A Garden of Books: ...the most impressing part of this whole novel was the way the characters talked among one another. The high and mighty wizard Zohar had this professional and serious air about him, Doom was quite the British gentleman, and the pirates really did sound like pirates! The way everyone spoke fitted their character perfectly. Read the entire review.
In the Shadow of Mt. TBR: I am thoroughly entranced by this book. It’s fantasy with wizards, phantors and equuraptors (part horse, part dragon, and few are alive who’ve seen them in person). It’s also got a good comedic side to it with monster brother Doom and Gloom who are afraid of everything, including birds and boys, and Doom is particularly put off by the lack of tea time and unsanitary conditions of the dungeon. There’s adventure, the battle of good and evil, and 13-year-old Max must decide between doing what is right, even if it leads to a horrible and long death, or to do what’s comfortable. Read the entire review.
Literary Escapism: The story Jack Regan has woven with Max and his friends is intelligent and witty. I really enjoyed it and will recommend this series to anyone... Read the entire review.
Midwest Book Review: Young Max Ransome's father was murdered by marauding phantors who swept through T'Aragam spreading death, destruction, and terror. Under the command of the evil wizard Zadok and narrowly escaping with his life, thirteen-year-old Max is propelled into an adventure wrought with danger, memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and a riveting action/adventure fantasy of the first order. In T'Aragam, author Jack W. Regan demonstrates the skills and imaginative originality of a true master storyteller. Highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library fantasy collections for young readers.
Bookworming in the 21st Century: I loved the diversity in characters and the invention of some newer types of creatures. My favorite was the Medgekin Gramkin - who would often use the names of cheese as curses or exclamations. The phantors were both spooky and basically evil, which gave a foreboding tone to some of the scenes with them involved. Overall, the plot kept you reading, the characters made you laugh, and the setting gave your mind something to imagine. This book will inspire middle grade readers to pick up more fantasy books and may eventually lead them to heftier readings - such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Read the entire review.
Book Reviews by Debra Gaynor: Regan is a talented storyteller. His plot is entertaining and captivating. The characters are humorous with voices of their own. The pace is fast with twists and turns that hold the readers interest all the way to the last word. I suspect this could attract as many readers as Potter’s books. Read the entire review.
Worducopia (audio version review): My family and I met protagonist Max Ransome while plodding our way through the longest part of the drive through California--that hot stretch of highway where nothing happens. Nothing, that is, unless you're following a funny little fellow named Gramkin on the hunt for some cheese for the annual Medgekin games. The miles flew by as the scary Phantors attacked Max Ransome's family castle, killing his father and sending Max on a trek with the wizard Zohar, Gramkin, and an Eeyore-like monster named Gloom. And your voices, Mr. Regan! There's definitely something to be said for an author reading his own work, when the character voices are so charming and funny. Read the entire review.
Melissa's Bookshelf: Normally most of the books I read are for the Young Adult set and older, but when Jack W. Regan contacted me about reading and reviewing his book I couldn't pass it up since I enjoy fantasy so much. And let me tell you, this book was great fun, and I wish it had been around when I was the target audience/age for it. Read the entire review.
Alex McGilvery (Armchair Interviews): I enjoyed reading this book. Max is a believable thirteen year old. Jack W. Regan has given his young protagonist just the right mix of teen-aged confidence and uncertainty. He doesn’t magically transform into a hero with adult sensibilities and talents, but he does grow and mature during the course of the story. The cast of supporting characters is a mix of creatures and people. Regan does some unexpected things with his characters. There is a great deal of humor in the story, but no one is present only for comic relief. On the other hand, even the most powerful have weaknesses that make them human. Read the entire review.
Kristin Callender (author of The Truth Lies in the Dark): T'Aragam: The Max Ransome Chronicles by Jack W. Regan is a great new Juvenile/Fantasy novel. It is a story of medieval meets magic and is packed with adventure. The characters will have you laughing, cheering, and some you will just love to hate.
I recommend T'Aragam. It has everything to captivate the imagination; danger, excitement, humor, and endless adventure. Read the entire review.
C. Heimler (reader from Coopersville, MI): A well written fantasy Novel! This book is certain to peak the interest of teens from all over! There is a lot excitement and thrills! A Must Read! A great book to kick back relax and let the adventures begin! Highly Recommended!!
K. Carpenter (reader from Wyoming, MI): Fast moving adventure for young teens, but sophisticated enough to hold my attention. Likeable characters (Dresden and Gloom are two of my favorites). Satisfying book, I am looking forward to the next in the series.
A young reader from Orange City, IA: I loved it! I am 12 years old and I
really enjoy reading fantasy fiction. I hope there will be more to this
adventure!
Booker Looker (Amazon.com): I was teased with the beginning of this book before it was published. Then I had to wait to read young Max out of the trouble I had read him in to. As soon as I started reading, it happened again. Me and Max in and out of one thing after another. I couldn't stop and I enjoyed every minute of it too.
Amazon Expert Reviewer: Great imaginative details. I loved the chuckle bugs and the description of the phantor. The interaction between Max and Gramkin is amusing. A story featuring them as foils to each other would be interesting...a story that could have wide appeal -- from young adults on up...
Amazon Expert Reviewer: This is a bit like Lord of the Rings but has some elements of Inkheart to it. I like stories with wizards in them, so this is an obvious good start. Gramkin reminds me somewhat of a hobbit, or one of the brownies from Inkheart, perhaps a combination of the two. The description of the phantors is quite eerie and I am interested to know more about the dark woods. I also like the fact that Gramkin is willing to risk his neck for cheese. It adds humor to the story without seeming out of place. This is...very good.
C. Sparks (reader from Huntington, WV): This was a well written fantasy fiction. It had an interesting collection of characters and a good story line with lots of humor throughout. I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to reading other books by this author.
Reader from Sparta, MI: ...very impressed! Great read! Tim Nies (reader from Chicago, IL): T' Aragam by Jack Regan is fantasy fiction through and through. The story…slowly lets the arch of tension build. Something is afoot and it’s coming from the Dark Wood. This is a fine adventure story that's well written and fast paced. I enjoyed it and look forward to see what...Jack Regan will bring next. |
