Early Reader Review: Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review, this in no way alters my opinion or review.

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M. Bergen 
Publisher: Elandrian Press
Publication Date:  February 2, 2019

 

Format:  Paperback ARC

Rating:








Goodreads Synopsis: 

Magic is real, Thomas. No matter what happens, always remember that magic is real.
Seven years have passed, and Thomas hasn't forgotten. He hasn't forgotten the blue of his dad's eyes either, or the tickle of beard on his cheek as they hugged goodbye. Last moments with a parent are memorable, even if you don't know that's what you're having at the time.
Now, with his 13th birthday rapidly approaching, Thomas's search for magic is about to take a radical and unexpected turn. At an out-of-the-way shop filled with dusty leather books, a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes offers him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows. The price is high and the rules are strict, but there's no way Thomas can resist the chance to look inside.
With the mysterious book guiding the way, a strange new world is revealed – a world in which Thomas has a name and destiny far more extraordinary than he ever imagined. But time is short. Even as Thomas uncovers his secret family history, enemies emerge, threatening to end his rise to power and destroy everything he holds dear. 

Praise for Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows...

 “Reading this truly well-written novel was a lot of fun… It had plenty of exciting moments, funny parts, intriguing developments, and characters you just have to love. I assume that Harry Potter fans would love Thomas Wildus too. And while the story is aimed at younger readers, adults can also enjoy it.” – 5 Stars, Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers’ Favorite “In Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows, J.M. Bergen has created a marvelous fantasy/sci-fi story for children and teens. With all the qualities a great book should have, the story holds your interest and offers a pleasing blend of legend and modern-day problems. Thomas must choose between good and evil… and accept the consequences of his actions. J.M. Bergen provides a wonderful tale that anyone can enjoy.” – 5 Stars, Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers’ Favorite
 “Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J.M Bergen is a stunning fantasy novel… The book was very descriptive and incredibly well written. The plot was intriguing and well thought through … This book will entertain readers of all ages. I would definitely recommend this book.” – 5 Stars, Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers’ Favorite

I am such a slacker and need to read faster! This book was recently release and I was hoping to have a review up for its release - alas life happens.

Thomas Wildus is about a boy whose father is no longer around, but who instilled this belief in Thomas that magic is real. Thomas has been searching for evidence of this from bookshop to bookshop his whole 12 years, this year though, he stumbles upon a bookstore and a book that just might make his dreams come true.

The book is the first in a series about a world of magic and a struggle between good and evil forces, not unlike a lot of books on the market. However this one was still very fun and engaging. The first half of the plot was a build up, Thomas reading The Book of Sorrows and learning about magic and what was out there. The second half was more of the adventure you find in a fantasy novel. There was good build up in the first half though, questions with just enough of an answer to keep pushing the reader through. I really enjoyed this plot line and the fantasy parts of the book. The lead into the magic and fantasy aspects were very well done, there was just enough mystery to it to keep my attention. 

Thomas, the main character, was perfectly written for his age (and I have brothers this age so I have good case studies). He was realistic - he had school issues and fun, had an after school activity that he was involved in and he had to spend some time at home alone because a parent worked. It was all very real, except for the fantasy elements thrown in, so it really did well as a normal boys gains magic book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and the story was very interesting. While the boy meets magic theme is a common one, I think this book did very well with it and it adds another good story into the genre. This is also the start to what seems to be a new series, so if you are looking for a new MG/YA Fantasy series this may be a fun one to pick up.


About the Author

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…

J.M. Bergen graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in creative writing and a minor in business. Over the years his writing has appeared in a variety of publications under a variety of pen names, and though his favorite stories are about magic and adventure, his best-known work to date has been non-fiction.

J.M.’s debut series originally started as a bedtime story for his oldest son. The story turned into a saga, and one book turned into five. The first book in the series, Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows, is scheduled for release in February 2019. The second, Thomas Wildus and The Wizard of Sumeria, will be published in late 2019, with the remainder of the series released before the end of 2021.

When J.M. isn’t working on the Thomas Wildus books, you can find him playing with his kids, splashing in the ocean, or dreaming up new adventures. If you ever meet him and can’t think of anything to talk about, you might ask about Herman the Shark, the Kai and Eli stories, or why Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip is his all-time favorite book. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ll have questions and stories of your own (if you do, he’ll think that’s far more interesting). To learn more, visit www.jmbergen.com. 

Readers can connect with J.M. Bergen on Facebook and Goodreads.