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The Goodness Potion and its Side-Effects
There's good and bad in everyone. Except Tom.
Tom used to think his life was pretty ordinary. Just another orphan, sleeping in the cellar of his uncle's pub with plenty of mice to chase. But then things started to change, both in the land of Boden-Rine and in young Tom's heart, after a stranger from a far-off land spun him a story of deadly adventure and world-ending peril. Oh, and something about a baby fourteen years ago drinking a potion with the power to make a person either wholly good or bad. That baby grew up to be... Tom.
Now, Tom's life and the fate of the world depend on the answer to a single Which one is good or bad?
Tom used to think his life was pretty ordinary. Just another orphan, sleeping in the cellar of his uncle's pub with plenty of mice to chase. But then things started to change, both in the land of Boden-Rine and in young Tom's heart, after a stranger from a far-off land spun him a story of deadly adventure and world-ending peril. Oh, and something about a baby fourteen years ago drinking a potion with the power to make a person either wholly good or bad. That baby grew up to be... Tom.
Now, Tom's life and the fate of the world depend on the answer to a single Which one is good or bad?
305 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2023
9 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Joe Dawson
1 book5 followersJoe Dawson is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, podcaster and proud dyslexic.
He graduated in Film Production from the Arts University Bournemouth, U.K., and is the co-host of The Bigger Boat Podcast, chronicling the life and career of Steven Spielberg.
The Goodness Potion and its Side-Effects grew out of six drafts with an estimated half a million words having been written (including notes) over a seven-year period.
He graduated in Film Production from the Arts University Bournemouth, U.K., and is the co-host of The Bigger Boat Podcast, chronicling the life and career of Steven Spielberg.
The Goodness Potion and its Side-Effects grew out of six drafts with an estimated half a million words having been written (including notes) over a seven-year period.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 16, 2024
"The Goodness Potion is a high-action fantasy filled with magic, trolls, pirates and alchemy. This book has it all." ~nerdywordyreviews
Tom is a young boy without parents growing up in his aunt and uncle's pub. They treat him poorly at times and they frequently keep him hidden away in the basement. When all havoc takes place, Tom sets out on an adventure of a lifetime. He encounters pirates, fairies, trolls, and evil kings. In the midst of his adventure, the truth of who he is reveals itself and Tom has to make the ultimate decision that determines his fate, along with the fate of the world. Join Tom on his magical, action-packed adventure.
The Goodness Potion is a high-action, fun read for kids of all ages. To read on their own would be more for middle grade, however, parents could read this story to little ones and I am sure they would enjoy it as much as |I did.
Author Joe Dawson wrote very detailed scenes which made the book a fast-paced read, leading the reader to want to learn what happens next.
The book is full of magical creatures of folklore, alchemy, themes of good vs. evil (dark vs. light), and adventures on the high seas. Pirates, fairies, Queens and Kings are all mentioned throughout the story.
Not only does The Goodness Potion shed light on good vs. bad, it also emphasizes on the power of friendship, the ability to stay true to who you are, and showcasing that you are stronger than you think you are.
I highly recommend this book to children who love fantasy reads. When reading, it is easy to visualize the story as a movie.
Tom is a young boy without parents growing up in his aunt and uncle's pub. They treat him poorly at times and they frequently keep him hidden away in the basement. When all havoc takes place, Tom sets out on an adventure of a lifetime. He encounters pirates, fairies, trolls, and evil kings. In the midst of his adventure, the truth of who he is reveals itself and Tom has to make the ultimate decision that determines his fate, along with the fate of the world. Join Tom on his magical, action-packed adventure.
The Goodness Potion is a high-action, fun read for kids of all ages. To read on their own would be more for middle grade, however, parents could read this story to little ones and I am sure they would enjoy it as much as |I did.
Author Joe Dawson wrote very detailed scenes which made the book a fast-paced read, leading the reader to want to learn what happens next.
The book is full of magical creatures of folklore, alchemy, themes of good vs. evil (dark vs. light), and adventures on the high seas. Pirates, fairies, Queens and Kings are all mentioned throughout the story.
Not only does The Goodness Potion shed light on good vs. bad, it also emphasizes on the power of friendship, the ability to stay true to who you are, and showcasing that you are stronger than you think you are.
I highly recommend this book to children who love fantasy reads. When reading, it is easy to visualize the story as a movie.
April 14, 2025
The Goodness Potion and It’s Side Effects by Joe Dawson
I was so lucky to receive a signed copy of this book and a matching bookmark! My family met the author at comic con and thought that this book sounded like my sort of thing. It was a quick read, which I always love, and it was very entertaining all around.
The Goodness Potion reminds me of a Terry Pratchett novel and a Percy Jackson book rolled into one. It feels like a classic fantasy adventure and feels like something I would have read when I was younger. It’s a really fun and entertaining journey! It’s a very charming story. I loved the design on the chapters as well. The eclipse moving closer together was a clever way to show the story progression and the flashbacks as well. It does feel like a very classic sort of fantasy story - pirates, fairies, trolls, kings and queens - it had it all. The themes of Good VS Bad were interesting as well.
I’ve rated it lower because this book just wasn’t for my age group, but I’m sure it I’d read it when I was younger, I would’ve loved it a lot more! I am going to give this book to my younger brother and my younger cousins as well, who I am sure would love it. I hope Dawson keeps writing books like this as it is the sort of optimistic story that the world needs kids to read right now. Lots of fun all around!
I was so lucky to receive a signed copy of this book and a matching bookmark! My family met the author at comic con and thought that this book sounded like my sort of thing. It was a quick read, which I always love, and it was very entertaining all around.
The Goodness Potion reminds me of a Terry Pratchett novel and a Percy Jackson book rolled into one. It feels like a classic fantasy adventure and feels like something I would have read when I was younger. It’s a really fun and entertaining journey! It’s a very charming story. I loved the design on the chapters as well. The eclipse moving closer together was a clever way to show the story progression and the flashbacks as well. It does feel like a very classic sort of fantasy story - pirates, fairies, trolls, kings and queens - it had it all. The themes of Good VS Bad were interesting as well.
I’ve rated it lower because this book just wasn’t for my age group, but I’m sure it I’d read it when I was younger, I would’ve loved it a lot more! I am going to give this book to my younger brother and my younger cousins as well, who I am sure would love it. I hope Dawson keeps writing books like this as it is the sort of optimistic story that the world needs kids to read right now. Lots of fun all around!
February 7, 2024
✨The Goodness Potion and its Side Effects✨
Author: Joe Dawson
This book is beyond fabulous! The adventure and magic is so heartwarming. The characters are adorable and unique. I do not understand why this isn’t on all shelves in stores for young adults or even kids.
We have young Tom who is searching out the alchemist who created the Goodness Potion because Tom was told that he is bad. This is not a redemption tale but rather don’t judge a book by its cover.
I loved every bit of this and my inner child was thrilled too! If you enjoy fairy tales and adventure with some pirates… this is for you!
Author: Joe Dawson
This book is beyond fabulous! The adventure and magic is so heartwarming. The characters are adorable and unique. I do not understand why this isn’t on all shelves in stores for young adults or even kids.
We have young Tom who is searching out the alchemist who created the Goodness Potion because Tom was told that he is bad. This is not a redemption tale but rather don’t judge a book by its cover.
I loved every bit of this and my inner child was thrilled too! If you enjoy fairy tales and adventure with some pirates… this is for you!
March 23, 2025
A nice read overall with some unexpected twists and turns towards the end :)
November 19, 2023
** A MUST READ!! **
What a GEM of a novel, to be enjoyed by adults and children alike! An enchanting, yet exhilarating read -full of spirit and adventure!
The characterisation and beautifully imagined world are captured in an accessible style, with a warm sense of humor.
I could not put this book down, and my 9 year old daughter is now immersed too, continually predicting what might happen.
It has Harry Potter and Pirates of The Carribean vibes!
What a GEM of a novel, to be enjoyed by adults and children alike! An enchanting, yet exhilarating read -full of spirit and adventure!
The characterisation and beautifully imagined world are captured in an accessible style, with a warm sense of humor.
I could not put this book down, and my 9 year old daughter is now immersed too, continually predicting what might happen.
It has Harry Potter and Pirates of The Carribean vibes!
April 9, 2024
It was an easy read, obviously it mostly targets children as audience, but it is worth reading. Reminded me of "The Alchemist: the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flannel" by Michael Scott and "The man in the iron mask" by Alexandre Dumas. Although it goes in a totally different direction, but I kind of saw some conotations each and there from said books.
July 7, 2024
Very engaging tale.
This story and its intriguing characters caught my attention from the start. It's filled with epic adventure as a young boy searches not just his world but inside himself to discover the side effects of the goodness potion.
This story and its intriguing characters caught my attention from the start. It's filled with epic adventure as a young boy searches not just his world but inside himself to discover the side effects of the goodness potion.
January 19, 2025
A really fun and thought-provoking adventure!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews