About the Book
Title: Ghost Leopard (Zoe and Zak Series, Book #1)
Authors: Lars Guignard
Publication Date: July 21, 2012
Publisher: Fantastic Press
Pages: 338
Recommended Age: 8+
Summary (Amazon):
Zoe and Zak are lost in exotic India, where gods and magic still exist. Before they can find their way home, they just have to do one little thing… …Save a mythical creature from an ancient evil that wants to rule the world. When Zoe Guire goes along on her mom’s business trip to India, things get very weird, very quickly. An elephant god speaks to her from the bottom of a swimming pool… She and her classmate Zak get locked in a trunk and shipped off to a strange city near the foothills of the Himalayas… and a crazy snake charmer tells them they’ve been chosen to protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard from an ancient evil that wants to take over the world. As they travel deeper into the majestic mountains known as the Realm of the Gods, things get even weirder. If she and Zak want to make it back to their parents, they’re going to have to tap into powers they never knew existed. Because if they don’t, things will never be the same for any of us ever again.
My Review:
We begin the adventure hearing Zoe's Guire's every thought, as she travels to India with her mum, for what she thought would be a relaxing holiday after her mums conference finishes. Enter Zac Merril, and his dad, also attending the conference. Zoe is less than impressed. When Zoe and Zac's parent's are urgently deployed to address a matter of great importance, strange things start to happen to Zoe, and Zac is no help. He seems to specialise in getting himself and Zoe into mischief, that turns out to not only be mortally dangerous, but also Zoe's mission.
When they learn of the mythical Ghost Leopard, even Zoe has to admit her interest is piqued, but the treacherous adventure that follows is totally not what she signed up for. The two kids have to learn to put aside their prejudices, work together and do everything they can to save the Leopard who is at very great risk. They must succeed or the fate of the world, will tip in the balance of the evil Monkey Man.
This was quite a fascinating read in parts as we learn so much about India and its traditions along the way. The author clearly has a vast knowledge and great love for the place I believe he grew up in. There were times when the children were in extreme danger and the villain was particularly terrifying, so I believe this will be best read by 10+. Zoe and Zac come into their own, learn how to control each of their unique talents and as a result, they of course save the Leopard, and the day. I particularly love the Memory Flowers. They were magically written and the Amala and Mukta characters did a great job of deepening the mystery. At times I was a little frustrated with the first person narrative, as it does tend to slow the pace, but for a voracious and diligent child reader, this would not be a problem. I give it 4 stars.....
Purchase
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The Buzz
"Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. " ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon
"This was a fun read. This book was like a kid's version of Indiana Jones. It's also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12 year old child that loves adventure books, this is definitely a must read. " ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon
"I'm sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35 year old loved this book! It had action, adventure and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of." ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon
About The Author: Lars Guignard
[caption id="attachment_14417" align="alignleft" width="154"]
Lars Guignard[/caption]
Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range.
For news about new releases, please join his email list here: http://www.larsguignard.com/contact/
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Ask Lars Guignard a Question on Goodreads
Fantastic Press is pleased to announce that Lars Guignard will be answering questions about Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard throughout the day on Monday, December 16th, 2013 on Goodreads. If you have any questions for Lars or just want to introduce yourself, you can head on over to Goodreads and say hello now. Also, everyone who joins the Forum will earn an entry into the Ghost Leopard Blog Tour giveaway (see below for more details).Click on the Goodreads Button below to go to the Mon, Dec 16 - "Ask Lars Guignard about Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard" event and leave a question for the author anytime from now until December 16th, 2013.
The Ghost Leopard Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
November 15
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
November 16November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
November 24
November 25
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 29
December 1
December 2
December 3
December 4
December 5
December 7
December 10
December 11
December 12
December 13
December 14
** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 2 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Yogi's Curse" coming December 15, 2013. **
* Ghost Leopard Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: Three winners will receive a print (U.S. & Canada) or electronic (international winners) copy of Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard.
Contest runs: November 15 to December 17, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: Worldwide
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for your great review Julie. I loved the memory flowers as well. There are many clever little things inserted into the story and Amala and Mukta were very intriguing characters weren't they? Thank you so much for joining us in the Ghost Leopard Blog Tour
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great synopsis and review. Cheers, Lars
ReplyDelete