#BookReview ~ Caley Cross And The Hadeon Drop by Jeff Rosen

The Caley Cross Series, Book One

Description

Caley Cross has always known she wasn’t a “normal” thirteen-year-old (her ability to create zombie animals was her first clue). Still, she never expected to be whisked off to a faraway world – Erinath – where she is Crown Princess and people have “baests” that live inside them, giving them fantastic, animal-like powers. Which would be cool, except that Caley’s baest turns out to be an ancient monster that can swallow planets. Despite this, Caley manages to make the first friends of her life, Neive Olander and Kipley Gorsebrooke. They help her navigate the Erinath Academy, where students train to compete in the annual – and deadly – Equidium contest, flying giant, dragonfly-like orocs. But to add to her usual (bad) luck an evil “Watcher” known as Olpheist is seeking her, anxious to retrieve something that will make him immortal.

A magical and timely adventure, Caley Cross and the Hadeon Drop is the first in an epic series that will keep readers laughing and on the edge of their seats.

Details

• Book Title:  Caley Cross And The Hadeon Drop by Jeff Rosen
• Category:  Middle Grade/Teens
• Pages: 288 pages
• Genre:  Juvenile Fantasy
• Publisher:  SparkPress
• Release date:   September 8, 2020
• Content Rating:  G. This book is for everyone.

My Thoughts

This middle-grade fantasy is heavy on imagination. I couldn’t help but continually ask myself, “Who thinks up this kind of stuff?” It’s fun and kids are sure to love it. In fact, lots of adults will too. I couldn’t get enough of the Gunch Home for Wayward Waifs and the sweet little lady who ran it. Well, maybe not so sweet, but a lady easy to imagine and one you won’t soon forget.

Living at this rather special Home for Wayward Waifs is thirteen-year-old Caley Cross. She’s the oldest child there and is reminded often of that fact and why. She is mistreated, barely gets anything to eat, works like a slave, and also acts as a waitress to the Gunch. Without going on and on, I absolutely love the start to this book. The dialog is great and the descriptions made me laugh out loud. Okay, enough for the start. And on with my thoughts.

Something quite unusual happens when Caley Cross gets angry, she dies. Not forever, but for a very short period of time. This is somehow linked to dead animals becoming alive.

When Caley is rescued from her home by a metal-winged crow, she is whisked off to a new adventure far away on Erinath. It seems she is the lost daughter of Queen Catherine. And from there, the escapade is off and running.

As I said earlier, this is so full of imagination and descriptions that kids and many adults will fall in love with this story.

What Concerned Me

This may not be a concern for some, but the names of people and things would have been difficult to pronounce if I had to read this aloud. I have to wonder if names would be challenging to middle-grade readers too.

What I Liked

This fun story caught my attention immediately and I was in awe of Rosen’s imagination and talent. I loved the humor that managed to weave its way into his writing.

This fast-paced book is perfect for both boys and girls.

My thanks to Book Sparks, SparkPress, and the author for a copy of this book. My opinion of this book was not influenced by this generosity. In fact, I was not obligated to post a review.

Rating

About the Author

When he’s not writing about worlds where “baests” is a thing, Jeff is creating children’s television series like Bo on the Go, Poko, Animal Mechanicals, The Mighty Jungle, Pirates!, Monster Math Squad, and Space Ranger Roger. He was the principal writer of the beloved Theodore Tugboat. Jeff’s programs have been viewed around the world and translated into numerous languages. He was also founding creative partner of WildBrain (formerly DHX Media), a global children’s content company, home to Peanuts, Teletubbies, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and Degrassi.

An accomplished painter, Jeff’s work can be found in galleries, at jeffrosenart.com and Instagram @jeff.rosen

Jeff lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife and vampire poodle, Vlad. He has two (mostly) grown daughters, Natalie and Emma.