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The Hero's Apprentice
Tank-driving grizzlies. Carnivorous snow creatures. Submersible trains. Adventure lurks in every corner of Nikacia.
Foster-child Jack Robberts lives in a grimy old attic, dreaming that one day he might join the league of heroes known as Animal Control. But this dream comes to a crashing halt when Jack’s decision to run away ultimately leads to a devastating tragedy – for which he blames himself.
Now Jack lives a quiet life in a quiet town, believing his adventures are over.
But when a mysterious package arrives in the mail, and a gang of murderous wolves come looking for it, Jack will find himself at the heart of Animal Control’s most dangerous mission yet.
From the mind of animator Travis Howe comes a story about adventure, mystery, and the courage to follow your dream. From the peaks of the snowy Moledun Mountains to the depths of the ocean, Animal Control: The Hero’s Apprentice is “brimming with heart and excitement […] Readers will want to follow this endearing, courageous young rabbit anywhere he goes.” (Eliot Schrefer, New York Times Best Selling Author of “Endangered”)
Foster-child Jack Robberts lives in a grimy old attic, dreaming that one day he might join the league of heroes known as Animal Control. But this dream comes to a crashing halt when Jack’s decision to run away ultimately leads to a devastating tragedy – for which he blames himself.
Now Jack lives a quiet life in a quiet town, believing his adventures are over.
But when a mysterious package arrives in the mail, and a gang of murderous wolves come looking for it, Jack will find himself at the heart of Animal Control’s most dangerous mission yet.
From the mind of animator Travis Howe comes a story about adventure, mystery, and the courage to follow your dream. From the peaks of the snowy Moledun Mountains to the depths of the ocean, Animal Control: The Hero’s Apprentice is “brimming with heart and excitement […] Readers will want to follow this endearing, courageous young rabbit anywhere he goes.” (Eliot Schrefer, New York Times Best Selling Author of “Endangered”)
- GenresMiddle Grade
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
8 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 29, 2019
My Video Review:
https://youtu.be/s63g30TADM8
https://youtu.be/s63g30TADM8
June 26, 2019
**I recieved a copy of Animal Control for an honest review**
I really ended up enjoying this fun tale quite a bit. Howe describes it as Zootopia meets Avengers and I think that is a perfect description. I was not sure how much I would enjoy this and I did end up putting it down for a week or two in the middle.
I'm so glad I picked it back up because this was a fun read! I enjoy the cast of characters and different animal species. I thought the unique powers for the animals were exciting and inventive. The storyline at first was okay but picked up pace quickly after the set up which I liked.
The writing style could be a little too descriptive at times for my taste but it wasnt a deal breaker for me.
The last hundred pages or so really sucked me in with some twists and turns I didn't see coming.
Overall, I thought this was a fun adventure middle grade read! I would definitely consider reading a sequel.
I really ended up enjoying this fun tale quite a bit. Howe describes it as Zootopia meets Avengers and I think that is a perfect description. I was not sure how much I would enjoy this and I did end up putting it down for a week or two in the middle.
I'm so glad I picked it back up because this was a fun read! I enjoy the cast of characters and different animal species. I thought the unique powers for the animals were exciting and inventive. The storyline at first was okay but picked up pace quickly after the set up which I liked.
The writing style could be a little too descriptive at times for my taste but it wasnt a deal breaker for me.
The last hundred pages or so really sucked me in with some twists and turns I didn't see coming.
Overall, I thought this was a fun adventure middle grade read! I would definitely consider reading a sequel.
April 22, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book by Travis Howe, with no pressure to supply a review.
This debut novel for middle grade kids was a rollercoaster ride of adventure and mystery from the get go right up to the last page.
Maybe I’m a little dense but I truly had no idea what was going to happen next and couldn’t put it down.
Animal Control is a league of heroes. Jack Robberts, a foster-child, dreams of being part of the league. And so the story unfolds, with a great cast of villains and allies and a wonderful sense of humour.
I truly hope this story reaches as many hands as possible.
This debut novel for middle grade kids was a rollercoaster ride of adventure and mystery from the get go right up to the last page.
Maybe I’m a little dense but I truly had no idea what was going to happen next and couldn’t put it down.
Animal Control is a league of heroes. Jack Robberts, a foster-child, dreams of being part of the league. And so the story unfolds, with a great cast of villains and allies and a wonderful sense of humour.
I truly hope this story reaches as many hands as possible.
March 27, 2019
What a ride! This book is so much fun! It's a rich world full of great characters, great action, and great locations... and it's wrapped into a page-turning adventure with enough mystery to keep me on my toes. It's sort of what might happen if you combined Harry Potter with animal superheroes... definitely something I'd have loved as a kid, but also greatly appreciate now as an adult. The author also hints at a lot of lore and backstory, which lends itself nicely to the unraveling of an even grander adventure in the upcoming installments of this new trilogy. Needless to say, I am greatly looking forward to book 2!
November 22, 2019
At E9 where you must head, You’ll have to use your wit. Solve the riddle found below, And prove that you’re a fit.
🦄🦄🦄
Jack Roberts always wanted to become a Hero's apprentice and soon a hero himself.
Working at Animsl Control was his dream.
Being a snowshoe bunny he had the gift of being 'lucky', whether it's bad or good luck.
This luck helped him find his way into the Animal Control trials and possibly a future full if adventures.
But when he finds himself at the centre of one of the most dangerous missions, Jack will need more than luck to tackle the dangers ahead.
🦄🦄🦄
Animal Control: The Hero's Apprentice by Travis Howe is a fantasy novel which reminds me of Zootopia (but on steroids).
The novel is for a bit more mature audience as kids should not be reading about the death of animals.
(It would break their hearts!)
Just to clarify this is similar to Zootopia but not the same.
The path that the protagonist takes and his story is COMPLETELY different from that of the movie. The author has been working on this book since 2001 and I think after working do hard on it, it turned out fabulous.
Loved the story, the characters the plot twists, the implementation of powers etc, basically I loved everything about this book and it's one of those books that can be turned into a great movie.
This is just the first book and there has to be a mother because there are do many unanswered questions. 🦄🦄🦄
Rated 100/100.
🦄🦄🦄
Jack Roberts always wanted to become a Hero's apprentice and soon a hero himself.
Working at Animsl Control was his dream.
Being a snowshoe bunny he had the gift of being 'lucky', whether it's bad or good luck.
This luck helped him find his way into the Animal Control trials and possibly a future full if adventures.
But when he finds himself at the centre of one of the most dangerous missions, Jack will need more than luck to tackle the dangers ahead.
🦄🦄🦄
Animal Control: The Hero's Apprentice by Travis Howe is a fantasy novel which reminds me of Zootopia (but on steroids).
The novel is for a bit more mature audience as kids should not be reading about the death of animals.
(It would break their hearts!)
Just to clarify this is similar to Zootopia but not the same.
The path that the protagonist takes and his story is COMPLETELY different from that of the movie. The author has been working on this book since 2001 and I think after working do hard on it, it turned out fabulous.
Loved the story, the characters the plot twists, the implementation of powers etc, basically I loved everything about this book and it's one of those books that can be turned into a great movie.
This is just the first book and there has to be a mother because there are do many unanswered questions. 🦄🦄🦄
Rated 100/100.
October 23, 2020
This was an amazing adventure! Really well written with captivating characters and a great page-turner, creative story the kept me hooked from beginning to end. I’m really looking forward to book 2. Did I mention the illustrations... wow, absolutely amazing.
September 25, 2019
Wonderfully illustrated story for kids. Beautiful story.
September 15, 2020
My kids LOVED this exciting fantasy adventure.
If you can sit down and read for an hour at a time, keeping the attention of 5 children aged 4-11, you know you’ve found a winner of a book. (Especially when you as the adult are just as caught up in the story.)
Howe has created a captivating world, and perfectly imperfect characters. The story has some great lessons, plenty of adventure and so much heart.
I’d suggest that this book is best suited for children 10+, but if you’ve got younger ones who are really into reading and can handle the brief more mature content (minimal violence, somewhat scary characters/themes, etc), they’ll probably thoroughly enjoy it also.
I really can’t praise this book enough.
Looking forward to book 2.
If you can sit down and read for an hour at a time, keeping the attention of 5 children aged 4-11, you know you’ve found a winner of a book. (Especially when you as the adult are just as caught up in the story.)
Howe has created a captivating world, and perfectly imperfect characters. The story has some great lessons, plenty of adventure and so much heart.
I’d suggest that this book is best suited for children 10+, but if you’ve got younger ones who are really into reading and can handle the brief more mature content (minimal violence, somewhat scary characters/themes, etc), they’ll probably thoroughly enjoy it also.
I really can’t praise this book enough.
Looking forward to book 2.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews