Book two read for this years Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge (Details on the right side-bar): Candy Cane level ... Completed.FRAUD AT SNOWFIELDS by DANIEL KLOCK.
SOURCE: Received for review from the author.
BACK COVER BLURB: Bluerorcs! Six, seven, a dozen? He cannot tell because the tiny bright blue explosions of light keep blinding him. Will, running as fast as he can. Flashes of blue, flashes of yellow, brilliant flashes of blue and yellow together like fireworks - Will is as frightened as he has ever been. He keeps running ...
Only a short time after a strange nightmare Will again feels like he is caught in a dream - but this time the best dream he has ever had. For Mr Chevalier visits him at his parents' house to invite him to join the White Christmas Organisation - the secret organisation that handles the production and delivery of Christmas presents and that is headed by Father Christmas himself. Will has always been a firm believer in the magic of Christmas and now he is on his way to be part of it all as he begins his job training at Snowfields. And - while travelling with the amazing cloud-based delivery system - he has no idea what other wonders he is going to see or what he is getting himself into ...
For just as he is having the time of his life with new friends at his new school with amazing subjects as well as hard hands-on training, he is caught up in the biggest conspiracy Snowfields has seen in decades.
FIRST SENTENCE {Prologue}: Bluerorcs!
MEMORABLE MOMENTS {Page 11}: Did their teachers think they were still babies, believing in goblins and elves and other little Christmas helpers?
MY THOUGHTS: Take Hogwarts and replace it with another unique school, a railway station and the Hogwarts Express with, well, an equally fun way of transportation, 'Defence Against the Dark Arts' and 'Care of Magical Creatures' with more festive lessons, traditional wands with those a tad more modern and you have Fraud At Snowfields.
Whether a good thing or bad I suppose comparisons with the Harry Potter series were inevitable as Will finds himself at this rather unusual boarding school.
One of those books that transports the reader. Ideal for all those (tweenagers and above, boys as well as girls) who are looking for a different festive read. Fraud at Snowfields combines all of the seasonal magic with some very neat wizardry all of its own in a novel, as spellbinding as it is exciting, that is as much the story of a boy who still believes in the magic of Christmas as it is a mystery involving some 'shady goings-on' that could jeopardise the festive season.
A wonderfully witty, festive read - though as of course is only right a good book is not just for Christmas. Given time (please Daniel tell me there will be another book(s) for I feel there is a lot yet to be explored) I'm sure Will and Snowfields is more than capable of capturing the nations imagination.
11 comments:
This sounds like a different, yet fun take on a Christmas story. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I like a witty read... and you're right if there is a big name and any similarities you have to prepare for the comparisons
Great book. I like the holiday spirit.
This sounds like a fun holiday read! I'm going to see if I can get it stateside to read to my kiddos!
:-)
Traci
Sounds an awesome story!
Wanting more books? Oh that bodes well for this book. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Lovely review, Tracy! The first sentence is certainly unique. I'm so glad you enjoyed this book.
I didn't know about this one but it sounds really good! Thanks for the discovery!
The Harry Potter comparaisons I think are all right if they are not too decretive. If something like that goes too far I think that there is a danger of staleness.
Based on your commentary that does not seem to be the case here, however. The books sounds imaginative.
As a huge fan of HP- this book sounds intriguing to me. I also like the festive atmosphere you described. I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing. :)
My my my, that DOES sound interesting, though I admit to being confused when reading the synopsis. All the blue and yellow lights....apparently they can blind virtually too!
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