Book Review of A Leap into Darkness
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The Children’s Book Review
A Leap into Darkness
Written by Ray Petrolino
Illustrated by Natalia Junqueira
Ages 10+ | 240 Pages
Publisher: Beasts at the Feast Press | ISBN-13: 9798218061012
What to Expect: Family, Animals, Fantasy Adventure, Friendship, Betrayal, Trust
Filled with magic, talking animals, villains, heroes, and quests, A Leap into Darkness is an epic fantasy adventure about trust, loyalty, and love.
In the kingdom of Gorseland, magic and war are looming threats. Jake, however, knows very little about this. Despite the whispers from his owner and other dogs about him being a “wise one,” he is just an ordinary, fluffy little dog—and one who was not good enough to save his beloved mistress from drowning. Taken in by the kindly King and his children, Jake is mostly just grateful that he no longer needs to perform in the streets for his keep. However, when the evil sorcerer Beezeldorn kills the Queen and starts usurping the King’s trust, there’s no one else but Jake to step up and save his family and kingdom.
Told from Jake’s point of view, A Leap into the Darkness offers readers a dog’s-eye perspective on the relationship humans have with their animals and each other, especially when the things they hold dear are threatened. Jake’s humility and determination make him a thoroughly endearing protagonist, and readers are sure to empathize with his quest for identity and belonging. Natalia Junqueira’s black and white illustrations are scattered throughout the story, bringing the fantastical kingdom and its animal characters to life. And best of all, there’s a happily ever after ending.
A Leap into Darkness is an enjoyable and exciting read about a thoroughly enchanting little dog.
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About the Author
Branded an “abject failure” by his dog, Ray Petrolino struck up a partnership with him: the animal would dictate and the human would write. The results? Two award-winning screenplays (A Leap into Darkness and Zombie in the Attic) and the recent debut novel A Leap into Darkness (not surprisingly, the hero of the book is…wait for it… a talking dog).
Ray lives in North Carolina with his wife, family, and their dog Jake (not just any dog, but, as mentioned above, a talking bichon with an unfulfilled set of demands). When Ray is not writing, he’s listening to his dog (and sometimes his wife); or he can be found working on film sets, playing drums at his house, or playing drums at someone else’s house.
For more information, please visit https://www.raypetrolino.com.
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