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The Great Charming: The Caverns of Cracklemore Book 1
The Plinks are unremarkable, except for the secrets they keep. And no juicier secret exists than the one held by the youngest member of the family, Remaine Plink. A whimsical, swashbuckling adventure, The Caverns of The Great Charming, follows Remaine Plink as he searches for his place in the magical and strange world of Cracklemore. In this enchanting tale for the whole family, be prepared to encounter pirates, curses, ancient monsters, and forgotten magic, slurp down savory dishes dripping with butter, and listen to magical Songbirds, as you adventure with young Remaine to discover the truth hidden inside the Caverns of Cracklemore.
The reader will be swept up in a new tale and embark on a grand adventure with Remaine and the Plink family. Both children and parents alike will wade into the complexity of a new, magical world where they will meet a host of memorable characters within fantastical settings. Even as readers experience the confidence and thrill of experiencing an entirely new story, a fun plot with exciting twists, and becoming attached to the characters along the way, they will also be ushered into dialogue with one another as they ask bigger questions of truth, heroism, sacrifice, life, and death.
The reader will be swept up in a new tale and embark on a grand adventure with Remaine and the Plink family. Both children and parents alike will wade into the complexity of a new, magical world where they will meet a host of memorable characters within fantastical settings. Even as readers experience the confidence and thrill of experiencing an entirely new story, a fun plot with exciting twists, and becoming attached to the characters along the way, they will also be ushered into dialogue with one another as they ask bigger questions of truth, heroism, sacrifice, life, and death.
453 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 17, 2024
I’m going to try to be as unbiased as possible since I went to college with the author and he’s one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing in my short stupid little life. Okay, here I go.
I don’t have much memory of middle grade books (been a while since I read any) but this was an incredibly charming story. It felt a little long for a middle grade book (is it? I’m not sure actually) and some of the chapters were a little meandering for me (or maybe I just have a super short attention span) but I was really captivated by the whimsical tone of voice and the overall story. I can really see this as a Netflix original or maybe a Laika Studios film. My one critique is that I wanted more of Mikaila’s amazing artwork, even if it made the book a little longer lol.
Overall, well done Jace. I can’t wait for book 2!
I don’t have much memory of middle grade books (been a while since I read any) but this was an incredibly charming story. It felt a little long for a middle grade book (is it? I’m not sure actually) and some of the chapters were a little meandering for me (or maybe I just have a super short attention span) but I was really captivated by the whimsical tone of voice and the overall story. I can really see this as a Netflix original or maybe a Laika Studios film. My one critique is that I wanted more of Mikaila’s amazing artwork, even if it made the book a little longer lol.
Overall, well done Jace. I can’t wait for book 2!
January 2, 2024
I absolutely loved this debut YA Action/Fantasy novel. The plot twists were always timely and left me eagerly reading more to find out what would happen next. I loved the magical world and the connection to water, different than some of the other fantasy worlds I have read about. The characters really came to life and I look forward to Book 2 and learning even more among them.
January 4, 2024
WOW! This book was incredible and rivaled most YA Fantasy I’ve read. The world building was detailed and unique, the characters (especially Remaine) captured my heart, and the twists and turns made it nearly impossible to put down. I can’t wait for number 2!
May 27, 2024
What worked:
Remaine is an endearing, underdog character as he always performs below family expectations. For generations, they’ve been diving for rare fish that are cooked with their secret sauce. However, Remaine always catches fewer fish than his older sister but that’s partly because he spends so much time alone in a secret underwater cave. He dreams of exciting adventures like the legendary Great Mariner but his real life tells a much different story. Then, he fails The Great Charming: not receiving the magic, not breathing out the Old Cold, not catching a fish during the Dive that will define his life. Remaine hastily decides it’s time for a drastic change. This decision leads him into the middle of an exciting adventure that will eventually reveal an incredible, terrifying scheme.
The plot takes a huge turn halfway into the book with a new setting and some characters showing hidden sides and secrets. Remaine is thrown into a major conflict involving the prince although the details aren’t immediately known. New information forces Remaine to question what he’s been told so far and he realizes his life is in danger. He’s protected by the characters but there’s still a sense that something’s off. Readers are forced to reconsider their own thinking in trying to understand what’s actually happening. This mental mystery concerning the truth will engage readers’ minds and keep them speculating about what’s to come.
Remaine is an enigma as there are questions and mysteries about his character waiting to be told. His family thinks his daydreams are a problem but Remaine’s cave drawings may be more important than he realizes. A prophecy is revealed that may, or may not, be talking about Remaine and his key role in Cracklemore’s future. The prince speaks of Remaine’s potential and his ability to see other worlds but Remaine still has doubts about his importance. Readers will wonder if he has other abilities and powers that have yet to emerge.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot can’t be described as fast-paced due to the abundant description of settings, characters, and events. This style allows readers to fully visualize the story but it may make them antsy. The second half of the book has more action and suspense so it’s worth it for readers to persevere.
The final verdict:
This book is best for upper middle-grade readers with the patience and thinking skills to take on a more challenging narrative. The first third of the book requires mental stamina due to the slow pace but the action and intrigue pick up once Remaine is taken from the prince. Overall, this imaginative adventure will appeal to fantasy lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.
Remaine is an endearing, underdog character as he always performs below family expectations. For generations, they’ve been diving for rare fish that are cooked with their secret sauce. However, Remaine always catches fewer fish than his older sister but that’s partly because he spends so much time alone in a secret underwater cave. He dreams of exciting adventures like the legendary Great Mariner but his real life tells a much different story. Then, he fails The Great Charming: not receiving the magic, not breathing out the Old Cold, not catching a fish during the Dive that will define his life. Remaine hastily decides it’s time for a drastic change. This decision leads him into the middle of an exciting adventure that will eventually reveal an incredible, terrifying scheme.
The plot takes a huge turn halfway into the book with a new setting and some characters showing hidden sides and secrets. Remaine is thrown into a major conflict involving the prince although the details aren’t immediately known. New information forces Remaine to question what he’s been told so far and he realizes his life is in danger. He’s protected by the characters but there’s still a sense that something’s off. Readers are forced to reconsider their own thinking in trying to understand what’s actually happening. This mental mystery concerning the truth will engage readers’ minds and keep them speculating about what’s to come.
Remaine is an enigma as there are questions and mysteries about his character waiting to be told. His family thinks his daydreams are a problem but Remaine’s cave drawings may be more important than he realizes. A prophecy is revealed that may, or may not, be talking about Remaine and his key role in Cracklemore’s future. The prince speaks of Remaine’s potential and his ability to see other worlds but Remaine still has doubts about his importance. Readers will wonder if he has other abilities and powers that have yet to emerge.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot can’t be described as fast-paced due to the abundant description of settings, characters, and events. This style allows readers to fully visualize the story but it may make them antsy. The second half of the book has more action and suspense so it’s worth it for readers to persevere.
The final verdict:
This book is best for upper middle-grade readers with the patience and thinking skills to take on a more challenging narrative. The first third of the book requires mental stamina due to the slow pace but the action and intrigue pick up once Remaine is taken from the prince. Overall, this imaginative adventure will appeal to fantasy lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.
January 4, 2024
If you are looking for a an exciting adventure look no further than The Caverns of Cracklemore! I had a blast reading this book, and had to pace myself to not finish it too quickly. The author paints vivid images of Cracklemore, with very immersive storytelling. Excited to see where the story goes in the next books!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews