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Piasa
Painted on the bluffs near the town of Alton, Illinois is the mural of the Piasa, which according to early Native American residents meant ‘the bird that devoured men.’ The dragon-like depiction overlooks what the Ojibwe Tribe called misi-ziibi...the Mississippi River. Together with her Alton police officer cousin, Pamela Sweet, and a Chicago museum cryptozoologist, Mike Kellogg, 16 year old Sara Williams searches for an answer to the question, Did the Piasa once actually exist? Sara blossoms into a sassy assistant who discovers that fate has a plan for her and...the legend may be more fact than fiction.
274 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published December 23, 2010
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590 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 18, 2025
My full review can also be found on my blog:
https://diaryofdifference.com/2018/04...
The author - Mr. Michael Kott sent me this book for an honest review! I honestly enjoyed reading every single page, and I couldn't put the book down, which deprived me from some sleep a few nights. This is what I thought about PIASA:
This is a very warm story that covers the life of Sara, a young little girl (don’t call her that, she’ll get angry!). My apologies - a young fifteen-year-old lady that survives a car accident while her whole family dies. In times when destiny is hard to accept, she will get involved into resolving the mystery behind the legend of the Piasa, and this adventure might actually mean a new start in life for her.
For a lady of this age, this destiny is extremely hard to accept, and on top of that, she has a few scars that will mark that experience probably for the rest of her life.
Her life is not easy - she lost her family, and all of her belongings, and here she is now, at her Aunt Claire’s hotel, still unsure whether she is ready to move forward with life.
Sara is a very unusual character. I have to admit that at times, she would made me cringe. Some of the things she says and does doesn’t comply with my opinion, but there are things that I really loved about her. I loved the way she is coping with all the challenges she has, after everything that she’s been through, her ability to admire someone the way she admires Mike, to start believing again, even despite everything that happens around her, to seize the day and enjoy the moments that life can offer. I love how she would find hope even in the darkest of places.
Even though I really liked the character of Sara, my favourite character has to be Mike. The way he thinks, acts and motivates everyone around him is unique. Mike is one of the characters that will make you realise and question some of your decisions in life.
The only character I couldn’t connect to at all was Pamela. I honestly am not sure why - it might be that there weren’t too many situations involving her that would make me care.
The story hooks you onto it and it is hard to put it down. I have never heard about the legend of the Piasa before, and one part of me wanted to find out before reading the book. I am glad that I didn’t, as I found out slowly about it, page by page, and that is an experience that will stay with me.
I love how it is presented that life is so unpredictable in so many ways, that mysteries are all around us, and that we are able to move forward and win - only if we wish to believe that we can do it. And sometimes, we are in doubt, and that is when precious people come into our lives - it all happens for a reason!
The only thing I wish was different about ‘’Piasa’’ is that I could’ve read this amazing book way, way sooner, when I was fifteen. I can’t wait to read the second book of this series - Cryptid.
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https://diaryofdifference.com/2018/04...
The author - Mr. Michael Kott sent me this book for an honest review! I honestly enjoyed reading every single page, and I couldn't put the book down, which deprived me from some sleep a few nights. This is what I thought about PIASA:
This is a very warm story that covers the life of Sara, a young little girl (don’t call her that, she’ll get angry!). My apologies - a young fifteen-year-old lady that survives a car accident while her whole family dies. In times when destiny is hard to accept, she will get involved into resolving the mystery behind the legend of the Piasa, and this adventure might actually mean a new start in life for her.
For a lady of this age, this destiny is extremely hard to accept, and on top of that, she has a few scars that will mark that experience probably for the rest of her life.
Her life is not easy - she lost her family, and all of her belongings, and here she is now, at her Aunt Claire’s hotel, still unsure whether she is ready to move forward with life.
Sara is a very unusual character. I have to admit that at times, she would made me cringe. Some of the things she says and does doesn’t comply with my opinion, but there are things that I really loved about her. I loved the way she is coping with all the challenges she has, after everything that she’s been through, her ability to admire someone the way she admires Mike, to start believing again, even despite everything that happens around her, to seize the day and enjoy the moments that life can offer. I love how she would find hope even in the darkest of places.
Even though I really liked the character of Sara, my favourite character has to be Mike. The way he thinks, acts and motivates everyone around him is unique. Mike is one of the characters that will make you realise and question some of your decisions in life.
The only character I couldn’t connect to at all was Pamela. I honestly am not sure why - it might be that there weren’t too many situations involving her that would make me care.
The story hooks you onto it and it is hard to put it down. I have never heard about the legend of the Piasa before, and one part of me wanted to find out before reading the book. I am glad that I didn’t, as I found out slowly about it, page by page, and that is an experience that will stay with me.
I love how it is presented that life is so unpredictable in so many ways, that mysteries are all around us, and that we are able to move forward and win - only if we wish to believe that we can do it. And sometimes, we are in doubt, and that is when precious people come into our lives - it all happens for a reason!
The only thing I wish was different about ‘’Piasa’’ is that I could’ve read this amazing book way, way sooner, when I was fifteen. I can’t wait to read the second book of this series - Cryptid.
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August 8, 2018
3.5 stars is a more accurate representation of how I feel 🌕🌕🌕🌗
So the author sent me this book and I really appreciated the handwritten note and that he spelled my name right. I only have a couple of complaints. The plot was really interesting. I've always wished for more Native American fantasy. In the beginning of the book Sarah becomes an orphan and I just felt like there could have been more emotion in those scenes. It was well edited and had a very interesting plot which I won't spoil. I don't know if this is an indie author or not which is why I don't want to judge too critically but I still wanna be fair. My main complaint just has to be that I didn't feel any passion from the book. You know when you're writing something, anything, and you're excited to talk about it even if you're typing your passion for what you're saying still comes through? I didn't get that. I didn't feel like I read a book by someone who also loves his book. Does that make sense? I'm not saying the writing was bad. I just think there needs to be more emotion. Don't write fiction the same way you write an essay for your college professor. I hope that makes sense. I do recommend it for the plot though. I really enjoyed it and I might read the sequel.
So the author sent me this book and I really appreciated the handwritten note and that he spelled my name right. I only have a couple of complaints. The plot was really interesting. I've always wished for more Native American fantasy. In the beginning of the book Sarah becomes an orphan and I just felt like there could have been more emotion in those scenes. It was well edited and had a very interesting plot which I won't spoil. I don't know if this is an indie author or not which is why I don't want to judge too critically but I still wanna be fair. My main complaint just has to be that I didn't feel any passion from the book. You know when you're writing something, anything, and you're excited to talk about it even if you're typing your passion for what you're saying still comes through? I didn't get that. I didn't feel like I read a book by someone who also loves his book. Does that make sense? I'm not saying the writing was bad. I just think there needs to be more emotion. Don't write fiction the same way you write an essay for your college professor. I hope that makes sense. I do recommend it for the plot though. I really enjoyed it and I might read the sequel.
January 21, 2019
Thank you Goodreads, and author Michael Kott for the opportunity to win and read Piasa.
I lived in Piasa, Illinois most of my life. Graduated from Southwestern High School where the Piasa Bird is the team mascot and you can see it next to the football field and in the gym. When I lived in Alton, Illinois, we often passed the picture of the Piasa Bird painted on the rock bluffs, and lots of caves. That made this book more personal and real.
The characters are believable and the story is very creative. A newly orphaned teenager, Sara, comes to Alton to live with her Aunt. Floods and an earthquake have opened new caves. Pets and some people have gone missing. She is hired by Mike, the Cryptozoologist, to be his photographer and assistant in the investigation. Her beautiful cousin, Pamela, is the cop assigned to tag along and keep her safe.
The story has lots of twists and turns to keep it interesting. I really enjoyed it and will be looking for the second novel in this series, Cryptid.
I lived in Piasa, Illinois most of my life. Graduated from Southwestern High School where the Piasa Bird is the team mascot and you can see it next to the football field and in the gym. When I lived in Alton, Illinois, we often passed the picture of the Piasa Bird painted on the rock bluffs, and lots of caves. That made this book more personal and real.
The characters are believable and the story is very creative. A newly orphaned teenager, Sara, comes to Alton to live with her Aunt. Floods and an earthquake have opened new caves. Pets and some people have gone missing. She is hired by Mike, the Cryptozoologist, to be his photographer and assistant in the investigation. Her beautiful cousin, Pamela, is the cop assigned to tag along and keep her safe.
The story has lots of twists and turns to keep it interesting. I really enjoyed it and will be looking for the second novel in this series, Cryptid.
November 10, 2018
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Overall, I enjoyed the book. The plot was interesting and kept me engaged throughout. I would have given it four stars, but it needs an editor for some grammatical errors and, in my opinion, I thought the descriptions of the main character's and her cousin's bodies were kinda creepy. I will still recommend the book to my 13 year old daughter and I will consider reading the sequel.
February 7, 2019
I read this with my son. Thank you Michael Kott!
Piasa was well written with a creative, different storyline. The characters were well developed & easy to "see." This was definitely a departure from other books Ive read (LifeShift) as far as characters & themes but still in the sci fi realm. My son didn't like it as much as other books hes read but I thought it was engaging & interesting.
Piasa was well written with a creative, different storyline. The characters were well developed & easy to "see." This was definitely a departure from other books Ive read (LifeShift) as far as characters & themes but still in the sci fi realm. My son didn't like it as much as other books hes read but I thought it was engaging & interesting.
October 8, 2018
Kept my interest throughout
October 11, 2018
This was a very interestng book detailing the story of a legend coming to life. It was well written and keeps the reader engaged in the story.
October 12, 2019
This was a good book. I really liked the myths that were in it, but Sara who is main in this story drove me crazy. She wanted to be treated as a adult yet she was 15 to 16 and hated when people called her a little girl.. She whined and pouted the whole book.. Over all the plot was good I enjoyed the sweet love story at the end.. I would like to apologize to Michael Kott for taking so long. I had a TBR I was sticking to and read this on the side so I'm sorry for that but would truly like to say thank you to the Publisher Double 1 and Michael for this free book from Goodreads. Recommend to all who like history myths and unique animals it was fun learning about them and the people who search them... Gina Clabo
April 10, 2020
First I would like to state that I have received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style. This book was a very interesting read. The authors writing style kept you interested from the first chapter to the very last.
I honestly enjoyed reading every single page, and I couldn't put the book down,. I would recommend this book it is a great read!
I honestly enjoyed reading every single page, and I couldn't put the book down,. I would recommend this book it is a great read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews