Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions

by Anthony D. Grate

When life supplies 11-year-old Tommy Grant with some unfavorable circumstances intruding on his otherwise tranquil life in 1980s Ohio, he retreats into the spell-binding Order of Cosmic Champions. When he discovers that the largely successful animated program and toy line is holding a nationwide "Create-A-Character" contest where applicants submit their action figure designs, Tommy knows he has to enter as surely as he knows his own name. But when Tommy's character design fails to win the contest, he finds his world crumbling from all sides. And there is only one way he knows to fix it.

What follows is a whirlwind coming-of-age adventure of righting wrongs, overcoming perilous obstacles, confronting our inner demons, and challenging the limits of reality. In this waxing nostalgic and imaginative fantasy, listeners will discover what excitement lies waiting when you take risks and conquer your fears. Only one question In the final hour when you heed the call, the courage to give your all, will you stand or fall?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published October 26, 2022

About the author

Anthony D. Grate lived through the ‘80s, from age six to age sixteen, by surviving on steady doses of Masters of the Universe, Kool-Aid that he put way too much sugar in, and BarNones. Occasionally he put pencil to paper and created comic strips to entertain his friends. He dreamed of one day working for Marvel or DC. Once out of college, however, he found himself selling furniture. Life sure is funny.

After a few failed attempts to use a new thing called “the internet” to find a nice lady to share life with, a nice lady found him. They married and soon found themselves raising four children together. Meanwhile, in his spare time, Anthony tried desperately to appease the creative spirit dwelling within him. Comic strips, websites, books, board games, interactive online games…you name it, he probably gave it a shot.

Nowadays Anthony juggles the responsibilities of a husband, father, business owner, and creator pretty well – or at least he thinks so. He lives in the same quiet corner of Ohio that he always has, with no plans of changing that. The guy’s not much for change, which is probably why he still watches Masters of the Universe and eats too many BarNones. He did ditch the Kool-Aid, however.

http://www.retro-daze.org

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tommy's life begins unraveling the summer before junior high, the Create A Character contest for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, sorry, Order of Cosmic Champions is all that's keeping him going. When he doesn't win the contest, something else grips his attention...

I've already forgotten how I learned about this book but it sounded interest. '80s nostalgia, coming of age tale, etc. I had the issue of He-Man magazine as a kid with the create a character contest in it. Oddly enough, the winner, Fearless Photog, wasn't actually made into 2012, something a twitter peep filled me in on.

Anyway, this was a fun coming of age tale with some grim beginnings. Tommy's parents' marriage is on the rocks, his best friend has turned his back on him and joined up with a bulling shithead, and, damn it, that Create a Character contest is his one glimmer of hope.

SPOILER ALERT - Tommy goes on an odyssey across multiple states with only Fierce Phantos as his companion as he goes up against Skullagar and his minions on his journey to find the contest winner and ask him to pull some strings and get Tommy's Mechani-Ghoul character made into an action figure.

First, I'll get my gripe out of the way. This is a Young Adult book written in the last couple years. It's also got a pretty good helping of 1980s nostalgia in it so who's the audience supposed to be? That's pretty much my only gripe.

I found Tommy all too believable as a nerd who was betrayed by friends for more popular ones as a kid. As a father, I was mortified at how little Tommy's parents were paying attention to him. Sure, their marriage was falling apart but they still had a kid to take care of.

The quest aspect was believably done. Tommy's friendship with Fierce Phantos was well done and left up to interpretation for the most part, although what was Carlos looking at and what's with the REDACTED Tommy picked up at the end? I also liked that Tommy's quest did him good but didn't completely fix everything. Still, the ending was very satisfying.

I wonder if any effort to secure the Masters of the Universe license was made for this. It was a little odd that they referenced TV, comics, and movies from the '80s but He-Man and the Masters of the Universe became Masculon and the Order of Cosmic Champions. Whatever. Everyone knew what they were talking about.

Four out of five stars.

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for me, I’ll be sitting on the living room floor, watching Masters of the Universe with an entire box of sugary breakfast cereal and fantasizing about what to be for Halloween this year.

[Alex (The Bookubus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and touching coming of age story about growing up and finding yourself. Tommy is very relatable and his journey made for some very emotional moments (I teared up multiple times!) Rapino’s writing is full of effective and evocative detail and the 80’s nostalgia was excellently done and didn’t feel forced. Most of the story deals with real world issues but there are some fantasy elements (think He-Man style heroes and villains) woven in that worked well and I loved that it culminated at Halloween.

I was provided with a copy of the book from the author.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: parent with drinking problem, separation/divorce, bullying/fighting, runaway

I would like to thank the authors and BookFunnel for providing me a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When I first got onto GoodReads, this book was one of the first ARC opportunities I happened to see on the platform. I didn’t know if I would like this book at first. I’m not the biggest fantasy fan, but I was interested after reading the book description. Plus, this book has one of the best marketing campaigns I’ve ever seen (if you haven’t seen their promo website, it is a must before reading this book).

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Quickly settling into the comfy nostalgia, this is a quick-read with excellent character development in Tommy. Adding that to a wonderful ensemble of side characters and different third person POVs really added an additional dimension to the book.

One of the things I really liked about this book is that there is something for everyone to get out of this book. As I mentioned earlier, I’m not a huge fan of the fantasy genre. Yet, the fantasy levels were enough for me to enjoy and follow along, just like a superhero movie. Additionally, the authors really did a great job with illustrating the back-and-forth between the settings of Tommy’s real life, as well as journey, and the world of the Order of Cosmic Champions. There was never a point where I felt like the fantasy was too much, and it was interesting to see the dynamics between Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions.

As a result, this is definitely a must-read for this fall and I’m looking forward to seeing it in stores this October.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy is the coolest pathetic 11 year old I know and I want to go on more adventures with him. This book provides that feeling you get when you want to read it again for the first time as soon as you finish it. I never wanted the story to end so that i wouldn’t miss my new friends. Similar to The Neverending Story in that this is a journey of growing up and discovering who you really are while having a lot of fun on your way.
Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions is a spectacular feel good book. Of course that means you’ve got to be laid low in order to come back greater and Tommy goes through a lot. I am grateful to have read this book, there are lots of funny lines and powerful quotes that we all need reminding of from time to time.
When Anthony Rapino asked me to review this book I was hesitant. I am a horror lover, and according to Amazon, the recommended reading age is 10-13 years. Do not be dissuaded by this. There are blurbs on this book from Anthony Michael Hall, Corey Feldman, Joey Lawrence, and more. I thought it would be fun, there are lots of 80’s references so I gave it a try. I had read another of Anthony’s books (The Soundtrack to the End of the World) and it is excellent. Sure this could be read by a younger audience but they won’t be coddled.
Get this and read it before it gets made into a movie, or a TV series, before the action figures hit the stores. Get this for yourself, get this for your kids, get this for your library. This book has a lot for everybody

[Justin Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy and The Order of Cosmic Champions really hit home in a few areas for me. I absolutely loved this novel.

11 year old Tommy Grant has to deal with the adversity of losing his best friend, the constant fighting between his parents, being bullied extensively in school, and having only one escape from it all, The Order of Cosmic Champions.

Summer comes as the school year ends, and Tommy's best friend leaves him for a bully and humiliates him infront of everyone at his birthday party, his parents continue to fight, his world has been shattered. Tommy's only hope to make it better, enter and win the OoCC contest, with his creation Mechani-ghoul. Sadly Mechani-ghoul loses put to Fierce Phantos. Thus Tommy embarks on a fantastical journey seeking out the winner of the contest, where the reader then begins to question what is, and is not real. Maybe it all was, maybe it mostly wasn't.

This book is an absolute page turner. I found myself not being able to put it down at times, or staying up considerably later than I should have just to read one more chapter. As I sit here writing this, I seriously hope for, and eagerly await a second installment of Tommy and The Order of Cosmic Champions.

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rapino and Grate take the readers back to the 1980s where Saturday Morning Cartoons were king and anywhere you needed to go was just a bike ride away.
Tommy Grate leaps off the page, a relatable protagonist that readers will swear they either knew or were. Dealing with his parents' impending separation, Tommy retreats into the world of the Order of Cosmic Champions, a Masters of the Universe-esque fantasy cartoon that pits good against evil. What starts as a way to deal with the stresses of home life and bullying at school transforms into Tommy's beloved characters speaking to him and eventually even coming to life to interact with him. The solution to the whirlwind of Tommy's life? A trip that will take Tommy across state lines and through life experiences you can't get sitting alone in your room.
Filled with easter eggs, references, and brimming with nostalgia, Rapino writes Tommy and the OoCC in a way that will appeal to readers of all ages.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

Hoping to draw some Stranger Things fans, This book about an 80's nerd trying to win a contest for a toy line that closely resembles He-Man has a lot of nostalgic moments, but in the end, this feels like a 70's book to me.

[Erin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the fantasy elements were a little disruptive to the narrative flow, but I understood why they existed. This was a really beautiful, and sad, coming of age story. Tommy was a well written character.

[Ewreck82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here was the nostalgia filled ride that I hoped it would be. It had me hooked from the very beginning, drawing on so many aspects of my childhood that were echoed in the book. Tommy was such a likable, sympathetic character that it made me want bad things to happen to everybody that wronged him. This gave me Ready Player One, The Wizard, and Stranger Things vibes all wrapped up in a story full of heart and adventure.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding book. It reminded me of my childhood as well growing up during that time and makes me long for that magic I felt when I was Tommys age. With tons of pop culture references, it was impossible not to resonate with this story. I know this story is for young adults but even as an adult it was still very enjoyable. I could not put it down. Bravo to the Author. I also recommend signing up on their website and listening to the soundtrack for free! And if you are a toy collector like myself they even have action figures!!

[Robert Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retrowave barnstormer destined to delight newcomers and old-timers alike.

I've been trying to trace the emergence of the retrowave trend. I feel like it was a 2010s thing, as 70s and 80s kids started to grow up -- and grow old -- and look back at their childhoods. TRON LEGACY was one of the first great retrowave works, I'd argue. READY PLAYER ONE followed, along with STRANGER THINGS and many others.

Grate and Rapino have delivered one of my very favorite entries into this pseudogenre. Through the prism of Grate's childhood in small-town Ohio, we get to visit many of the major touchstones of 80s culture, including comic book stores, toy stores, and a video arcade I'd love to hit with several rolls of quarters. Their influences include the biggies like Cline and the Duffers, but this one also reminds me of deeper cuts like THE WIZARD and RADIO FLYER. It's a thumping good road story that also incorporates a magically realistic device that compares favorably to MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, and I'm not kidding.

The authors also pack a metric ton of invention into this tale. These guys created their own riff on Masters of the Universe -- complete with heroes, villains, castles, and magic -- and damn if they didn't improve on virtually every element of their inspiration, and most important, they build all of this on a rock-solid foundation of character, drama, hope and change. (Oh, and the prose is crackling, too.)

If that wasn't enough, they channel some of the most famous (or infamous) incidents of early internet lore: the Nathan Bitner story; and the one where a kid ran away and found Piers Anthony's home by reading the Xanth books.

https://gizmodo.com/in-1987-a-young-f...


I could go on at length, but I'll stop and simply say: if you're a fan of great YA coming-of-age fiction, or STRANGER THINGS, or THE WIZARD, or 80s pop-culture in general, do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a kid who had every He-Man action figure, both castles, the talking toothbrush, a soap dispenser, and sword, I felt this kid so hard. When I moved to the city, I was bullied for being poor, so I get Tommy so hard. The moral tale here is strong, and I liked that it had The Wizard style road trip.

Was this book perfect? No. But I truly enjoyed reading it. It’s something that really would have hit me hard in middle school. This is such a great read for people in their late 30s and early 40s too.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating adventure seasoned with nostalgia

I enthusiastically recommend this touching story of a boy overcoming the obstacles of growing up through a captivating adventure that kept me up reading way past my bedtime! The writing is immersive and vivid and made me feel as if I was in the metaverse watching the story. Tommy’s inner monologue reveals a person that many identify with and evokes empathy and inspiration.

But this book is much more than the riveting story that unfolds. Anthony Rapino and Anthony Grate built a time machine dialed into the formative years that we all share in common. Yes, it is awesome to experience the 80s so faithfully expressed in this story! Even more impactful is the opportunity to travel back to the thoughts, feelings, uncertainties, triumphs, and joys of adolescent years. No matter the decade you grew up in, this novel speaks to the resilient spirit that overcomes life’s challenges.

A professor once told me “If you put good things in your head, good things will come out.” This book is a good thing - entertaining and enriching. Get it and read it.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions
by Anthony J. Rapino
This is a great jaunt into the 80's world of heroes and stories. Tommy is a child who needs a friend. Society has not been kind. He finds that his comic books, and tv shows help him deal with his difficult and lonely world.
I love seeing the connection of these mythological tv series and comic characters coming to life. Not only does it show the nature of the 80’s childhood. Yet it honors the original characters of that time. I grew up at the end of the 80’s with so many of these series affecting my life. I can connect greatly to the story of Tommy. His personal struggles, and his loneliness.
I think this book is a great teaching tool for children to understand sympathy, and acceptance. Tommy’s struggle is not uncommon. Children not only in the 80’s were living this difficult life. I see students today with similar problems. This may also help today’s children understand their teachers, parents, or even grandparents.
I recommend this book to comic book lovers, those who know about 80’s cartoons. It's a great look into the events and circumstances of the time.

[Kevin Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having heard about this book coming well over a year ago, I’ve been eagerly anticipating diving into the story. In preparation, I’ve gotten my hands on most of the associated merchandise found on their website, and finally sat down to read with the soundtrack playing in the background and action figures in hand! What I experienced was somehow equal parts what I was expecting and not what I was anticipating, but what I can say without hesitation is that I LOVE this book!

Having been Tommy’s age, living in Ohio, in the 80’s, and having been a huge MOTU fan (Tommy’s analog being the OoCC), I assumed I’d enjoy a fun love-letter to that era and world. And, that is certainly part of the experience. However, what surprised me was the narrative journey that left me (like Tommy) not sure what to believe about what’s real or imagined. The book is so well-written, with characters that all feel very real and relatable. The authors have done such a good job at presenting Tommy and the others in a believable light, that when the unbelievable begins to happen, you are fully engaged and swept along for the ride!

While the story may have some fantastical elements, what’s best about this book is how thoughtful a journey it is through a period of life that we all must go through. As the aforementioned 80’s kid, I thought I would be the target audience, but the experiences shared are truly timeless and universal. Although I did not experience many of the same specific things as Tommy, I could empathize with his plight because more importantly perhaps than the particulars, he’s dealing with a period we all face: the moments when the simplicities and wonders of childhood begin to give way to the often harsher realities the world offers as we grow up. It’s magical and inspiring to see Tommy take risks, make mistakes, and ultimately learn what’s important and how to hold on to the things that matter and carry them with you as you grow up into the person you wish to be.

Tommy’s connection to the OoCC did not come across to me as a place for him to escape his troubles, but rather as a foundational element of his childhood innocence and understanding of good and bad; and the story does not involve him ”growing out of” it, but rather “growing from” it.

There are shades of “The Neverending Story” as well as “The Wizard” and even “Scott Pilgrim”, but this story is original and a wonderful read that I can’t recommend enough to anyone with even a passing interest in anything I’ve said above. I read it all in a single day, as I didn’t want to put it down. And, I look forward to reading it again and again, as well as sharing with my own 13-year-old daughters, as I think they will get something enjoyable and meaningful out of it as well.

Also, (here’s hoping!), this would translate into a wonderful film!

[A Broken Zebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOODREADS KINDLE GIVEAWAY WINNER

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing Style: 5
Cover: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes; I look forwards to the rest of the series. It was hard to put down, it was hard to put down, making it difficult to finish since I was also reading "Unseelie” (Ivelisse Housman), which was also difficult to stop reading. xD


▶ Tommy is 11, turning 12. This book tackles topics like coming of age, divorce, alcoholism to a degree, bullying (ex: an older boy accuses Tommy and BFF Evan of being girlfriends because of the frequency of their hang-outs). And how our main character goes from a very confident person to more or less a shell.
▶ Story is told in third person POV, and a majority from Tommy, a few chapters from his parents (Suzanne and Dave), and some from his friend, Miranda. The book is divided into 5 parts.
▶ Part III is a time jump to end of summer and start of junior high (whereas we start the book at the beginning of summer).
▶ This book honestly gets pretty adult, heavy, and dark, IMO, to the point I had to check the reading age and confirm I wasn't reading something other than middle grade/tween. Examples being: wife's body (during dad's chapter), that the comic book store smells like head shop, that marriage was harder than her parents had ever let on (mom's chapter), or this line - "Dave liked to complain about his lost art career, but he rarely expressed concern over Suzie’s unused college degree. Why would he? She was a woman. Wasn’t her place in the home, raising their child and keeping hot meals on the table?" (baller line, though, tyvm), how the mom's depression keeps her in bed (although, I approve of exposure to mental health); at first the dad is kind of YIKES. He's an alcoholic, telling Tommy to be normal, that he has hippy hair, that he should play basketball. And dad's chapters also mention how his own father beat him.
▶ Sometimes the flow gets clunky/wonky.
▶ Very encouraging about being yourself and not fretting over the opinions of others.
▶ Takes place during 1980s (1988) and includes a plethora of fun, nostalgic references: O’Boisies chips, VHS, "Nintendo cereal (the Zelda side, of course)", Trapper Keeper, waterbeds, so on and so forth.
▶ After Part III, some chapters include images of the toys/characters from the Order of Cosmic Champions. It's neat!
▶ Includes the urban myth, Polybius!
▶ Automatic win points, because Tommy has the same birthday as me! Well, the month and day, not the year, heh. Also? More points for mentioning King's Island (I'm from Michigan and used to visit KI and Cedar Point).

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy and the Order of the Cosmic Champions is fun and imaginative reading for younger readers but will also hit the heart of older readers as well.

The summer Tommy turns 11, his parents divorce, and his best friend says he never wants to see Tommy again. Tommy, who is already obsessed with the Order of Cosmic Championship, puts his all into a competition to create a new character. If he can just win, everything will be OK. But when Tommy doesn't win the contest, his world crumbles. The only way to make things better? Find the actual winner of the contest. Tommy leaves home on a dangerous but courageous adventure.

The novel is an exciting coming-of-age adventure. Younger readers will enjoy the superheroes and the main character who is similar to them. They will read wide eyes at the variety of adventures Tommy goes on. (In the end, leaving how unknown is strongly discouraged and is part of the moral of the story). They will enjoy the idea of reality and fantasy melding together, after all, that is what imagination is at the heart.

For adults, this will hit home on several levels. Confronting inner demons has no age restrictions and, though they are different than Tommy's, they are just as scary. If you had a hard time in school, like me, the book plucks at the heartstrings reminding you that you were a child once. I also loved the 1980's nostalgia throughout the book; these mentioned are so much fun.

Anthony J Rapino and Anthony D. Grate create a magical world that is our own imagination where we can deal with our inner monster, mourn the problems of our childhood and have hope for the future. This a great book for younger readers but adults will like it too.


I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.

[Tasha Stoll-Juredine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Though this isn't my normal type of book, it was a good coming of age young adult novel. The main characters journey and growth was well played out throughout the novel.

[Kelsi - Slime and Slashers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up for GR.

Special thanks to Anthony Rapino for providing me with an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this sweet and nostalgic coming-of-age story. Throughout Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions, we follow the main character Tommy as he struggles to fit in at school and copes with the possible separation of his parents. His main escape from all this stress and tension is his favorite comic and cartoon - The Order of Cosmic Champions. However, things get interesting when Tommy enters a contest to design a new character for the comic. What follows is an epic adventure that largely takes place over Halloween weekend!

This is such a cute and emotional story. I think younger readers who love Ready Player One (or comic books and cartoons in general) would really enjoy this. I think this book would also be great for adults who enjoy a nostalgic and heartfelt middle grade read that includes some fantasy elements (the fun fall vibes are a nice bonus too).

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished TOMMY AND THE ORDER OF COSMIC CHAMPIONS and my heart is full! This is a wonderful coming of age story following following Tommy as he navigates through life and its change such as losing a best friend, being around parents who fight a lot, exploring your dreams, and finding solace and refuge where you can. In this case, Tommy has The Order of Cosmic Champions - which is kind of like He-Man and the Master of the Universe. It's not so cut and dry and there are themes of reality vs imagination throughout the book. Growing up isn't always easy, nor is it always hard. But it's something we do. And experiencing Tommy and his journey filled me with so many emotions. There are fun scenes but also some heavy, thought-provoking ones. And all of it oozes 80s nostalgia which helped me further connect with Tommy and the story as a whole. I can't recommend this one enough!

[Fman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic nostalgia-fueled journey. Tommy and the Order of the Cosmic Champions is action packed, heart warming, and most importantly- fun! If you liked Ready Player One, you will enjoy all of the pop culture references and easter eggs that this book has to offer. By the power of Grayskull, Anthony J. Rapino and Anthony D. Grate have created an amazing coming of age story that is destined for your tv screen.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 1980's, Tommy and the Order of the Cosmic Champions follows a kid through the hardships of childhood and the wild adventure that follows when he tries to escape through the world of his favorite cartoon.

If you are a fan of action, fantasy and retro-themed things, this book is a must read!

[Jess Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun story! I was a 90s baby, but still could feel the nostalgia coming through on every page. I even lent my book to my stepdad to read since. He seems to be enjoying it as well! It had so many moments that made me laugh, reminded me of myself as a kid, and even got me in the feels. Solid read for sure!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - it's not my usual fare, as I'm an incurable horror fan, but I dug the premise and the cover. I'm so glad I did - the author has a gift for nostalgia, for pulling out empathy in every scene. There's a lot of heartache and a lot of understanding as well. It's primarily coming of age, with an excellent hero's journey type adventure, some comedy and a lot of heart.

[Melenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dnf. For some reason I am feeling the emotion of this book too strongly and can't deal with it right now. I've been reading for an hour and want to bawl my eyes out for the MC and I do not want to feel that way right now.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
Tommy is absorbed in everything related to the Order of Cosmic Champions just as many young readers become obsessed with their different interests. He’s read all of the comics, collected the action figures, and watched all of the shows starring various superheroes and supervillains. Tommy is forced into the complications of growing up as his former best friend now says everything about the Order of Cosmic Champions is stupid. Young readers can identify with the tide of emotions coming from fickle friendships in the middle grades.
Tommy’s parents are having marriage problems and he’s stuck in the middle. The author describes Tommy’s thoughts and feelings as his father’s drinking and emotional indifference leave Tommy with unfilled needs. He mostly keeps his feelings bottled up as he craves attention from his parents. His problems are compounded by incessant bullying at his new middle school and he’s embarrassed to talk to anyone about it. His isolation and anger become unbearable and a contest to create a new comic character feels like Tommy’s only chance for salvation. Middle school is a time of major changes and he’s forced to endure the worst of it. Tommy must learn that he has an inner power strong enough to overcome the challenges in his life.
The author wields imaginative, descriptive language using all types of figurative language. Tommy deals with the stress of his growing anger, frustration, and loneliness through dreary dreams and the haunting voice in his mind of an Order of Cosmic Champions villain, Skullagar. The line between reality and imagination becomes blurry and Tommy begins to listen to the voices to cope with his crumbling life. The fury and humiliation of feeling like a victim build inside and Tommy doesn’t know how to handle it. The author allows readers to experience his increasing, destructive emotions and Tommy’s confusion with trying to find a way to let them out.
What didn’t work as well:
I know it’s intended but readers may be confused as to whether Tommy’s experiences are in his mind. Even Tommy wonders. The possibility of an interdimensional world is presented but no one else is able to see and hear what Tommy encounters. Events happening in another dimension would explain it. There are huge battles in the middle of the street with giant craters but bystanders only see Tommy fighting imaginary enemies. Did it actually happen if no one sees it?
The Final Verdict:
The author spins a sensitive tale of a young boy overwhelmed by the complexities of growing up. The adventure moves between reality and imagination (or another dimension) and Tommy finds unexpected help to realize his own emotional strength. I recommend you give this book a shot.

[JJ Smathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born at the tail end of the 1970s, but all of my memories are based in the 1980s. I have always been Geeky, and my fandom goes all over the map. From movies and television, to comics, to music, to toys. My appreciation of all things pop culture is very broad.

It is because of these interests that I was told about "Tommy And The Order Of Cosmos Champions." One of the authors (Anthony Grate) is a friend of a friend and lives in a town not too far from my own. I always like to support local independent artists, even if, potentially, I do not like the final product.

At first, I was not sure I was going to enjoy the book because there were some very specific, not mainstream pop culture references that just did not feel right for some reason. It seemed like the authors had researched pop culture things that readers might not recognize and then put them in the story to show that they were real geeks without really knowing what they were themselves. I am not saying that is what happened, just that this is what my first impression was.

But then, after a few chapters, there was a turn for me, and I ended up really enjoying it a lot. I became invested in Tommy's story and where it was leading. Before I even finished it, I began to recommend it to more of my like-minded friends. The final story reminded me of both "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline and the Fred Savage movie "The Wizard"...only with the focus being on action figures rather than video games.

I had a lot of fun with this story, and I hope you pick it up for yourselves and have fun with it too.

[George Lathwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and nostalgic

Definitely a change from his other works but this is a a great adventure story which captures the nostalgia of childhood and is reminiscent of movies like the Goonies and others (which it also references) definitely would recommend to adults and children alike. A really enjoyable book and I can't wait to read whatever comes next from Anthony Rapino

[Cristan✨🪐 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free “bonus borrow” from the library’s Hoopla app. It’s a mildly entertaining book that started confusing but became enjoyable until the MC’s hallucinations got confusing again. I’m not entirely sure what happened to the MC regarding his favorite animated franchise characters, but the mystery was intriguing enough to keep me going until the end.🤷🏽‍♀️ Read at your own risk.🙃