It is fairly common for someone to have fears and secrets. What really matters is not what they are, but how to cope with them properly. Read about a young boy's unusual journey through some of his worst moments in life in Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions, an upcoming novel co-authored by Anthony J. Rapino and Anthony D. Grate. Plus, enter to win one of the fantastic prize packs in celebration of the book's official release!
My Review:
Set in the 1980s, Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions is an intriguing coming-of-age fantasy adventure that is amazingly whimsical and realistic at the same time. Life hasn't been particularly kind to our protagonist Tommy. His world turns upside down during the summer right before he starts junior high. The inevitable separation of his fighting parents and the abrupt betrayal of his ex-best friend are followed by insults from school bullies, isolation resulting from shame and fear, and an alarming increase in failing grades.
While his dad drowns his sorrows and his mom resorts to retail therapy, Tommy tries to seek comfort in what fascinates him most - the Order of Cosmic Champions. His desperate desire to escape the harsh reality however, starts to cause hallucinations that precariously blur the boundary between Tommy's imaginary world and the real one. Lured by his imaginary hero friend (also the winning design from the OoCC contest he fails), Tommy embarks on a bold quest to Brooklyn without his parents' knowledge or consent. How will his runaway trip turn out? Will the hero inside him eventually outpower the villains? Will he get the love and attention he longs for?
Besides its rich and intense storyline, the book excels in its use of witty and original metaphors that not only bring the story to life, but also help the reader sympathize with the characters and understand them at a deeper level. The descriptions of the battle scenes between the hero and the villains are so vivid that it is hard to believe they only exit in Tommy's imagination.
Through humor and fantasy, the story reveals various challenges associated with relationships in- and outside one's family, including friendship, marriage, parent-child relationship and more. It addresses social issues such as bullying, violence, and alcoholism. Tommy's experience shows what damage parental neglect could do to a child's mental health and self-esteem. More importantly, the book, through Tommy's growth, teaches important life lessons about overcoming fear and setbacks in life, learning from mistakes, and never giving up hope and integrity at times of crisis.
Written with passion and finesse, the book is sure to be enjoyed by fans of comics, video games, superheros, action figures and science fiction. It's also filled with cultural elements that will definitely make Generation X parents feel nostalgic.
About the Book:
Ages 10+ | 392 Pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | ISBN-13: 9781626349667
Sometimes our greatest moments of enlightenment come from our worst mistakes.
When life supplies eleven-year-old Tommy Grant with some unfavorable circumstances intruding on his otherwise tranquil life in rural 1980s Ohio, he retreats into the spell-binding Order of Cosmic Champions. When he discovers that the largely successful animated program and toy line is holding a nationwide ”Create-A-Character” contest where applicants submit their action figure designs, Tommy knows he has to enter as surely as he knows his own name.
But when Tommy’s character design fails to win the contest, he finds his world crumbling from all sides. And there is only one way he knows to fix it. What follows is a whirlwind coming-of-age adventure of righting wrongs, overcoming perilous obstacles, confronting our inner demons, and challenging the limits of reality. In this waxing nostalgic and imaginative fantasy, readers will discover what excitement lies waiting when you take risks and conquer your fears.
Only one question remains: In the final hour when you heed the call, the courage to give your all, will you stand or fall?
Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
About the Authors:
Anthony J. Rapino resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his cats Luna and Poe. When he’s not writing speculative fiction, Anthony can be found in the classroom teaching English or crouched in dark alleyways sculpting horrific autumnal creatures out of clay. His work has appeared in On Spec, Acapella Zoo, Black Ink Horror, Madhouse, Liminal Spaces, and others. His novel, Soundtrack to the End of the World, and the story collection, Greetings from Moon Hill, are both available now.
Anthony D. Grate lived through the ’80s, from ages six to sixteen, by surviving on steady doses of Masters of the Universe, Kool-Aid that he put way too much sugar in, and BarNones. Occasionally he put pencil to paper and created comic strips to entertain his friends. He dreamed of one day working for Marvel or DC. Once out of college, however, he found himself selling furniture. Life sure is funny.
After a few failed attempts to use a new thing called ”the internet” to find a nice lady to share life with, a nice lady found him. They married and soon found themselves raising four children together. Meanwhile, in his spare time, Anthony tried desperately to appease the creative spirit dwelling within him. Comic strips, websites, books, board games, interactive online games . . . you name it, he probably gave it a shot.
Nowadays, Anthony juggles the responsibilities of a husband, father, business owner, and creator pretty well—or at least he thinks so. He lives in the same quiet corner of Ohio that he always has, with no plans of changing that. The guy’s not much for change, which is probably why he still watches Masters of the Universe and eats too many BarNones. He did ditch the Kool-Aid, however.
Official Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Five grand prize winners will each receive an exciting Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions Prize Pack!
It includes:
- A hardcover copy of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions
- A $35 Amazon Digital Gift Card
- The Novel Soundtrack on USB/Cassette
- A View-Master w/Reel
- A Mini Comic
Ten additional winners will each receive a hardcover copy of Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions!
Giveaway ends 9/13. Open to US only. Please enter below. Good luck!
Tommy and the Order of Cosmic Champions Book GiveawayDisclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Children’s Book Review, Anthony J. Rapino, and Anthony D. Grate. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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