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Calico Rae - The Twisted Towers
Calico's lonely summer turns upside-down when she unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a huge, sharp-toothed leopard! But, instead of ending up as the big cat's lunch, she discovers a magical power to connect with the animal. After her brother is kidnapped, Calico is forced to travel across the ocean to try to rescue him. Will Calico learn to harness her strange new powers over the strong-willed leopard before her brother falls under the spell of the mysterious Insect Queen?
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
276 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2022
3 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Doug Weller
9 books26 followersDoug Weller is a story writer and creator of the Six Word Wonder
Learn more at https://dougweller.net
Learn more at https://dougweller.net
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 1, 2022
4.5 stars
To genify, or not?
Calico Rae - The Twisted Towers by Doug Weller was a magical adventure of a sibling relationship and their connection to animals. On a side note, let’s face it, I’m totally a genifier, too! Calico Rae- The Twisted Towers is a story of a 12 year old girl, who’s parents are divorced and have left her at her uncle’s house, is able to connect with animals on a deep level. Not only does she have this ability, but so does her brother Luca, who was taken. Due to the sudden kidnapping, her, her new friends, and the bird lady, go off on a journey to find and rescue Luca.
This was a really fun story! I loved the beginning of the story. It was written so masterfully. By putting so much action and exposition right at the beginning, I was filled in on most of the important parts. As the reader, I was informed of the relationships between Luca and Calico, their parents with each other and with them, the powers that Luca has as well as how they live. It was so much expressed in such a short time, brilliant.
The only issue I had was that the plot was slow burning in the beginning. It took a little longer than I was expecting for the inciting incident (the thing that thrusted us into the whole point of the story) to happen, but once it was there, it took off quickly!
This will be fun for all kids, especially the higher end of middle grade, 11+. Of course, younger readers can dive into this story and read along with family, friends, or at school. It can be super fun and ultimately become interactive, like a “What would your animal be?”, type of thing. If you’re into fantasy adventures, you’re in the right place!
I’d love to see more from Calico and friends in the future!
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Calico Rae-The Twisted Towers from Doug Weller via NetGalley.
To genify, or not?
Calico Rae - The Twisted Towers by Doug Weller was a magical adventure of a sibling relationship and their connection to animals. On a side note, let’s face it, I’m totally a genifier, too! Calico Rae- The Twisted Towers is a story of a 12 year old girl, who’s parents are divorced and have left her at her uncle’s house, is able to connect with animals on a deep level. Not only does she have this ability, but so does her brother Luca, who was taken. Due to the sudden kidnapping, her, her new friends, and the bird lady, go off on a journey to find and rescue Luca.
This was a really fun story! I loved the beginning of the story. It was written so masterfully. By putting so much action and exposition right at the beginning, I was filled in on most of the important parts. As the reader, I was informed of the relationships between Luca and Calico, their parents with each other and with them, the powers that Luca has as well as how they live. It was so much expressed in such a short time, brilliant.
The only issue I had was that the plot was slow burning in the beginning. It took a little longer than I was expecting for the inciting incident (the thing that thrusted us into the whole point of the story) to happen, but once it was there, it took off quickly!
This will be fun for all kids, especially the higher end of middle grade, 11+. Of course, younger readers can dive into this story and read along with family, friends, or at school. It can be super fun and ultimately become interactive, like a “What would your animal be?”, type of thing. If you’re into fantasy adventures, you’re in the right place!
I’d love to see more from Calico and friends in the future!
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Calico Rae-The Twisted Towers from Doug Weller via NetGalley.
May 16, 2023
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Calico Rae - The Twisted Towers
Author: Doug Weller
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“This is a good adventure story with magical parts in it. I liked Calico as she was strong and determined. If you like fast-paced adventure/mystery novels, you’ll like this.” Girl, aged 12
“Calico is a cool characters. I like novels where the hero is a strong minded girl. It sort of starts out a bit slow then the adventure gets going when she meets the big cat! I loved that it was never boring, and how lots happened on every page.” Boy, aged 12
“I liked the power she had over animals. That was clever. The plot was exciting too. I would recommend this novel to 9 – 12 year olds who enjoy Enid Blyton books.” Girl, aged 12
“I think this author should keep writing books with Calico in. She’s a fun hero to follow.” Girl, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced adventure for 9 – 12 year olds with a strong, female protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Calico Rae - The Twisted Towers
Author: Doug Weller
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“This is a good adventure story with magical parts in it. I liked Calico as she was strong and determined. If you like fast-paced adventure/mystery novels, you’ll like this.” Girl, aged 12
“Calico is a cool characters. I like novels where the hero is a strong minded girl. It sort of starts out a bit slow then the adventure gets going when she meets the big cat! I loved that it was never boring, and how lots happened on every page.” Boy, aged 12
“I liked the power she had over animals. That was clever. The plot was exciting too. I would recommend this novel to 9 – 12 year olds who enjoy Enid Blyton books.” Girl, aged 12
“I think this author should keep writing books with Calico in. She’s a fun hero to follow.” Girl, aged 11
To Sum It Up:
‘A fast-paced adventure for 9 – 12 year olds with a strong, female protagonist. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
February 26, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A girl is stranded in backwoods England while her brother and father go to America. She finds she's linked with a Black Panther (aka ABC or Alien Big Cat) and learns her brother is in trouble and needs her help.
Doesn't quite gel.
A girl is stranded in backwoods England while her brother and father go to America. She finds she's linked with a Black Panther (aka ABC or Alien Big Cat) and learns her brother is in trouble and needs her help.
Doesn't quite gel.
March 5, 2022
No beginnings truly end
I devowered the beginning of the book and just couldn't put it down. I did slow down and didn't really get it when they were in Tierra Hermanos. All in all a good read.
I devowered the beginning of the book and just couldn't put it down. I did slow down and didn't really get it when they were in Tierra Hermanos. All in all a good read.
April 5, 2022
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I usually like what are middle school age books. They break up my normal reads. But Calico never truly flowed. I almost stop reading, but I felt I should push through because of the giveaway. I could not connect with the people or story.
I usually like what are middle school age books. They break up my normal reads. But Calico never truly flowed. I almost stop reading, but I felt I should push through because of the giveaway. I could not connect with the people or story.
December 19, 2024
“Calico Rae The Twisted Towers” was not a good read, it was choppy and nothing really connected. In both the storyline and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews