Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Raven God
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Wendy Alane Adams
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://alaneadams.com/
CITY: Orange
STATE: CA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Children: three sons, including Alex.
EDUCATION:University of Southern California, B.S., 1983; Norwich University, M.A., 2011.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Deloitte & Touche, assistant accountant, 1983-85; Adams Steel, chief financial officer, 1986-2007; SA Recycling, executive vice president, 2007-08; Rise Up Foundation, Orange, CA, founder and owner, 2008–. Alane Adams Studios, founder and owner, 2014–. Chapman University, adjunct professor, 2010-15.
AVOCATIONS:Hiking.
MEMBER:International Reading Association, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Literacy Research Association, California Reading Association.
AWARDS:International Beverly Hills Book Award, best juvenile fiction, Smarketing LLC, Silver Medal, Benjamin Franklin Awards, best new voice in children’s-young adult category, Independent Book Publishers Association, USA Best Book Award, best children’s fiction, USA Book News, and Gold Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, best chapter book series, Jenkins Group and IndependentPublisher.com, 2017, all for The Red Sun; Bronze Medal, picture book category, IPPY Awards, Independent Publisher Book Awards, and Silver Medal, picture book category, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, both for The Coal Thief; USA Best Book Award, best children’s fiction, Gold Medal, Benjamin Franklin Awards, best young reader category, 2017, and Gold Medal, best chapter book series, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, 2017, all for Kalifus Rising; Gold Medal, best chapter book series, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, 2017, for The Raven God; Gold Medal, holiday category, IPPY Awards, and Spark Award for excellence in independent publishing for children, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, both for The Santa Thief.
WRITINGS
Developer of the interactive game “BattleKasters,” Alane Adams Studios, 2015.
SIDELIGHTS
When Alane Adams published her first novel in 2015, the event marked the beginning of her third career. For more than twenty years, she used her accounting expertise to transform her family’s small metals recycling business into a major West Coast metal processing firm. She retired from SA Recycling in 2008 and, one day later, created the Rise Up Foundation.
Adams had grown increasingly concerned for the well-being of families and especially children, first in her Southern California community and then around the globe. She went back to college, earned a graduate degree in diplomacy, and took part in UNICEF field trips to schools in developing countries. Adams observed the impact of poverty and the need for vast improvements in health and medicine, education, and equality of opportunity. For her, the common denominator was literacy, and she committed the resources of her foundation to providing schoolchildren with books and teachers with instructional resources. Adams began to teach university classes in social entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Her mission became personal when her own son asked her to write something that he could read.
Legends of Orkney
Adams’s third career began with the “Legends of Orkney” trilogy. Her son was a fan of the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by author Rick Riordan. Adams also enjoyed “books based on mythology,” according to her website, but that was not enough. She chose the less familiar pantheon of Norse mythology and amplified it with tales from Scandinavian folklore and the Umatilla Native American tradition of the Pacific Northwest, embedding all of it in an ethereal setting modeled after the wild Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland.
The author anchored her young protagonist Sam Baron in the real hometown of Pilot Rock, Oregon, and imbued him with a set of negative emotions that he must harness in order to succeed. “The arc of the story has Sam going to and returning from the dark side of himself,” she told Danielle Zimmerman in a long interview posted at Hypable. She added a cast of magical and supernatural creatures and three loyal friends whose lives depend on Sam–and vice versa.
The Red Sun introduces Sam as a typical twelve-year-old boy living with his single mother after his father abandoned them. A magical dwarf and a mysterious English teacher inform him that his mother is a witch and his father is the embodiment of the god Odin. Sam’s father is trapped in a stone in the magical land of Orkney, and Sam must free him before an ancient curse stains the entire Orkadian sun with the color of blood. A witch has kidnapped his best friends and trapped them on Orkney. Sam’s temper is his worst enemy: every angry outburst adds new stains to the dying sun. Time is running out, and Sam must master his newfound magic or lose both his mythical homeland and his friends.
In Kalifus Rising, Sam’s friends have a chance to return the favor. Sam has fallen under the spell of the witch Catriona, whose father was killed by Odin. The spell enables her to transform the boy into the persona of her servant Kalifus and use his power to kill Odin and avenge her father’s death. Odin counters the threat by luring Sam’s earthly friends to Orkney and sending them on a three-pronged quest to rescue their friend from the clutches of evil. Keeley must find the mystical Moon Pearl. Howie must prepare for the arrival of Catriona’s army, under the command of the enchanted Kalifus. Leo must use his Umatilla traditions to penetrate the underworld, where he discovers an even greater evil than Catriona.
The Raven God reveals that the loyal trio has succeeded. Sam survives, albeit wracked with guilt over his part in the death of Odin. Odin languishes in the underworld, offering the teen a chance at atonement. The ancient feud between Odin and the trickster Loki threatens to destroy Orkney, still fragile from the ravages of the red sun and the army of Kalifus. On the horizon is a battle of epic proportions, involving Sam’s dedicated friends and literally dozens of magical and not-so-magical allies–so many that multiple critics cited the need for a comprehensive glossary of people, places, and affiliations. Sam’s journey to redemption is only one of several overlapping adventures that the reader will encounter.
“The Legends of Orkney” won the hearts of many critics. In a review of The Red Sun at Reviewer’s Bookwatch, Julie Summers wrote: “Exceptionally well written, The Red Sun introduces author Alane Adams as a major and imaginative storytelling talent.” Clarion Reviews contributor Pallas Gates McCorquodale suggested that “young teens may relate to the roller coaster of emotions that plague Sam, and the idea of falling short of expectations but rising up to try again.” Donna L. Phillips commended Kalifus Rising in Voice of Youth Advocates: “Familiar fantasy tropes propel the four plot lines, but Adams keeps up the pace.” In Clarion Reviews, McCorquodale commented that “the foursome are faced with harsh lessons in courage, sacrifice, forgiveness, and of course, the bonds of friendship and family.” She pointed to “strong female leads, both heroic and villainous.” McCorquodale described The Raven God as “a fantasy-filled tale of courage and redemption, revenge and remorse” filled with “a treasure trove of enchanted objects, dark and light magic, mystical beasts, Valkyries, mermen, and mermaids to spark the imagination.”
The Adventures of Georgie the Thief
Adams reached out to younger readers with a series of picture books based on her father’s memories of a rural Pennsylvania childhood during the Great Depression. The titular thief faces an array of ethical issues in the face of dire poverty. In The Coal Thief, he is very cold. A friend persuades him to steal some coal from a passing train, then abandons him to face the music. Georgie’s understanding father counsels him on the morality of stealing, then helps the boy find a generous use for the spoils of his raid. A Kirkus Reviews Online contributor called The Coal Thief “a beautifully illustrated, realistic slice of history with a likable, repentant thief as its hero.”
Subsequent episodes generated similar endorsements. The Egg Thief features two thieves. When Georgie discovers that a stray dog has raided the family chicken barn and eaten the eggs he was supposed to collect, he tries to protect the dog by replacing the eggs. This leads him to another henhouse, where he is caught stealing an elderly neighbor’s eggs. The kindly widow offers him a deal: help her gather the eggs, and he can keep half for himself and his family. In The Santa Thief, Georgie learns that hard times might prevent Santa from replacing his outgrown ice skates. In the dark of night, he “borrows” various household objects to sew a makeshift Santa suit and craft little gifts for his parents. His reward, aside from the warm feeling in his heart, is the magical appearance of the ice skates, not from Santa, but from his loving parents. Georgie’s next adventure takes him to the circus, where he might be able to save a runaway horse from the work farm.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Clarion Reviews, July 29, 2014, Pallas Gates McCorquodale, review of The Red Sun; August 4, 2014, Catherine Thureson, The Moon Pearl; February 18, 2016, Kelly Thunstrom, review of The Coal Thief; October 13, 2016, Pallas Gates McCorquodale, review of Kalifus Rising; February 13, 2017, Rachel Jagareski, review of The Egg Thief; July 14, 2017, Pallas Gates McCorquodale, review of The Raven God.
Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2016, review of The Egg Thief; September 1, 2017, review of The Santa Thief; October 15, 2017, review of The Raven God.
Reviewer’s Bookwatch, November, 2014, Julie Summers, review of The Red Sun.
School Library Journal, September, 2015, Brandy Danner, review of The Red Sun, p. 156; October, 2017, Evu Mitnick, review of The Santa Thief, p. 62.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2016, Donna L. Phillips, review of Kalifus Rising, p. 72.
ONLINE
Alane Adams Website, https://alaneadams.com (June 19, 2018).
Foreword Reviews Online, https://www.forewordreviews.com/ (February 18, 2016), Kelly Thunstrom, review of The Coal Thief; (July 14, 2017), Pallas Gates McCorquodale, review of The Raven God.
Hypable, https://www.hypable.com/ (September 8, 2016), Karen Rought, review of Kalifus Rising.
Kirkus Reviews Online, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (March 3, 2016), review of The Coal Thief; (September 16, 2016), review of Kalifus Rising.
Rise Up Foundation, http://www.riseupfoundation.org/ (June 19, 2018), author profile.
Violeta Nicola Website, https://violetanicola.ro/ (July 10, 2017), author interview.
ABOUT ALANE
The Inner World of Alane Adams
Alane_Adams_2_miniI grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. For college, I attended the University of Southern California where I wanted to be an English major, but my family convinced me to become an accountant so I could help run a family business. I spent the next few decades trying to get back to writing instead of balancing budgets. After leaving the family business in 2008, I started a foundation focusing on global poverty issues, particularly their effect of children. I pursued a Masters Degree in Diplomacy and took several field visits with UNICEF, visiting schools around the world. After seeing the importance of education and literacy in the battle to end extreme poverty, I began to shift the focus of my foundation to improving and supporting literacy efforts. In 2009 I was invited to teach a course on social entrepreneurship at Chapman University and joined the full-time faculty for the next five years. Along the way, my passion for literacy and children came together when my 12-year-old son Alex challenged me to write a book he could read. I began writing the Legends of Orkney book series and haven’t stopped writing since that day. My picture book The Coal Thief is based on stories from my father’s life growing up in Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. I have a new picture book titled The Circus Thief that will be available this November, and the first book in a spinoff of the Legends of Orkney series, The Blue Witch, will be available this October.
Having been an avid reader my entire life,<< books based on mythology>> have always fascinated me the most. I think it’s the idea of magic and the unlimited potential behind the surreal. Building an entirely new world like the fantastical realm of Orkney in my series has been a wonderful challenge. When I think of stories that don’t involve some element of magic it feels dry and boring. I love characters that are deeply flawed and full of emotions like anger and frustration and a burning desire to understand why it is they are so flawed. There are so many wonderful writers out there that entertain children and adults alike, but my all-time favorite book is River God by Wilbur Smith because it tells such a powerful story of life in ancient Egypt and you can’t help but be swept back to that time and place.
When I’m not writing or teaching, I’m out hiking somewhere in the world or hanging out with my three boys who are my greatest joy. Thank you for visiting my page. I hope you enjoy reading these books as much as I enjoyed writing them for you.
To learn more about my foundation visit: www.riseupfoundation.org.
– Alane Adams
Alane is proud to be a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the International Reading Association, The Literacy Research Association, and the California Reading Association.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
Awards
The Santa THief -
IPPY Awards Gold Medal winner in the Holiday category
Winner of SCBWI’s Spark Award for Excellence in Independent Publishing for Children
The Coal Thief
IPPY Awards Bronze Medal Picture Books
Moonbeam Children’s Awards Silver Medal Picture Books
The Red Sun
Beverly Hills Book Award Winner: Best Juvenile Fiction
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Silver Medal: Best New Voice Children’s/Young Adult
Readers Favorite Awards Children Preteen – Silver Medal Winner
USA Book Awards: Best Cover Design
USA Book Awards: Best Children’s Fiction
2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal: Best Book Series – Chapter Book
Kalifus Rising
Winner, Best Children’s Fiction, USA Best Book Awards
Gold Winner, Best Young Reader, 2017 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award
Gold Winner, Best Cover Design, 2017 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award
Gold Medal, Best Book Series – Chapter Book, 2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
The Raven God
2017 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal: Best Book Series – Chapter Book
New Books:
The Circus Thief, 2018;
The Blue Witch, 2018.
Wendy Alane Adams
Home > Staff > Wendy Alane Adams
Wendy Alane Adams
Founder
Founder
+ 1 (714) 538-1070
I started the Rise Up Foundation in 2008 as a way to use my time, experience and resources to help individuals and organizations rise above their circumstances to actualize their full potential. I’ve worn many hats in my career: Certified Public Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, Professor, and most recently Author under the pen name Alane Adams.
It seems like eons ago that I graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After obtaining my Certified Public Accounting license, I became Chief Financial Officer of a family metals recycling business. Alongside my siblings, I oversaw the growth and success of the business as it transformed from a small family business to SA Recycling LLC, one of the largest and most successful regional metal processing firms on the West Coast. I founded Rise Up Foundation the day after I retired from this business in 2008. In 2010 I received my Masters Degree in Diplomacy so I could better understand the endemic global challenges we face.
I’ve spent my life being active in community service and philanthropy, but the overarching thrust of my efforts has been on organizations and initiatives that help families and children. I was fortunate to participate in several field visits with UNICEF, the world’s leading advocate for children. I was able to witness firsthand in Angola, Laos, and Nepal, the power of vaccines, education, gender equality, and the right to access clean water. I’ve travelled all over the world looking at humanitarian projects, microfinance initiatives and studied the role advocacy and awareness plays in creating long term sustainable change. My passion for understanding social impact led me to join the faculty at Chapman University in 2009 and develop and teach a course on Social Entrepreneurship. I’ve also taught over 1,000 students how to be literate in financial accounting.
My experiences in studying global poverty and visiting schools in developing countries around the world as well as here in the US has led me to zero in on literacy as a key indicator for future success. This focus joined with my lifetime interest in writing and a request from my son to “write something he could read” led to the ongoing development of children’s book series written under the pen name Alane Adams. Today, I’m proud to say the Rise Up Foundation is busier than ever supporting teacher’s efforts to improve literacy in the classroom. Rise Up is proud to help provide teachers with the resources they need to do the job right. In addition, we are proud to distribute new books to classrooms across the country to provide children with books they are excited to read. At Rise Up, we are constantly evolving and thinking of new ways to impact the lives of children.
I hope my own efforts will inspire others to make a difference in children’s lives by finding was they can devote themselves to enhancing children’s lives, here in our own country and also worldwide!
Wendy
Linked In
Writing under the pen name, Alane Adams, Adams authored the award-winning novels, THE RED SUN, KALIFUS RISING and THE RAVEN GOD, her three-novel LEGENDS OF ORKNEY series of tween fantasy novels drawing on Norse mythology. Alane is also the author of a historical picture book series, THE COAL THIEF, THE EGG THIEF, and in 2017, THE SANTA THIEF. Alane also created BATTLEKASTERS, a mobile-game extension of her Legends of Orkney series.
Adams earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California, as well as her Certified Public Accounting license. After spending two years in public accounting in New York, she returned to partner in her family business. Over two decades, she helped build one of the largest metals recycling companies on the West Coast, before leaving to pursue her teaching and writing career.
At Chapman University, she developed a popular course on social entrepreneurship. Adams also found her calling as a social entrepreneur through her foundation, Rise Up. She has been active with humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, focusing on projects that impact the lives of impoverished children. Adams has visited UNICEF programs in countries such as Laos, Angola, and Nepal, seeing firsthand the effort required to make lasting change. Currently, she focuses her efforts on supporting literacy programs and has donated thousands of books to classrooms in need across the USA.
Adams obtained her Masters of Arts Degree in Diplomacy, focusing on the global causes of endemic poverty. Her areas of expertise include microfinance, social impact, entrepreneurship, and creating successful family businesses. She has hiked all over the world including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and trekking through Peru, Slovenia, and the Canadian Rockies. Her success as a female entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, professor, and mother of three boys makes her an inspirational icon for women in entrepreneurial and creative industries.
Experience
Founder
Company Name Alane Adams Studios
Dates Employed Nov 2014 – Present
Employment Duration 3 yrs 7 mos
Location Orange, CA
A believer in the power of transmedia storytelling, Adams founded Alane Adams Studios to create more interactive, immersive experiences for readers of her books. Alane Adams Studios' first project, BattleKasters is a spell-casting adventure. The downloadable mobile game, an extension of Adams’ Norse mythology-based Legends of Orkney™ book series, turns live events into dynamic game boards. During 2015, Battlekasters debuted at Emerald City ComicCon, then toured C2E2, Denver ComicCon, ComicCon International San Diego, Indy GenCon, Seattle PAX Prime, and Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo.
For 2016, Alane is focusing on bringing Battlekasters to schools and libraries across the country, delivering her powerful inspirational message to kids about "Reading Is A Superpower!" and engaging them by playing Battlekasters at their schools or library.
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Founder
Company Name Rise Up Foundation
Dates Employed Aug 2008 – Present
Employment Duration 9 yrs 10 mos
Adams established the Rise Up Foundation in order to respond to the ongoing needs of families and children living in poverty and difficult circumstances. The Rise Up Foundation focuses on creating collaborations to empower people to make lasting changes in their lives with a special emphasis on improving literacy in children.
After retiring from a successful career in the metals recycling industry, Adams started the Rise Up Foundation to enable her to use her time, experience and resources to help individuals and organizations rise above their circumstances to actualize their full potential.
Adams has spent her life being active in broad and varied community service and philanthropy, but the overarching thrust of her efforts has been on organizations and initiatives that help families and children. Currently, the Rise Up Foundation focuses its efforts on providing books and other literacy-based resources to classrooms and libraries across the country.
.....
Adjunct Professor
Company Name Chapman University
Dates Employed Feb 2010 – Jan 2015
Employment Duration 5 yrs
In September 2009, Ms. Adams was asked to develop and teach a course on Social Entrepreneurship for Chapman University, combining Ms. Adams life-long experience as an entrepreneur with her passion for implementing social change. In the Fall of 2010, Adams joined the full-time faculty of Chapman, adding Financial Accounting to her course load. To date, Ms. Adams has instructed over 1,200 students on financial literacy and how to use their business skills to create social impact.After four years of full-time instruction, Adams moved to an Adjunct Faculty position and teaches as her schedule permits.
