Hi everyone, welcome to my stop on the audiobook tour of Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard
by Lars Guignard hosted by Candace’s Book Blog
Book Promotions
About the Book:
Author: Lars Guignard
Series: Zoe & Zak Adventures
Move over Percy Jackson. Find out what
everybody is talking about!
If you loved Harry Potter, if you couldn't get enough of Percy Jackson, if you're wondering what to read after The Mark of Athena -- from bestselling author Lars Guignard comes the kids' magic fantasy adventure... GHOST LEOPARD.
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.
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.
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.
To celebrate the audiobook release, the ebook
version of Ghost Leopard will be available ON SALE for $0.99 (regular price
$4.99) from September 9 to September 20. Please click here to
order .
Review:
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
I can’t remember the last time
I read a middle grade novel but I was eager to listen to the audiobook of Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard
with my son who is eight years old to see what he would think of it, every
time we’d hop in the car the book would go on and we’d find ourselves immersed
in the fantasy world Lars Guignard has created.
Zoe and Zak are in India with their parents who are there for business but when
left in the care of a nanny a whole load of chaos and strange, disbelieving
things start to happen.
The
journey begins when the MC’s overhear a strange mans telephone conversation about
a search for a Ghost Leopard and then a snake charmer tells Zoe and Zak that
they have been chosen to find and protect it, as they embark on their quest following a mysterious map left for them they come across some amazing things (which my son found fascinating) such as
talking elephants, a monkey man, magic carpets, curses, ghosts and an awesome
snake whip to name a few; there is also a villain known as Rhinobutt which my son found hilarious every time he heard it mentioned.
The
characters were each enjoyable and showed such an innocence, I loved the
differences between Zoe and Zak, Zoe thinks before acting and questions her
heritage since she is adopted but she could also be quite overbearing whereas Zak is spontaneous and carefree but also true to his age with his behavior and annoying traits, he is
also worried about his parents getting divorced but this pair worked seemingly well
together to complete their quest and handled the obstacles thrown their way
extremely well.
I was
immersed in Lars Guignard’s detailed
and elaborate world, the setting was lively and really drew you into the
storytelling, the smallest descriptions were vivid and the Indian backdrop was
researched extremely well.
The
narration by Bailey Carlson became enjoyable as I adjusted to the character changes, my initial concern of the narration being irritating was thankfully quick to pass, I am not a big audio fan but I was drawn into this
story as was my son; the expression used was wonderful and captured the story
well.
Overall, this book has the perfect mix of magical intrigue, action, suspense, danger and a truly fun adventure. A great start to the series.
Thank-you kindly to the author and Candace's Book blog Book Promotions for the opportunity to listen to Zoe and Zak and the Ghost Leopard.
Thank-you kindly to the author and Candace's Book blog Book Promotions for the opportunity to listen to Zoe and Zak and the Ghost Leopard.
About
the author:
Lars Guignard is a former film and
television writer and a graduate of both McGill University and the American
Film Institute in Los Angeles. His debut thriller novel, Lethal Circuit, has
been an amazon top 100 Techno thriller
since its release.
Guignard has wanted to write Indian stories for kids ever since he attended a boarding school in the majestic Himalayas. The time he spent in the “school above the clouds” affected him
profoundly, and once he returned home to North America he was struck by the lack of children’s stories from India available in our culture. Since India is such an incredible country, he decided
to write a series of action adventure books for young adults about India to introduce young readers to this magical, mystical land. So if you’re looking for a great book adventure for kids, try Ghost Leopard today!
Giveaway:
3 winners will receive Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard as an audiobook, paperback or ebook - It is open worldwide
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour schedule:
9/9 Imaginary Reads
9/10 Book Loving Mom
9/11 Rainy Day Ramblings
9/12 JennRenee Read
9/13 Bibliophilia, Please
9/15 Mind-Ventures
9/19 My Guilty Obsession
Thank you, Sharon, for taking the time to listen to the audiobook with your son and for your review. Best, Lars
ReplyDeleteI don't normally read MG books, but they seem to be very well-written. I love the sound of this book and it has been receiving a lot of praise from other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great that you enjoyed this together with your son. The characters sound like they are wonderful. I also love how this is set in India.
Lovely review, Sharon!
I'm so glad your son enjoyed it too! I imagine some of those funny names would be fun for kids. My daughter hasn't listened to it yet since she scares easily but in a couple years I imagine she'll love it.
ReplyDeleteI loved visiting India and now want to go for real!
Thanks so much for hosting a tour stop for this one!
I'm so glad you liked this. Candace features some really fun MG books on her blog and through tours. I think my nephew will love this. I'm glad you and your son enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete