The Pact - TLC Book Tours

~ I received a copy of this book from the publisher or author to facilitate this review.  I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Scott Addison never set out to be a hero. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t run away from destiny. On the heels of his father’s death, Scott and his mother move from Iowa City, Iowa to the small Southern Illinois town of Meadowbrook. Scott just wanted to blend in…to observe quietly…to be one of the kids. Unfortunately for Scott, his instincts, heart, and integrity took over on his first day at his new middle school. Scott stood up to and faced down three larger boys torturing a wiry little boy named Paul. This simple act of kindness and chivalry put Scott in the midst of the conflict and on the receiving end of the bullies’ antics.

Paul introduces Scott to two high school friends who just happen to play Warriors & Thieves, Scott’s favorite role-playing fantasy game. The game and his new friends provide a much needed escape from both his past and his present troubles…at least for a while. But no matter how hard Scott tries to blend in at school, his pet peeve of bullying and his overwhelming sense of right and wrong continue to push him into the limelight, bringing praises from many, but more opposition from the bullies. When the hazing goes too far Scott decides it is time to take a stand…no matter the cost. Of course, sometimes, that’s the price heroes must pay.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  The Pact is about a group of boys who stand up to bullying in their middle school.  A new boy to town arrives and seeks to break down the stereotypes about jocks vs. geeks.  

I liked the book so much, that I took it into my classroom and gave it to the teacher.  After my classmates are done reading it, we are donating it to our school library.  I think it is a great book for 6th graders and up.

Favorite Character(s):  Do doubt about it....Scott is my favorite character.  He shows a cool side as he is bullied and the other boys try to run him off the wrestling team.

Setting:  Small town in Illinois.  It took place anywhere though.

Fast read/slow read:  The Pact was a very fast read. 

What Others Are Saying:  Check out the TLC Book Tours to see what others are saying about The Pact.

Tuesday, January 28th:  Tiffany’s Bookshelf

Thursday, January 30th:  Jorie Loves a Story

Monday, February 3rd:  Patricia’s Wisdom

Wednesday, February 5th:  You Can Read Me Anything

Monday, February 10th:  Suko’s Notebook

Monday, February 10th:  YA Reads - author Q&A

Wednesday, February 12th:  Maureen’s Musings

Monday, February 17th:  Seaside Book Nook

Tuesday, February 18th:  The Things You Can Read

Wednesday, February 19th:  Shelf Full of Books

Thursday, February 20th:  Savings in Seconds

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: I would!  He has a very good way of weaving the story and keeping the events in perspective.

Mitchell S Karnes was born in Kansas and spent his childhood in Illinois.  He lives in Franklin, TN with his wife, Natalie, and five of their seven children, where he serves as the Pastor of Walker Baptist Church.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree and three Master’s degrees.

Mitchell’s first novel, Crossing the Line, made the Southern Writer’s Guild’s “Must Read” list.  His short stories include:  “When Nothing Else Matters,” “A Family Portrait,” and “Grampa Charlie’s Ring.”  He hopes to entertain, challenge, move and teach through each and every story.  The Pact is just the beginning…the first book in a four-part series.

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New Lands: The Chronicles of Egg

Synopsis (From Amazon.com): This highly anticipated sequel to Rodkey's much-praised debut is funny, heartfelt, and action-packed. Don't miss it!

After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can't decipher. But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg's trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies—against which our heroes' only weapons are their brains, their courage...and the two dozen swear words Guts just memorized in the local tongue.

They're going to need help. But who can they trust? Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally…or their enemy? Is Pembroke's daughter Millicent on Egg's side…or her father's? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them? And the biggest question of all: what shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple?

My Review:  I really enjoyed the first book in The Chronicles of Egg, Deadweather and Sunrise.  My review can be found here.  New Lands, the second book in the series didn't let me down.  It is a MUST read book.

I don't want to give away the secret Egg discovers in the Okalu temple, but I didn't see it coming and it made me so happy.  I liked how Millicent and Kira helped Egg.  Since I can't  tell you the end, which was my favorite part of the book, I will tell my second favorite part.  I couldn't believe who pirate Burn Healy turns out to be.  I never figured it out, but I like how we found out and who it is!  I think it would be too cool to know a pirate! Also, I am so happy Guts was by Egg's side again.  Guts is just very funny to me!

New Lands is another book that all my friends at school can't wait to read.  They are passing around the first book, Deadweather and Sunrise and were jealous I was reading the second book too!

I am looking forward to the third book in the Chronicle of Egg series!

Meet the Author:  Geoff Rodkey is the author of the Chronicles of Egg middle grade comedic adventure series and the Emmy-nominated screenwriter of such hit films as Daddy Day Care, RV, and the Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas. 

Geoff grew up in Freeport, Illinois and began his writing career on his high school newspaper. While in college, Geoff was an editor of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Let's Go travel guide series. His early writing credits include the educational video game Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, the non-educational MTV series Beavis and Butt-head, and Comedy Central's Politically Incorrect. 

Geoff's debut novel, Deadweather and Sunrise, is the first book in the Chronicles of Egg trilogy. The final volume in the series,  Blue Sea Burning, will be published by Putnam in 2014.

Geoff currently lives in New York City with his wife and three sons. They do not have any pets, mostly because the whole experience with the goldfish was just too upsetting.

Purchase it:  You can purchase New Lands - The Chronicles of Egg, Book 2 online from Amazon for $16.99.

Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1

Synopsis:  A stunning middle-grade debut--full of heart, humor, and nonstop action

It's tough to be thirteen, especially when somebody's trying to kill you.

Not that Egg's life was ever easy, growing up on sweaty, pirate-infested Deadweather Island with no company except an incompetent tutor and a pair of unusually violent siblings who hate his guts.

But when Egg's father hustles their family off on a mysterious errand to fabulously wealthy Sunrise Island, then disappears with the siblings in a freak accident, Egg finds himself a long-term guest at the mansion of the glamorous Pembroke family and their beautiful, sharp-tongued daughter Millicent. Finally, life seems perfect.

Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff.

Suddenly, Egg's running for his life in a bewildering world of cutthroat pirates, villainous businessmen, and strange Native legends. The only people who can help him sort out the mystery of why he's been marked for death are Millicent and a one-handed, possibly deranged cabin boy.

Come along for the ride. You'll be glad you did.

My Review: I really, really liked Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1.  My favorite character was Egg (of course!).  He was adventurous for his age.  He was able to survive pirates and floated on wood from the ship to an island.  On the island he realizes Guts (a pirate kid) made it to the island too.  They become a team and fight off an army of soldiers who were trying to take Egg's land.  The head of the army wants Egg's land because he thinks there is a buried treasurer on the land.  

I really like Burn Healy, one of the pirates. He gave Egg and Guts weapons to help fight against the soldiers.  Guts was pretty feisty.  He was not even scared of the soldiers.  He was a good fighter even though he only had one hand.  

I would recommend Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1 to middle school boys and girls (5th - 8th grade). I am giving the book to my school library, since so many kids in my class want to read it too!  I am so excited I have Book 2 - New Lands, so I can keep reading more about Egg's adventures.  Consider me, hooked!

Meet the Author:  Geoff Rodkey is the author of the Chronicles of Egg middle grade comedic adventure series and the Emmy-nominated screenwriter of such hit films as Daddy Day Care, RV, and the Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas. 

Geoff grew up in Freeport, Illinois and began his writing career on his high school newspaper. While in college, Geoff was an editor of both the Harvard Lampoon and the Let's Go travel guide series. His early writing credits include the educational video game Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, the non-educational MTV series Beavis and Butt-head, and Comedy Central's Politically Incorrect. 

Geoff's debut novel, Deadweather and Sunrise, is the first book in the Chronicles of Egg trilogy. The final volumes in the series, New Lands and Blue Sea Burning, will be published by Putnam in 2013 and 2014.

Geoff currently lives in New York City with his wife and three sons. They do not have any pets, mostly because the whole experience with the goldfish was just too upsetting.

Purchase it:  You can purchase Deadweather and Sunrise - The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1 online from Amazon for $7.99.