The Legend of Jack Riddle

by H. Easson

So what if 12-year-old Jack's great-great-great-great-great aunt has oddly youthful looks? (Probably cosmetic surgery.) Or a hat she never removes? (Fashion victim.) Or goes out into the creepy forest at midnight to play bingo? (Must be what people do in the country.) Who cares about that her cottage doesn't even have Wi-Fi?! Forced to visit his distant relative with the unusual name of Gretel, Jack is about to find out that fairy tales aren't sparkly, cheesy love stories. They're dark. They have claws. They're a warning. And when you're the unwilling hero of your own fairy tale, you might be the one who's taught a nasty lesson.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Adventure

264 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

I'm a writer from England who lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with my husband and son, where I teach English to high school students.

I spent my childhood years trying to (unsuccessfully) find the fairies at the bottom of the garden and as a result I love fairy tales - the original, creepy ones. My debut novel, The Legend of Jack Riddle, was published by Capstone Publishing (USA) and Raintree (UK) in 2018. I am currently writing my second middle-grade fiction novel.

Reviews

[Alexis The Nerdy Bruja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

* I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

I adored this book. I though it was a fun adventure that included magic and fairytales, but the original story's not the happy endings which is refreshing. I didn't expect too much going into this book but man did it blow me away. I definitely recommend.

[Rianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

13/52 books read in 2018.
Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 4,5/5 stars.

This is an amazing book. I absolutely love how H. Easson incorporated the fairy tales. Your favorite characters show up when you least expect it. They are given a new story line and shine from the moment you figure out who they are. This would definitely be a book that I would want to read a second time, just so I can enjoy the new version of my favorite from the beginning.
It takes a while, but the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly in the end. This ambivalence of the start made it a little bit more difficult for me to keep focus (hence the long time it took me in the beginning), but after about 1/4th of the book I was hooked and flew through the rest.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite honestly, a delight and true gem in the form of this brilliant story - and don't worry about this being a book for kids. There is no age to enjoying a good tale, I tell you!

Jack is a normal boy, all in all. Like the kids his age nowadays, he's obsessed with the social media and his phone. Technology is everything to him, and he can't even begin to describe the horror of having to spend some time at the house of a distant relative named Gretel. But there's more to the creepy woman than meets the eye - and Jack's curiosity will lead him to revelations he might not be prepared for. Revelations that could possibly save his life - even if he's about to be unwillingly turned into a fairy tale hero...

I loved this book! It's clearly written for young readers, but the whole tale is wonderfully creepy. It was a joy to be scared at times when things would go awfully wrong, and the descriptions of certain scenes and locations did a fantastic job of keeping me on the edge of my seat and sending off freaky vibes. One thing I've learned about scary storytelling: if you mix it up with innocent, childlike things, it gets more than admirable results on setting the right mood. The carousel scene in the woods, the guardian that asked for dreams to let you pass, the cookie jar, they all helped in spooking me further and I couldn't stop turning the pages! And the good guys not really being what we expected them to be? Pure gold!

Another thing I liked was how the book combined the classic fairy tale atmosphere with a protagonist that couldn't care less for legends and fables. Jack was very much like the kids we know these days. Not only concerning their weird obsession with all things tech and the internet, missing out on so many things in life around them, but also being rude to their seniors and opportunistic. And while it may at first seem that such a hero is not what we'd want to help save the world, the adventures he goes through make him mature and see around him clearly and morally. It was the kind of character development that happened in stages and was much appreciated.

The story ends - of course - with a happy ending, as all fairy tales should. However, one interesting aspect is that of the WAY the happy ending occurred. In the end of the book, Hansel said something quite similar to what his sister said in the beginning. That could possibly indicate that it's not exactly over yet - and it sets for a very nice, cliffhanger kind of method to tie the knot in this story.

I seriously hope to read more books in the future from H. Easson. Job well done, indeed!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com/

[Darshita Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazingly good! It had a little (maybe not that little) boy. He didn't believe in fairy tales but after seeing his aunt he finds out that maybe fairy tales do have a lot more that he thought and then he got adventures the perfect mix of fun and scariness. As an eight year old, I loved this book. I really recommend reading this book.

[~just one hopeless romantic~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had plenty of laughs in it. My favorite character was SMASH because of how funny he was and how he loved saying smash. In all of my years of reading, this is probably the first time that the main character didn’t act stupid. Sure, Jack didn’t know what he was doing but he was better than Harry Potter or Sophie Foster. Anyways this book was awesome I hope there is a part two.

[Elizabeth John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun! It had so many elements of fantasy, magic, and bits of familiar fairy tales, but they all came together to give a relevant message to kids today. Though I’m certainly older than the demographic this book was meant for, I really enjoyed it!

[Morgan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey Guys! I want you to close your eyes for a second and remember what it was like to go to the library in elementary school. What color books did you pick out? Do you remember your favorite characters names? Did you have a favorite librarian?

The Legend of Jack Riddle is a fresh take on books that you probably half-way remember borrowing on your first library card. The plot is just as teeming with life as the cover. It manages to blend and reinvent dozens of old fairytales. With a single word, Easson can twist the stories of Ariel and Hansel into something inventive and hilarious.



When Jack Riddle is sent, much to his chagrin, to his mysterious aunt’s house, he finds out a lot more about her than he’d wanted. After following her into the forest he had been forbidden to touch, he finds his aunt disappearing into a tree trunk. She was supposed to be at bingo night…

He finds her in a mysterious meeting of witches. Oh, and she has a second head. Jack narrowly escapes before he is seen, and the next day is sent home with a mysterious jar. When a chocolate-loving goblin crawls out of the jar, Jack finds out he is his aunt’s next victim and that her real name is Gretel, the witch.

Along with his bumbling history professor, Jack embarks on a quest to beat his fate before it is too late. He has to go on a quest to find the missing elements of the prophecy that will beat Gretel, along the way encountering mismatched and mistold fairytales. Ariel the cat, Ambrosius the history professor, Smash the goblin, and Jack are a mismatched group of heroes never imagined before.

The Legend of Jack Riddle is wholesome fun. I know for certain, after reconnecting for a second with my old pre-e-book library self, that I would have loved this book as a child.

There is an inherent riotous beauty in children’s literature. The simplicity of the language gives way to broad and imaginative plots, that disappear from teen and adult minds so easily. These are truly some of the funniest and sweetest books out there. Children’s lit ultimately doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is carefree and, at the same time, invigorating.

I encourage you to reconnect with that old self. Re-explore those libraries. Remember those books, even if that just means looking up the full title and character names.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legend of Jack Riddle by H. Easson is a middle grade novel currently scheduled for release on March 1 2018. So what if 12-year-old Jack’s great-great-great-great-great aunt has oddly youthful looks? (Probably cosmetic surgery.) Or a hat she never removes? (Fashion victim.) Or goes out into the creepy forest at midnight to play bingo? (Must be what people do in the country.) Who cares about that when her cottage doesn’t even have Wi-Fi?! Forced to visit his distant relative with the unusual name of Gretel, Jack is about to find out that fairy tales aren’t sparkly, cheesy love stories. They’re dark. They have claws. They’re a warning. And when you’re the unwilling hero of your own fairy tale, you might be the one who’s taught a nasty lesson.

The Legend of Jack Riddle is a fantasy adventure that starts as the typical coming of age and fantasy quest or adventure story. I liked that Jack was a bit like the stereotypical tween, glued to his phone and craving the independence and fun more young people want. However, he is much more. He is facing family challenges, but not the same issues that most kids in these stories face, but more emotional and identity based troubles. I liked the threads of well known stories, but how they are interwoven with typically unrelated stories. As a fairy tale and legend fan, I was glad to see twists I had not seen before, along side some that were like old friends. I enjoyed Jack's evolution, and the growth he had as an individual and how he relates to others. I found the professor and other secondary characters, to be very well developed and interesting rather than the place holder characters that sometimes populate the backgrounds of books. I think young readers, and those of us older than the target audience, can get lost in the story and enjoy it thoroughly.

The Legend of Jack Riddle is a fun and entertaining read for middle grade readers, and older children and adults as well. A nice fantasy adventure that could also encourage further reading in legends and fairy tales as well.

[Edshara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I recieved and arc of The Legend of Jack Riddle, from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.


The Legend of Jack Riddle was a fun and interesting look at the darker side of fairytales. I've never read the original verisons of fairytales, so reading a darker take on some of the ones I'm familiar with was nice.

Jack was a well rounded protaganist. While I did find him a little naive, at times, he also showed growth throughout the course of the book. His ability to look at himself and see the areas in which he needed to change, his thinking and his actions, was a good example of the maturity that should be presented to MG readers. I also really liked the Professor. He was such a multi-layered character and it was fun reading how he and Jack interacted with each other and other characters in the book. He had such a nice backstory, I think he should have his own book.

The author brought up the subjects of bullying, making your own choices, and the need to unplug from devices. They were included nicely in the plot in a way that highlighted their importance and significance without feeling preachy or making them seem nonexistent.

The book was well written and very descriptive. The author crafted a very nice adventure story, with a lot of different parts that all flowed really nicely together. The book had a very fast pace and due to that, I felt, some sections of the story moved a bit too quickly. Just as I was beginning to really enjoy something, it would be over and Jack would be off to the next part of the adventure.

The cover of the book is so nicely illustrated and does a good job of drawing you in, even before you read the synopsis. It would have been nice to see some of those same illustrations included in the book, even if it was just in the chapter headers.

Overall this was a good MG read and a great debut for H. Easson.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first received this book, I automatically noticed the cover. It pulled me in and was begging to be read. I know you're told to not judge a book by its cover, but I think it's human nature to do so. Luckily, the cover of this book hits the nail on the head. The age group this book is for are drawn to books that look like this one.

Jack is a kid who is sent to visit his super-great aunt out in the middle of nowhere. The aunt has a secret, and when Jack finds out, his life is turned upside down. The characters are memorable, and bring many different fairy tales into the same world. From a fairy tale stand point, I found the way the stories were intertwined to be believable, with a smooth transition to each one.

The cast of characters is great, and brings some humor into a story that has its dark moments. This is not a fairy tale book that mirrors Disney with the happily ever after stuff. This book uses the original dark versions of the fairy tales. In those versions, not everyone lives happily ever after. I like the fact that using the original versions puts a new spin on things. Kids usually know the happy version of the stories, so they know the characters being presented, but they are shown that sometimes things don't always work out the way we planned. It takes work to overcome evil. Happily ever after does not come on its own, you have to do something to make it happen.

I found this book completely unpredictable, and because of that, I wanted to read it all the time to find out what was going to happen. Things are not always what they seem, and this book takes that and runs with it. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Author: H Easson
Publisher: Capstone
Publication Date: 1 Mar 2018

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack is sent to spend the weekend with his great-great-great...aunt. He's not thrilled, and she is very weird. He follows her out one night and witnesses her involved in some seriously creepy stuff. The next day she sends him home with a cookie jar he isn't allowed to open, and Jack finds himself suddenly unleashed on a quest he never signed up for against a witch who has terrorized children for generations. With the help of his cooky history teacher, can he be the one boy who actually stops Gretel's reign of terror?

I wasn't thrilled with this at first, but Jack grew on me. I really admired the way he was 100% an ordinary kid, but after doing nothing when someone else was bullied he vows to never again just stand and watch. His quest is scary, and impossible, and he feels like completely the wrong guy for the job but he decides to stick with it because he doesn't want to see anyone else hurt. What a great lesson for kids. They don't have to be someone special or superpowered to stand up against the bullies and hurtful people and stop the hurting. The story is dark. Jack's fellow questers are quite the odd mix of a cat and a goblin and a prof who are all famous fairytale characters under enchantments thanks to Gretel. He's also got hard things going on at home. But in the end, the story is hopeful and has a good message. Even the average and ordinary can stand up to the dark and win. Hand this to kids who like creepy fairytale remixes.

Notes on content: There's 3-4 British swears which won't even register with American English readers. No sexual content. There are numerous perilous situations. One character gets a goblin down the throat and throws up violently. One character loses an eye. Bad guys threaten constantly.

[Aphrodite MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our story begins with somewhat ghastly but legendary events of the 1600s Scottish-English witch-hunts, a small town with a band of vigilantes are seeking justice, and they get it, much to their satisfaction. Fast forward to the here and now, we meet our kid Jack, a rather naïve 12-year-old with somewhat oblivious parents who send him to spend some time away from home with an unheard of relative. Jack is enthralled by his ethereal, creepy, exotic young/old aunt Gee Gee, who appears to be loaded and has supposedly had tons of plastic surgery. Jacks primary interest is to follow her around to find where she has stashed her cash, in hopes of scoring some financial benefit. Instead, he soon finds himself to be in a coven of danger, which he seemingly escapes with a new friend in tow and a ‘gift’ which comes with a warning.

What follows is a series of action packed scenes with his unusual collection of sidekicks, hurtling to solve an epoch’s old curse while traveling down some well-worn fairy tales with unique twists, and at the same time giving an overview of some history, mythology, and legends. The story stays true to a kid’s perspective on family, friends and middle school experiences and touching on some social issues. The hero of our story shows growth from his initial introduction to being a kid who becomes conscious of those around him and how his choices affect them, all the while finding his own voice and courage.

This book is a great addition to any library that will keep young readers engrossed for hours.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if? What if fairy tales were true stories? What if they were about children cursed by an evil witch who liked to cast a spell over one kid every generation to teach others a lesson? What if you found out you were her next target?

These are the questions found in The Legend of Jack Riddle. After a frightening visit to "Aunt Gretel's" house, Jack begins talking with the bumbling old history teacher at his school, Professor Footnote. Professor Footnote explains the truth about fairy tales and that Jack is Gretel's next target. Jack is thrown into an adventure that he didn't ask for and doesn't want any part of. His smartphone is no use, his friends can't help, and his parents are acting strange. He has to rely on the help of the muddled Professor and an unusually friendly cat as he embarks on a quest to save himself and generations of children to follow.

Some books are fun to read but you can easily put them aside. Other books call to you even when you are busy doing something else. The Legend of Jack Riddle falls into the latter category. Any time we had a spare moment, my ten year-old was beside me, asking: "Riddle?" He didn't care if we only had time for a page or two, he just wanted to see what would happen next. (And I have to admit, I was tempted a few times to read ahead after his bedtime...) I highly recommend this one!

I received an advance reader copy of The Legend of Jack Riddle in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you thought the days of great fairytale stories were passed, think again and add this book to your reading list. It's a fun modern-day fairytale anyone can enjoy.

Jack Riddle is your typical kid. He dreads most schoolwork and probably spends too much time on electronic devices, specifically his phone. When he goes to spend a few days with his great-aunt he quickly realizes that things aren't what they first seemed. Before he has a chance to change anything, he finds himself the victim of a sinister plot to teach a lesson to his generation. With the help of some unlikely allies, will he be able to save future generations, and himself, before it's too late? With witches, fairies, dragons, and more, there is plenty to confuse him and lead him astray but Jack must do his best to prevail if he wants to see his family and friends ever again.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda Work · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story transports the reader into a modern day fairy tale that is both familiar and new at the same time. The premise is a fantastic twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. Though not one of my favorite Grimm tales, this rendition evoked a new sense of appreciation for the original and completely engaged my sense of empathy and urgency for our young hero, Jack.

Many young readers will be able to see themselves in Jack with his strained parental relationships and awkward social dealings with peers. It is easy to cheer Jack on his strange adventure into the world of fairies and witches while discovering strength and confidence in himself.

Will be highly recommended reading for my upper elementary school and middle school patrons.

Loved this story!
Publication Date: March, 2018

[Patricia Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compulsive and enjoyable "must read" book. With a youthful hero and a cliff-hanger ending at the end of each chapter, the story of unassuming Jack Riddle's challenges and adventures will have your child wanting more and more.The chapters are not long, making the desire to read "just one more" even more tempting whatever the time of night.
The book's innovative twist on traditional fairy tales and their modern consequences, the imaginative scenarios and the dry humour will appeal to any youngster and to a lot of adults too. And the author has not forgotten to add a few contemporary issues too, such as over-reliance on mobile phones and the impact of bullying, so there is an opening for further discussion if you so wish.
The final few pages tempt the reader with the promise of more to come for the inimitable Jack Riddle; good news indeed.

[Darcy Roar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy spin on fairy tales past but modern & goofy. Over all this story is quite cute. Jack is something of a reluctant hero, pulled into a fairy tale story against his wishes. I quite like how they tie-in so many different stories and characters from myth and old stories. Jack's a bit of a goober but in a relatable and fun way. My only real beef with this book is that Jack is a very (aggressively) modern teen. He has a cell phone & texts & looks at memes. It's terrible. The children they are being ruined by phones. Le Gasp! This book is very not sure how to feel about teens and cellphones. On one hand it's the bad guys going on and on about how terrible teens on phones are, but the narrative never really argues against it. It's a weird thing. Other than that this book is a delightful middle grade read, perfect for hard core fairy tale fans or total folklore novices!

[Pop Bop · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Kitchen-Sink Action Fantasy Adventure

This book has it all, from Merlin to Hansel and Gretel, with stops at goblins, faeries, mermaids, a truly Wicked Witch, and even an English-ish Appalachian Jack. It's sort of a bumpy ride, with some exceptionally well written bits, (the Prologue especially), and then some less disciplined bits marked by a fair amount of monologuing. But the pace is almost always fast, which gets the reader over the bumps, and the action can be dark, creepy, and thrilling. I could see this being well liked by a younger reader who likes a slambang magical fantasy conflict and isn't picky about consistent plotting or much in the way of character development.

(Please note that I found this book while browsing Kindle FreeTime books. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Legend of Jack Riddle was a pretty weird little read about how Jack's great-great-great-great-great Aunt Gretel who should be dead but isn't is actually a witch and is after Jack. He didn't realize until it was to late that the cookie jar she sent with him actually contained a strange little spirit like thing of Gretel's brother and he is called Smash and is a junk food junkie. :) It was a fun take on an old story.

[haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story!

I enjoyed the different twists and the darkness of this familiar fairy tale. Easson does a good job with Jack's development throughout the story and touches on the need to step away from technology. A great adventure story with the perfect pace.

This is a story I would recommend to my local library, and buy for my younger siblings!

[Ashley Rossetto · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty entertaining, but I've definitely read better written juvenile fantasies. That said, I liked it, and the 9-12 year olds in my book club ALL said they loved it. They also agreed that it has creepier moments, and should not be read before bed! (I did think 'wow that is grisly' a few times!)

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
An interesting read, but probably not one I would ever really pick up again. And I don't think I'd remember any of it, in about a week down the road. Except for probably the fact the witches in this story have two heads. not one.
Recommended? Eh, take it or leave it
Buy/Borrow? Borrow

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Full of fantastic characters. I particularly liked Smash the sugar-loving goblin. I can see this book being made into a movie. Definitely recommended. A modern classic and possibly the next 'big thing'.

[TJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess growing up also means your taste in books changes too. This is not for me anymore :(

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun enough, seemed to make some jumps that were hard to follow, but nothing major.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading this book. It's exactly the type of thing I loved as a kid. It has travel, mythical creatures, and magic. Familiar stories are woven into the world in an entertaining "what really happened" kind of way. Some of the scenes are so well done that they visually stuck in my head.

I received a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley.

[LH · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls loved the mix of fairy tale characters intertwined with the modern day life of Jack Riddle. A likeable and easily relatable character lost in a world of magic.

[Bran Pendergrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

***I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and Capstone publishing***

“Turn back while you still can!” That is how this book opens and grabs the reader’s full attention! Well, that is if the gorgeous cover hadn’t already snagged their attention.
This story is the retelling of Hansel and Gretel. This retelling was different because it did not involve the normal candy houses and ovens. Instead, Jack Riddle is summoned for a holiday with a mysterious Aunt, that no one in the family has ever really met, who lives in the middle of nowhere without cell service! Gasp! What is Jack going to do with himself? Auntie Gee Gee is nothing like Jack had pictured and turned out to be a kooky cat lady with an incredibly strange appearance and bizarre demeanor. What horrors will Jack uncover in the misty forest? Who is Aunt Gee Gee? What happened to Hansel? One must read the story to find out! The fantastic premise and chill factor!
I was hooked and did not want to miss a thing, on the edge of my seat with suspense! Bravo! Jack was a loveable non-hero who is a definite underdog when it comes to dealing with a powerful witch straight from the ancient fairytales of his childhood. Jack quickly realizes that he is out of his element and enlists the help of looney old Professor Footnote who is the only person who believes in the supernatural happenings surrounding Jack. Like the Goblin running amuck looking for a sugar high named Smash and a perfect feline named Ariel who win up being unlikely companions as well. The Witch is ancient and formidable but with the combined forces of their little trope will she stand a chance?
Smash is my favorite character, and I can totally relate to his need to continually consume sweets! He is adorable and enchanting in his jester outfit. I do wish that there was more development of the characters in the story and that it didn’t feel so rushed. Jack does incredible feats in such a short amount of time and even the time with his Aunt is reluctantly short. I understand that this is a tween or Young Adult book, but I believe there could have been more content to fluff up the story which is why I am rating it with Four Stars.
I would recommend this book to parents with tweens and to middle school range teachers with inquisitive students who love fairytales and adventures. I would also rank this story with other great books like Bridge to Terabithia and the Golden Compass.