My Keys On: Writing, Illustrating, and more: J. Scott Savage

Showing posts with label J. Scott Savage. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Fires of Invention

This is one of those books that I was looking forward to for a very long time. I remember when the author, J. Scott Savage, first explained the premise to me after it was picked up by his publisher, Shadow Mountain. He told me then that he felt it was his best book so far. To him I have to say, yes, yes, it is! As many of you already know I am a HUGE fan of J. Scott Savage, not just his amazing books, but the amazing guy behind the books. He has been instrumental in not only my own writing career but I dare say hundreds of writers (young and old) and has become truly a great personal friend. Okay, enough man-gushing about Savage, let’s talk about his book: Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention.

There are few books that when I read them they inspire me to create art. Fires of Invention is one of them—which is rather ironic because in the world of Cove creating anything (art included) is against the law. That’s just one of the fun things I loved about this book. Another is that Savage has really embraced the idea of steampunk. While this isn’t set in a altered Victorian era it screams steampunk. The whole world of Cove is a giant machine and all its citizens are greasy gears working to make society flourish. Again and again this idea of cogs and gears is brought up and so intertwined in the belief system of the characters that it becomes real.

The one thing Savage has always done well in his books is create well-developed, relatable, realistic, lovable characters. His main character in this story is no exception! Middle-grade readers and beyond will connect with Trenton immediately. He is smart, determined, considerate, and brave. He is also filled with wonderful flaws which throughout the book you see him transform into strengths. It’s truly a story about accepting who you are not matter the costs and I like that a lot. I won’t go into too much detail about the building of the mechanical dragon or the other intense and brilliant moments in the book—you’ll just have to read it for yourself. This has been one of the best books I have read this year! The ending took me by surprise and I cannot wait for the next installment! Bravo, Savage!!

Summary of Fires of Invention:

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and invention is a curse word.

Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on and quite possibly their very lives.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fires-Invention-Mysteries-Scott-Savage/dp/1629720925/

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Cover Reveal: CASE FILE 13

The cover that the Whitney award finalist, Author J. Scott Savage revealed to us on Tuesday was amazing, right? (Click here if you didn't get to see it!) Well, today we have cover to share with you from his other amazing YA series, Case File 13. If you haven't had the opportunity to READ THIS SERIES you should. It is one of those books that can be enjoyed by either kids or adults. For me it brought back memories of my own childhood and the kind of movies I liked to enjoy, The Monster Squad and Goonies. You'll find yourself laughing out loud and turning pages--just waiting to see what happens next. Overall these are amazing books! A wicked Halloween treat!

First, for those of you who didn't get to see his author bio on Tuesday, lets help you guys get to know the man behind the amazing books real quick!

Author Bio:

J. Scott Savage has returned after being lost in a Mexican rain forest. His office is now filled with Mayan scrolls, hieroglyphics, artifacts, and star charts. His children and children-in-law, Big Nick, Erica, Scott, Natalie, Jake, and Little Nick, look pale, and claim to be cursed. His grandchildren, Gray, Lizzie, and Jack, are heavily wrapped in mummy-like bandages. And his wife, Jennifer, has reportedly been seen glowing green and hexing the neighbors.

You can visit him on his blog jscottsavage.blogspot.com or on Twitter @jscottsavage.

Praise for Case File 13 Zombie Kid (Book 1 in the series):

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

A Whitney Award Finalist

“Sure to please young readers looking for a thrill. It’s hard to imagine that readers (particularly boys) won’t enjoy every minute of hair-raising fun.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review.

“With its mix of creepy chills and laugh-out-loud humor, Zombie Kid is the perfect book. Nick and his friends are my new favorite people.” —James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze.

Now about the book that this absolutely AMAZING cover is for! Here is the back cover blurb:

BEWARE! This is not your ordinary back-cover blurb!

(It may cause uncontrollable giggles and/or out right laughter.)

You hold in your hands a very sinister story.

I have searched every nook and cranny to compile the evidence in Case File 13. Now, in this book, you will find the next eerie installment in the adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three monster-obsessed boys whose harmless trip to Mexico turned into something so horrendous, so revolting—

Wait a second, Mr. B! You’re making this whole thing sound way scarier than it really was. Maybe dial it back a notch?

But Nick, it is that scary. In this volume alone there are haunted pyramids, alien artifacts, and even a mummy with a terrible curse.

True, but there’s also the part with the hidden treasure, and the time when Carter used his knitting needles to—

Yes, all right, you win. Now if you’ll excuse me...

You hold in your hands a very sinister, VERY SILLY story, following the WACKY adventures of three boys whose expedition to Mexico turned into something OUT OF THIS WORLD. This is the fourth volume. Read on if you dare...

Totally hilarious right?!?!?

You should be totally eager to take a peak at this cover now.

Are you READY?????

BAM!

Amazing cover, right? Leave your comments for the author below!!!

If this isn't awesome enough for you, Author J. Scott Savage ALSO set up a Rafflecopter for all of you wonderful fans! Be sure to get your name in the drawing!
Click here to join in the Rafflecopter giveaway!
The drawing ends tonight!!!!

Cover Reveal Blog List:

http://pennybrojacquie.wordpress.com/

railynstone.blogspot.com

http://mehousdonblog.weebly.com

readinginsarahscorner.wordpress.com

julkbearreads.wordpress.com

http://abookandacupofcoffee.wordpress.com/

http://authorsrevealed.blogspot.com/

http://jessicaparkerstories.wordpress.com/

http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

http://bookloverslife.blogspot.ie/

http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/

www.321golivelaughloveandread.blogspot.com

http://authorcandyodonnell.blogspot.com/

http://booksshelly27.blogspot.com/?zx=fab341e33c76a4c

http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/

http://semishort.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Cover Reveal: FIRE KEEP

I am absolutely thrilled to share this. I am a HUGE fan of J. Scott Savage. Not only as an author but as a person. He is really my hero. His Farworld series is special to me in more ways than one. The main reason it is about a boy who despite his disabilities, has the courage and strength to overcome his struggles in life. The message of endurance that is so delicately woven throughout the Farworld books helps me in the times that I struggle with my own disabilities. Marcus and Kyja have become friends and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW COVER???? DO YOU WANT TO?

BEFORE we show you his AMAZING new cover, lets get to know the man behind the book a little!

Author Bio:

Back cover blurb for Fire Keep:

With no word from Kyja, the people of Farworld are beginning to face the possibility that she is truly dead, and the quest to save Farworld and Earth has failed. In an effort to find a way to bring Kyja back, Marcus goes on a quest that lands him in the most dangerous place possible--the realm of shadows.

Meanwhile, Kyja wakes up in a world of lost souls and memories. With no idea who she is, she wanders Fire Keep, home to the most quick tempered of the elementals. the other spirits around her have given up hope. But Kyja is driven by a strong sense that something is wrong and getting worse.

To recover her memories, she must face a literal trial by fire. Can Marcus survive the realm of shadows to reach Kyja? Can Kyja survive Fire Keep in time to regain her memory? Time is running out for Kyja, Marcus, and their worlds--and the Dark Circle's real plan is only now beginning to be revealed.

So, do you think you are ready for the awesomeness that is this cover?

I'm not sure you are ready...

Are you sure you can handle this?

TA-DA!!!!

Here it is!!!!! Leave your comments below for the author!

But WAIT! There is more! This isn't the only cover reveal Author J. Scott Savage is sharing with us this week! On Thursday, the cover for The Curse of the Mummy's Uncle, Book 4 of the Case File 13 series is going to be revealed!!!!

Here is the FB event page so you can stay tuned: https://www.facebook.com/events/291102321088972/

We aren't done YET!!!!! In honor of the double reveals for this week, J. Scott Savage has been generous enough to giveaway some prizes too! So be sure to get your name into the Rafflecopter, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway