CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK, DAY 1
Giveaway: The Chronicles of Egg, Books 1 & 2, by Geoff Rodkey.
Today’s giveaway is from the publisher of The Chronicle of Egg Middle Grade Series, G. P. Putnam’s Son Books for Young Readers. They will be sending the winner a new paperback of Book 1: Deadweather and Sunrise, AND a hardcover of the newest Egg book: New Lands. Enter using the Rafflecopter link at end of the review. Entries close Saturday at midnight. Winner announced on Sunday. Now for the review of New Lands.
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The Chronicles of Egg, Book 2: New Lands
by Geoff Rodkey
Jacopo Bruno, illustrator
G. P. Putnam’s Son Books for Young Readers
5 Stars
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Inside Cover:
After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can’t decipher. But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg’s trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies—against which our heroes’ only weapons are their brains, their courage . . . and the two dozen swearwords Guts just memorized in the local tongue.
They’re going to need help. But who can they trust? Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally . . . or their enemy? Is Pembroke’s daughter Millicent on Eggs side . . . or her father’s? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them? And the biggest question of all: What shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple?
First Sentence:
I hung my head over the side of the Thrush and watched the prow carve the seawater into a hissing spray.
Synopsis
Egg and Guts survived Roger Pembroke’s attack at the Masterson plantation. Guts has a new weapon of choice: the new hook for his missing left hand. Egg and Guts hop aboard a ship carrying Egg’s ugly fruit crop, headed for the New Lands, and the city of Pella Nonna. They are searching for an Okalu tribe native who can decipher the treasure map Egg has safely buried away in his head. At Pella Nonna Guts becomes a guitar star. He is treated like royalty and acts the part with late night parties and after show gatherings. Guts considers abandoning the search for the treasure of the Fire King, which will give ultimate power to the owner of the Fire King’s Fist. Guts doesn’t get a choice when he and Egg leave the city of Pella Nonna on horseback—by force—and then sail the seas chained to a plank.
Of course, Egg and Guts find a way out of this latest predicament, only to find themselves in another, this time involving Millicent, Roger Pembroke’s daughter. Millicent wants to help Egg but she has mixed feelings. Millicent’s dissonance is from being unable to rectify her father, the wonderful daddy, with her father, the notorious villain. Egg and Guts, but mostly Kira, are unsure which side Millicent’s loyalty lies. It does not help that Kira—who Guts has a deep infatuation—and Millicent have developed an unspoken rivalry. Throw in an unlikely family reunion in the strangest of places; a narcissistic and often cruel tribal princess; plus several angry natives and you will be drawn deeper into Egg’s story. Add secret tunnels; an odd stomach ailment/curse; an impending war; a malevolent governor; one guillotine; and a surprise ending with a never-see-coming twist and Egg’s story becomes one of the best reads of the summer.
Opinion
The Chronicles of Egg, Book 2: New Lands continues the crazy rollercoaster ride called Egbert Masterson’s new life. Once accused of killing his mother, Egg is now alone; Pembroke having sent his family to their deaths aboard a wayward hot air balloon. The deeper into the story one gets, the more exciting and curious it becomes. The surprises in book 2 are never-ending. Think you know what will happen next and you are fooling yourself. The writing is superb, the characters jump off the page—, which I actually thought might happen—and the action rarely stops. For the most part, Egg’s triumph over adversity is believable. Pembroke becomes so full of himself that even his beloved Millicent takes a backseat to her father’s affection.
Pirate stories must have humor to entice me and New Lands has humor, sarcasm, and witty writing. I actually enjoyed books 1 and now book 2, and cannot wait for the third, and unfortunately the last, installment. I expect the action will once more increase, the confrontations will get more dangerous, and, hopefully, Egg will find out if the Fire King’s treasure really exists. I think any kids ges eight or nine and older, who loves pirates, adventures, and lots of whiplash neck changes will enjoy The Chronicles of Egg.
In the preview above, it states that Guts leans several choice words for use at Pella Nonna. Mothers step down from your soapboxes. Not one of Guts’ words is decipherable; much like the treasure map Egg carries around in his head. The words look like unexplained massive typos, which rile the natives. Violence is a part o the story and Mr. Rodkey keeps it low-key. The intensity of the scene remains high but the actual acts of violence are rather low key. Kids will not come away from ready Egg’s story afraid of anything. They might want to re-read the entire series, which I would heartily approve. The Chronicles of Egg is good fun, masterfully written. If a major motion picture—that is, a movie—is not made from this series something is wrong in La-La Land.
OH, most importantly!! You do not need to go out and spend your hard-earned money on book 1 or book 2! You can enter and win—sorry, FTC rules—you can enter and possibly win both books from the publisher. You might also be interested in motorized cars for 3 year olds maybe. To enter, leave a comment and then, if it is up and working, go to the official entry page and enter as many times as you can. Entries will be accepted until midnight Saturday, May 18, 2013. Winner will be announced on Sunday, May 19, 2013, the last day of Children’s Book Week. So get your entries in! Egg is waiting for you. a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Chronicles of Egg, Book 2: New Lands 
by Geoff Rodkey bookwebsite authorwebsite twitter Jacopo Bruno, illustrator worldcatinfo G. P. Putnam’s Son Books for Young Readers website facebook twitter Released May 2013 ISBN: 978-0-399-25786-5 336 Pages Ages 8 to 12 . Text: Copyright (C) 2013 by Geoff Rodkey Illustrations: Copyright (C) 2013 by Jacopo Bruno 2013 G. P. Putnam’s Son Books for Young Readers, used with permission.
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Related articles
- review – The Chronicle of Egg, Book 1: Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey (kid-lit-reviews.com)
- Book Review: Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey (xilikereadingx.wordpress.com)
- Endangered Author Tour with Jobling, Rodkey, West and Gidwitz (examiner.com)
- Perspectives on Process (heydeadguy.typepad.com)
- Children’s Book Week Giveaways: May 13 to 19 (kid-lit-reviews.com)
Kids Lit Review 
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This book sounds interesting. My niece would really love this.
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I really want to find out the Secrets of the States…
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The Secret of the States? In The Chronicle of Egg or another book? I’m sorry. I do not know how to respond to your comment. Can you explain a little about which book you are referring to? Thanks. And welcome! 😆
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Wow this book sounds very interesting and I bet my granddaughter would be anxious to find out if Egg and Guts do in the attack of Masterson Plantation. I follow by email and I want to thank you for making me aware of these series of books..
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When the plantation is attacked, Egg and Guts prepared a surprise for their attackers. I hope your granddaughter gets the chance to read the book, but start with the first book Deadweather and Sunrise. That is where the real action on the plantation takes place.
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BOOK 2 New Lands looks like a great read for our elementary library readers. Please enter us in your contest.
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Just follow the link above to the rafflecopter form and you can enter as many times as you like. Good luck!
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Well! These books look pretty exciting! I like a good adventure! Is there a dog along for the fun?
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I do not think there is a dog in the stories, but I could be wrong. A third book is due out, just not soon enough for me. I think you will enjoy the stories. Adventure is your game, right? 😀
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OHMYGOODNESS! This is a must have for my oldest grandson, Austin. However, Nan Nan gets to read it first! This sounds intriguing!
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Austin and Grandma may have to share the books. You will enjoy it very much. I am amazed at the middle grade and young adult novels that are perfect for me – as an adult. Kids books were kids books in my younger days. Or maybe my generation never fully grew up and we long for these great writers. I do think you and Austin will love this series.
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This sounds like my kind of story! When I first read the title, I thought it was going to be a picture book about eggs. 😉
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I think you would have these two books read in three days, if not sooner. I could not put them down. I read both straight through a week apart — only because I had to read other books first. I would have read them back-to-back. If you win, you’ll be able to do that (unless you have to review another book). 😆
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Goodi! This one feels like it’s been a long time coming. I’ve been looking forward to it since the first book was so strong.
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You read Deadweather and Sunrise? Wasn’t that one so good. I received both books at one time, so I was lucky enough to just keep on reading. Now I must wait for the next book. I cannot wait. You are going to love this second book. There are a few surprises I never saw coming. 😆
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I love this type of book, kind of an kid’s Indiana Jones!
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Indian Jones. I hadn’t thought of that, but it does have the feel. The pirates are a hoot. I hope you get a chance to read the series. 🙂
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I didn’t want to read too closely since I like books to surprise me, but what I glimpsed I liked ;D
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If you like fantasy, adventure, pirates, and shaddy characters you will love The Chronicles Of Egg. I try not to give awy too much of the story, especially twists and surrises. The ending is never given away. I am glad you liked what you read and hope you enter the giveaway. 🙂 Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you here again.
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The characters and action make me think it’s a little like Treasure Island 2013 style.
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I think you are the second person to mention this. It has been a long time since I read Treasure Island, but The Chronicles of Egg did not remind me of ANY book. I’ll have to re-read Treasure Island.
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