfold is basically a book monster that eats the imagination of children and the book titled 'Brunderfold' grows with each of his actions (self written). He also travels around by coming out of books. So Don trapped Brunderfold in locker 13 when he was a kid. Aiden opened that locker and accidentally released Brunderfold, which is our big dilemma.
Characters:
I really liked the characters in this book (aside from Brunderfold), which isn't always the case in books I read. The dad was lovable, Aiden was lovable, Ethan was ADORABLE, heck even Ronnie was likable. Chester was by far my favorite <3. One thing I disliked was that there didn't seem to be much character depth to Olivia. There was basically nothing to her and it felt like she was only there to cause tension between Ronnie and Aiden and to be the love interest. It didn't feel like there was any substance to her at all. Aside from that, I felt like all of the character's actions and background were believable (except the ending) I also enjoyed the character growth and how the reader doesn’t know about the bad thing Aiden did until later in the story, it gives the reader a chance to like the main character without the bias, which is what all of the other high school kids in the book are going through.
Writing:
The detail in the book was great and really captured the characters thoughts, appearances, what was going on around them, etc. Burns told the book in new and interesting ways. This book had extremely creative description, while also not going over the top, which was something I LOVED. Brunderfold was well written, face paced, and unique. I hope to read more from Burns in the future, though maybe not a Brunderfold sequel…
Loose Ends:
I have a couple critical points I would like to, well, point out. This book ends up leaveing me with more questions than I started out with…. There were just a lot of loose ends for me and the book obviously didn't leave the reader with a ‘final’ feeling.
For the above reasons I can’t possibly give this book more than 4 stars but I’ve seen some of my concerns in other reviews as well so this will hopefully be avoided in future writing :D
August 6, 2013
I had the opportunity to read Mr. Burns book, Brunderfold, well before its expected publishing date of September 9th, 2013. The cover is what initially drew my interest, but the summary sealed the deal. I mean honestly, a monster that feeds off of imagination and uses books as a means of transportation. What isn’t there to like? ….. Well, there was one thing that bothered me, but I’ll get to that later on.
The story of Aiden is one that is not uncommon in today’s society. His parents are divorced and he lives with his mom. The divorced parents situation is what I’m referring to as common. However, as the story begins Aiden, his mom, and his pet dog Chester are on the way to Don Holme’s (Aiden’s father’s) home. Burns does not immediately tell you why Aiden has to move to his fathers, but he does tell you that Aiden got himself into some kind of trouble back at home. You find out the whole story towards the end of the book.
The relationship between Aiden and his father is very strained due to years of no contact. I won’t go into much detail because I wouldn't want to spoil the book for you, but their relationship does mend after a bit of adventure. What really threw me was the reasoning Aiden’s father had for letting his wife and son out of his life. It was noble in a sense, but how hard is it to pick up a phone or at least share some details with your wife? I’m going off on a tangent with the “what ifs”, so lets come back to Brunderfold.
As anyone who has had to transfer schools, you know or can at least imagine how difficult it is to adjust and make friends. Yet, Aiden does this fairly well. On his first day, he makes a new friend, finds a potential girlfriend, and stands up to the high school bully. Overall, not too bad for a first day.
There was one thing I really liked about Brunderfold and I would really like to explain what that is, but it’s hard to without including spoilers. Despite this, I’ll try to explain what it was. Several chapters are written from the perspective of someone who has lived the nightmare of Brunderfold. This someone is also the one responsible for imprisoning Brunderfold and his or her history is closely intertwined with Aiden’s.
Full review: www.thebookfeed.blogspot.com
The story of Aiden is one that is not uncommon in today’s society. His parents are divorced and he lives with his mom. The divorced parents situation is what I’m referring to as common. However, as the story begins Aiden, his mom, and his pet dog Chester are on the way to Don Holme’s (Aiden’s father’s) home. Burns does not immediately tell you why Aiden has to move to his fathers, but he does tell you that Aiden got himself into some kind of trouble back at home. You find out the whole story towards the end of the book.
The relationship between Aiden and his father is very strained due to years of no contact. I won’t go into much detail because I wouldn't want to spoil the book for you, but their relationship does mend after a bit of adventure. What really threw me was the reasoning Aiden’s father had for letting his wife and son out of his life. It was noble in a sense, but how hard is it to pick up a phone or at least share some details with your wife? I’m going off on a tangent with the “what ifs”, so lets come back to Brunderfold.
As anyone who has had to transfer schools, you know or can at least imagine how difficult it is to adjust and make friends. Yet, Aiden does this fairly well. On his first day, he makes a new friend, finds a potential girlfriend, and stands up to the high school bully. Overall, not too bad for a first day.
There was one thing I really liked about Brunderfold and I would really like to explain what that is, but it’s hard to without including spoilers. Despite this, I’ll try to explain what it was. Several chapters are written from the perspective of someone who has lived the nightmare of Brunderfold. This someone is also the one responsible for imprisoning Brunderfold and his or her history is closely intertwined with Aiden’s.
Full review: www.thebookfeed.blogspot.com
June 22, 2021
I would like to start congratulating Jason Burns because the plot of this book is so good that it compensates for any other issues this book may have. His imagination is so rich that it would make Brunderfold itself satisfied for a week. This book is by far one of the most original I’ve read lately. It has its bits of romance, chivalry, forgiveness and tons of creativity; and although it got a bit predictable towards the end the story was really well crafted.
As the story was, the characters were well developed. Even the monster felt real, and I sure as hell would not like to meet him. He was so creepy, disgusting and scary. You could also sense the tension in some of the relationships, and we can also see them evolve, and though some of the characters fell into the stereotype of the brainless, bully jock, and the geeky, science genius it worked for the purpose of this book, because we also get to experienced them as a person beyond their labels.
I was not convinced by some of the descriptions of the book. I felt that some of them weren’t necessary, like the constant description of Chester’s, the dog, favourite things in the world, which were pretty much everything. Nevertheless some other descriptions were really great. It really made the book came alive, ironically.
One of my favourite things about this book was the changes in the point of view, from Aiden’s present story, to his father’s past. It really helped you connect the dots of the storyline. However, I have to note that the writing style between both points of view was different. The latter was told by Aiden’s father, Don, in first person, while the other was being told by an omniscient narrator. I bring this up because I felt that the first person narrator was much better than the other because the writing was more active. While the present time telling of the story, at least for the first of half of the book, was being told rather than shown which was a little distracting from the story. That being said, this book was so good that it makes up for it.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, but my opinion was not biased in any way by this fact.
As the story was, the characters were well developed. Even the monster felt real, and I sure as hell would not like to meet him. He was so creepy, disgusting and scary. You could also sense the tension in some of the relationships, and we can also see them evolve, and though some of the characters fell into the stereotype of the brainless, bully jock, and the geeky, science genius it worked for the purpose of this book, because we also get to experienced them as a person beyond their labels.
I was not convinced by some of the descriptions of the book. I felt that some of them weren’t necessary, like the constant description of Chester’s, the dog, favourite things in the world, which were pretty much everything. Nevertheless some other descriptions were really great. It really made the book came alive, ironically.
One of my favourite things about this book was the changes in the point of view, from Aiden’s present story, to his father’s past. It really helped you connect the dots of the storyline. However, I have to note that the writing style between both points of view was different. The latter was told by Aiden’s father, Don, in first person, while the other was being told by an omniscient narrator. I bring this up because I felt that the first person narrator was much better than the other because the writing was more active. While the present time telling of the story, at least for the first of half of the book, was being told rather than shown which was a little distracting from the story. That being said, this book was so good that it makes up for it.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, but my opinion was not biased in any way by this fact.
August 2, 2013
This book was offered to me free.
This is a delightful, fast-paced story of Aiden, a boy forced to live with his father, and a monster. The nerd side-kick, annoying bully, and desirable girl add their own aspects and move the story along.
While there is an overabundance of descriptive phrases (and this was a turn off at the beginning), it actually adds to the message of the story - the need we have for an imagination.
Brunderfold enters the story quickly and makes friendly overtures to Aiden, but begins to wreck havoc on the other occupants of the town. Books are his method of travel; imaginations are his desire.
This reader felt the story was too short to be in so many different characters' heads in the same scene. Also, I found the use of the father's letter to convey information as very clever, but I wasn't sure if the father was writing it as I read, or if Aiden was reading it as I read, or if Aiden ever even got the letter.
I also didn't feel that Brunderfold is completely understood. Why does he need people's imaginations to survive, where was he before the dad unleashed him and how did he survive all those years until Aiden repeated the sins of the father? However, this may be asking too much of a short novel and based on the ending it seems a sequel may be in the making which is always desirable of a good book.
This is a delightful, fast-paced story of Aiden, a boy forced to live with his father, and a monster. The nerd side-kick, annoying bully, and desirable girl add their own aspects and move the story along.
While there is an overabundance of descriptive phrases (and this was a turn off at the beginning), it actually adds to the message of the story - the need we have for an imagination.
Brunderfold enters the story quickly and makes friendly overtures to Aiden, but begins to wreck havoc on the other occupants of the town. Books are his method of travel; imaginations are his desire.
This reader felt the story was too short to be in so many different characters' heads in the same scene. Also, I found the use of the father's letter to convey information as very clever, but I wasn't sure if the father was writing it as I read, or if Aiden was reading it as I read, or if Aiden ever even got the letter.
I also didn't feel that Brunderfold is completely understood. Why does he need people's imaginations to survive, where was he before the dad unleashed him and how did he survive all those years until Aiden repeated the sins of the father? However, this may be asking too much of a short novel and based on the ending it seems a sequel may be in the making which is always desirable of a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2013
I received this book in exchange for a review from read & reap on Goodreads.
What a story and what an imagination!!! There were times when I was really glad I was reading this book during the day as the hair on the back of my neck was rising. A little, okay a lot, far fetched, but the author made you believe it was happening which is the way I think a good fantasy book should be.
I found the book to be well written considering its the author's only book listed on Goodreads. So I'm assuming its his first. The characters were well developed and ones found in many young adult novels, so no surprise there. Not that it's a bad thing.
All in all, I found the book very entertaining and would definitely recommend it to other readers especially young adults who have enough imagination to go with a good story. Very well done!!!
What a story and what an imagination!!! There were times when I was really glad I was reading this book during the day as the hair on the back of my neck was rising. A little, okay a lot, far fetched, but the author made you believe it was happening which is the way I think a good fantasy book should be.
I found the book to be well written considering its the author's only book listed on Goodreads. So I'm assuming its his first. The characters were well developed and ones found in many young adult novels, so no surprise there. Not that it's a bad thing.
All in all, I found the book very entertaining and would definitely recommend it to other readers especially young adults who have enough imagination to go with a good story. Very well done!!!
August 21, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
This is a must read for all over 13! It has all the elements: horror, suspense, thrill, a touch of puppy love...
Aiden Holmes is a 15 year old rough-around-the-edges kid who get into some trouble. In his plea agreement, he agrees to move to Duck Ridge to live with his father. His first day at this new school he meets the school geek, the school bully, and the school beauty queen, and something he never could have imagined.
These four misfits are dropped into the most horrifying time of their young lives and the only way to survive it to band together.
I truly enjoyed this novel. The language is so minimal I almost missed it, there are no sexually tense moments, and the 'gore' is kept at a low growl. I found the story encapsulating and did not want to put it down.
This is a must read for all over 13! It has all the elements: horror, suspense, thrill, a touch of puppy love...
Aiden Holmes is a 15 year old rough-around-the-edges kid who get into some trouble. In his plea agreement, he agrees to move to Duck Ridge to live with his father. His first day at this new school he meets the school geek, the school bully, and the school beauty queen, and something he never could have imagined.
These four misfits are dropped into the most horrifying time of their young lives and the only way to survive it to band together.
I truly enjoyed this novel. The language is so minimal I almost missed it, there are no sexually tense moments, and the 'gore' is kept at a low growl. I found the story encapsulating and did not want to put it down.
August 22, 2013
I was provided a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Brunderfold by Jason M. Burns.
I didn’t know what I was walking into with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised! Aiden Holmes, son of Don the principal at the Duck Ridge High School, is sent to live with his father as punishment for an unfortunate event. He soon befriends the school nerd, Ethan, and then the wild ride begins. With the help of the school bully, Ronnie, the three unlikely hero’s undergo a mission to save the beautiful Olivia from the evil creature Brunderfold.
This is like a fairy tail on crack! Jason Burns creates this monster, Brunderfold, which makes your skin crawl from his description. This is an epic adventure of twists and turns, humor and young love. It leaves itself open for a second book to come. I can guarantee I will be waiting with bated breath for it.
Brunderfold by Jason M. Burns.
I didn’t know what I was walking into with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised! Aiden Holmes, son of Don the principal at the Duck Ridge High School, is sent to live with his father as punishment for an unfortunate event. He soon befriends the school nerd, Ethan, and then the wild ride begins. With the help of the school bully, Ronnie, the three unlikely hero’s undergo a mission to save the beautiful Olivia from the evil creature Brunderfold.
This is like a fairy tail on crack! Jason Burns creates this monster, Brunderfold, which makes your skin crawl from his description. This is an epic adventure of twists and turns, humor and young love. It leaves itself open for a second book to come. I can guarantee I will be waiting with bated breath for it.
July 17, 2013
I had the pleasure of reading Brunderfold long before it was released. The author shared it with me, telling me it was described as “Goonies meets Beetlejuice.” As a child of the 80s, that description sold me. What I didn’t expect was to enjoy the book as much as the description. Upon reading it, I felt like I was a kid again, enjoying a fun cinematic ride in an old theater. The creature Brunderfold is the obvious star, but the story itself reminded me of old Amblin films, which again, as a child of the 80s, was a huge selling point. I cannot recommend his book enough, especially for those who grew up with limitless imaginations, even if Brunderfold would devour it!
November 3, 2013
I received this book after reading The Young Despondents also by Jason M. Burns which by the way was terrific, you should check it out. Anyhow, I've hung on to Brunderfold because I don't read a lot of YA (fantasy) books and was afraid it would be to fantasy for me. But I was wrong! It was also a terrific read. I love Jason's prose and writing style. He really creates a great character in Aiden and his "adventure". I also thought Brunderfold was a great character in what drives him and keeps him alive. (I don't want to give anything away so I'm trying to be vague). I can't wait to have my 12 year old nephew read the book now that I'm finished!
September 30, 2013
I found this book to be interesting, entertaining and a tiny little bit creepy (in a good way!) I liked the character of Aidan and I thought the description of his relationship with his father was believable. As a former high school teacher, I found his first day at a new school to be rather unrealistic, but that is a minor point.
To me, the best part of the book is the basic premise of Brunderfold, a monster who feeds on imagination. I love this idea and the author does a great job of using it to move the plot along.
All in all, I found this book satisfying. It is, indeed, a good read.
To me, the best part of the book is the basic premise of Brunderfold, a monster who feeds on imagination. I love this idea and the author does a great job of using it to move the plot along.
All in all, I found this book satisfying. It is, indeed, a good read.
October 12, 2013
(Book received for free in exchange for review.)
A mix of humorous and a little nightmare-inducing, I enjoyed reading this book. I read through it in one day, so it wasn't a very long read, but it was entertaining and I would most likely read a sequel, if one was written. Very creative story that makes you use your imagination ( ;-) ).
There were some gaps that I would have liked filled in, especially about Brunderfold, but overall it was pretty well written (except a couple proofing errors, but what book doesn't have something?).
I would recommend it, especially to the teen/young adults out there with an affinity for out-of-the-box reads.
A mix of humorous and a little nightmare-inducing, I enjoyed reading this book. I read through it in one day, so it wasn't a very long read, but it was entertaining and I would most likely read a sequel, if one was written. Very creative story that makes you use your imagination ( ;-) ).
There were some gaps that I would have liked filled in, especially about Brunderfold, but overall it was pretty well written (except a couple proofing errors, but what book doesn't have something?).
I would recommend it, especially to the teen/young adults out there with an affinity for out-of-the-box reads.
July 25, 2013
I can honestly say I really enjoyed reading Brunderfold, as a giveaway from a Goodreads author I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did.
I loved the fact that the story delved pretty much straight into the action and continued the excitement throughout the story. An easy, face paced read Brunderfold tells a story of adventure, excitement, humour and friendship. It’s not hard to see where comparisons to Beetlejuice and The Goonies come from.
I read this in one sitting and would definitely recommend this as a fun read to others.
I loved the fact that the story delved pretty much straight into the action and continued the excitement throughout the story. An easy, face paced read Brunderfold tells a story of adventure, excitement, humour and friendship. It’s not hard to see where comparisons to Beetlejuice and The Goonies come from.
I read this in one sitting and would definitely recommend this as a fun read to others.
August 5, 2013
This was a wonderful teenage paranormal book. A young boy of 15 get into trouble and is forced to go and live with his absent father. Once there he is pulled into a nightmare that was started when his father was 15. Together they must destroy Brunderfold.
What a great book for a teenage boy to get wrapped up in. It uses the imagination and will keep them entertained. It has everyday high school drama as well as action.
An RaR Book
What a great book for a teenage boy to get wrapped up in. It uses the imagination and will keep them entertained. It has everyday high school drama as well as action.
An RaR Book
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