•
Executive Vice President
Company Name SA Recycling
Dates Employed Aug 2007 – Aug 2008
Employment Duration 1 yr 1 mo
After Ms. Adams obtained her Certified Public Accounting license in 1986, she became Chief Financial Officer of Adams Steel where she spent twenty years overseeing the growth of the business as it transformed from a small family business to SA Recycling LLC, one of the largest and most successful regional metal processing firms on the West Coast. During her corporate career, Ms. Adams served on several community and national non-profit boards with an emphasis on global poverty issues.
Media (1)
•
Chief Financial Officer
Company Name Adams Steel
Dates Employed May 1986 – Aug 2007
Employment Duration 21 yrs 4 mos
•
Assistant Accountant
Company Name Deloitte & Touche
Dates Employed Sep 1983 – Aug 1985
Employment Duration 2 yrs
Education
•
University of Southern California
Degree Name BS
Field Of Study Business Administration
Dates attended or expected graduation 1979 – 1983
•
Norwich University
Degree Name Master of Diplomacy
Field Of Study International Relations and Affairs
Dates attended or expected graduation 2010 – 2011
Accomplishments
Wendy Alane has 14 honors 14
Honors & Awards
• The Santa Thief Awarded 2017 Spark Award-Illustrated Books
• The Santa Thief Chosen Winner Best Picture Book Hardcover
• Legends of Orkney Series Wins Gold!
• Kalifus Rising named Winner-Best Children's/Juvenile Fiction
• Gold Medal Winner Juvenile Fiction & Cover Design
• Winner Best Children's Book 2016 USA Best Books Awards
• FINALIST 2016 International Book Awards
• Winner Best Children's Book 2015 USA Book Awards
• Silver Medalist Best Picture Book
• Silver Medalist Children Preteen Category Readers Favorite
Wendy Alane has 1 certification 1
Certification
• Certified Public Accountant-Inactive
WRITTEN BY DANIELLE ZIMMERMAN | EDITED BY KAREN ROUGHT | 12:30 PM EDT, MAY 11, 2015
Alane Adams discusses ‘The Red Sun’ and her genius plan to get kids to read
Adams discusses world-building, how Chris Hemsworth 'ruined' Thor, and more!
BOOKSFEATURES
We were lucky enough to interview author Alane Adams at C2E2 about the origins of her new Legends of Orkney series, how she created the world’s hybrid mythology, and the creation of BattleKasters (the exciting mobile game that accompanies the series).
Alane Adams is the brilliant mind behind the upcoming Legends of Orkney series. The first book, The Red Sun, introduces Sam, a seemingly normal 12-year-old kid. However, when his friends are kidnapped and taken through a portal to Orkney, a distant realm, Sam embarks on the biggest adventure of his life. He has to choose between saving his friends and saving Orkney from a terrible, sun-poisoning curse that could destroy them all.
Related: Cover Reveal: The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan
The inspiration for ‘The Legends of Orkney’
Alane Adams didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “My son, when he was 12, said, ‘Mom, you should write me a book that I can read,'” Adams recalls fondly. She decided then to create a series about a 12-year-old boy and started asking her son questions about what he liked and what he would like to read about.
From there, Adams dove into creating the world of the book. “[My son’s] favorite series was the Rick Riordan Percy Jackson series,” Adams explains, “and so I looked at it and said, ‘Rick, darling, you stole all of the good Greek gods so let me try a different approach here.'” She looked beyond Greek and Roman mythology and instead settled on Norse mythology because it has a lot of interesting elements to it, including the almighty Odin and the Yggdrasil tree. Of course, one of the things people always ask Adams is if she included Thor, to which she responds, “[Chris] Hemsworth ruined it! He’s so gorgeous! How could you ever top that? So, no Thor in my stories.” Fair enough!
Making Norse mythology her own
After settling on Norse mythology, Adams then went to work on giving it her own kind of spin. She focused on using the mythology in new ways as well as connecting it with other mythologies and supernatural tales. While vampires and other creatures have been done before, Adams realized she hadn’t seen all that much on witches. More specifically, she had never really encountered boy witches.
“We always think of warlocks [when we think of males and witchcraft],” Adams explains. “So I came up with this idea that, in my story, there were no male witches because Odin had cursed [witches] never to have sons.” Why? Because the last male witch was so incredibly evil and selfish that he cursed the sun because he wanted to be more powerful than a god. It’s this idea of male witches that not only gives the story an interesting sort of hybrid mythology and feel to it, but that also sets the tale’s events in motion.
In addition to writing new versions of mythological figures like Odin and creating a new sort of mythology, she adapted actual locations (that have a history in myth) for her story. Her magical realm of Orkney is based on the Orkney Islands that exist off of the coast of Scotland. They’re rich in Norse mythology as well as Arthurian tales and some witch mythology.
Adams wanted to have elements in her book that are grounded in reality while also fantastic in some way. Before Sam even learns about Orkney, we begin his story in his hometown of Pilot Rock, Oregon. Pilot Rock is notable for a giant boulder that’s actually a compass rock (or beacon). When settlers came across it on the Oregon trail, they would either turn left to get to California or go right to go to Oregon. So then, when coming up with the story, it made sense to have that rock become a portal to travel between the realms.
Sam’s ‘dark side’ origins
Believe it or not, Sam’s character rose from Adams’ son’s love of Anakin Skywalker. “It’s really interesting,” Adams explains, “because my son is the sweetest boy in the world but he loves Star Wars. He loves Anakin. He loves movie three when he goes full on to the Dark Side.” Villains and flawed people are the kinds of characters her son gravitates toward. With this in mind, Adams created Sam as a character with anger issues and a “real dark core to him” but who also wants to do the right thing.
Sam’s anger stems from his father abandoning him and his mother, as well as constantly being lied to. He’s a good guy, but he’s trapped in this decision to either save his friends or a world he doesn’t feel a connection to. His predicament, of course, worsens his anger, but his anger affects more than just himself. As Alane Adams describes it, “Every time he loses his temper, the sun gets worse… and it kills the fish, kills the animals, and just spreads a poison over the land.”
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How BattleKasters came to life
As she has mentioned previously, Alane Adams’ son is one of the biggest inspirations for the Orkney universe. After finishing the books she wrote for him, Adams noticed that her son, now 15-years-old, constantly walks around playing games on his phone all day. When she started looking at the meta data driving traffic to her book and her site, something clicked that made her realize a digital mobile experience would be a great way to draw people to her story and this new world she has created.
“As I was developing the series, this idea for developing the game kind of came out of that and I said, ‘Why not?'” Adams recalls. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to develop a mobile game where kids could learn about the world, get curious about the characters, engage in the story, and then want to read the book. She’s tried coming at kids from so many angles to get them to read, but when they hear there’s a game for this series and they see the artwork for it, they’re into it. “My goal,” she says, “is to get them to read the book cover to cover, and then the next book and the next book.” The game is a way of enticing people who don’t normally enjoy reading to pick up the book.
Adams was driven to get going on the idea of a mobile game from the start. “I met with a lot of game designers and I settled on Artifact because of their unique group of talent,” she says. She can’t praise Artifact enough for their vision and understanding of her idea. Artifact’s most notable team member is Brent Friedman, who is known for his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the Halo 4 story, as well as his affinity for storytelling and world-building.
Brent and his team have gone through the book and picked out the elements that gave the biggest picture of the story as well as the most interesting images. Alane deferred to their opinions and trusted them to bring the world to life. “So far, I haven’t been disappointed in anything,” she says happily. In fact, their rendering of the Yggdrasil tree especially made her say, “I want that!”
How the game will draw people to the book
While BattleKasters does make some sense if you haven’t read the book, you won’t get the full experience without doing so. In fact, you can answer some questions without reading The Red Sun, but others are harder to do so unless you constantly guess.
The beauty of the game, though, is that the questions are provocative enough that they drive people to want to pick up the book. For instance, they could get a question like, “What kind of creature is this?” and, though they won’t know the answer, the drawings of the creature are so interesting it will drive the player to want to find out more. Putting in wisdom questions like that really help get people interested in the full story.
Another way the game attempts to draw players to the book is by using actual images and characters from the story. Adams explains, “The cards in the game introduce the characters so you kind of know them a little bit and get familiar with them… and it helps build the imagination.” It’s that imagination and mystique that drives people to want more and hook them.
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BattleKasters
@BattleKasters
Which set of cards do you need to cast the stonefire spell? #C2E2 #BattleKasters @meetmixby
12:03 PM - Apr 26, 2015
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Did the game in any way effect the way that Adams was writing the book?
Though it was created after the first draft of The Red Sun, BattleKasters did have a bit of an impact on Alane Adams’ writing. As she puts it, “The game development simply prompted a bigger look at the book.” After finishing the first draft and spending some time thinking about the game’s creation, she went back and added more perspectives, more points of view, and more scenes so that all of the characters could really come to life in the story. Both the game and Brent Friedman helped her to open up the world and develop each of the characters, not just the main character.
“The game helped me expand the point of view,” Adams says. “It didn’t change it; it just opened it up and made it more diverse so that the readers could engage with more characters.” When you’re in the point of view of one character, you don’t really see a lot of what’s going on with the characters around them. You only see what that one character sees and experiences. Multiple points of view allow the story to breathe a lot more life into other characters that play larger roles in books two and three.
So what’s next?
“As soon as I finished [the first book],” Adams recalls, “you can guess the first thing my son said to me: ‘When are you going to write the next one?'” Her son liked it so much that he read it in just three days! So, she sat down and finished the other two books in the trilogy. After that, she wasn’t planning on writing any more for the series. But, after a year, the urge started to return. Currently, she has the next three books plotted out.
As for the upcoming trilogy, Alane quips, “If I had my way I’d just print them all out right now!” Alas, she (and the rest of us) have to wait a year between each book. Alane and her publisher are editing the second book right now and are eagerly awaiting The Red Sun to come out.
To find out more about The Red Sun and the exciting upcoming BattleKasters game, be sure to visit Alane Adams’ website and LegendsofOrkney.com.
Interview with Alane Adams
10 JULY 2017
Alane Adams grew up in an old Quaker town called Whittier in Southern California. After spending the next few decades helping to build one of the largest recycling companies on the West Coast, Alane left the family business behind to pursue her writing career. Before launching into writing full-time, Alane began teaching full-time at a local university. Finally, the Legends of Orkney series was born when her then 12-year-old son challenged Alane to write a book he could read. She hasn’t stopped writing since that day.
1. How do you get inspiration ?
Inspiration flows when you open yourself to channeling it. All it takes is the desire to create something and a willingness to invest the time and tap into that imagination that is responsible for the raw output.
2.What first inspired you to write ?
I have always aspired to be an author, but a few years ago, my 12 year old son asked me to write him something he could read and that was the trigger to give me the courage to write the Legends of Orkney series.
3.How do people react when you tell them you’re an author ?
Most people say “I’ve always wanted to write a book!”.
4.Which authors inspire you ?
I am in awe of the world building that Sarah J. Maas does in her books. She has this power to create relationships that make the reader feel so deeply. I am also a big fan of Leigh Bardugo and her Grisha world.
5.What is the best book you have read recently ?
A Court of Mist and Fury nearly wrecked me! And then Empire of Storms???? When Celeana is in that box…..
6.What did you research for your series ?
My series are mythology based so I spent a lot of time reading up on mythology searching for kernels of inspiration. For example, in The Red Sun, I wrote a scene where Sam is facing a giant squid, and I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if he had a magical spear, and then I remembered reading about the Gungnir spear that always comes when you call it. I went back and inserted it into the story and it became a key piece in the book.
7.What inspired you to write fantasy ?
It’s what I like to read.
8.Where did the idea of your upcoming book came from ?
The third book in the series The Raven God is probably the most fun one in the trilogy! I wanted to feature Loki in a way that made us look deeper into what made up his relationship with Odin and also bring resolution to the character’s journeys.
9.Do you read all of your book reviews and how do you react to them ?
I try to avoid reading them! I really appreciate people who take the time to write them and they are absolutely essential for Amazon placement. But words can so easily shape your outlook and sense of confidence either positive or negative. I rely more on the feedback I get from my Instagram followers and the kids I interact with face to face at schools I visit.
10.What other authors are you friends with and how did that help you with your writing ?
Authors are pretty solitary people! I don’t have many author friends but after attending Book Expo I was able to connect with a few other authors from my publishing firm. It’s nice to share your experiences and help others on their journey.
11.What is your best memory as a writer ?
Seeing the look on my son’s face when he read the home-made copy of The Red Sun for the first time. Second best would be winning my first award.
12.What are your favorite under appreciated novels ?
Hmm…that’s a tough one! I read so much popular YA/MG that I can’t think of one!
13.Do you believe in writer’s block ?
Absolutely not! There is only lack of preparation and fear. For example, if you don’t know anything about mythology but decide to write a book that’s closely tied, how would you think of words if you had no inventory of ideas and a sense of the world? Fear of not measuring up is one of the biggest blocks to writers-they get in their own head and start thinking that what they are writing isn’t any good—which it might not be but it can’t get better unless it is first written. Creating and editing are two different skills.
14.Do you have anything to say to your readers ?
Read everything you can. It’s good to diversify your taste in books to discover new ideas and ways of thinking.
15.Anything else you want to say about the new book ?
The Raven God is a fast fun ride that is filled with magical flying ships, a fearsome army of red giants, and plenty of mayhem and magical mishaps to entertain the most discerning reader!
16.Can you describe your upcoming book in three words ?
A funrollercoasterrideof adventure!
17.What is one of your favorite quotes ?
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
–Stephen King
Thank you so much to the wonderful Alane Adams for helping me with this interview. It was so much fun finding about about the process of writing the Legends of Orkney series and about Alane . If you want to check her out and her books , use the links down below :
Her Site
Goodreads
Book Depository
Amazon
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Print Marked Items
Adams, Alane: THE RAVEN GOD
Kirkus Reviews.
(Oct. 15, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Adams, Alane THE RAVEN GOD SparkPress (Indie Fiction) $16.95 9, 12 ISBN: 978-1-943006-36-6
Sam and his brave friends must rally to defend Orkney in the final installment of Adams' (The Red Sun,
2015, etc.) YAfantasy series.
Thirteen-year-old Samhas settled into his "witch-boy" life in Orkney, still wracked with guilt that he killed
his father, the powerful god Odin, while under the sway of another. When Odin's wife, Queen Frigga,
appears, she carries the message that Odin is in the dangerous underworld and that he must be found--fast.
His death has torn the veil protecting Orkney, and the mischief-maker Loki is stirring up civil war in a plot
to seek revenge on Odin for cursing his wife and children. But the quest will not be easy: Sam will need his
imp friend, Mavery; the spunky witch, Perrin; and his friends Leo, Howie, and Keelyif he's going to accept
the challenge. As Orkney prepares for an attack from Surt, lord of the fire world, Sam is given a toy ship
that holds more magic than it appears; meanwhile, Keely must convince a king that his people need not go
to war, while Howie finds ways to be clever as he stays behind to defend Orkney. The shape-shifting Loki
impedes them at every turn, and Sam will be asked to make sacrifices, test his memory, and, above all,
forgive himself ("I'm just a kid who found himself making all kinds of mistakes before he figured out who
he was"). The overarching feud between Odin and Loki makes a nice framework for a novel that sprawls
across multiple worlds, characters, and adventures. Witty dialogue keeps the story buoyant, and there's also
thoughtful worldbuilding, with every colorful setting making the fictional universe more fully realized.
There's also no shortage of captivating magic, from spells to powerful pendants, as well as a variety of
mythical creatures. More than 20 characters appear in the first 50 pages, though, so readers should tackle
the first two novels in the trilogy first--especially if they want to savor the emotionally tender ending.
A fast-paced, satisfying capper to a trilogy that's sure to enchant fans of adventure-driven fantasy.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Adams, Alane: THE RAVEN GOD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A509243930/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e483fc77.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A509243930
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Adams, Alane: THE SANTA THIEF
Kirkus Reviews.
(Sept. 1, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Adams, Alane THE SANTA THIEF SparkPress (Children's Fiction) $15.00 11, 7 ISBN: 978-1-940716-86-2
A boy named Georgie secretly makes presents for his parents and surprises them on Christmas morning,
when he receives a surprise gift himself. The setting is rural Pennsylvania in 1929. Georgie, who looks
about 10, has sent a letter to Santa asking for new ice skates, as his are too small, but Georgie's dad tells him
Santa might not be coming to their house that year. On Christmas Eve, Georgie takes his mother's sewing
kit and some of his father's clothes to his room, where he stays up all night making presents and a Santa suit
for himself. On Christmas morning he dresses as Santa and gives his mother a handmade pincushion and his
father a key chain. They surprise Georgie with the skates he wanted, as a gift from them rather than Santa.
This conclusion neatly sidesteps the issue of Georgie's belief in Santa and whether Santa is real. Dark,
rather depressing illustrations establish a moody atmosphere in the house, with effective characterization of
Georgie as a child with both worries and determination. All the characters are white. The title is a
misnomer, as Georgie doesn't really steal anything but simply borrows his mother's sewing kit and his
father's clothing. The cover illustration shows a sad Georgie holding Christmas tree decorations and
wearing a Santa hat, implying he has stolen those decorations. An entertaining story with a plucky main
character, a problem-solver rather than a thief. (Picture book. 4-7)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Adams, Alane: THE SANTA THIEF." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Sept. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502192356/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e061508d.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502192356
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Adams, Alane. Kalifus Rising: Legends of
Orkney, Book 2
Donna L. Phillips
Voice of Youth Advocates.
39.4 (Oct. 2016): p72.
COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 4P * M * J
Adams, Alane. Kalifus Rising: Legends of Orkney, Book 2. SparkPress, 2016. 384p. $16.95 Trade pb. 978-
940716-84-8.
Sam continues the struggle to save the mythic world of Orkney and keep it separate from the muggle world
of Midgard. Witch and villainess Catriona leads the forces of evil to recruit Sam to the dark side and avenge
her father's death at Odin's hands. A descendant of Odin, Sam can destroy the despised god. Odin, however,
has designs of his own. He assigns Sam's friends to epic quests involving unlikely objects that may defeat
the forces of evil--assuming they are not killed first. Brave girl Keely is the Seeker who must find the Moon
Stone of Ymir. Howie is the unlikely Protector of the Realm charged with defending Skara Brae with a
rusty sword and a dented horn. Leo, a Native American, is the Sacrifice. He must recover the Golden Cuff,
which has the power to return the dead to the living. All must complete their quests successfully and return
in the nick of time if Orkney is to be saved.
<
edges of breath-stopping cliffs. She includes enough detours for those beginning with book two. The
characters are cutouts, but ones young readers will enjoy. For the armies of tweens who gobble up mythic
journeys, especially those who read the first installment, The Red Sun (Spark Press, 2015), add this one to
the shelves and make room for the final book set to come out in 2017.--Donna L. Phillips.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Phillips, Donna L. "Adams, Alane. Kalifus Rising: Legends of Orkney, Book 2." Voice of Youth Advocates,
Oct. 2016, p. 72. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A467831143/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=82d68b6c. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A467831143
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Adams, Alane: The Egg Thief
Kirkus Reviews.
(Apr. 1, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Adams, Alane THE EGG THIEF Spark Press (Indie) $15.00 4, 5 ISBN: 978-1-940716-36-7
A boy tries to figure out how to replace some missing eggs in this picture book about community and
family. Georgie feels too sleepy to perform his morning chores, but Mama reminds him the eggs "aren't
going to collect themselves." Georgie ventures out into the ominous clouds and enters the barn only to
discover that the eggs are gone. The culprit? A scruffy-looking dog with perfect puppy-dog eyes and a big
personality. Georgie names the dog, who is ready to help the boy find a solution to the egg problem, Buster.
The dog's first plan involves Georgie stealing some duck eggs; but that ends with the boy in the stream and
still eggless after Buster pulls him out. Buster's next scheme takes Georgie to Widow Kolbach's barn.
Georgie tries to keep Buster from crossing into her yard, but before the boy can get away, Widow Kolbach
spots him. In a surprise twist, the widow needs help in her henhouse, and she allows Georgie to keep half of
the eggs he collects for her. "How'd you know she needed help?" Georgie asks Buster. The sweet tale ends
happily: Georgie not only obtains his eggs (and Buster gets a new home), but the pair also assists someone
who needs an extra hand. Gallegos' wonderful, tonally perfect images expertly capture Buster's moods, from
looking appropriately shamefaced, his tail between his legs and his ears drooping, to feeling perky. The
dog's excitement, inventiveness, and loyalty to Georgie spring off the page. The pair's facial expressions are
also brilliantly executed in the artwork. The story's hint about the importance of kindness resonates,
especially in light of so many recent news reports about bullying. Adams (The Coal Thief, 2015, etc.) uses
challenging, but perfectly appropriate, vocabulary words, like "squelched" for the sound of the mud on
Georgie's boots. The introduction of these words, the small text size, and the historical, rural setting in the
illustrations (Georgie wears knickers; midcalf, lace-up boots; and a newsboy cap) may skew the audience to
confident early elementary readers (grades two and three). A delightful take on the theme of a boy and his
dog, full of detailed--and frequently funny--images and a valuable message about paying attention to the
needs of your neighbors.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Adams, Alane: The Egg Thief." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2016. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A447747733/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e2a892a7.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A447747733
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Adams, Alane. The Santa Thief
Evu Mitnick
School Library Journal.
63.10 (Oct. 2017): p62.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
ADAMS, Alane. The Santa Thief, illus. by Lauren Gallegos. 32p. BookSparks/SparkPress. Nov. 2017. Tr $
15. ISBN 9781940716862.
PreS-Gr 2--On the day before Christmas in 1929, Georgie and his papa go out to the woods to chop down a
tree to decorate, but Georgie isn't looking forward to the holiday the way he usually does. Papa has told him
that times are tough and Santa might not be able to get him new ice skates to replace his old, too-small pair.
Back at home, his mom gently reminds him that Christmas is about doing special things for other people--
and he spends the whole night sewing a Santa suit and making a small gift for each of his parents. To top off
the good feelings, he even receives a new pair of skates after all. The appealing illustrations glow with
lamplight and provide many small details that ground this story in a Pennsylvania farmhouse in the 1920s,
and Georgies dark eyebrows and freckles give him personality. VERDICT A pleasant, if slight, slice-of-life
tale.--Evu Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Mitnick, Evu. "Adams, Alane. The Santa Thief." School Library Journal, Oct. 2017, p. 62. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A507950625/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=4532348a. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A507950625
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Adams, Alane. The Red Sun
Brandy Danner
School Library Journal.
61.9 (Sept. 2015): p156.
COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
ADAMS, Alane. The Red Sun. 346p. (Legends of Orkney: Bk. 1). ebook available.
BookSparks/SparkPress. 2015. Tr $24. ISBN 9781940716268; pap. $17. ISBN 9781940716244; ebk. $9.99.
ISBN 9781940716251.
Gr 7-10--When a dwarf appears in 12-yearold Sam's garage, Sam hardly knows what to make of his story.
Witches are after him? His own mother is a witch, who left Orkney once to protect him? His father is a
descendant of Odin? And now that this dwarf has found Sam, they have to travel back to a strange
otherworld to break the curse of the Red Sun, which is choking out all life in Orkney villages? None of this
makes much sense to the tween, but it's clear that he's in the middle of something big, and doubly so: a
witch kidnaps his two best friends. He has no choice but to rescue his friends, and in doing so he might just
save all of Orkney. Sam will need to choose his allies carefully and avoid the traitors in nearly every race in
the Ninth Realm. What starts out looking like a retread of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series (DisneyHyperion)
quickly becomes its own story, with a darker tone and Norse flair. The protagonist struggles to
understand himself and the sources--and purposes--of his anger and must learn to channel his rage and
energy into breaking an ancient curse and stopping a looming war. This fast-moving adventure--the
beginning of a trilogy--is sure to appease mythology fans who are outgrowing Percy Jackson's antics and
looking for darker, weightier storytelling. VERDICT A great choice for middle school collections.--Brandy
Danner, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA
Danner, Brandy
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Danner, Brandy. "Adams, Alane. The Red Sun." School Library Journal, Sept. 2015, p. 156. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A427423779/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=893d3dae. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A427423779
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The Raven God; The Legends of Orkney
Series
Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Clarion Reviews.
(July 14, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams; THE RAVEN GOD; Sparkpress (Children's: Juvenile Fiction) 16.95 ISBN: 9781943006366
Byline: Pallas Gates McCorquodale
<> Alane Adams's The Raven God
captivates.
Armed with nothing but his wits, his magic, and a temperamental pocket-sized ship, Sam Baron finds
himself once again in the center of a desperate quest to save mankind in The Raven God. Alane Adams
infuses the ancient lore of Norse mythology with fresh new voices in the third Legends of Orkney book,
continuing her exhilarating middle-grade fantasy series.
Thirteen-year-old Sam, aka Son of Odin, is no stranger to championing a lost cause. When an invincible
army of fire giants, aided by a scheming Loki, crosses the veil from the realm of volcanoes, lava, and
bloodthirsty flying boercats and sets its sights on Orkney, the young witch joins forces with old friends and
new allies as they cross oceans, navigate the underworld, and battle ferocious beasts on a journey of
redemption.
Picking up right where the second book in the series left off, Sam and his friends are still reeling from the
events of Kalifus Rising -- in particular, Sam's guilt over his role in the death of Odin. A violent chain
reaction motivates his search for Helheim, underworld of the gods.
From Keely, a half-Eifalian archer, to Howie, a squire training with the Orkadian guard, and numerous
witches, dwarfs, giants, gods, goddesses, and monsters, there are dozens of players involved. While the
scarcity of repetition and backstory will delight fans of the series, those new to the Legends of Orkney or in
need of a refresher might appreciate a glossary of characters, terms, and places for clarity and quick
reference.
In the style of the fractured fairy tale and "other side of the story" motifs, The Raven God offers unique
twists and original perspectives on some of Norse mythology's most infamous names. The tale of Baldur
and the mistletoe, for example, is retold traditionally, whereas creative narrative license is used liberally
with mischief-maker Loki and his children, the giant wolf Fenrir, sea serpent Jormundgand, and half-corpse
daughter Helva.
"We need an epic adventure together!" Howie tells Sam, and while their paths diverge, the action-driven
plot guarantees that they get not just one adventure, but many. There is never a dull moment. Action is aided
by <> and assist or obstruct the questers.
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Despite the perilous exploits, there is still plenty of emotion, heart, and internal rumination. Fighting is
tempered with reflection from the heroes, the villains, and those that emerge in the end as both.
A fantasy-filled tale of courage and redemption, revenge and remorse, The Raven God captivates with
colorful characters and rich Norse legends.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
McCorquodale, Pallas Gates. "The Raven God; The Legends of Orkney Series." Clarion Reviews, 14 July
2017. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A498694060/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=43c0ff76. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A498694060
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The Egg Thief
Rachel Jagareski
Clarion Reviews.
(Feb. 13, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams and Lauren Gallegos (illustrator); THE EGG THIEF; SparkPress (Children's: Picture Books)
15.00 ISBN: 9781940716367
Byline: Rachel Jagareski
This Depression-era tale gently imparts lessons about persistence, honesty, and helping those in need.
