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The Olympus Cloud
Do you ever wonder what your dog is dreaming about when its paws twitch? You might be surprised….
Some dogs can spend up to sixteen hours a day sleeping. For Max, a pugnacious French bulldog from Texas, this provides plenty of time for him to explore the world through his vivid imagination. His dreams are a doorway to excitement and adventure. Whether he’s solving mysteries, rescuing other animals, or just plain saving the day, Max’s heroic exploits carry him around the block, around the country, and even around the planet. From the plains of Africa to the battlefields of France and into outer space, Max matches wits with everything from a zombie accountant to rodent gangsters and a myriad of mythical creatures. And in the end, the fearless and faithful little dog always makes it home in time for dinner.
Praise from Readers’ Favorite:
“The Olympus Cloud kept me reading and smiling from the first page to the very last. The adventures are fabulous…”
“Creative, adventurous and fun, The Olympus Cloud is the perfect way to stir your imagination…”
“Randel is endlessly inventive in these stories…”
“The Olympus Cloud is undeniably an entertaining and enjoyable read. If you are a dog lover, then this one is highly recommended.”
“Not only lively and suspenseful, but packed full of education as well. Five stars.”
Some dogs can spend up to sixteen hours a day sleeping. For Max, a pugnacious French bulldog from Texas, this provides plenty of time for him to explore the world through his vivid imagination. His dreams are a doorway to excitement and adventure. Whether he’s solving mysteries, rescuing other animals, or just plain saving the day, Max’s heroic exploits carry him around the block, around the country, and even around the planet. From the plains of Africa to the battlefields of France and into outer space, Max matches wits with everything from a zombie accountant to rodent gangsters and a myriad of mythical creatures. And in the end, the fearless and faithful little dog always makes it home in time for dinner.
Praise from Readers’ Favorite:
“The Olympus Cloud kept me reading and smiling from the first page to the very last. The adventures are fabulous…”
“Creative, adventurous and fun, The Olympus Cloud is the perfect way to stir your imagination…”
“Randel is endlessly inventive in these stories…”
“The Olympus Cloud is undeniably an entertaining and enjoyable read. If you are a dog lover, then this one is highly recommended.”
“Not only lively and suspenseful, but packed full of education as well. Five stars.”
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2014
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 30, 2014
Great Dog Story
Loved this book! Max the dog has adventures when he dreams, and always the "Little White Warrior" manages to save the day!
Loved this book! Max the dog has adventures when he dreams, and always the "Little White Warrior" manages to save the day!
June 4, 2014
This is a collection of short, enjoyable stories, which jaunt from one fun adventure right into another. The writing is well done, offering a rich scene no matter where the wonderful main character, a dog named Max, ends up. And he ends up everywhere!
First, I simply found the idea behind this cute--where does a dog goes when it dreams? Well, Max lets his dreams take him anywhere from cattle drives to zombies to baseball games. He fights criminals, saves lives and thwarts all sorts of evil plans. This is one active dog.
The stories take place in all times, places and areas. Despite this huge variety, the scenes are so well written that it's no problem slipping onto each new stage. No matter where Stephen Randel took Max, I found myself lost in the new world. I especially enjoyed the flip in points of view. Although each story evolves around the little dog, other characters occasionally swing into center stage, keeping the tales fresh and alive.
I really think kids (even the older, grayer ones) will enjoy this. The stories are adventurous (never a dull moment) and don't ever feel repetitious. Since this is a collection of short adventures, even reluctant readers will have no trouble diving in.
First, I simply found the idea behind this cute--where does a dog goes when it dreams? Well, Max lets his dreams take him anywhere from cattle drives to zombies to baseball games. He fights criminals, saves lives and thwarts all sorts of evil plans. This is one active dog.
The stories take place in all times, places and areas. Despite this huge variety, the scenes are so well written that it's no problem slipping onto each new stage. No matter where Stephen Randel took Max, I found myself lost in the new world. I especially enjoyed the flip in points of view. Although each story evolves around the little dog, other characters occasionally swing into center stage, keeping the tales fresh and alive.
I really think kids (even the older, grayer ones) will enjoy this. The stories are adventurous (never a dull moment) and don't ever feel repetitious. Since this is a collection of short adventures, even reluctant readers will have no trouble diving in.
May 26, 2014
Maximilian, (Max, for short) makes his return in Stephen Randel’s new book THE OLYMPUS CLOUD-adventures of a dreamer. Max is a small but powerful French bulldog with complex and vivid dreams that include a tremendous array of awesome characters, situations, and heart-pounding tales of intrigue. All experienced from the floors and furnishings of a big white house that he shares with his human, Bennett. Generally outside of my picks for reading material, THE OLYMPUS CLOUD opened my eyes to a whole other world of writing and I just rolled right through this book and couldn’t put it down. I loved that all of these exciting tales were taking place in the mind of a dog, and carried me to all these different time periods and even other worlds! All jam-packed with explosive colors, smells, and sights that made me completely forget that I was even reading! Instead, I was riding along with this invincible little bulldog, joyfully witnessing first-hand all his adventures! I absolutely am in awe of this book and can’t wait to get my hands on Mr. Randel’s other books, and hopefully will be starting another today… Very highly recommended!
May 28, 2014
If you are familiar with Stephen Randel’s adult fiction works, The Chupacabra and The Trail of the Chupacabra, then you have read about Max (Maximilian). He is a white French bulldog with quite a presence. So much so that Randel wrote an all age fiction book completely around the adventures of Max.
Maximilian is an explorer and well, a hero. I quite enjoyed the mystery around the tales that make up this book. Is Max dreaming? Is he recalling past lives? Whichever the two, his adventures are memorable.
Using his strong writer’s voice, humor, and attention to detail, Randel gives readers (both young and old) vibrant stories where Max is the leading character. We meet a diverse cast of characters, cross different time periods, travel far & wide, and root for Max the entire time.
Don’t let short stories around a dog dissuade you from thinking this is not a rich read because you would be very wrong. The Olympus Cloud is sure to entertain and pull at your heartstrings, too.
Maximilian is an explorer and well, a hero. I quite enjoyed the mystery around the tales that make up this book. Is Max dreaming? Is he recalling past lives? Whichever the two, his adventures are memorable.
Using his strong writer’s voice, humor, and attention to detail, Randel gives readers (both young and old) vibrant stories where Max is the leading character. We meet a diverse cast of characters, cross different time periods, travel far & wide, and root for Max the entire time.
Don’t let short stories around a dog dissuade you from thinking this is not a rich read because you would be very wrong. The Olympus Cloud is sure to entertain and pull at your heartstrings, too.
June 18, 2014
So I haven't really had great experiences with animals. I get attached, too attached. My last attempt of being a mom to a fur baby didn't last more than 6 months. You know the feeling when the whole family is with you. Everyone vows to pitch in, etc etc. and the vows change slightly and the rest is history. I decided to read this novel because of my bestie and her three fur babies. They are lovable. All three are different, with adventures of their own, just like Max. Max is the dog hero of the novel. Adventures that take him to places we only imagine about. It's a big novel with lots of stories packed in one. This is the first time that I've read a novel by Stephen Randel. The characters are well developed. The events and descriptions are vivid. Honestly, you do not have to be a huge animal lover to enjoy this read. It's really fitting for a wide range of readers, middle level and up.
(Original post can be found at A Leisure Moment Blog)
(Original post can be found at A Leisure Moment Blog)
August 22, 2014
This book surprised me. I loved it! The book follows a French Bulldog named max as he goes on so many different adventures. Each chapter has a new and exciting story for Max. This is definitely one of those books that is just nice to read slowly and enjoy it by reading a few chapters a day. The story will be appealing to all age groups. I was not sure how the book would work out since the main character is a dog, but that is really just what makes the book so enjoyable and special. From chapter to chapter you find different plots and all different kinds of tales. It went from a paranormal story with witches, to an eerie steampunk myth, to a thrilling mystery, to a wild west shoot out, and many more. This is definitely a book for people who love to read a range of different genres.
Full Review Here
Full Review Here
August 23, 2014
What an enjoyable read! This book is made up of mini-stories surrounding the dreams of a cutie of a dog named Max. It's a beautiful YA-middle grade book of Max's sleepy-time adventures. The book is short, but it is full of adventurous moments.
I found this story to be refreshing and unique - a whole new level of reading for me. I am so very glad that this is a middle grade book that young people can appreciate. However, I also hope that kids of all ages are able to enjoy this book because one is truly never too "old" for adventure - especially when it's this adorable.
Verdict
Any person of any age will enjoy this book. However, you'll probably find it even more enjoyable if you have some furry family members of your own. A great read!
I found this story to be refreshing and unique - a whole new level of reading for me. I am so very glad that this is a middle grade book that young people can appreciate. However, I also hope that kids of all ages are able to enjoy this book because one is truly never too "old" for adventure - especially when it's this adorable.
Verdict
Any person of any age will enjoy this book. However, you'll probably find it even more enjoyable if you have some furry family members of your own. A great read!
May 24, 2014
I became familiar with Mr. Randel’s work by reading his Chupacabra novels. I loved them both. He never disappoints. ‘The Olympus Cloud’ is just the kind of YA novel that I’d expect from him. Middle School readers will fall in love with Max.
With the same kind of imagination & wit, Stephen Randel weaves a story full of adventure. I’m pleased that this book is geared for the junior high years so that my soon-to-be 6th grader can now experience the same enjoyment that this author has brought to me.
Adventure fans will flip for Max’s destinations. You’ll never view your dog the same way. It’s a 5 out of 5 stars from me.
With the same kind of imagination & wit, Stephen Randel weaves a story full of adventure. I’m pleased that this book is geared for the junior high years so that my soon-to-be 6th grader can now experience the same enjoyment that this author has brought to me.
Adventure fans will flip for Max’s destinations. You’ll never view your dog the same way. It’s a 5 out of 5 stars from me.
January 23, 2015
Boy this little dog has some wild dreams. True to bull ohs, It fought everything from gods to dinosaurs.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews