The Fairview Review: November 2020

You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers–a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon—you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure and prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-0593093641

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JWho9D

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780593093641

Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word

Written by Drew Callander and Alana Harrison

Illustrated by Ryan Andrews (and YOU!)

Publisher’s Synopsis: The exciting follow-up to Mightier Than the Sword, the humorous and fantastical interactive middle-grade novel which needs you, the reader, to get in on the action!

The second book set in Astorya places you back in the driver’s seat. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create. What you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

With Queen Rulette gone, and Astorya returning to normal, you decide to journey to Astorya’s Other Side, a place of monsters and mayhem, to hide the original Original forever. Surely nothing bad could happen to Astorya’s precious document there, right? But when the plan goes awry and digital doppelgangers are unleashed on the world, once again only you can save the day.

Write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure story that is unique to every reader! And, most importantly, prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-1524785109

Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38xltv8

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781524785109

MY REVIEWS

Imagine waking up in a strange place - no memory of how you got there, where you are, or even who you are. There are sentient trees, killer robots, a talking stoat, a spaceship disguised in a ball of dung...and those aren’t even the strangest things about your situation. It turns out that you are in the land of Astorya, and as a real human (not a fictional character), you can influence the course of events. Sound like a story you might want to check out? Along with the nonstop action and zany characters, there are more features to draw in middle grade readers. Portions of the story are MadLib type scenes for readers to fill in. Other pages are printed upside down because you (the main character) are hanging upside down in a tree. There is even a flip-o-rama that would make Captain Underpants jealous. So, why don’t you find a young reader who is ready to take charge of their own destiny and isn’t afraid to stand up to the evil of Queen Rulette. Hand them this book, and stand back. Just remember, the pen is mightier than the sword, or the vicious Dust Bunnies. Well, you (our unnamed protagonist), still haven’t found your way home from Astorya, wherever home might be. And even though you and your companions have defeated one threat, there is no time to rest on your laurels. Since the entire kingdom is founded on the Original document, it must be kept safe. Where in a landscape based on stories could you possibly find a foolproof hiding place? Obviously you should go where no good guys would ever set foot - The Other Side. Not the Dark Side, not the Underneath, although a bit like both of those - the Other Side is where all the evil characters live. With your friend Pince S. you set off to find the perfect hiding spot. What could possibly go wrong? Once again readers will be drawn into the Fill in the Blanks scenes, the directions on how to draw your own stick figures, and even a crossword puzzle that will protect the secret resting place of the Original. There are more incredible creatures like Hildebeasts, “Sasquatches wearing lederhosen” and a Big Rock Candy Mountain Man. Snarky footnotes have an attitude that may remind you of Lemony Snicket. But the main attraction is the quest within the quest - the efforts to puzzle out who you, the protagonist, really are. With no memories before Astorya, the only way to truly know yourself is by your actions. What will you do? You should probably start by reading the books.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Alana Harrison and Drew Callander have spent their lives telling stories and cracking jokes. Alana graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in Comedic Writing and Performance. Drew graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Fiction Writing. Together they have created cartoons and short films with Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, and Kristen Schaal. Their work as writers and improv comedians has aired on Sirius XM Radio, NBC, and Comedy Central. Mightier Than the Sword is their first book series. They live with their two kids and one exquisitely talented cat (none of whom help with the dishes).

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Ryan Andrews lives in the Japanese countryside, with his wife, two kids, and their dog, Lucky. A friendly Kodama or two have been known to take up residence in the giant acorn tree that shades the house. Ryan often works at his drawing desk in the early-morning hours, to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers, who come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts.

TOUR SCHEDULE

November 16	The Children's Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book List
November 17	Lisa's Reading	https://lisasreading.com	Book Review: Book One
November 18	Barbara Ann Mojica's Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review: Book One
November 19	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review: One and Two
November 20	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Book Review: One and Two
November 23	Some the Wiser	https://somethewiser.com	Book List
November 24	ShootingStarsMag	https://shootingstarsmag.net/	Book List
November 25	icefairy's Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	Book Review: One and Two
November 26	THANKSGIVING
November 27	Word Spelunking	http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/	Book Review: One and Two
November 30	Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk	http://glassofwineglassofmilk.blogspot.com/	Book Review: Book One
December 1	Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk	http://glassofwineglassofmilk.blogspot.com/	Book Review: Book Two
December 2	Barbara Ann Mojica's Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review: Book Two
December 3	Jrsbookreviews	https://jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com/	Book Review: Book One
December 4	Library Lady's Kid Lit	https://janemouttet.wordpress.com/	Book Review: One and Two
December 7	Some the Wiser	https://somethewiser.com	Book Review: Book Two
December 8	Jrsbookreviews	https://jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com/	Book Review: Book Two
December 9	ShootingStarsMag	https://shootingstarsmag.net/	Book Review: Book Two
December 10	Lisa's Reading	https://lisasreading.com	Book Review: Book Two
December 11	Life Is What It's Called	lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com	Book Review: One and Two
December 14	The Children's Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review: Book Two

The Fairview Review is participating in the blog tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, Drew Callander, and Alana Harrison.

Need a new Andy Weir fix? Have you worn out your copy of The Martian as well as your DVD of the movie adaptation? Already have Artemis memorized, too? Then you will be happy to hear that a new adventure is on the way, but not until May 2021. Just think of it as your next vacation read and congratulate yourself on planning ahead.

If you have read those other two books, then you are familiar with Weir's style. And you know that his characters have some science skills in common, but they are definitely not carbon copies of each other. One is an astronaut/botanist/space-pirate (technically). The other is a lunar dweller/black market dealer/criminal. And now we have a new protagonist to meet. Except...this character doesn't even know who he is or how he came to be in a spaceship alone. So how are we supposed to know him or understand him? Bit by bit, of course, just as he comes to remember or relearn things about himself.

The science is still there. A spaceship full of equipment. A mission (we all assume) that depends on his success. But will his memories return in time to help him complete the mission, whatever it might be? As the clues slowly resurface in his memory, or are pulled from the ship's computers, the situation does not look good - for our hapless hero or the rest of humanity.

I can't really go into details without letting loose spoilers, and no one wants that to happen. I can tell you that I enjoyed this character and his storyline. If I had to rate them, he would fall in between Mark Watney and Jasmine Bashara on my personal list of favorite characters. And the situations he confronts and problem-solves his way through are the sort of thing that sci-fi fans generally enjoy.

Go ahead and pre-order the book - you know you want to, and you won't regret it.