Title: The Carver (Available for Pre-Order)

Author: Jacob Devlin

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

“THE GIRL IN THE RED HOOD has been looking for her mother for six months, searching from the depths of New York’s subways to the heights of its skyscrapers . . .

THE PRINCE looks like he’s from another time entirely, or maybe he’s just too good at his job at Ye Old Renaissance Faire . . .

THE ACTRESS is lighting up Hollywood Boulevard with her spellbinding and strikingly convincing portrayal of a famous fairy. Her name may be big, but her secrets barely fit in one world . . .

Fifteen-year-old Crescenzo never would have believed his father’s carvings were anything more than “stupid toys.” All he knows is a boring life in an ordinary Virginia suburb, from which his mother and his best friend have been missing for years. When his father disappears next, all Crescenzo has left is his goofy neighbor, Pietro, who believes he’s really Peter Pan and that Crescenzo is the son of Pinocchio. What’s more: Pietro insists that they can find their loved ones by looking to the strange collection of wooden figurines Crescenzo’s father left behind.

With Pietro’s help, Crescenzo sets off on an adventure to unite the real life counterparts to his figurines. It’s enough of a shock that they’re actually real, but the night he meets the Girl in the Red Hood, dark truths burst from the past. Suddenly, Crescenzo is tangled in a nightmare where magic mirrors and evil queens rule, and where everyone he loves is running out of time.”

Review:

This book was an interesting read, and while I did enjoy its storyline, I couldn’t help but question the origin of the ideas in the novel.  The writing, however, was flawless and painfully relevant to today’s times, while also adding the essence of fairytales.  But I found that this book was largely reminiscent of the television show “Once Upon A Time”, which did make me questions its originality; however, it was an enjoyable read, if not completely original, and today’s teens are sure to enjoy it.

I received this novel as an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) from Blaze Publishing since it is due for release on July 19, and I was thoroughly excited to read it.  Since this book has been marketed as a take on Peter Pan, I went crazy over it since Peter Pan is my favorite fictional character of all time.  However, I found myself enjoying the incorporation of many different fairytale characters more than just Peter Pan since I was not expecting so many of them to be a part of the story.  I did really like how Pinocchio’s son is one of the main characters in the book, and is the teenager present to connect young adults to the story.  This book does seem like a good entry novel for young adults to get into the new “fad” of twisted fairytales, and I am sure that this book will end up having a big following.  Since it does appear that this book is going to be part of a series, I am interested to see how the other books turn out.

Since this book has not yet been released, I don’t want to give anything away too soon!  But I want to leave by saying that I would recommend The Carver to young adults, since they are the audience that will enjoy this book the most, and that I am impressed by the author’s writing style and ability to connect to today’s times and teenagers.  Even though I didn’t feel that the storyline itself was completely original, the book is highly enjoyable, and those who have not read a lot of books based off of fairytales or don’t watch “Once Upon A Time” will get the most out of it.  I look forward to more books written by Jacob Devlin and will be following him!

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