Blog Tour: Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Young

Today, I’m thrilled to have Karen Romano Young here to discuss the 10 things that may or may not have happened in her newest book Hundred Percent.  

Hundred Percent
Author: Karen Romano Young

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 256
Published:  August 9th,  2016

The last year of elementary school is big for every kid. In this utterly honest, equal parts funny and crushing, novel perfect for boys and girls alike, Christine Gouda faces change at every turn, starting with her own nickname—Tink—which just doesn’t fit anymore. Readers will relate to this strong female protagonist whose voice rings with profound authenticity and absolute novelty, and her year’s cringingly painful trials in normalcy—uncomfortable Halloween costumes, premature sleepover parties, crushed crushes, and changing friendships. Throughout all this, Tink learns, what you call yourself, and how you do it, has a lot to do with who you are. 

Excerpt from Hundred Percent: 

 In late August, Tink got a new name. Her best friend Jackie renamed her. This was after Tink realized that none of her school clothes fit and her mother took her on a hellish shopping trip involving two sizes up, three bras-for-the-very-first-time, and four arguments about style that had both Mom and Tink in tears. On the way home, Tink convinced her mother to drop her at Jackie's with all six shopping bags, so they could have a fashion show.  
    Jackie had already been shopping-not because she had grown, but because she had insisted, and her mother said yes because Jackie was an only child.  That was what Tink's mother said.  She couldn't do as much when she had three girls between grades three and six to outfit, plus a first grade boy, all growing like weeds.  Tink was just grateful that her mother had found two hours to take her shopping alone, without the whole circus.  You could thank the bras for that.  

10 Things That Really Did Happen to Me in Sixth Grade

 (But May or May Not Have Happened in Hundred Percent) 

1. We had a bus driver who told us his name was Roman Gabriel (actually the name of an NFL football player, he was on the Rams) and who drove the school bus down the hill at 50 mph, not braking around the 75º turn. My friend Barbara told her mother, who got him fired.

2. I had to go to dancing school with boys who were mostly shorter than me, and one time when two of the shortest boys had to sit with two of the tallest (Stacy and me) they tipped their chairs over backward out some French doors and ran away.

3. I got hit in the face with a snowball by some boys who were pegging kids as they came out of school for recess. My glasses were broken and I had to walk around blind for a week until they were fixed.

4. A boy I had a crush on bought me a little lion ornament for no occasion whatsoever, but it was snowing out.

5. I grew 5 1/2 inches in 9 months and had fainting spells because I was growing so quickly.

I got in trouble for trying to ride a pony because I was too tall.

6. I was allowed to go to a movie that had two people in a bed who seemed to be naked. It was a very big deal and involved a lot of phone calls among mothers making sure they were all on the same page. (I didn’t understand why anyone would be naked in bed.)

7. I slept on $500 sheets. It sure as heck wasn’t at home.

8. I went out for Halloween as a soldier while my best friend Barbara went as a pregnant lady, and we failed to put two and two together.

9. My teacher Mr. Bergman let us bring in music in return for listening to his: Mott the Hoople, Echo and the Bunnymen, the Rolling Stones.

10. We did a lip synch performance to Honky Tonk Women, read Brave New World and To Kill a Mockingbird, and went out of school boundaries to hang out at a pond.

Here’s a picture of me reflecting something I wish had happened: I wish I HAD rescued a lobster in sixth grade!

My Thoughts: 

Romano Young really taps into that middle-grade voice in our main character, Tink.   Tink's dialogue really jumps around in just a few sentences, she is talking about everything from her love of Peter Pan, to kids barking like dogs to wanting to know if she's pretty or cute.  There is a focus on boys, wanting to be seen as cute, liked, thinking you are overweight which did take me back to listening to kids this age talking and in some cases to my own middle school feelings. I liked how Young expressed that feeling of having a circle of friends and then one of your friends is suddenly more popular leaving you feeling like you're looking in on the circle instead of being a part of it.  Or sometimes seeing the popular kids in their own circle and wishing you could belong.  Overall, my favorite moments were when Tink began to get comfortable in her "own skin" and stopped worrying about what others might think about her and looked at what was outside the circle. There is some content (a boy commenting to Tink that she would look good naked and some swearing) to be aware of, but overall it's a story about trying to find your place while navigating middle school.   

 Praise for Hundred Percent:

“A lovely, lovely tale full of warmth, humor, and intelligence.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Romano’s characters jump off the page in a thoughtful and realistic look at what it means to be on the precipice of adolescence.”—Publishers Weekly

“A brilliant and irresistible book about the sharp pains and joys of real life. Karen Romano Young is a writer like no other.—Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award–winning author of When You Reach Me

“Karen Romano Young must be twelve. There’s no other way she can possibly know what she knows about sixth grade in all its weirdness and glory.”—Annie Barrows, New York Times bestselling author of the Ivy & Bean series

“Karen Romano Young has an unerring feel for the shifting alliances and uncomfortable intrigues of sixth graders.” —Ellen Wittlinger, Printz Honor–winning author of Hard Love

Blog Tour Stops for Hundred Percent: 

9/6/2016  kidlit Book of the Day

9/7/2016 Jumpintoabooks

9/8/2016 Melissa Walker 

9/9/2016 Cracking the Cover

9/10/2016 Log Cabin Library

9/11/2016 Readerkidz

9/12/2016 Middle-Grade Mafioso

9/13/2016 Actin' Up with Books

9/14/2016 The Children's Book Review

About the Author:

Karen Romano Young has written nearly two dozen books for children, and has illustrated several, including the groundbreaking graphic novel, Doodleb and its sequel, Stuck in the Middle (of Middle School). She lives in Connecticut. 

 Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble/Kindle ebook

Discussion Guide also available at Chronicle Books

MG Review: Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publisher:  Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Date Published: May 3rd 2016

Genre:  Middle Grade 

Source:  A review copy was provided by the publisher via a giveaway at YA Books Central

Opening lines:  "Lily Jo is not my name.  Yet.  But I'm working on that.  That's why I'm in the closet.  Literally in my mom's walk-in closet, with Meatball at my heals."  

Lily and Dunkin is the story of two-eighth graders, each trying to find their path at school and in life. Tim is really Lily, a transgender girl who wants everyone else to see her as the girl that she knows she is.  Lily's mother and sister have been supportive of the idea of her starting hormone therapy, but Lily's father has been worried and concerned with how others will treat Lily at school.  It's ok for Tim to be Lily at home, but her father hasn't allowed Lily to really be herself outside of the house and starting therapy isn't an option.  Norbert has just moved to town and really wants to start over at his new school with a new name and make friends without having to explain his bipolar disorder.  Early on in the story, Lily and Dunkin meet while Lily is outside wearing a dress.  Norbert can't help but notice Lily's engrossing blue eyes.  Later Norbert runs into Tim sitting in a tree, Norbert notices that Tim's blue eyes look familiar.  Tim invites Norbert to come sit in the tree, but instead Norbert suggests they go to his favorite place, Dunkin Donuts.   The two have a discussion about names, and why they each don't like their name, and it's Tim that gives Norbert the nickname of Dunkin.  Tim also tells Norbert a lie when explaining why Norbert saw her in the dress earlier and the two begin to move on to talking about school. Once Dunkin starts up in school, he is encouraged by the popular basketball players to join the team, even though he doesn't really know how to play.  While at the same time,  Lily is  struggling with the bullying from the same basketball players.  Lily and Dunkin is a story about how Lily is trying to take steps to become the girl she knows she is and the ways in which Dunkin has been managing his bipolar disorder.  

Lily and Dunkin's story is told in alternating viewpoints, giving you some of the same scenes through both Lily and Dunkin's eyes.   Like the whole first scene of Lily and Dunkin meeting for the first time.   I really felt like I was getting to know them both by hearing their inner dialogue and thoughts. They each keep many secrets, yet eventually find a way to forge a strong friendship.     I wasn't quite sure at first how Gephart was going to be able to balance the topics of transgender and bipolar disorder into one story, but I feel like she gave equal weight to Lily and Dunkin's stories.  I also appreciated that Lily had positive support from her mother, sister and best friend, Dare.  Her dad really came off as the jerk at the beginning of the story, but even he turns around about hormone therapy after talking to the doctor.  Gephart really manages to cover a lot, some sad things, while throwing in a few twists, and humor, and ultimately leaving things on a very positive note.   

MG Review: Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson

Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson
Format: eBook, 336 pages
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date Published: May 10th 2016

Genre:  Middle Grade 

Source:  Library

Ben Putter has been helping his mother run their home BBQ business ever since his father passed away from lung cancer.  That's also about the same time that Ben noticed this "golf ball" sized lump in his throat, and he also started to feel like his hometown of Hilltop, Alabama was getting a bit smaller.  Ben's solution is to run away, but where to he isn't certain yet.  It's on this very day that Ben begins to hear a mysterious voice talking to him, which for the Putter men isn't really that unusual.  Everything from the clock to the wind "speaks" to Ben, yet this time, Ben recognizes the voice as his father's and it is speaking to him from his dad's urn.  Ben's father tells him that he wants his ashes to be spread across the 18th hole at Augusta National Golf Club.  Wanting to honor his dad's wishes, Ben makes plans for the 400-mile trip, but unbeknownst to Ben someone has been listening, and she plans to come along.  Noni will provide the strength and brains, while Ben will bring the provisions and money to get them there, and no one can say no to Noni.  

Waiting for Augusta is the third book by Jessica Lawson that I've read and enjoyed, the others being Nooks and Crannies and The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher.   Waiting for Augusta takes place in rural Alabama during 1972 and touches on the topics of  racism, integration of schools and the grief of coming to terms with the death of a parent.  It's part adventure story, but also an interesting examination of Ben and his father's relationship through their many conversations they have along the way to Augusta. There is magic to the story, in that Ben's speaking to his father, who has passed away and who's ashes are being kept in an urn.  Lots of things "speak" to Ben during the story, some quite entertaining too.   The magic seems to make it easier to approach the topic of a parents death.  I really got caught up in Ben and his dad's story, with how Ben had always felt like he wasn't living up to his dad's expectations for him. How Ben felt like his dad loved golf more than him.   I really felt for Ben and his unresolved feelings, for all the things that he had wanted to say to his father before he died.  They have some very touching moments where they get to have the conversations they both need to hear.  I'm not ashamed to say a few tears were cried.   One of my favorite quotes is when Ben says, "If only I could find a way to let the dark, heavy memories go.  Watch them drift away like colored balloons that would fade and disappear into the midnight sky."  I'm a firm believer in the importance of not assuming that people know how you feel, and always telling the people who are important to you just how important they are.    Ben also struggled with feeling like he had let his friend May down when she was being bullied at school.  Yet, witnessing a protest of students being bused into a school in Georgia, Ben's eyes open to how May must have felt and he also realizes that he should have stood up for May.  I was really happy with the way that he made amends to May.   Another aspect that I really liked was the balance between the characters of Noni and Ben.  His quiet to her fearlessness and how by the end, she was able to open up to Ben about her reasons for needing to come with him.   Noni was by far my favorite character and I love how Ben describes her, "she was like a tricky springtime:  nice and bright and calm one minute, smacking you with rain the next."  It just seems to fit her.   Plus Noni has these wonderful rules for wandering which she learned from her dad.  Another huge aspect of the story centers around golf, which truly I know very little about.  I've played on an actual golf course once and seen a few rounds of the Masters on T.V., but you can just tell that golf is as important to Lawson as it was to Ben's dad.  It just seems right that the book is broken down into rounds of golf and that each chapter begins with a "hole" being played.  A wonderful adventure story with magic, humor and many heartfelt moments.  

  

Favorite line:  

"...you know this is impossible, right?  Lots of things are, right up until they're not."  

Ten Books That Have Been On My TBR From Before I Started Blogging That I STILL Haven't Read Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish  This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books That Have Been On My TBR From Before I Started Blogging (August 2012)  That I STILL Haven't Read Yet

Books I Own and really should have read by now:  I don't seem to have a reason for not having read any of these yet, probably just got busy with reading other series or books.   

Books that have been on my TBR for a really long time:  My TBR is really unruly, but who's isn't?  From time to time I weed it out a bit as my interests change, but mostly it still reflects books, series that I would like to read/revisit.    

What are some of the books are on your TBR list? 

Feel free to leave your TTT links in the comments

BOOK TRAILER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY FOR JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM!

Today, I’m thrilled to unveil the trailer for book two in Donna Galanti’s fantasy adventure Lightning Road series, JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM, arriving August 30th.

Author: Donna Galanti 
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Tantrum books (Month9Books, LLC) 
Number of Pages: 278
Publishing:  August 30th,  2016

Joshua And The Arrow Realm:  On August 30th take the lightning road back to a world of beasts, bandits, and heroes in book two of the Lightning Road series. Join Joshua in a new fight for power in the Arrow Realm. Can Joshua and his friends conquer an unstoppable evil? Joshua never thought he’d return to the world of Nostos but is soon called to the Arrow Realm to free his imprisoned friend, King Apollo, kidnapped as a power pawn in Queen Artemis’s quest to conquer every realm. With his loyalties divided between our world and theirs, Joshua wonders whether he alone can restore magic to the twelve powerless Olympian heirs and save all those enslaved. But when he finds himself abandoned in his quest, he fears he cannot only save those imprisoned—but himself as well.

 “Fast-paced and endlessly inventive, Joshua and the Arrow Realm is a high-stakes romp through a wild world where descendants of the Greek gods walk beside you, beasts abound, and not everything—or everyone—is as it seems.”  ~ Michael Northrop, New York Times bestselling author of the TombQuest series

The Midwest Book Review calls book one, JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD, “a heart-pounding thrill ride full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish.” 

Grab book one for just $.99cents now through September 20th.

Also,  be sure to enter the fun giveaway package at the bottom of this post that includes a paperback of book one, poster of the Lost Realm, bookmarks, and a $25 B&N gift card (U.S. only). Sign up for Donna’s Thunderclap book release campaign and help her zap the world through social media with her lightning message!

Excerpt from  JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM:  

A faint rumble groaned through the whistling wind. 

Boom! 

Thunder ripped the sky overhead. 

Charlie reached the frozen pond, spinning across it. “Woohoo! I win! You Americans can’t beat us at speed!” 

Lightning flashed. It zinged across the pine trees like brilliant sunlight. A seed of terror flickered inside me. 

Boom! Boom! 

Another flash scorched the sky. 

Charlie’s smile fell to a frown as he raced across the ice, peering up into the swirling clouds. 

We both knew what lightning could do. 

Suddenly, sneaking outside for a moonlit sled ride before Bo Chez got home from his monthly poker game didn’t seem so smart. 

The sleet turned to snow. Icicles flew off trees like glass splinters, shattering on the hard snow. As I shot toward the pond, a tree on the edge moved. Its branches swayed in the swirling snow. 

It wasn’t a tree, but a girl! She stumbled through the mad flurry, arms outstretched. 

“Charlie, look!” 

Gusts snatched the words away as my sled hit the ice and careened out of control on the bumpy surface. The girl staggered and fell onto the pond. I twisted my sled away to avoid hitting her and smashed right into Charlie. With a yelp, he pulled me up, and we clumped toward the girl. We lifted her up, half dragging her back up the hill to the house in the pelting snow and sleet. 

“Who is she?” Charlie yelled. 

“No idea,” I yelled back. 

He said more, but his words were lost in the wind. 

My lungs burned with the cold and effort. There was only one reason someone would appear with lightning—to steal us. This girl might appear like a waif unprepared for a storm but I couldn’t trust that’s all she was.

Book Trailer Reveal:  

MEET DONNA GALANTI:

Donna Galanti is the author of The Element Trilogy (Imajin Books) and The Lightning Road series (Month9Books). She attended an English school housed in a magical castle, where her wild imagination was held back only by her itchy uniform (bowler hat and tie included!). There she fell in love with the worlds of C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl, and wrote her first fantasy about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship. She’s lived in other exotic locations, including Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. She lives with her family and two crazy cats in an old farmhouse, and dreams of returning one day to a castle. Donna is a contributing editor for International Thriller Writers the Big Thrill magazine and blogs with other middle grade authors at Project Middle Grade Mayhem. You can find her at www.donnagalanti.com.

Preorder your copy of Joshua And The Arrow Realm at:  

 *   Amazon *   Barnes & Noble *    

 BOOK REVIEWERS: E-book ARCs are available for this next thrilling book in The Lightning Road series! Email donna(at)donnagalanti.com for copies and specify the format you’d like.

GIVEAWAY:

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Blog Tour Stop: Guest Post + Excerpt of Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes (+ Giveaway)

Today, I am really excited to have Keira back on my blog to talk about 10 Book Title Facts for her latest book, Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes!  As you might have noticed, I've enjoyed following her series and particularly like the Norwegian setting and folklore.  And the illustrations by Eoghan Kerrigan are beautiful.  



Author: Keira Gillett 
Format: eBook 
Publisher: Keira Gillett 
Number of Pages: 300 
Date Published:  July 1st 2016

Book Three in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy Summary: 

“Nothing can save you now, Princess.” How can anyone be tricked twice? Isn’t there even a saying about that? Zaria Fierce is determined to get things right this time and with the Drakeland Sword in her possession she’s ready to take on trolls, dragons, and whatever else may come… but first she and her friends are going to have to figure out just how much trouble they’re in at home. 

Available in E-book, Paperback, and Audiobook (Coming Soon) 


10 Book Title Facts about Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes

Good day everyone! My name is Keira Gillett and I'm so glad to be back here at Brenda's fabulous blog talking about my Zaria Fierce Trilogy. The story revolves around a young girl who moves to Norway, meets a troll, and goes on a quest to save her friend, making new friends along the way and discovering magic powers. The final installment, Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes was so much fun to write and I'm thrilled to share it with you all. I hope you enjoy this behind the scenes look at the book's title.

1. There were 105 titles being considered for the third installment in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. I'm not kidding!
2. The very first title considered for this installment was Zaria Fierce and the Claiming of the Hoarfrost Crown. The Hoarfrost Crown was a remnant from the initial world building that occurred when prepping for the trilogy. In the end, this title was rejected because a crown never became a focus in the books, but shoes, however did. I mean, a gal has to have her footwear, right?
3. At one point in time the shoes were more like Cinderella's glass slippers being made out of hoarfrost instead of gold, to go along with the hoarfrost crown idea from above.
4. Geirr's comment in book one about, "Shoes? This is about some girl’s shoes? Are you kidding me?" inspired and influenced many book titles on the list.
5. When the book titles weren't about Golden Shoes they were heavily swayed toward Golden Kings.
6. One of the close contenders was Zaria Fierce and the Sorceress’s Golden Shoes, but it was felt to be too much of a mouthful so it was nixed.
7. Some of the titles focusing on the Golden Kings included:
   • Zaria Fierce and the Tarnished Golden Kings
   • Zaria Fierce and the Corruption of the Golden Kings
   • Zaria Fierce and the Crowning of a Golden King
   • Zaria Fierce and the Next/Last Golden King
8. Each title in the trilogy focuses on one item that the dragon Koll needed to ensure his escape from the Under Realm. The “secret”, the sword, and the shoes. I hadn’t originally intended that, but once I saw the pattern I had to complete it. It just made sense.
9. The results were narrowed down with the help of friends and their kids. Some titles were deemed babyish, like Zaria Fierce and the Marvelous Golden Shoes. Others came across as a different genre than fantasy adventure, like Zaria Fierce and the Curse of the Golden Shoes, which was thought to be a mystery book. The current title was the unanimous winner among all the kids. So when it doubt, poll your target audience for their opinion. They were super happy about getting to pick the book’s title and I was happy to let them!
10. The Under Realm directly and indirectly featured in many titles. Dragons too. One of these titles came to me when writing book two. That one was Zaria Fierce and the Hidden Entrance to the Under Realm.

So now you've seen some of my thought process for coming up with the book title for the third Zaria Fierce installment. Which title is your favorite? Thanks for having me Brenda! Readers, if you stick around there's giveaway information at the end! One lucky person has a chance to win a Zaria Fierce audiobook package.


About the Author:

Keira Gillett is a technical publications librarian, book blogger, world traveler, artist, and now author. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Drawing and Painting. From an early age her mother instilled a love of the written word, as such she has always been a big reader. Her first book, Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest, is about a young girl who must complete a quest to save her friend from a nasty river-troll.


Praise for Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes (Book 3):

“That’s the great thing about the Zaria Fierce trilogy: adventure is fast, furious, and loaded with Norse mythology, but the friendship between Zaria and her group of friends is the heart that drives this story.”    
  - Rosemary, Mom Read It 

“Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper’s Golden Shoes was the magical conclusion this trilogy asked for. Filled with action and adventure, Zaria and her friends showed us the importance of teamwork, friendship, and having courage in ourselves. The perfect ending to a fun series, I recommend this to all fantasy lovers, middle school and beyond!”   
     - Emily, Midwestern Book Nerd

“Zaria Fierce and the Dragon Keeper's Golden Shoes was a spectacular conclusion to a great trilogy (though the ending left the door open for more adventures). Filled with magic, a great story line, amazing and real characters, wonderful settings and beautifully explored themes, Keira Gillett created a trilogy that I will always cherish and will visit anytime. If you like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, The Spiderwick Chronicles or simply love a book filled with Norwegian folklore and fantasy, then this is the ultimate series for you to read, devour and lose yourselves in.” 
  - Ner, A Cup of Coffee and a Book

 Excerpt:

Hector was right that the group wasn’t far from Malmdor. They reached the entrance before night fell, and in the gloomy dusk that slipped around them like a cloak, they reached the edge of the forest and stopped. Below them in a wide clearing was an abandoned quarry filled with water.

The lake was nestled at the bottom of a deep, steep pit. Its deep blue water was smooth and glassy, protected from wind by the rocky walls and surrounding forest. Zaria could see the lakebed in the shallower areas. Something large swam in the center, too deep to see clearly.

“What is that?” asked Filip, having spotted the creature at the same time.

Hector said, “It’s a water-wyvern.”

“Is that like the Loch Ness Monster?” asked Christoffer. “Cool. No wonder they can’t find it in Scotland.”

“You haven’t seen a winter-wyvern,” Zaria said. “I bet it’s more like Norwick.”

“The flying snow leopard-bear-bat thing you told me about? Even better,” Christoffer said, rubbing his hands together in glee. “Do we get to meet it?”

“Is it friendly?” worried Geirr.

“The beastie is not friendly,” said Hector, grimly. “And yes, we will be meeting it. Water-wyverns are wild, unpredictable creatures. This one is particularly nasty. It was captured and transported to this quarry lake over a century ago. It can’t escape – water-wyverns aren’t able to live out of water for very long. This makes it very angry. The lake is too small for him.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Geirr said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “So, can it eat us?”

Hector nodded. “It once devoured an entire legion of dwarf handlers because they smelled bad. They’ve showered regularly ever since.”

Geirr looked at Zaria. “Why?” he moaned. “Why do we have to meet it?”

“Look on the bright side, mate,” Filip said, clapping Geirr on the back. “Maybe we get to ride it.”

Hector shook his head. “The water-wyvern is the guardian of Malmdor. Its job is to keep out all trespassers.”

Christoffer sighed, disappointed. “Too bad. I would have loved to ride him.”

“Will we have to feed it to get by it? What does a water-wyvern eat?” Aleks asked, readjusting his backpack and bow.

“It eats whatever it can catch,” Hector said forebodingly. “We’ll have to be careful as we near the shoreline. A water-wyvern might not have much in the way of limbs, being adapted to the water, but it has enough leg-power to propel itself onto the shore and attack.”

“At least it can’t fly,” said Geirr, relieved. “Small favors.”

Zaria and her friends gasped as it breached the surface, blowing out a large stream of air. The water-wyvern was magnificent with a gray-and-white pattern. It had a seahorse face, with a long snout, and no ears. The top of its head bore a wavy crest that trailed down its neck.

As the creature dove beneath the water, it flipped its body into the air. There were no scales anywhere on it, as far as she could see. Zaria half-expected a whale fluke, but its tail looked like an eel’s. The thing was massive, at least four times bigger than Norwick, and hideous.

They stood there, watching the shifting, undulating, shadow in the water. Aleks wore a pensive frown, his brown eyes narrowed. “Does it have a name?”

“The dwarves call it Vingar.”

 Keep up with all of Keira's latest news on her:

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Giveaway:

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