Curiosity Quills Press
June 24, 2014
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Doing homework for bully ogres and getting laughed at as the butt of pixie pranks, Gabe is tired of his goblin life. When he and his friends step out of their nerdy stereotype and pull a prank of their own on the dragons at the first football game, it literally backfires, bringing a High Council vote to dismantle not only Gingko High, but the whole town, too!
The Book of Ages–hidden handbook of the High Council, filled with knowledge and power–may be Gabe’s only hope. With the help of friends old and new, can Gabe complete his quest to find the Book in time to save Broken Branch Falls? Or will he remain an outcast forever?
Broken Branch Falls is a middle-grade fantasy novel with a creative and fun concept. Gabe is a teenager facing the usual trials and tribulations that come with the age - and he's a goblin. At Gabe's school, Ginko High the different species - goblins, ogres, pixies and elves - are taught to stay separate. It's the First Law of Beasts, after all.
Yet, Gabe does not want to be restricted to only what is expected of goblins. To only interact socially with the other goblins. Is that Law really so necessary?
After an attempt at branching out goes wrong, Gabe faces a punishment he never expected.
It won't be easy for Gabe to change things, or even to keep his town from being destroyed; but with the help of his friends, it may be possible.
In the beginning I had trouble with how much of the world of Broken Branch Falls was unknown until something described that particular aspect. As I got further into the story, though, I actually appreciated that we were not given everything right away. Some things weren't divulged as the characters were still looking for the truth and reasoning. The omission (at least at first) of other facts, helps readers focus more on the individual characters and their desires.
Things are revealed about the beasts' world, their history at the right time. As the characters learn more about things they thought they've always known, so do readers.
Broken Branch Falls is about fantastical creatures, but also contains great commentary on the human world. Some uses the characters as analogies while other parts mention humans and their choices directly. Without ever feeling like it has a 'message'. With strong characters, interesting relationships and a very imaginative, fun fantasy world, it's an enjoyable read.
A Middle Grade novel, Broken Branch Falls is appropriate for younger readers but the humor, characters and world created should appeal to older readers, as well.
Rating: 8/10
About Author Tara Tyler:
After having a hand in everything from waitressing to teaching math to rocket engineering, Tara Tyler now writes and teaches in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband.
This Lazy Housewife loves to share advice on organizing, time-saving, and multi-tasking, in addition to popping out her multi-genre adventure novels in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Chick Lit, all laced with Humor.
So many exciting stories to tell!
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book received from publisher, as part of tour, for honest review - thank you.
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