The Nemesis Charm

Part 2 of The Firebird Chronicles

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Pub Date 27 May 2016 | Archive Date 5 Dec 2018

Description

BRAND NEW Through the Uncrossable Boundary  - Firebird Chronicles 3 -available to request now! http://netgal.ly/aXaAM7

Rise Of The Shadow Stealers - Firebird Chronicles 1 - available to READ NOW on  NetGalley  here! http://netgal.ly/XP8Abk 


They say only the dead can cross a Threshold, the dead and those who have faced a Nemesis Charm. When Apprentice Adventurers, Fletcher and Scoop, discover their mother has fallen under the curse of a strange sickness, they prepare to sail for its source, a Threshold, a doorway to the world beyond the Un-Crossable Boundary. But they are not the only ones seeking to cross the Threshold. Their old enemy, Grizelda, has heard that beyond the Boundary lives a woman with the same power as the Storyteller. With the help of a monster made with an undead heart, she plans to cross the Boundary and steal that power for herself. If she succeeds, the Academy, the island and everything in Fletcher and Scoop's world will be hers.

BRAND NEW Through the Uncrossable Boundary  - Firebird Chronicles 3 -available to request now! http://netgal.ly/aXaAM7

Rise Of The Shadow Stealers - Firebird Chronicles 1 - available to READ NOW on...


Advance Praise

The State of the Arts | www.thestateofthearts.co.uk
This fantasy adventure is aimed at middle grade readers to young teens, but I would say that adults would get as much enjoyment from the story too. The writing is rich with atmosphere and the quirky characters come alive with the wealth of descriptions and unusual names given to the inhabitants of the World of Mortales.

It might not be obvious to younger readers but some of the character names and places derive from the world of writing such as Nib and the Quill sisters, and there’s Blotting’s Academy, Fullspot Island, and Bookend Isles to name but a few.

I found The Nemesis Charm had a darker feel compared with the first book, The Rise of the Shadow Stealers, where the two apprentices are finding their feet in their new world at school. The second book finds the stacks raised with physical dangers close at hand as well as psychological and spiritual mind games. Dramatic elements are balanced with humour by way of Grizelda – I love an old hag – one of my favourite characters. She brought both light and shade to the story.

Daniel Ingram-Brown has a way of setting the scene so that the reader becomes immersed in the world of the characters, and if you get a little lost there’s a map in the front of the book. I was gripped by the writing and the quest of Fletcher and Scoop. Would they make it to the Un-crossable Boundary? Would they cross the Threshold? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Needless to say, when I got to the last page I was left bereft as I wanted to read on, but I guess I’ll have to wait for the next book.

Fans of the Narnia books or Inkheart will love this read. I would rate this book 9/10.

Jo | My Little Library In the Attic
Okay, so I’m not normally a fan of fantasy fiction and, this being the second book in ‘The Firebird Chronicles’, of which I haven’t read the first, I was a little bit hesitant when I started this book. I really shouldn’t have been. I loved this book!

The world created by Ingram-Brown is so creative and whimsical. The characters live on Fullstop Island, which is surrounded by the Oceans of Rhyme, and is home to the Tall Tale Trees, Puddles of Plot, Creativity Craters and neighboured by the North and South Bookend Isles. If that’s not enough to invite you in, the characters drink tankards of Noveltwist, toss Punctuation Pucks rather than frisbees, and run in The Hyphen-Dash rather than a mundane fun run. In all honesty, I haven’t wanted to enter another world so much since I first read Harry Potter.

Thankfully the characters live up to the world created for them. Fletcher and Scoop are really likeable characters, and whilst there were hints at their previous adventures in the first book of the chronicles – ‘The Shadow Stealers’ – I didn’t feel like I had missed so much that I was lost. This brother and sister duo are given equal status by Ingram-Brown, as they strive to save their mother, and as events unfold, other inhabitants of the island.

The plot is thoroughly engaging, to the point where I was finished quicker than I would have liked, and this would be my only criticism of the book. Would I recommend ‘The Nemesis Charm’ to a teen? Most definitely (I’ve already recommended it to several pupils I teach). Would I recommend it to an adult? Without a doubt. I cannot wait for the next installment!

My rating: 5 stars

The State of the Arts | www.thestateofthearts.co.uk
This fantasy adventure is aimed at middle grade readers to young teens, but I would say that adults would get as much enjoyment from the story too...



Average rating from 14 members


Featured Reviews

This is the first book of this series I have read, and as such it will be reviewed on a standalone basis, which although a continuation on the series it can stand on its own. Thanks to Daniel for the review copy.

This book is almost inception like in style. There is a book, within a book with multiple apparent writers. The story is well structured and engaging with an interesting plot that keeps you reading and hoping for the best for the characters - and always - feels like it ended far too soon for the reader. I really enjoyed learning about Fullstop Island and what it means to be someone who lives there. Sometimes the punctuation related names would jar me momentarily but once you get into the story you understand more and more why it is like this.

The dark and tense themes present throughout add an element of danger that feels real, you are worried for the characters and want to somehow help them. This adds to the reading experience making the pages turn and turn until the book is finished as you are desperate to find out what happens to these characters you are emotionally interested in.

Scoop and Fletcher are the main characters and are usually seen as a pair but both have different personalities and fears that will affect the decisions that will be made throughout the book. This makes them diverse and stand out on their own, it is not necessary for them to always be together which is important when you have a pair of characters. They love having a family and a purpose in the world and would do anything to keep is together.

There are many side characters that add a depth and have a reason in the plot, they aren't just in the book to look pretty. Sparks and Alpha may be small but they aren't to be underestimated and their purpose becomes clear and it can be seen that little girls are not to be over looked! The pirate adds the anti- stereotype that not all pirates are bad and in fact, some have the tools and are willing to help save the world.

Grizelda is your wicked witch in the world. She isn't dumb however she has an agenda and knows exactly how she wants to go about it. Having taken out those who are strong enough to get in her way through the Storyteller she is on a one woman power trip into taking over the island. Her schemes are smart. She is scary and makes a formidable and scary antagonist.

Overall this book is really well written and the world building was excellent with a depth and reality evident throughout. As a reader you could feel the waves and the wind with the characters, with Scoop and Fletcher relate-able and admirable for the reader to associate themselves with. A great and easy read suitable for almost all ages.

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The Nemesis Charm By Daniel Ingram-brown is a children's fiction and teens ya read.
They say only the dead can cross a Threshold, the dead and those who have faced a Nemesis Charm. When Apprentice Adventurers, Fletcher and Scoop, discover their mother has fallen under the curse of a strange sickness, they prepare to sail for its source, a Threshold, a doorway to the world beyond the Un-Crossable Boundary. But they are not the only ones seeking to cross the Threshold. Their old enemy, Grizelda, has heard that beyond the Boundary lives a woman with the same power as the Storyteller. With the help of a monster made with an undead heart, she plans to cross the Boundary and steal that power for herself. If she succeeds, the Academy, the island and everything in Fletcher and Scoop's world will be hers.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I love the drawings too. I loved the ending too. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

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I loved the book,the plot was captivating and engaging. I was hooked into the story from the beginning and it was a one sit read for me. The characters were well developed and the prose beautiful. The book was wonderful and I would recommend it to everyone.

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