The only word that comes to mind: wow. This book was simply brilliant. I loved the characters, the sudden switch in stories, and the struggle throughout. Frey is an excellent writer though be warned there is strong language in the book. I give it 5 stars, but I did want more resolution with nearly all of the stories.
Being from Georgia, I understand that some of the accents and stereotypes are accurate in this book. With that being said, parts of it felt forced and played into the dumb southerner cliché that is a bit annoying. Slaughter does a nice job of pacing the mystery and introducing viable suspects. I found myself blaming one character and then shifting to another, and I enjoyed the ending. Overall, it was good, not great, but definitely worth a read.
This was such a fun book to read. It was cute and creative, but it was also imaginative and thoughtful. Sam runs away with the support of his family and creates his own home in the woods. The way he connected with the animals made me smile, and his choice for a home was pure genius. This is the perfect book for both young and old alike.
There isn’t much that I didn’t enjoy with this book. Butler does a nice job of pacing, character development, and backstory. She kept me guessing, and it was nice to not be able to predict the ending. This was one of my favorite reads of 2017, and I look forward to more of her books.
*** Mini spoiler in the last sentence below regarding the child in the book***
If you normally stay away from books about children, this one is safe to read.
If you like predictable, boring, and repetitive books, then this is the one for you. I don’t want to sound mean, but this was honestly one of the worst books I’ve ever read. He repeats so much information, and most of that information is obvious facts that I could have figured out as the story went along. It drags on for an eternity and has almost no twists or turns. You know what they say: you can’t appreciate the good in life without the bad.
There are many things that I enjoyed about this book. I liked the sarcastic tone of the main voice and the twists throughout. The setting was interesting, but it left me feeling like I should have known more about Weycombe, and what I did know was too predictable. With that being said, it did keep my interest, and I kept wondering what would happen next. I was not a fan of the ending as it felt too rushed and like she took the easy way out.
Enjoy getting to know, Gowon Fisher:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Painting with words
Your book, Kenai’s Thanksgiving, was released in March 2014. Share a passagethat you’d like for us to enjoy.
There once lived a Siberian husky named Kenai. He had beautiful black and white fur, a bushy tail that curled up like a fiddle head, and crystal blue eyes that were full of wonder and a hint of mischief.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a bestseller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
I would chose being able to write and no best seller. I enjoy writing for its own sake.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
I’d live in a small town and travel. I already do, and it’s great.
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
Both kind of scare me to be honest.
And how about Australia or Scotland?
Scotland
Who is your favorite 90’s band (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
The Foo Fighters
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
Not sure.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
I love everybody loves Raymond.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I’m working on a series of childrens books about my Siberian Husky dog named Kenai. My next book is called Kenai’s Thanksgiving.
Who is your favorite author and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Salman Rushdie. I would ask him where he gets his inspiration from.
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Ocean
Yogurt or ice cream? Yogurt
M&M’s or Skittles? M&M’s
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Colbert
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy
Beer or wine? Beer
Flying or driving? Driving
Hemingway or Twain? Twain
You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
The two things I would bring are paper and pencil for drawing. The two people i’d bring are my girlfriend, and someone who knows how to find food on a deserted island.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house or meet at their place of royalty?
I would like to sit down with John F. Kennedy. We would talk about his vision for America. I would want to meet him at his place. Who doesn’t want to go to the white house?
You can wish for one thing and one thing only, not world peace and no more wishes. What’s it gonna be?
I would wish for an end to human ignorance and bigotry.
Bio:
My name is Gowon Fisher, and I am a beginning children’s author and illustrator. I have written, illustrated, and self-published two children’s books. The first is called “Kenai’s Thanksgiving,” and it is about a very interesting experience that I had with my siberian Husky dog on Thanksgiving day. The second book is called “The Great Squirrel Rebellion,” and it is about a group of squirrels who go to war with an ornery woman who tries desperately to keep them off her porch. I have also written several short stories. I hope that my writing and illustrations will captivate children and adults alike.
Jackson Paul Baer 