Alane Adams's The Egg Thief, the second picture book based on the childhood tales of the author's father,
expertly transmits a sense of place and the universality of moral dilemmas.
In the winter of 1929 in rural Pennsylvania, a young boy named Georgie reluctantly heads out to the barn to
collect eggs as part of his morning chores. When he gets there, the grumpy chickens have nothing for him,
and he is further startled by a giant wolf in the corner. Luckily, the wolf turns out to be merely a scruffy,
starving hound, who has eaten up all the eggs and whom Georgie instantly befriends.
Georgie and his new dog, now dubbed Buster, set out to find replacement eggs to help bolster the likelihood
of Georgie's family adopting the dog. They encounter challenges, both physical and mental, which provide a
jumping-off point for discussions with young readers about how they might handle the situations that
Georgie and Buster face.
Artwork clearly evokes the hardscrabble life of Georgie's town during the Great Depression; little details
like the holes in the boy's boots, the ramshackle fence and roof of a neighbor's home, and the worn wooden
table and floors in Mama's kitchen all provide clues. Illustrator Lauren Gallegos also employs a palette of
muted earth tones that add to the hard times mood, though she tempers these with humorous portraits of
imperious chickens and disgruntled ducks and a sprinkling of pages that feature a bright white background.
The Egg Thief successfully integrates text and images to tell a historical tale and gently impart lessons
about persistence, honesty, and helping those in need.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Jagareski, Rachel. "The Egg Thief." Clarion Reviews, 13 Feb. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A481785558/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=281617c0.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A481785558
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Kalifus Rising
Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Clarion Reviews.
(Oct. 13, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams; KALIFUS RISING; SparkPress (Fiction: Fantasy) 16.95 ISBN: 9781940716848
Byline: Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Combined with <>, the ever growing and changing cast of
characters has something for everyone.
Thirteen-year-old Sam may be known in certain circles as "Samuel Elias Barconian, Lord of the Ninth
Realm, Son of Odin" and "a force to be reckoned with" but he still has a lot to learn about his half-god, halfwitch
heritage. In Kalifus Rising, book two in Alane Adams's fantasy adventure series, Legends of Orkney,
Sam must learn to control the darkness within before it controls him.
Just when he thought he understood what it meant to both be a descendant of the great god Odin and come
from a powerful but evil line of witches, Sam is thrust into the center of a plot that could alter the magical
bonds separating the realm of Orkney from Earth, unleashing unthinkable chaos and violence. Luckily, Sam
is not alone; his three closest friends from back home in Pilot Rock, Oregon, are sent to help out, and <
Saturated with Scandinavian folklore as well as Norse mythology, Orkney is a magical land filled with frost
giants, troll hags, wraiths, and a wealth of other creatures of legend. Well-known names like Odin and Loki
appear next to the more obscure Mimir, god of wisdom, or cow-like Audhumla, and artifacts of old such as
the Horn of Gjall, which calls forth an undead army, and the cursed Sword of Tyrfing round out the
mythological component. Those unfamiliar with Norse mythology would benefit from a glossary of names
and terms due to the sheer volume and variety included in the story, but most are at least briefly explored
within context, so no previous knowledge is necessary to enjoy the unfolding events.
Keely, Leo, and Howie, Sam's friends from Midgard, or Earth, are each quested with an arduous task that
sends them in different directions from the frozen wastelands of the north to dark and dangerous dungeons
and even the underworld, allowing the plot to branch off into four separate alternating story lines. Weak and
uncertain in the beginning, all four must reach deep; profound character growth accompanies the hardhitting
action throughout as the journeys turn personal. The battle scenes and fights are well choreographed
and intense, with themes of bravery, loss, and loyalty prevalent throughout.
Sam's internal struggles and focus on the dark side of his witch heritage are reminiscent of Anakin
Skywalker and will likely appeal to fanboys and fangirls, particularly as he "must face the darkness inside."
Combined with strong female leads, both heroic and villainous, the ever growing and changing cast of
characters has something for everyone.
Fantasy, mythology, a touch of romance, and enough sword fights and battles to appease even the most
action-hungry make Kalifus Rising a well-rounded, solid choice for those craving a new type of adventure.
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Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
McCorquodale, Pallas Gates. "Kalifus Rising." Clarion Reviews, 13 Oct. 2016. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A466821117/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=26733a5d.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
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The Coal Thief
Kelly Thunstrom
Clarion Reviews.
(Feb. 18, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams and Lauren Gallegos (illustrator); THE COAL THIEF; SparkPress (Children's: Picture
Books) 15.00 ISBN: 9781940716275
Byline: Kelly Thunstrom
This beautiful picture book explores themes of right and wrong and is certain to provoke interesting
conversations with children.
Exploring topics such as the history of the coal-mining industry and questions of right and wrong, The Coal
Thief is one of those rare picture books that gives adults a lot to talk about with children. Alane Adams uses
few words and makes each one count, while Lauren Gallegos's beautiful illustrations become just as
important as the writing itself.
The story is set in Girard, Pennsylvania, circa 1929. It is brutally cold, but Georgie's family lacks the coal
they need to warm themselves. Georgie's papa is away for the day fixing a broken rail line.
Georgie's friend Harley shows up with a wheelbarrow and invites Georgie on an adventure to the train
station. The train arriving from Virginia carries special cargo that will make all of their lives warmer for a
while. Harley and Georgie steal some of this precious load, and related decisions, formed with Papa's moral
guidance, make The Coal Thief a very heartwarming story.
The text and illustrations of The Coal Thief work hand in hand, forming a beautifully cohesive project.
Adams wisely chooses to use a sparse writing style, often giving entire pages over to artwork. Such
decisions will allow children to follow along easily and to use their imaginations. It's one thing to read
about a child shivering and is another thing entirely to see a picture of a youngster in a thin, raggedy shirt. A
close-up of Georgie peeking into his potbellied stove, hoping to find a spare piece of coal, is especially
poignant.
This story is called The Coal Thief, so obviously there is some stealing involved. So much can be talked
about with children on each page, but an important theme here is the question of whether stealing is ever
justified, even to help others. These pages provide the ideal opening for such discussions.
A beautiful book in so many ways, The Coal Thief will leave an impression on many hearts for a long time
to come.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Thunstrom, Kelly. "The Coal Thief." Clarion Reviews, 18 Feb. 2016. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A443906984/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=bdd07f51.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
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The Red Sun: Legends of Orkney
Julie Summers
Reviewer's Bookwatch.
(Nov. 2014):
COPYRIGHT 2014 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Full Text:
The Red Sun: Legends of Orkney
Alane Adams
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
c/o Author Marketing Experts
9781494964900, $9.95, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Sam Baron is no hero. He's prone to losing his temper and believes his dad is the
worst lout in the world for taking off and leaving him and his mom to fend for themselves in their home
town of Pilot Rock, Oregon. But Sam's world turns upside down when a strange dwarf appears in his garage
and Sam discovers his father has been trapped in a stone in some magical realm called Orkney. Worse, his
substitute English teacher is a bona fide witch and seems to want him dead. With his friends gone missing
and vicious Shun Kara wolves stalking him, Sam must travel through a stonefire to this far away realm of
Orkney to save his friends from the dark powers that hold them and find a way to rescue his father. Thrust
into this new world, Sam must unravel the secrets of his past while trying to stay alive as witches, wraiths,
and other menacing creatures pose serious peril to the unsuspecting Sam. With only a young witch girl
named Mavery to guide him, Sam must find a way to control his dark side and stop an ancient curse which
turns the sun a poisonous red, threatening to destroy the land of Orkney.
Drawing on Norse mythology, The Red Sun is the first book in The Legends of Orkney, a spellbinding
series of adventure fantasy novels by Alane Adams. This fantastical story will enthrall middle grade and
tween readers with a taste for adventure. Follow Sam as he grapples with dark and dangerous elements from
his past and confronts his burgeoning powers. The Red Sun is a must read for tweens and adults with a taste
for adventure, magic and fantasy.
Critique:<< Exceptionally well written, "The Red Sun" introduces author Alane Adams as a major and
imaginative storytelling talent.>> Very highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy; it should be noted that
"The Red Sun" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.95). Author Alane Adams has now completed the
second volume in the Legends of Orkney series, "The Moon Pearl" (9781497483750, $9.95) which
continues the saga of Sam Baron. The third volume, The Raven God" is scheduled for publication in
January 2015.
Julie Summers
Reviewer
Summers, Julie
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Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Summers, Julie. "The Red Sun: Legends of Orkney." Reviewer's Bookwatch, Nov. 2014. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A396617306/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=53edca25.
Accessed 17 May 2018.
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The Moon Pearl; Legends of Orkney
Catherine Thureson
Clarion Reviews.
(Aug. 4, 2014):
COPYRIGHT 2014 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams; THE MOON PEARL; CreateSpace (Children's: Juvenile Fiction) 9.95 ISBN:
9781497483750
Byline: Catherine Thureson
A rich fantasy landscape, engaging characters, and a masterfully woven plot make this book hard to put
down.
The Moon Pearl is an enjoyable fantasy adventure filled with magic and mythology. Three friends must face
some truly daunting challenges, struggling against the negative forces that confront them directly, as well as
their own inner demons, in order to help another friend overcome the darkness that is trying to control him.
Their loyalty and friendship will prove to be their most important magic if they are to save the world from
the evil witches who want to take it over.
In the magical land of Orkney, Sam Baron, born to a witch and a son of the god Odin, fights to protect the
land and its people. He is captured by evil witches, who torture him and plant lies in his head, attempting to
force him to their side so that they can use his magic to destroy Odin and break down the barrier between
Orkney and the human world. Fortunately, Sam is not alone. His three friends Keely, Leo, and Howie are
summoned to Orkney in order to rescue Sam and save both worlds.
The Moon Pearl is a complex story. Each of Sam's three friends must accomplish their own piece of the
quest to save Sam, so each has his or her own adventure. Keely must seek out Ymir, Howie must protect the
city of Skara Brae, and Leo must find the Draupnir and enter the underworld. These tasks take them in
totally different directions, but author Alane Adams does a masterful job of weaving their individual plot
lines into a coherent story. The characters are well developed, and though each of them is there to save Sam,
they all learn something about themselves on their journeys.
Additionally, Adams has done a wonderful job describing Orkney, bringing this magical land to life while
keeping it familiar enough to be relatable; for instance: "The temperature began to rise. The forest thinned
out to scattered brush and the sharp smell of juniper. Sand and rock began to replace the soil of the forest.
For the first time, Leo felt at home in Orkney. It reminded him of the Umatilla wastelands back home.
Open. Free."
This is the second book in a planned series, but the author offers very little by way of recap to introduce the
characters and explain the events of the previous book that led to the current situation. Ideally, each book in
a series could stand on its own; although there is a great deal to enjoy in this installment, that enjoyment
will be much less for anyone who has not read the first book in the series.
Ultimately, The Moon Pearl artfully combines the elements of a high fantasy novel with Norse mythology
to create an engaging story that will appeal to its young adult target audience. A rich fantasy landscape,
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engaging characters, and an exciting quest make the book hard to put down. The epilogue sets up the next
story in the series, ending the book with a satisfying sense of anticipation for what comes next.
Catherine Thureson
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Thureson, Catherine. "The Moon Pearl; Legends of Orkney." Clarion Reviews, 4 Aug. 2014. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A377973589/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=79f5eb2c. Accessed 17 May 2018.
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The Red Sun; Legends of Orkney
Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Clarion Reviews.
(July 29, 2014):
COPYRIGHT 2014 ForeWord
https://www.forewordmagazine.net/clarion/reviews.aspx
Full Text:
Alane Adams; THE RED SUN; CreateSpace (Children's: Juvenile Fiction) 9.95 ISBN: 9781494964900
Byline: Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Percy Jackson meets Norse mythology in this captivating and unique adventure.
Alane Adams weaves a rollicking tale of adventure, filled with magic and mayhem, in The Red Sun, first in
the Legends of Orkney series. Adams combines elements of Norse mythology and Umatilla tradition to
send her young protagonist, Sam, on a unique quest to find himself and to save the entire realm of Orkney
in the process.
For Sam Baron, starting seventh grade involves more than just mastering geometry and talking to girls in
the quiet town of Pilot Rock, Oregon. His entire world turns upside down when a witch arrives in the guise
of a substitute teacher and focuses her questionable attention on Sam.
Sam is shocked to learn that not only do other realms exist, but thanks to his absentee father, he is "a Son of
Odin, Lord of the Ninth Realm," and thanks to his casserole-baking mother, he is a powerful witch. Orkney,
the land of Sam's birth, has been cursed, and mysterious red veins are slowly poisoning the sun and
everything under it. The elves, dwarfs, witches, and other citizens of Orkney hold Sam responsible, both for
triggering the curse and for ending it. Sam must find the courage and strength to embrace his legacy before
it's too late.
Sam considers himself an average twelve-year-old, maybe with a bit more temper than most. He wavers
between feeling unworthy of the tasks set before him and proud to the point of foolhardiness of his
newfound powers and identity. His decision-making skills are iffy, and emotions run high. Sam has
moments of sweetness, particularly in his brotherly banter and attitude toward Mavery, an orphaned witch,
but his temper, the unfortunate result of a sting from a death stalker scorpion, too often takes shape in the
form of fighting, verbally lashing out, and rash behavior. Although he tries to overcome it, his friends and
allies often bear the brunt of his anger, making it difficult at times to like him. Sometimes he apologizes,
sometimes not; for instance, Sam confronts his friend Keely: "when she grabbed my arm to stop me from
walking away, I pushed her hard enough to knock her to the ground. I stared down at her hurt face, feeling
the blood pound in my head. 'Leave me alone!' I yelled and then stormed off." <
Adams incorporates a unique mix of well-known and obscure myths and legends, all entwined in the land
and realms of Orkney. Many of the terms, names, and concepts would work well in a glossary; it is not
always clear if a character is Norse, Umatilla, or completely original. The Norse mythology is spotty. Odin,
for example, is depicted with two clear eyes and a toga instead of his traditional garb and missing eye. The
result is engaging and fresh but frustrating for Norse/Scandinavian folklore buffs looking for accuracy over
innovation.
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The Red Sun is a great choice for teens and young readers who enjoy lots of action and a healthy dose of
fantasy mixed in with substitute teachers and pop quizzes. Comparable at times to Gregor the Overlander or
the Percy Jackson series, Sam Baron's adventures will continue with book two, The Moon Pearl.
Pallas Gates McCorquodale
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
McCorquodale, Pallas Gates. "The Red Sun; Legends of Orkney." Clarion Reviews, 29 July 2014. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A377268737/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=df5fff57. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A377268737
KALIFUS RISING
From the "Legends of Orkney" series, volume 2
by Alane Adams
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KIRKUS REVIEW
In this second installment of a YA fantasy series, a boy’s friends rush to save him before a teen witch surrenders to dark magic.
Thirteen-year-old Sam Barconian, once a typical boy in Pilot Rock, Oregon, is battling evil witches in the Ninth Realm, Orkney. A descendant of both god Odin and he-witch Rubicus, Sam has the potential to become powerful but is still learning how to wield his magic. Unfortunately, he’s an ideal weapon for witch Catriona, who craves vengeance, having long ago witnessed Odin kill her father, Rubicus. She wants Sam on her side to kill Odin, which will likewise return Orkney to Earth, separated by the god for fear that magic would destroy the world. Meanwhile, Odin summons Sam’s Earth pals, Keely, Howie, and Leo, to Orkney. To see which path to take, Keely drinks from sage Mimir’s well, with an ensuing vision giving the trio ominous roles: she as The Seeker; Howie, Orkney’s Protector; and Leo, The Sacrifice. Keely further knows that Sam’s a captive of Catriona, who convinces him his friends’ futures are dire. Eventually succumbing to her persuasion, he becomes Kalifus, a servant of Catriona and her sister witches. At the same time, Keely searches for the Moon Pearl that reputedly can defeat the witches and pull Sam away from the darkness. The animated tale opens with action and ends in kind. Adams (The Egg Thief, 2016, etc.) is a master of exposition, never letting it slow the narrative by immersing it in rapid-fire dialogue: Keely learns of the pearl in a scene involving multiple characters—and squabbling from impetuous witch Mavery. Sam, whose discovery of his origin in The Red Sun (2015) was the series’ catalyst, is less of a protagonist this time, teetering between hero and villain, with his rescue driving the plot. But Keely handles the lead with panache, facing the same dilemmas as Sam, like struggling to understand her own magic (courtesy of Mimir’s drink). Leo’s inclusion adds suspense (will he be sacrificed?), while Howie serves as comic relief, asserting that Odin, in designating him Protector, was “just being optimistic about [his] prospects.” The Norse mythology–infused story also features a surprise appearance by a much more recognizable individual.
Indelible characters, both good and evil, and a rescue storyline that refuses to dawdle.
Pub Date: Sept. 6th, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-940716-84-8
Page count: 384pp
Publisher: Spark Press
Program: Kirkus Indie
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16th, 2016
WRITTEN BY KAREN ROUGHT | EDITED BY DONYA ABRAMO | 3:45 PM EDT, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
‘Kalifus Rising’ by Alane Adams is a worthy sequel to ‘Red Sun’
BOOK REVIEWSBOOKS
Kalifus Rising blends the humor and adventure of Red Sun with its own brand of high-stakes action.
About ‘Kalifus Rising’
Sam Baron just freed Orkney from the ravages of the Red Sun―but now, imprisoned by Catriona, leader of the Volgrim Witches, Sam finds the darker side of his half-god, half-witch heritage released, and he fears he might destroy what he saved. Unable to resist the witches’ enchantments, Sam has become their most potent weapon, and is leading an army of monstrous men against Skara Brae.
Sam’s only hope for salvation lies with his three best friends and a mystical artifact known as the Moon Pearl. Keely travels north in search of the pearl, while Howie prepares for the gathering onslaught. Leo seeks a powerful artifact in the underworld, and faces an ancient evil that could be an even greater threat than Catriona and her cronies.
As Sam’s friends rush to save him, other forces are at work in Orkney’s shadows―forces that could help free Sam, or condemn him to the darkness forever.
kalifus rising book cover small
‘Kalifus Rising’ book review
Kalifus Rising picks up not long after Red Sun finishes, and it’s immediately clear that although the end of the first book brought about a great victory for Sam and his friends, the consequences of his actions are weighing heavily on all of Orkney.
One of the main reasons why I enjoyed Red Sun so much was because I love mythology, and the second book in the Legends of Orkney series continues introducing us to new characters and new magical elements. The story builds on what the first book offered, while sending our heroes on a journey that seems even more treacherous and impossible than the last one.
I also fell in love with the side characters in the first novel, and nothing has changed in the sequel. Keely, Howie, and Leo continue to add humor and humanity to a world that is war-torn and grieving. Their presence in Orkney is not welcomed, but the trio finds strength and determination in Sam’s leadership.
And Sam needs them as much as they need him. As the magic swirling in his veins grows stronger, so does the pull to the dark side. His heart is true, but like us all, he has doubts — doubts about himself, doubts about Odin’s wisdom, and doubts that his friends care enough about him to risk their lives.
Kalifus Rising is as much about courageous loyalty and righteousness as it is about the subtler moments of confidence and love. How do you fight your destiny knowing you can save the world, even if it means giving up everything? And how do you fight the darkness inside of you knowing it’s as much a part of your person as your goodness is?
These are questions Sam and his friends must answer, and they are questions that readers of Kalifus Rising must confront as well. Could you be as strong as Sam, as brave as Keely, as steadfast as Leo, or as determined as Howie?
Alane Adams weaves powerful magic throughout the pages of Kalifus Rising, and any fan of Red Sun will be eager to continue the adventure in this sequel.
About the author
alane adams author photo
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
Alane Adams is a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, professor, award-winning author and an avid literacy advocate. After spending decades balancing budgets for the family business, she founded the Rise Up Foundation focusing on global poverty issues and particularly their effect on children.
A Masters Degree in Diplomacy and several field visits with UNICEF later, Alane witnessed firsthand the importance of education and literacy in the battle to end extreme poverty and shifted the focus of her foundation to improving and supporting literacy efforts.
Her passion for literacy and children came together when her 12-year-old son Alex challenged her to write a book he could read. The Legends of Orkney book series was born and she hasn’t stopped writing since. The Red Sun and Kalifus Rising are the first two books in her Legends of Orkney middle grade book series.
In 2015, Alane teamed up with Artifact Technologies to create BattleKasters, a live-action adventure mobile game based on the Legends of Orkney book series. In addition, Alane created an award winning picture book series, which includes: The Coal Thief, The Egg Thief and The Santa Thief.
She is a proud member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the International Reading Association, The Literacy Research Association, and the California Reading Association.
THE COAL THIEF
by Alane Adams illustrated by Lauren Gallegos
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KIRKUS REVIEW
Adams (The Red Sun, 2015, etc.) and Gallegos offer a children’s series in which a young hero’s father teaches him a lesson about thievery—and sharing—during the Great Depression.
Young Georgie is cold. There hasn’t been any coal for three days, and there’s not likely to be more anytime soon. When his friend Harley drags him on an adventure to see a train, Georgie’s not sure why one train would be better than any other. But Harley, hauling along a wheelbarrow, assures him that the “black gold” will be worth it. When a train pulls into the station, Georgie sees what makes it so special: it’s full of coal. Harley dares him to go up the side and steal some, and though Georgie protests, Harley convinces him (“Ain’t you tired of being cold every morning?”). Georgie gets some pieces, with Harley egging him on for more, until the train starts to move. Knocked off balance, he finds himself pulled down into the pile of coal, stuck, until his father, who works at the railroad, appears to rescue him. Harley high-tails it out of there before he can be caught, so Georgie faces his father’s judgment alone. Papa makes it clear that stealing is wrong (in plain, straightforward dialogue that children will immediately understand), but he also knows that the train is gone; they can’t just return the coal, so they have to do something good with the ill-gotten fuel. So Papa guides Georgie to the homes of families in town that are even poorer than theirs, and Georgie learns a valuable lesson about sharing. The dialogue between the characters feels natural to the time and place, and the text size and amount, as well as its approachable vocabulary, makes this a good choice for confident early-elementary readers. Gallegos’ art is compelling, showing the poverty of Georgie’s family in little details, such as his too-short coat sleeves and the holes in his boots. Harley has an impish appearance, while Georgie’s father’s facial expressions show his worry and kindness clearly. Overall, Georgie is an appealing protagonist, and his adventure may encourage early elementary school readers to read more about why communities like Georgie’s struggled during the 1930s.
<>
Pub Date: Nov. 17th, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-940716-27-5
Page count: 32pp
Publisher: Spark Press
Program: Kirkus Indie
Review Posted Online: March 3rd, 2016
THE COAL THIEF
Alane Adams
Lauren Gallegos (Illustrator)
SparkPress (Nov 17, 2015)
Hardcover $15.00 (32pp)
978-1-940716-27-5
2015 INDIES Finalist
Finalist, Picture Books (Children's)
Clarion Rating: 5 out of 5
This beautiful picture book explores themes of right and wrong and is certain to provoke interesting conversations with children.
Exploring topics such as the history of the coal-mining industry and questions of right and wrong, The Coal Thief is one of those rare picture books that gives adults a lot to talk about with children. Alane Adams uses few words and makes each one count, while Lauren Gallegos’s beautiful illustrations become just as important as the writing itself.
The story is set in Girard, Pennsylvania, circa 1929. It is brutally cold, but Georgie’s family lacks the coal they need to warm themselves. Georgie’s papa is away for the day fixing a broken rail line.
Georgie’s friend Harley shows up with a wheelbarrow and invites Georgie on an adventure to the train station. The train arriving from Virginia carries special cargo that will make all of their lives warmer for a while. Harley and Georgie steal some of this precious load, and related decisions, formed with Papa’s moral guidance, make The Coal Thief a very heartwarming story.
The text and illustrations of The Coal Thief work hand in hand, forming a beautifully cohesive project. Adams wisely chooses to use a sparse writing style, often giving entire pages over to artwork. Such decisions will allow children to follow along easily and to use their imaginations. It’s one thing to read about a child shivering and is another thing entirely to see a picture of a youngster in a thin, raggedy shirt. A close-up of Georgie peeking into his potbellied stove, hoping to find a spare piece of coal, is especially poignant.
This story is called The Coal Thief, so obviously there is some stealing involved. So much can be talked about with children on each page, but an important theme here is the question of whether stealing is ever justified, even to help others. These pages provide the ideal opening for such discussions.
A beautiful book in so many ways, The Coal Thief will leave an impression on many hearts for a long time to come.
Reviewed by Kelly Thunstrom
February 18, 2016
THE RAVEN GOD
THE LEGENDS OF ORKNEY SERIES
Alane Adams
Sparkpress (Sep 12, 2017)
Softcover $16.95 (344pp)
978-1-943006-36-6
Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5
A fantasy-filled tale of courage and redemption, revenge and remorse, Alane Adams’s The Raven God captivates.
Armed with nothing but his wits, his magic, and a temperamental pocket-sized ship, Sam Baron finds himself once again in the center of a desperate quest to save mankind in The Raven God. Alane Adams infuses the ancient lore of Norse mythology with fresh new voices in the third Legends of Orkney book, continuing her exhilarating middle-grade fantasy series.
Thirteen-year-old Sam, aka Son of Odin, is no stranger to championing a lost cause. When an invincible army of fire giants, aided by a scheming Loki, crosses the veil from the realm of volcanoes, lava, and bloodthirsty flying boercats and sets its sights on Orkney, the young witch joins forces with old friends and new allies as they cross oceans, navigate the underworld, and battle ferocious beasts on a journey of redemption.
Picking up right where the second book in the series left off, Sam and his friends are still reeling from the events of Kalifus Rising—in particular, Sam’s guilt over his role in the death of Odin. A violent chain reaction motivates his search for Helheim, underworld of the gods.
From Keely, a half-Eifalian archer, to Howie, a squire training with the Orkadian guard, and numerous witches, dwarfs, giants, gods, goddesses, and monsters, there are dozens of players involved. While the scarcity of repetition and backstory will delight fans of the series, those new to the Legends of Orkney or in need of a refresher might appreciate a glossary of characters, terms, and places for clarity and quick reference.
In the style of the fractured fairy tale and “other side of the story” motifs, The Raven God offers unique twists and original perspectives on some of Norse mythology’s most infamous names. The tale of Baldur and the mistletoe, for example, is retold traditionally, whereas creative narrative license is used liberally with mischief-maker Loki and his children, the giant wolf Fenrir, sea serpent Jormundgand, and half-corpse daughter Helva.
“We need an epic adventure together!” Howie tells Sam, and while their paths diverge, the action-driven plot guarantees that they get not just one adventure, but many. There is never a dull moment. Action is aided by a treasure trove of enchanted objects, dark and light magic, mystical beasts, Valkyries, mermen, and mermaids to spark the imagination and assist or obstruct the questers.
Despite the perilous exploits, there is still plenty of emotion, heart, and internal rumination. Fighting is tempered with reflection from the heroes, the villains, and those that emerge in the end as both.
A fantasy-filled tale of courage and redemption, revenge and remorse, The Raven God captivates with colorful characters and rich Norse legends.
Reviewed by Pallas Gates McCorquodale
July 14, 2017