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Twisted Christmas #2
Face of a Traitor
ONE BOY. TWO WORLDS. AN ANCIENT EVIL THAT WANTS THEM BOTH.It’s been a year since thirteen-year-old Toby Thornton found his long-lost family. But already cracks are appearing in his dream life. Forbidden from seeing his magical friends at The Winter Freak Show, he begins to realise how much he misses adventure. So when he gets word that the elves are in danger, that’s all the excuse he needs to run away from home.It isn’t long before he discovers that things are worse than he imagined. Nicko has been kidnapped. And without the ringmaster’s guidance, his elves have descended into chaos. A band of shapeshifting enemies lurk among their ranks. Monsters are on the loose. And the secretive mastermind behind it all is trying to resurrect the most frightening evil the elves have ever faced. Only Toby stands in their way.If he fails, forget Christmas. This time, the human race will fall.Face of a Traitor is the second book in Daniel Parsons’s spellbinding Twisted Christmas Trilogy. If you like vivid magic, fearsome creatures, and a race against time, you’ll love this thrilling fantasy adventure.Pick up Face of a Traitor to discover this exciting series today!
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2018
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 28, 2018
Face of a Traitor by Daniel Parsons is the second book in his Twisted Christmas series. This is a children's fantasy novel set in Victorian London. It is written in third-person and is from several different character's points-of-view. Once again, like its predecessor, this is a well-written book, with interesting characters and an intriguing plot.
Adding more myths and fantastic creatures, this second book increases the danger and adds to the adventure started in the first part of the trilogy. I enjoyed this book just as much as the last, and have to say I think it was even better!
Recommended to: fans of fantasy, myths, children's stories and Grimm fairy tales
Adding more myths and fantastic creatures, this second book increases the danger and adds to the adventure started in the first part of the trilogy. I enjoyed this book just as much as the last, and have to say I think it was even better!
Recommended to: fans of fantasy, myths, children's stories and Grimm fairy tales
February 6, 2018
*I received free ARCS of these books. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I’m reviewing The Winter Freak Show and its sequel, Face of a Traitor, together, as I read them together.
They are both quite short novels and quick easy reads, classed as children’s books on Amazon. I think they would be perfect for children who enjoy books like the Harry Potter series and Joan Aiken’s Wolves Chronicles. Much like those classic series, we have here a child protagonist cruelly treated by the ‘real world’ and plunging into a magical adventure which gets darker and more adult as their journey progresses.
The tone quickly escalates between the two novels, as The Winter Freak Show is more of a light-hearted romp through an alternative take on Christmas, elves and Saint Nick, introducing Toby as the ‘Chosen One’ and completing a neatly contained story arc within its pages. This could easily be read as a stand alone, as it has a satisfying ending of its own.
Face of a Traitor however does need to really be read after the first book, as we come back to the same characters but the pace is faster and the peril is more disquieting. There is always something creepy and wrong about characters who can morph their appearances (hence the title), as it means the reader can no longer trust in the narrative of the protagonist, knowing that anyone around them could be part of the deception.
There are certainly plenty of twists and turns here to keep the reader guessing, although thanks to J. K. Rowling I was able to spot one of the reveals before it happened!
Overall these are great quick seasonal reads for children of a strong disposition, but similar to both Harry Potter and the Wolves Chronicles can actually be read at any time of year that you fancy a bit of that Dickensian winter atmosphere with a magical twist.
Toby turned around. It was then that he saw why the others had run so fast into the tent. The costumed performers behind him were no longer human.
Something in the music had transformed them. Like monstrous butterflies from a gothic cocoon, their fur coats and colourful masks clung to their skin and faces. Nature and costume merged and it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. The performers no longer wore the costumes – their costumes were their new skin.
Some shimmered like silver, their fur bristling like falling snow. Others became shocking, furry, animal-human abominations with fangs and pointed ears. Startling, yet beautiful. A few had turned into shadows, melting into the ground and flitting from place to place like ghosts. The scene was surreal. The freaks had revealed themselves.
– Daniel Parsons, The Winter Freak Show
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
I’m reviewing The Winter Freak Show and its sequel, Face of a Traitor, together, as I read them together.
They are both quite short novels and quick easy reads, classed as children’s books on Amazon. I think they would be perfect for children who enjoy books like the Harry Potter series and Joan Aiken’s Wolves Chronicles. Much like those classic series, we have here a child protagonist cruelly treated by the ‘real world’ and plunging into a magical adventure which gets darker and more adult as their journey progresses.
The tone quickly escalates between the two novels, as The Winter Freak Show is more of a light-hearted romp through an alternative take on Christmas, elves and Saint Nick, introducing Toby as the ‘Chosen One’ and completing a neatly contained story arc within its pages. This could easily be read as a stand alone, as it has a satisfying ending of its own.
Face of a Traitor however does need to really be read after the first book, as we come back to the same characters but the pace is faster and the peril is more disquieting. There is always something creepy and wrong about characters who can morph their appearances (hence the title), as it means the reader can no longer trust in the narrative of the protagonist, knowing that anyone around them could be part of the deception.
There are certainly plenty of twists and turns here to keep the reader guessing, although thanks to J. K. Rowling I was able to spot one of the reveals before it happened!
Overall these are great quick seasonal reads for children of a strong disposition, but similar to both Harry Potter and the Wolves Chronicles can actually be read at any time of year that you fancy a bit of that Dickensian winter atmosphere with a magical twist.
Toby turned around. It was then that he saw why the others had run so fast into the tent. The costumed performers behind him were no longer human.
Something in the music had transformed them. Like monstrous butterflies from a gothic cocoon, their fur coats and colourful masks clung to their skin and faces. Nature and costume merged and it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. The performers no longer wore the costumes – their costumes were their new skin.
Some shimmered like silver, their fur bristling like falling snow. Others became shocking, furry, animal-human abominations with fangs and pointed ears. Startling, yet beautiful. A few had turned into shadows, melting into the ground and flitting from place to place like ghosts. The scene was surreal. The freaks had revealed themselves.
– Daniel Parsons, The Winter Freak Show
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
February 1, 2018
The sequel definitely surpasses the original. There are a couple of editing issues, but nothing terribly distracting. The characters are charming. The storyline is unique. The word pageturner definitely applies. My one complaint is that Mr. Parson needs to begin trusting his readers more and stop over explaining things, like how Toby's magic works. There were no less than three instances of walking the reader step by step through the process. Regardless, I greatly look forward to the wrap up of this trilogy.
January 26, 2018
This second book in the Winter Freak Show series is much darker than the first, and I'd definitely say it's more suited to older children and adults as it's a bit scary in places for younger children. However, it's an absolutely thrilling read and I loved it, with all its twists and turns, never quite knowing who's really real and who you can trust. And the ending? Oh, pure gold cliffhanger! Now if I could just find out what happens next please...
January 29, 2018
My third read from author Daniel Parsons. The lively, fast-moving story begun in The Winter Freak Show with a different spin about Christmas & Santa Claus continues in this darker tale about the same characters. A Harry Potteresque touch about the forces of darkness, that's enough, no spoilers. I look forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.
May 30, 2018
Full disclosure, I received this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
While this story is best suited for a much younger reader than I, there was enough there to keep my attention and I found it to be full of subtle humor that seemed to be added for adult readers. Characters of legend abound but are re-imagined to be better aligned for this storyline.
While this story is best suited for a much younger reader than I, there was enough there to keep my attention and I found it to be full of subtle humor that seemed to be added for adult readers. Characters of legend abound but are re-imagined to be better aligned for this storyline.
January 26, 2018
📚📚📚📚📚
What a fabulous sequel to The Winter Freak Show! It's a top notch story. Well paced, with loads of twists and full of action.
The main character might be a boy but it is definitely a book for readers young and old.
What a fabulous sequel to The Winter Freak Show! It's a top notch story. Well paced, with loads of twists and full of action.
The main character might be a boy but it is definitely a book for readers young and old.
January 27, 2018
A Spectacular Christmas
A Christmas story for everyone, magical and captivating. Toby and his little sister, Violet, head to The Freak Show. Something terrible is about to happen. Read Face of a Traitor to find out who the traitor is and what Toby has to do.
A Christmas story for everyone, magical and captivating. Toby and his little sister, Violet, head to The Freak Show. Something terrible is about to happen. Read Face of a Traitor to find out who the traitor is and what Toby has to do.
November 15, 2020
Face of a traitor by Daniel Parsons.
This is book 2 of the twisted Christmas series.
ONE BOY. TWO WORLDS. AN ANCIENT EVIL THAT WANTS THEM BOTH.
Brilliant read. Great story and characters.
I'm looking forward to book 3. 5*.
This is book 2 of the twisted Christmas series.
ONE BOY. TWO WORLDS. AN ANCIENT EVIL THAT WANTS THEM BOTH.
Brilliant read. Great story and characters.
I'm looking forward to book 3. 5*.
August 19, 2020
kindle unlimited, had read the other one {and quite a few if not all of this writer's books} so wanted to check it out of course. Would say it was worth the wait, but he goes back and forth in series so well....
ONE BOY. TWO WORLDS. AN ANCIENT EVIL THAT WANTS THEM BOTH.
It’s been a year since thirteen-year-old Toby Thornton found his long-lost family. But already cracks are appearing in his dream life. Forbidden from seeing his magical friends at The Winter Freak Show, he begins to realise how much he misses adventure. So when he gets word that the elves are in danger, that’s all the excuse he needs to run away from home.
It isn’t long before he discovers that things are worse than he imagined. Nicko has been kidnapped. And without the ringmaster’s guidance, his elves have descended into chaos. A band of shapeshifting enemies lurk among their ranks. Monsters are on the loose. And the secretive mastermind behind it all is trying to resurrect the most frightening evil the elves have ever faced. Only Toby stands in their way.
If he fails, forget Christmas. This time, the human race will fall.
Winter Freak Show
Face of a Traitor
The Wrath of Oberon
ONE BOY. TWO WORLDS. AN ANCIENT EVIL THAT WANTS THEM BOTH.
It’s been a year since thirteen-year-old Toby Thornton found his long-lost family. But already cracks are appearing in his dream life. Forbidden from seeing his magical friends at The Winter Freak Show, he begins to realise how much he misses adventure. So when he gets word that the elves are in danger, that’s all the excuse he needs to run away from home.
It isn’t long before he discovers that things are worse than he imagined. Nicko has been kidnapped. And without the ringmaster’s guidance, his elves have descended into chaos. A band of shapeshifting enemies lurk among their ranks. Monsters are on the loose. And the secretive mastermind behind it all is trying to resurrect the most frightening evil the elves have ever faced. Only Toby stands in their way.
If he fails, forget Christmas. This time, the human race will fall.
Winter Freak Show
Face of a Traitor
The Wrath of Oberon
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews