Monday, February 9, 2015

FD & the Dwarf Cheering Squad got WOVEN


I was lucky enough to get my talons on an ARC of Woven. Yes, they also come in dragon size, but you have to prove beyond doubts you're a real dragon to have one. That's why this size is not available for everyone. But don't worry, you'll do just fine with the standard size. The amount of magic is just about the same.

I thought it would be a good idea to read it to the dwarves. A good story is just as effective as good food to keep them entertained and quiet. They actually make more noise when they eat than when they're listening to a riveting tale. And Woven was indeed one.

My dwarves have seen many treasures. It's part of the job when living with a dragon. However it was new to hear about The Great Tapestry and magic done with needles, threads and stitches. We all loved the concept. The descriptions were rich enough to put the Woven world in our heads but without overdoing it. If Father Dragon has the attention span of a five year old, the dwarves have half of that. They get bored easily too. But there is nothing of boring in Nels' and Tyra's adventures. I had planned to read only a couple hours daily, but the dwarves kept begging for "just one more page".

The pace is excellent. The book has the perfect balance of intrigue, action, adventure and romance.  Actually, this type of romance is our favorite. Nels start with unrequited love. The princess doesn't want anything to do with him. Later, it gets better because there are times they don't like each other at all but they need each other, so they have to find ways to work things out.

Characters are really well fleshed out. We found Nels a very likable boy. I didn't like Tyra but until past half book, but I think that's how it is supposed to be. She started like a royal pain in my big dragon butt. Dwarves were cheering for her by the end. They wanted to marry her too. Good for Nels they don't live in Averand.

Since it was an ARC, I hadn't read the blurb. We were caught by surprise when Nels became a ghost, but I am pleased to say it wasn't the last time that David and Michael surprised us. They had the dwarves literally biting their nails in the last part of the book. I got a needle to "stitch" a charm of silence on the dwarf that would interrupt me but I ended up giving it to Pancholin.  They say the best books are those that stay with you long after you finished reading them. Well...  Sessin, Milin and Pancholin are still trying to figure out how to stitch their fates to a beautiful woman.



Book description from Goodreads:

WOVEN by Michael Jensen and David Powers King, published by Scholastic

Two unlikely allies must journey across a kingdom in the hopes of thwarting death itself.

All his life, Nels has wanted to be a knight of the kingdom of Avërand. Tall and strong, and with a knack for helping those in need, the people of his sleepy little village have even taken to calling him the Knight of Cobblestown.

But that was before Nels died, murdered outside his home by a mysterious figure.

Now the young hero has awoken as a ghost, invisible to all around him save one person—his only hope for understanding what happened to him—the kingdom’s heir, Princess Tyra. At first the spoiled royal wants nothing to do with Nels, but as the mystery of his death unravels, the two find themselves linked by a secret, and an enemy who could be hiding behind any face.

Nels and Tyra have no choice but to abscond from the castle, charting a hidden world of tangled magic and forlorn phantoms. They must seek out an ancient needle with the power to mend what has been torn, and they have to move fast. Because soon Nels will disappear forever.

Available now wherever books are sold

IndieBound - Amazon - Barnes&Noble - Books A Million! - Rakuten - iTunes            

About the Authors:



Michael Jensen is a graduate of Brigham Young University’s prestigious music, dance, and theater program. Michael taught voice at BYU before establishing his own vocal instruction studio. In addition to being an imaginative storyteller, Michael is an accomplished composer and vocalist. He lives in Salt Lake City with his husband and their four dogs.


Photo credit: Michael Schoenfeld




David Powers King was born in beautiful downtown Burbank, California where his love for film inspired him to become a writer. An avid fan of science fiction and fantasy, David also has a soft spot for zombies and the paranormal. He now lives in the mountain West with his wife and three children.

Photo credit: Katie Pyne Rasmussen





Rafflecopper Giveaway Link (One of 5 copies of Woven – signed by both authors):
a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 comments:

  1. Ooooh.
    Want, want, want.
    Will have.
    Thank you Father Dragon. Thank you to both talented authors.

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  2. Stitch their fates into beautiful women - keep sewing, boys!
    David is really going to like this, Al.

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  3. Would the dwarves know what to do with a princess?

    Wonderful review for David's book.

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  4. Great review. Made me envious that I don't have claws, but I still have my hands out for a copy to read.

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  5. Wait, you're telling me Father Dragon has the Needle? I better let Nels and Tyra know...

    This is AWESOME Al!!! Really made our day. Thank you for having us in the cave. :)

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  6. Dang dragon!! Cool post!! Hugs to all the boys.

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  7. I love the pic of book in those big ol' dragon claws! The review was excellent. The story must indeed be riveting to hold the dwarfs' attention for so long. Thanks so much for sharing Dave and Michael's awesome book! :)

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  8. So glad the book love expands beyond the world of men.

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  9. Excellent review, Father Dragon. You're so kind to read to your dwarves and fuel their imaginations.

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  10. I loved this story too, I got an ecopy to read but I need to buy myself the actual book. Ghostly boyfriends appeal. Excellent review dear dragon, and I am so glad the dwarves could leave their gummy bears long enough to listen.

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  11. I'm amazed the dwarves didn't end up stitching themselves together. That would probably leave you in stitches.

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  12. You gave the dwarves needles? Better watch where you sit...

    Great review!
    Love those pictures. You are so talented. :)

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  13. Giving dwarves needles - you're a brave dragon! Wonderful review. My attention span tends to be that of a dwarf, so if it kept them quiet, it's a must read for me. Great review!

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  14. I just won a copy of this over at Literary Rambles. I'm so excited; can't wait to get my normal sized book in my tiny hands.

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  15. And the dwarves make the most noise when they eat BEANS...

    I'm really looking forward to reading WOVEN. And it's tough to getter a better endorsement than a dragon's endorsement! A hearty congratulations to David and Michael!

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  16. I'm hearing such great things about Woven pretty much everywhere. Congratulations to Michael and David.

    Couldn't I could prop a dragon size copy against the wall and walk back and forth in front of it to read it?

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  17. Al, apart from the very positive review, these are FANTASTIC drawings... and I think it's really, really good of you to go to so much effort in support of Woven :)

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  18. Such an awesome review (most clever Dragon). I'm glad the dwarves were pleased. They can be such finicky folks.

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  19. That is such a wonderful graphic! Awesome review too. (Yeah, I wanted to kick her in the butt too...but I am quite the kicker...hehe)

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  20. Oops, I guess I was coming in to a bad time. Because of Liz's comment it brought me back to look at the graphics. They are fabulous dear dragon. The idea of you with a tiny needle is a tad scary though. Not sure it isn't more so than seeing the dwarves trying to sew.

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  21. It's not easy for dwarfs to bite their nails, so it must be good!

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  22. Man, how spoiled are they to get a review from the dragon and the dwarves? I can't wait to read it!

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  23. Hey Al,

    Apologies for my late arrival. Just starting to get back into my blogging momentum.

    Great reviews and your dwarves have most certainly seen many treasures.

    Hugs and hope, your way.

    Gary :)

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  24. You beat me to reading and reviewing Woven, you Dragon you. I won a copy, but I still have it to read. Now after your post, I'm really excited about turning those pages.

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