What do you think?
Rate this book
Gray Hawk of Terrapin
Gray Hawk of Terrapin is a heart-wrenching Y/A fantasy by Moss Whelan that introduces Melanie (Mool) Fraser.
Ever since her father’s death, Mool has been talking with an imaginary green lion named Inberl. When Mool’s mysterious uncle gets sick, she and her mother take the train from Vancouver, Canada to the inner world of Terrapin, where Inberl is arrested because he’s looking for Gray Hawk. Springing into action, Mool sets out to rescue Inberl.
Mool’s know-it-all cousin, Olga, helps track down family friend Parshmander who might know how to save Inberl. They corner Parshmander at home, where they overhear mention of Gray Hawk, but the girls are captured and interrogated. Upon release, Mool feels success when she sees a secret map, finds a hidden bridge and crosses it with Olga. On the other side of the bridge, they find a secret city that keeps Terrapin at war.
Prepare yourself for a wrenching journey laced with evil, chronicling histories of cruelty, kidnapping, and false imprisonment in search of meaning and justice.
Ever since her father’s death, Mool has been talking with an imaginary green lion named Inberl. When Mool’s mysterious uncle gets sick, she and her mother take the train from Vancouver, Canada to the inner world of Terrapin, where Inberl is arrested because he’s looking for Gray Hawk. Springing into action, Mool sets out to rescue Inberl.
Mool’s know-it-all cousin, Olga, helps track down family friend Parshmander who might know how to save Inberl. They corner Parshmander at home, where they overhear mention of Gray Hawk, but the girls are captured and interrogated. Upon release, Mool feels success when she sees a secret map, finds a hidden bridge and crosses it with Olga. On the other side of the bridge, they find a secret city that keeps Terrapin at war.
Prepare yourself for a wrenching journey laced with evil, chronicling histories of cruelty, kidnapping, and false imprisonment in search of meaning and justice.
- GenresFantasy
312 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2018
8 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Moss Whelan
2 books26 followersMoss Whelan (1968) born in Vancouver, British Columbia, is the Canadian author of Gray Hawk of Terrapin published on January the 12th, 2018. He is an English Literature Bachelor of Arts, a Creative Writing Associate, and possesses a Diploma in Writing for Film, Television, and Interactive Media. He is active in the online Fantasy community and teaches Creative Writing. His work depicts a return to transcendent self-esteem in contrast with worldviews that shape perceived reality. He received the President’s Award at Douglas College and the M. Sheila O’Connel Undergraduate Prize in Children's Literature at Simon Fraser University. A survivor of PTSD, he hopes to be a voice for continued access to mental health.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 23, 2018
Psst, you could win a copy of the book HERE: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
***Actual rating: 4.5/5 Living Dreams Stars***
For starters, Gray Hawk of Terrapin is a brilliantly written fantasy novel full of creative creatures, exciting adventures and stories behind the story. Moss Whelan’s imagination knows no boundaries; I’ve been swept away by the unbelievably incredible plot and interesting characters since the first page. What’s more, those fantasy creatures/background setting in the book are totally unforgettable because, let’s be honest, who would think of a “green lion with a unicorn’s horn on his forehead” or “people with butterflies’ wings” or a train that’ll whistle Ter! Ra-Pin! upon arrival?
Basically, the story is about our protagonist, Melanie “Mool” Fraser going on a journey with her mother, relatives and newly made friends after taking the Terrapin Express to this wondrous, dreamy place called Terrapin. Before she heads off to Terrapin with her mother, Mool likes to talk to her imaginary green lion friend, Inberl, whom I personally think is more like her personal cheerleader/angel.
Mool experiences so much during her trip to Terrapin—from the secrets of Terrapin and its old tale her cousin, Olga, and her discover, to the behind-the-scene, real meaning of life in Terrapin—Mool certainly grows a lot and becomes a much more mature person after paying a visit to this otherworldly place. No kidding, she has grown on me gradually throughout the book and by the end of it, I absolutely adore her.
What makes this book stand out among all other YA Fantasy stories is because the author manages to not only bring out the best in fictional characters and the depiction of intricate story plot, but successfully conveys the profound connotation of the entire idea of Terrapin. That being said, I’m truly amazed by how the story ends since I focus so much on Mool and Olga’s adventure of exploring more of Terrapin that I totally overlook what’s behind the whole story. Therefore, I’m pretty satisfied with the way Moss Whelan wraps up the journey of our beloved characters.
Last but not least, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Gray Hawk of Terrapin to everyone, especially those who enjoy reading YA Fantasy with mysterious creatures and captivating storyline. Truth is, even though I seldom read/enjoy fantasy stories, there’s no doubt that I really have a fantastic time devouring this one. I mean, what can I say? What Mool encounters are far beyond my imagination and since the author has already flawlessly transformed the words into vivid images right there in the book, I’d just immerse myself in it with great pleasure. All in all, Gray Hawk of Terrapin is definitely a book worth reading and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do!
***Thanks to the publisher for kindly providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.***
***Actual rating: 4.5/5 Living Dreams Stars***
”There’s a place. Inside. Between dream and imagination. Called Terrapin. Most people don’t believe in it, so it is difficult to find. Except for children, old people, and artists. Most people can only visit Terrapin three times. But you are special. You may come and go as you please.”
For starters, Gray Hawk of Terrapin is a brilliantly written fantasy novel full of creative creatures, exciting adventures and stories behind the story. Moss Whelan’s imagination knows no boundaries; I’ve been swept away by the unbelievably incredible plot and interesting characters since the first page. What’s more, those fantasy creatures/background setting in the book are totally unforgettable because, let’s be honest, who would think of a “green lion with a unicorn’s horn on his forehead” or “people with butterflies’ wings” or a train that’ll whistle Ter! Ra-Pin! upon arrival?
Basically, the story is about our protagonist, Melanie “Mool” Fraser going on a journey with her mother, relatives and newly made friends after taking the Terrapin Express to this wondrous, dreamy place called Terrapin. Before she heads off to Terrapin with her mother, Mool likes to talk to her imaginary green lion friend, Inberl, whom I personally think is more like her personal cheerleader/angel.
Mool experiences so much during her trip to Terrapin—from the secrets of Terrapin and its old tale her cousin, Olga, and her discover, to the behind-the-scene, real meaning of life in Terrapin—Mool certainly grows a lot and becomes a much more mature person after paying a visit to this otherworldly place. No kidding, she has grown on me gradually throughout the book and by the end of it, I absolutely adore her.
All the while, the Wound Between the World lessened. Its fire grew dim until it was a shadow of its former self. Its green glowing pipe winked out. Its body shrank with a wheeze. For its time had come to an end—as all things do. And I think it knew that it was over, and it was tired and exhausted from being angry and spiteful for so long. Life needs laughter and sadness and many other feelings—but most of all a feeling of oneself.
What makes this book stand out among all other YA Fantasy stories is because the author manages to not only bring out the best in fictional characters and the depiction of intricate story plot, but successfully conveys the profound connotation of the entire idea of Terrapin. That being said, I’m truly amazed by how the story ends since I focus so much on Mool and Olga’s adventure of exploring more of Terrapin that I totally overlook what’s behind the whole story. Therefore, I’m pretty satisfied with the way Moss Whelan wraps up the journey of our beloved characters.
Last but not least, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Gray Hawk of Terrapin to everyone, especially those who enjoy reading YA Fantasy with mysterious creatures and captivating storyline. Truth is, even though I seldom read/enjoy fantasy stories, there’s no doubt that I really have a fantastic time devouring this one. I mean, what can I say? What Mool encounters are far beyond my imagination and since the author has already flawlessly transformed the words into vivid images right there in the book, I’d just immerse myself in it with great pleasure. All in all, Gray Hawk of Terrapin is definitely a book worth reading and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do!
***Thanks to the publisher for kindly providing me with an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.***
Read
April 22, 2018With all due respect for the author, I had to drop this book. Not because there's something wrong with the novel but because it just wasn't my cup of tea. I realized that I wasn't able to connect with the kid character and the storyline wasn't the one that I'd normally enjoy. This wasn't because there was something incorrect with the prose but because I don't easily feel any connection with characters that are children. In short, children stories aren't for me. The storyline felt like it generously took from the Harry Potter series. I'm sure that must might be some twist in the novel ahead but I didn't complete it since I thought that I wouldn't be able to treasure the book as much. So, it's not the book... it's me. That's all folks.
PS: for a better idea/review of the novel, here is Jasmine's review.
PS: for a better idea/review of the novel, here is Jasmine's review.
April 21, 2018
I did enjoy this book very much! Worlds of fantasy, stepping through unseen doors and crossing magical bridges and encountering fantastical creatures-- it was a tale that as a child I would have adored and read again and again.
Mool lives in Vancouver, but her father has been dead since she was small and she has never had really any friends except for an imaginary green lion named Inbrel and two talking mice names Robert and Pierre. Her mother has received word that she must go to help take care of her ailing brother, Mool's Uncle Matthew. Mool does not want to leave the only home she has ever known, but upon arriving at their destination, can't quite believe where she is. Nothing is as it is supposed to be and her mother informs her that this "other" world is actually where she and Mool's father are from. The land of Terrapin and her "imaginary" friends Inbrel, Pierre, and Robert actually live here. Danger abounds-- children are disappearing, Inbrel is illegally arrested, there is a war going on and no one can be trusted. Mool reluctantly makes "friends" with Olga her cousin and they have many adventures together trying to find Inbrel and avoid capture themselves. Mool doesn't think much of herself until she discovers her destiny, which is something she would have never guessed. I received this book from the author for an honest review, and it was a delight to read!
Mool lives in Vancouver, but her father has been dead since she was small and she has never had really any friends except for an imaginary green lion named Inbrel and two talking mice names Robert and Pierre. Her mother has received word that she must go to help take care of her ailing brother, Mool's Uncle Matthew. Mool does not want to leave the only home she has ever known, but upon arriving at their destination, can't quite believe where she is. Nothing is as it is supposed to be and her mother informs her that this "other" world is actually where she and Mool's father are from. The land of Terrapin and her "imaginary" friends Inbrel, Pierre, and Robert actually live here. Danger abounds-- children are disappearing, Inbrel is illegally arrested, there is a war going on and no one can be trusted. Mool reluctantly makes "friends" with Olga her cousin and they have many adventures together trying to find Inbrel and avoid capture themselves. Mool doesn't think much of herself until she discovers her destiny, which is something she would have never guessed. I received this book from the author for an honest review, and it was a delight to read!
November 18, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy.
How to start... The book isn't perfect. But the thing is, some aspects of this story deserve 6 stars, so I evened the things out to a 5 start rating.
The imagination here is fantastic. We have key scenes that grab you by the neck and lovable characters. suspense, suspense, suspense. Moss makes a point of putting things upside down. One expression compares someone to a corner that backed into a cat. NOT a cat backed into the corner, but the opposite. This kind of quirk sometimes feels overdone to the point where it's predictable, but it's so awesome y'all.
Every single chapter ends on a cliffhanger. There is more than writing in the book. There's a deliberate crafting that feels made for YOU, and I appreciate that. And the author's voice in the novel is fantastic.
This is probably my favorite book of 2017 so far.
How to start... The book isn't perfect. But the thing is, some aspects of this story deserve 6 stars, so I evened the things out to a 5 start rating.
The imagination here is fantastic. We have key scenes that grab you by the neck and lovable characters. suspense, suspense, suspense. Moss makes a point of putting things upside down. One expression compares someone to a corner that backed into a cat. NOT a cat backed into the corner, but the opposite. This kind of quirk sometimes feels overdone to the point where it's predictable, but it's so awesome y'all.
Every single chapter ends on a cliffhanger. There is more than writing in the book. There's a deliberate crafting that feels made for YOU, and I appreciate that. And the author's voice in the novel is fantastic.
This is probably my favorite book of 2017 so far.
December 23, 2017
I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher
This book starts off a bit slow but it quickly picks up when Mool’s adventure starts.
My feelings about the main character, Mool fluctuated a lot. At first, I liked her then, she started acting mean and I didn’t like her again then she reverted to her former self and I adored her. I’ve never felt so conflicted about a character before. She could actually be very nice and loyal and sometimes, very mean. She was a very interesting person.
Her cousin, Olga was another main character who was fond of speaking with big words that I found hard to understand. Her friendship with Mool was very hilarious.
The plot itself is simple and the writing style is very descriptive. While reading, you can imagine the world that was created and the different “people” in it. This characteristic made me enjoy this book a lot and when the adventure really started, it was hard to put down.
It's hard to find a lot to say about this book but it was good.
Read more of my reviews at www.stuffedshelvesite.wordpress.com
This book starts off a bit slow but it quickly picks up when Mool’s adventure starts.
My feelings about the main character, Mool fluctuated a lot. At first, I liked her then, she started acting mean and I didn’t like her again then she reverted to her former self and I adored her. I’ve never felt so conflicted about a character before. She could actually be very nice and loyal and sometimes, very mean. She was a very interesting person.
Her cousin, Olga was another main character who was fond of speaking with big words that I found hard to understand. Her friendship with Mool was very hilarious.
The plot itself is simple and the writing style is very descriptive. While reading, you can imagine the world that was created and the different “people” in it. This characteristic made me enjoy this book a lot and when the adventure really started, it was hard to put down.
It's hard to find a lot to say about this book but it was good.
Read more of my reviews at www.stuffedshelvesite.wordpress.com
January 28, 2018
Really no words can impress how express I am with this book. You read that right. Without giving any of Moss' grand quotes and twisted narration, I tried and failed (I'm sure) to write like the author. This is a must-read for fantasy readers that want to be transported to a new land. Terrapin, the place where Mool is taken along with her pal Inberl, is really a new and cool place. A creative place readers will want to go. There's mystery, a kidnapping, and rescue. I simply enjoyed this and will be recommending it to some fantasy bloggers. Enjoy.
March 5, 2018
I’m a lifelong fan of Alice in Wonderland, so it’s maybe not that surprising that I totally fell in love with this book. But, I can also say with certainty that even those unfamiliar with Alice will be charmed by Gray Hawk of Terrapin. This is one of those stories where you start out with the intention of only reading a chapter or two, and then you find yourself hours later still curled up on the sofa, book in hand.
Our main character is Mool, an adolescent girl with a wildly creative imagination. Mool not only has problems fitting in, but also problems staying rooted to one concrete reality. This spoke to me so deeply. I was that same dreamy, creative kid who talked to imaginary friends and got lost in the stories in my head. I think a lot of people have been there and so a lot of readers will definitely relate to Mool. However, what really catapulted this story into pure excellence was the descriptive imagery and language, and the sheer originality of the characters. Carriages that ran on horses’ legs, an evil dodo bird that echoed the best of all the classic villains, a whispering stone that crawls into one’s ear to give good advice and directions—these are just a few of the incredibly diverse characters in Gray Hawk. I like to think of myself as a pretty imaginative person, but as I progressed through this book I was just blown away by the author’s talent for conjuring up the most original creations.
I also loved that this book could have fallen into a lot of different genres I love: YA fantasy, MG fantasy, alternate world fantasy, and slipstream. I will definitely be reading this one out loud to my son when he’s a bit older, and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading it myself just for fun.
Our main character is Mool, an adolescent girl with a wildly creative imagination. Mool not only has problems fitting in, but also problems staying rooted to one concrete reality. This spoke to me so deeply. I was that same dreamy, creative kid who talked to imaginary friends and got lost in the stories in my head. I think a lot of people have been there and so a lot of readers will definitely relate to Mool. However, what really catapulted this story into pure excellence was the descriptive imagery and language, and the sheer originality of the characters. Carriages that ran on horses’ legs, an evil dodo bird that echoed the best of all the classic villains, a whispering stone that crawls into one’s ear to give good advice and directions—these are just a few of the incredibly diverse characters in Gray Hawk. I like to think of myself as a pretty imaginative person, but as I progressed through this book I was just blown away by the author’s talent for conjuring up the most original creations.
I also loved that this book could have fallen into a lot of different genres I love: YA fantasy, MG fantasy, alternate world fantasy, and slipstream. I will definitely be reading this one out loud to my son when he’s a bit older, and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading it myself just for fun.
January 22, 2018
(Disclaimer – I got a copy from the Publisher. Does not affect my review in anyway.)
Review: I did have some trouble keeping track of what was going on. With the main character having a big mind for imagining things, sometimes you had to really work at what was in her mind and what was reality in that world. It wasn’t that big of an issue, you got used to it after awhile.
Overall I liked the book it was very unique, also very fast paced which made it a quick read. The un-friendship (read the book you’ll get it) relationship with Mool and Olga was very amusing at times. I liked how they were both so very different yet at the same time very alike, if that makes any sense at all.
The book focused very heavily on world building, to build these very unique and odd places. Also it focused very heavily on character building, not the main characters but all the individual characters you came across, just to build the world and the people further. It added nice layers and tones to the book and story.
Best line by Bavard (the cat)
“I’m sorry about what I said.” said the Cat. “Feed me, or I will leave something terrible in your shoes.”
Review: I did have some trouble keeping track of what was going on. With the main character having a big mind for imagining things, sometimes you had to really work at what was in her mind and what was reality in that world. It wasn’t that big of an issue, you got used to it after awhile.
Overall I liked the book it was very unique, also very fast paced which made it a quick read. The un-friendship (read the book you’ll get it) relationship with Mool and Olga was very amusing at times. I liked how they were both so very different yet at the same time very alike, if that makes any sense at all.
The book focused very heavily on world building, to build these very unique and odd places. Also it focused very heavily on character building, not the main characters but all the individual characters you came across, just to build the world and the people further. It added nice layers and tones to the book and story.
Best line by Bavard (the cat)
“I’m sorry about what I said.” said the Cat. “Feed me, or I will leave something terrible in your shoes.”
January 22, 2018
Grey Hawk of Terrapin" is a fantastic story of adventure, bravery, and friendship told from the point of view of a stubborn and imaginative girl. Although the storyline and some characters are sometimes reminiscent of Alice's adventures in Wonderland, the world of Terrapin is unique and creative. Moss Whelan created several worlds and magical characters that are sure to delight children. As an adult, I struggled with some of the nonsense dialogue and the frequent descriptions of pinching the air / clawing the air / "squeezing the cheese" (what is that exactly?) were distracting. However, I can see younger readers enjoying the dialogue and descriptions. This was a very quick read, with a fast pace and clear cut actions. The characters are likeable, especially Mool and Olga as they develop from non-friends to actual friends. The relationships Mool develops in her quest to save her father are the strongest elements of the story, making Mool an endearing character.
January 25, 2018
An absolute phenomenal new world. Moss did a great job building Terrapin. Definitely, a must read.
February 11, 2018
Suspenseful page turner, with wonderful word plays and fantastic imagery. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading more in this series!
September 20, 2018
Originally posted at ragdollreads.co.uk
(Please note: I received a free e-book copy from the publisher)
"The fever dream of a madman."
TL;DR – I couldn’t sum this book up for you if you held a gun to my head – I literally have no idea what happened.
RAGDOLL RATING: 0/5 BUTTONS
Why I read it…
I was asked by the publisher if I would like to read and review this book, and I wasn’t about to turn that down. It sounded good in the synopsis so it seemed like a safe bet.
The Story…
A girl with an overactive imagination is taken to a fantasy world for some reason and I really don’t know what to tell you after that, so I’m just going to borrow a bit from Goodreads:
Ever since her father’s death, Mool has been talking with an imaginary green lion named Inberl. (…) Inberl is arrested because he’s looking for Gray Hawk. Springing into action, Mool sets out to rescue Inberl.
Mool… (finds) …a secret map, finds a hidden bridge and crosses it (…) On the other side of the bridge, they find a secret city that keeps Terrapin at war.
Since that doesn’t explain much I’m going to paint you a little picture.
Imagine, if you will, that you have been kidnapped by sinister forces. The sinister forces have taken you to a place that looks like Disneyland and they have tied you up on Main Street. Attached to your arm is a large IV bag labelled “Adrenalin”. This strange Disneyland extremely busy, except instead of tourists, every patron is a costumed character. They take it in turns to read to you from Alice in Wonderland. In the background, you hear the theme tune to The Magic Roundabout playing far too loud, on a permanent loop. Every time you close your eyes, a costumed character clouts you round the head with a shovel. Every time you try and sleep, they pump you full of adrenaline. Imagine this continued for a full month – a full 31 days of loud, repetitive music, shovel beatings, adrenaline, sleep deprivation and surrealist literature in a setting that is quite ludicrous. Then, for no apparent reason, it all stops and they untie you.
Then imagine they told you that you could leave, but first you had to write a book. I imagine this is the book you would have written.
I tried to finish this book. I read about 65% of it. But in the end I had to add it to the extremely small list of books I just couldn’t finish.
What I thought…
I really don’t know. It’s trying to be like Alice in Wonderland – it’s surreal, and strange, there’s lots of made-up words and concepts, there’s even a Dodo and a chess theme. Problem is, I don’t like the Alice books very much, and they are pretty classic, so a book in the style of Alice wasn’t necessarily going to go down that well anyway.
Thing is, I kept reading this book because of a couple of throwaway lines and details. First off, Mool’s father has recently died and she’s been seeing a green lion ever since. Second, was a line from Mool’s mother who says Mool doesn’t go to school – they have an arrangement; something to do with her overactive memory. These two things made me think that the explanation for this book lie in Mool’s mental health. This book reads like an explanation of ADHD, autism and maybe some sort of dis-associative disorder (and as someone with the latter 2, that spoke to me) – so I kept reading hoping that at the end I would have some traumatic explanation about grief, mental health and recovery, and for all I know that’s exactly what I would get, I just couldn’t make it that far.
Problem was that I don’t know how to process any of what I read. The plot jumped wildly, to the point that I felt like I was missing pages or even chapters. I could follow it in so far as Mool tries to rescue the green lion, but anything more specific than that was just lost in the relentless tsunami of peculiarity.
There were made up words galore, and many of these were in italics, so you knew they were made up. Problem was, they weren’t all in italics, and there were – possibly – a bunch of spelling errors from time to time. Thing is, I had no way of knowing if it was a made up word or a spelling error due to the inconsistent use of italics. The grammar was also peculiar in many places – words seemed to drop out of sentences and appear elsewhere, and I have no way of understanding if this was intentional or not.
To be honest it all felt excessive. Like a teenage boy telling racist jokes because he thinks the harder he tries to be edgy, the funnier he is, this book just goes so far into the surrealist realms that the story gets lost along the way.
Final thoughts…
I hate using that ‘cannot recommend’ banner above. It’s upsetting, and I feel bad about using it, but in this case I just can’t avoid it. I couldn’t follow it, I didn’t have any reason to care about any of the characters and the constant surrealism made it feel like it would never end. So I apologise to the author, but this just wasn’t for me.
Having said that, I have heard from others who have read it, that if you are a fan of the Alice stories, and surrealism in general, then you might really like it. To each their own I suppose.
___________________________________________
Please note: I received a free e-book copy of this work from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity!
(Please note: I received a free e-book copy from the publisher)
"The fever dream of a madman."
TL;DR – I couldn’t sum this book up for you if you held a gun to my head – I literally have no idea what happened.
RAGDOLL RATING: 0/5 BUTTONS
Why I read it…
I was asked by the publisher if I would like to read and review this book, and I wasn’t about to turn that down. It sounded good in the synopsis so it seemed like a safe bet.
The Story…
A girl with an overactive imagination is taken to a fantasy world for some reason and I really don’t know what to tell you after that, so I’m just going to borrow a bit from Goodreads:
Ever since her father’s death, Mool has been talking with an imaginary green lion named Inberl. (…) Inberl is arrested because he’s looking for Gray Hawk. Springing into action, Mool sets out to rescue Inberl.
Mool… (finds) …a secret map, finds a hidden bridge and crosses it (…) On the other side of the bridge, they find a secret city that keeps Terrapin at war.
Since that doesn’t explain much I’m going to paint you a little picture.
Imagine, if you will, that you have been kidnapped by sinister forces. The sinister forces have taken you to a place that looks like Disneyland and they have tied you up on Main Street. Attached to your arm is a large IV bag labelled “Adrenalin”. This strange Disneyland extremely busy, except instead of tourists, every patron is a costumed character. They take it in turns to read to you from Alice in Wonderland. In the background, you hear the theme tune to The Magic Roundabout playing far too loud, on a permanent loop. Every time you close your eyes, a costumed character clouts you round the head with a shovel. Every time you try and sleep, they pump you full of adrenaline. Imagine this continued for a full month – a full 31 days of loud, repetitive music, shovel beatings, adrenaline, sleep deprivation and surrealist literature in a setting that is quite ludicrous. Then, for no apparent reason, it all stops and they untie you.
Then imagine they told you that you could leave, but first you had to write a book. I imagine this is the book you would have written.
I tried to finish this book. I read about 65% of it. But in the end I had to add it to the extremely small list of books I just couldn’t finish.
What I thought…
I really don’t know. It’s trying to be like Alice in Wonderland – it’s surreal, and strange, there’s lots of made-up words and concepts, there’s even a Dodo and a chess theme. Problem is, I don’t like the Alice books very much, and they are pretty classic, so a book in the style of Alice wasn’t necessarily going to go down that well anyway.
Thing is, I kept reading this book because of a couple of throwaway lines and details. First off, Mool’s father has recently died and she’s been seeing a green lion ever since. Second, was a line from Mool’s mother who says Mool doesn’t go to school – they have an arrangement; something to do with her overactive memory. These two things made me think that the explanation for this book lie in Mool’s mental health. This book reads like an explanation of ADHD, autism and maybe some sort of dis-associative disorder (and as someone with the latter 2, that spoke to me) – so I kept reading hoping that at the end I would have some traumatic explanation about grief, mental health and recovery, and for all I know that’s exactly what I would get, I just couldn’t make it that far.
Problem was that I don’t know how to process any of what I read. The plot jumped wildly, to the point that I felt like I was missing pages or even chapters. I could follow it in so far as Mool tries to rescue the green lion, but anything more specific than that was just lost in the relentless tsunami of peculiarity.
There were made up words galore, and many of these were in italics, so you knew they were made up. Problem was, they weren’t all in italics, and there were – possibly – a bunch of spelling errors from time to time. Thing is, I had no way of knowing if it was a made up word or a spelling error due to the inconsistent use of italics. The grammar was also peculiar in many places – words seemed to drop out of sentences and appear elsewhere, and I have no way of understanding if this was intentional or not.
To be honest it all felt excessive. Like a teenage boy telling racist jokes because he thinks the harder he tries to be edgy, the funnier he is, this book just goes so far into the surrealist realms that the story gets lost along the way.
Final thoughts…
I hate using that ‘cannot recommend’ banner above. It’s upsetting, and I feel bad about using it, but in this case I just can’t avoid it. I couldn’t follow it, I didn’t have any reason to care about any of the characters and the constant surrealism made it feel like it would never end. So I apologise to the author, but this just wasn’t for me.
Having said that, I have heard from others who have read it, that if you are a fan of the Alice stories, and surrealism in general, then you might really like it. To each their own I suppose.
___________________________________________
Please note: I received a free e-book copy of this work from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity!
September 5, 2018
This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author.
The publisher’s summary is good. This book is reminiscent of the movie Alice through the Looking Glass. I like the silly nonsensical stuff. I did however wonder why a girl that talks to so many imaginary things had a hard time believing Terrapin and the things in it were possible. I’d think a girl like her would have been full of wonder and relief this world existed.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator and I would listen to another. Scott Berrier gave each character an individual voice. He read the conversations with varying cadences and personalities, but the in between story was read with a “monotone” cadence. As a result I found I missed stuff and had to focus more to understand what was happening since many things in the story were silly and nonsensical.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.
Story 4/5
Narration 3/5
The publisher’s summary is good. This book is reminiscent of the movie Alice through the Looking Glass. I like the silly nonsensical stuff. I did however wonder why a girl that talks to so many imaginary things had a hard time believing Terrapin and the things in it were possible. I’d think a girl like her would have been full of wonder and relief this world existed.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator and I would listen to another. Scott Berrier gave each character an individual voice. He read the conversations with varying cadences and personalities, but the in between story was read with a “monotone” cadence. As a result I found I missed stuff and had to focus more to understand what was happening since many things in the story were silly and nonsensical.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.
Story 4/5
Narration 3/5
July 30, 2018
Disclaimer.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the publisher, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I'm 25+ year old adult and yet, I loved listening to this fantastical story, which is probably targeted towards very young listeners. Well, I still love to watch Tom & Jerry, so I guess there's no age when these stories stop being fun.
I loved the magical world the author built in this book and the endearing characters too. It's a memorable story that kept me entertained.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Scott Berrier was well done. Each character gets a unique voice and is easily distinguishable. It made for a good story listening experience.
I had requested and received audible version of this book for free from the publisher, in exchange for an unbiased review.
What I liked about the book -
I'm 25+ year old adult and yet, I loved listening to this fantastical story, which is probably targeted towards very young listeners. Well, I still love to watch Tom & Jerry, so I guess there's no age when these stories stop being fun.
I loved the magical world the author built in this book and the endearing characters too. It's a memorable story that kept me entertained.
What I disliked about the book -
Nothing specific that I can think of.
Narration -
Narration by Scott Berrier was well done. Each character gets a unique voice and is easily distinguishable. It made for a good story listening experience.
May 27, 2018
Touching tale.
Beautiful and wildly imaginative tale for children and tweens, but especially for adults who might have missed out on childhood or experienced loss. Sweet, whimsical, and sometimes painful, but bursting with hope and the promise of something better.
Beautiful and wildly imaginative tale for children and tweens, but especially for adults who might have missed out on childhood or experienced loss. Sweet, whimsical, and sometimes painful, but bursting with hope and the promise of something better.
May 26, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mool is a cool young lady and this book is sure to delight children. The prose and esposition were fantastic and had a cute wordiness.
March 22, 2020
I love the use of languages - lots of little jokes throughout, and with our protagonist mostly aware of them. [return][return]I would have loved a little more explanation of the world, a little more explanation of what was going on, a little more adults being useful. or magical creatures being useful. a little too much of a bounced around ball instead of a quest.
June 18, 2019
This was a good book. A great choice for younger readers. A riveting fantasy.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
January 3, 2020
A wonderful, well-written story, full of enchanting ideas. Moss is a great writer. Read the book in one setting! Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews