Edwin Wolfe's Blog, page 4
July 12, 2012
Locus Magazine June, July & August Issues . . .
The Magazine of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Field
SAN JOSE, California - July 13, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group's Chrysalis Chronicles series, debut novel, The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe is being featured during the summer months in Locus Magazine - the premier magazine of the science fiction and fantasy field. FHPG took the plunge and purchased full-page four-color advertisements in each of the June, July and August issues.
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"Our momentum continues to build with the overwhelming continued positive responses from our readers," said Lori Moeszinger, publisher, Aauvi House Publishing Group, "which makes partnering with large circulation magazines, bloggers, and others all the more worthwhile."
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
National Education Association Conference Wrap Up
National Tradeshow, Washington, D.C.
SAN JOSE, California - July 12, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group extends thanks today to the 2012 National Education Association Conference attendees. The 2012 NEA conference was held at the Washington Convention Center July 1st through July 5th this year. Not so bright news . . .
Delegates to the NEA's Representative Assembly knew the news about their union's loss of membership would be bad, but it isn't clear that they knew it would be this bad.
NEA officials said the union has lost more than 100,000 teachers and education support personnel since 2010, and it projects that it will lose even more in the future. By the end of its 2013-14 budget, NEA expects it will have lost 308,000 members and experienced a decline in revenue projected at some $65 million in all since 2010. (The figures are expressed in full-time equivalents, which means that the actual number of people affected is probably higher.)
There was no sugarcoating these ghastly figures on the first day of the show on the NEA's strategic plan and budget.
"As I've said to many of you, it is a trifecta that we could not have imagined," NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle said in opening remarks. "We're living with a recession that just won't end, political attacks that have turned brutal, and societal changes that are impacting us - from stupid education 'reform' to an explosion of technology - all coming together to impact us in ways that we had never anticipated."
Lori Moeszinger, publisher, Fox Hunt Publishing Group reacts to Ms. Pringle's statement, "We are very disappointed that NEA would push their own shortfalls off by blaming change. Change has happened since the beginning of time. I don't think we will be participating in future NEA conferences going forward. Very disappointing."
The union anticipates the loss of 140,000 certified members and support personnel in 2012-13 next year alone. That amounts to a hole of $27 million.
To plug it, the union plans to cut from a variety of places, with the largest whack, $10.5 million, coming from a reduction of both management and staff personnel and benefits, such as matching component of a 401(k) program. (Sources say that more than 50 staffers at NEA headquarters have taken an early-retirement buyout incentive. A handful of executives have also been dismissed and/or asked to reapply for other positions.)
Other reductions will come in programs for training women and minority leaders, publications, and regional conferences.
Still, some delegates groused that the union didn't propose cutting its executives' compensation in order to preserve some of these programs.
Interestingly, the NEA did consider, but ultimately rejected, the idea of holding its Representative Assembly only every two years. That would have saved $13.5 million from national and state affiliates' budgets; it's not clear why it wasn't ultimately adopted.
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
July 11, 2012
NetGalley Review Requests Results are in
Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
SAN JOSE, California - July 11, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group and Aauvi House Publishing Group today jointly announced Bookmasters Publisher Report for Edwin Wolfe's NetGalley submission for Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand. And the results are in!
This was a test promotion that FHPG and AHPG entered into with NetGalley through Bookmasters. During this 90-day promotion, Wolfe's Chrysalis Chronicles young adult fantasy series debut novel, The Eyes of the Desert Sand received 66 review requests from book industry professionals, including: educators, reviewers, media professionals, librarians, and booksellers.
"We are validated with the response received from our promotion through NetGalley," commented Lori Moeszinger, publisher, Aauvi House Publishing Group, "and the theme seems to be consistent. The series and debut novel is a fantastical read but is lacking a professional editor's hand. Inasmuch, we will be actively seeking a professional editor to edit both book one and book two, which will be released in Winter 2013. Once professionally edited, book one will be re-released as a second edition during this same timeframe."
Note: The reviewer receives viewing rights to the title for a total of 55 days, therefore even though the title is archived, NetGalley may receive review postings after the titles archive date - June 12, 2012. Bookmasters will update us with any reviews received after the archive date listed on the report.
One Such Review Read:
4 out of 5 stars
Book Info: Genre: Fantasy Reading Level: Middle Grade Disclosure: I received a free ebook eGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts: This is a middle-grade fantasy adventure book. At first I didn't much care for it, since it sometimes seems to "write down" to the reader, and there are a lot of grammatical errors in it; however, as I read further, it became almost compulsively readable and I was unable to put it down until I finished. There are mysteries within mysteries in this book, and it is just the first book in a series - many questions are left unanswered at the end of this book, but it wraps itself up nicely enough. The characters all seem to have quirky or strange differences - to the point where their variety is almost a similarity of a sorts. Many of them are described as having goofy or silly voices; I could almost see this being turned into a Pixar cartoon. It is certainly colorful enough, with enough strange and interesting characters to pull it off.
All-in-all, I could recommend this even for very young readers, although I would also recommend that someone help with pointing out grammar errors - it could almost be a lesson! A fun book, and I'll be watching for future books in the series." - Katy Sozaeva, Reviewer
Review links:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/315464939
http://www.shelfari.com/books/28341243/The-Eyes-of-the-Desert-Sand-(Chrysalis-Chronicles)/reviews/3619463
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
July 10, 2012
American Library Association Conference Wrap Up
National Tradeshow, Anaheim, California
SAN JOSE, California - July 10, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group extends thanks today to the 2012 American Library Association Annual Conference attendees. This year's annual conference was held in Anaheim, California from June 21st through 26th at the Anaheim Convention Center located at 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802.
Edwin Wolfe's Chrysalis Chronicles series debut novel, The Eyes of the Desert Sand was exhibited at the Combined Book Exhibit booth during this conference, again generating numerous leads for the Fox Hunt Publishing Group. In addition, Wolfe participated in CBE's catalog with a full-page ad.
The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, holds its annual conference and exhibition each summer. The largest such convention in the world is attended by more than 25,000 librarians, library supporters, educators, writers, publishers, Friends of Libraries, trustees and special guests. The conference includes more than 2,000 meetings, discussion groups and programs on various topics affecting libraries and librarians.
Approximately 850 exhibiting companies feature the latest in books, online services, automation software, furniture and other materials vital to today's libraries and librarians. ALA units display professional exhibits highlighting the various aspects of the profession.
Here are some of the highlights:
- J.R. Martinez tells his story of survival and strength at closing general session.
- The ALA announced the first recipients of the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, funded through a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.
- Dan Rather warns of control of media by powerful few, trivialization of the news.
- Henry Winkler reads and acts out a passage from his book Ghost Buddy, with co-author Lin Oliver, during the Auditorium Speakers Series presentation June 25.
- Sherman Alexie keynotes the June 24 PLA President's Program.
- Librarians learn to move beyond text.
- Writers and readers mold the future of the book.
- Blues Diva and R&B realist Bettye LaVette performed live for the ALA Wrap Up!
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The first chapter of Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk scenes are now available to view
We are pleased to announce that the first chapter of Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk scenes are now available on the www.ChrysalisChronicles.com Vortex blog.
Excerpt:
“After their lunch break, it was time for what was sure to be Ethan and George’s favorite part of the day, the rides. Ethan had done his homework, looking up the rides on the Internet and mapping out a plan of action. Their first stop would be the Haunted Castle, followed by the Pirate Ship, Double Shot, Wipeout, and last but not least the world famous Giant Dipper.
Betsy didn’t like most rides, but she’d tag along just the same. She just loved watching her two men having the time of their lives on the “terror rides” as she called them. In her world, there was only one ride, the Carousel.”
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Haunted Castle
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Pirate Ship
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Double Shot
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Wipeout
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Giant Dipper
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Carousel
July 9, 2012
5-STARS for Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand!
"Five Words - I Need The Second Book!!" --Icia, Goodreads Reviewer, July 7, 2012
July 8, 2012
Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand Time Travel to Bora Bora!
Avid book blogger, Ashley at BookNook, travels all the way to Bora Bora with Edwin Wolfe’s Chrysalis Chronicles series debut novel, The Eyes of the Desert Sand. She writes, “I just wanted to e-mail you to let you know that I finished reading The Eyes of the Desert Sand and I loved it! I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book! You really left us hanging ;) .”
Find her review posted on her blog, GoodReads, LibraryThing, and Amazon.
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Picture uploaded with permission.
Author Tour Wrap Up with Edwin Wolfe
Chicago - Orlando - New York City Book Tour
SAN JOSE, California - July 9, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group's young adult fantasy author Edwin Wolfe and his publisher, Lori Moeszinger visited bookstores, novelty shops, libraries and children's hospitals in the cities of Chicago (May 24th - 29th), Orlando (May 29th - June 4th) and Manhattan (June 4th - 11th) for his Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand national tour. Welcome Wolfe back home to California as he greets fans for a book signing and discussion of the series and tour.
"We have just returned from our national tour, which was in support of our newest release at Fox Hunt Publishing Group, Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand," said Ms. Moeszinger. "In addition to visiting bookstores, libraries and more, we explored series characters, George, Betsy and Ethan Fox's upper east side residence in Manhattan, drove through the painfully gorgeous city streets of downtown Chicago, drank fantastic Butter Beer at Universal Studios Harry Potter theme park, viewed the landscape in Manhattan for the opening chapter in book two of the Chrysalis Chronicles series, stayed in a legendary acclaimed hotel - The Drake, traveled the theme parks at Disney and Universal Studios, and walked at midnight through the streets of downtown Chicago with characters, Steve and Jimmy from the Deadwood Saloon in book one. Our wonderful hosts often gave us tours of their cities, taking us to their favorite hidden spots, and entertaining us with stories of their local author scenes."
"In addition to visiting bookstores," Wolfe chimed in. "We visited two children's hospitals located in the outskirts of Chicago - Children's Memorial Hospital and Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital. But above all, the greatest aspect of the tour was making children and young adults alike laugh. We loved working together to connect the threads of our story to the kids in the audience. It was stunning to frequently feel a simultaneous joy and high energy with everyone, a sensation that is not easily forgotten."
Ms. Moeszinger concluded, "We look toward the future, and will use the warm memories of this tour as fuel for our upcoming work. This entire tour stays in our hearts, and we count the days until we tour again."
About Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand
How many parents would believe their thirteen-year old son who told them that two vampires and a hooded stranger had tried to abduct him? Strange thing is, young Ethan Fox is convinced his parents, George and Betsy do believe him. Could it have something to do with the mysterious poem he wrote in his sleep? Or maybe it was something to do with his past, the past he cannot remember before his eighth birthday. Something strange is afoot, and it is about to turn Ethan's world upside down . . .
About Edwin Wolfe
Edwin Wolfe is a Sacramento native who had been a principal engineer for twenty-five years before retiring. He started writing poetry and song lyrics at the age of thirteen. His talent evolved over the years, writing satirical sports columns. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Engineering. Wolfe lives with his wife in Santana Row in San Jose, California where he is at work on future Chrysalis Chronicles books.
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
July 2, 2012
27 Book Reviews! What Are People Saying About Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand...
Q2 2012 Book Review Coverage
SAN JOSE, California - July 2, 2012 - Fox Hunt Publishing Group wraps up Q2 2012 book reviews for Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe. Here's what people are saying:
***** "After receiving this book through Goodreads first reads, I was a little hesitant to read it. However, I finally picked up the book. It was a little slow to read at first, but when the action started, I was hooked! Each character played an integral part in the development of Ethan Fox and his story. I cannot wait until the second book comes out!"
-- Sydeny, Goodreads, June 29, 2012
**** "When I look at this cover, I immediately think, 'Why are there eyes on this cover?' It is definitely a different kind of book cover that has me on the edge. It has a road, desert, eyes and a rainbow. It's a lot to incorporate into a cover and really confuses me on what the book is going to be about.
Like I said about CreateSpace, I really only accept books from higher named publishing companies but, I had nothing to read so I accepted the request! I'm really glad I did, too!
Never judge a book by it's cover. It isn't the most attractive cover I have seen but, once you read the inside contents, you will fall in love! Ethan Fox almost got abducted by two vampires and a hooded stranger. That right there is enough for me to read the book! As you read further into the book it starts incorporating Caretakers and even Medusa! This book had the perfect blend of immoral characters! A definite must-read if you are into fantasy!"
-- Samantha, Goodreads, June 29, 2012
**** As posted on booknook - YA and Fantasy book reviews
"The Eyes of the Desert Sand is an incredible fantasy story! It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland… but with technology and more 'purpose' - there's a war to be won and lives to be saved!
This story is about Ethan Fox. He lives a fairly normal life with his child-like parents, but things start getting weird when two vampires try to abduct him. Rescued at the last minute, he tells his parents, who don't believe him. But Ethan gets the strange sense that they're hiding something. Maybe they know his account is true, but won't admit it?
From there, Ethan meets up with a girl named Haley and ends up at The Residence. He learns all about other-worldly creatures who were brought to earth to help nudge evolution along and protect Earth and its inhabitants. Ethan, Haley, and his new friends at The Residence work together to figure out why the vampires tried to kidnap him, and help protect Earth from the Grimleavers' evil plans.
Man, Edwin Wolfe has an amazing imagination! He has created this incredible world full of awesome creatures, strange inventions, and intriguing lore. This story will completely draw you in with its weird creatures, funky dialogue, and memorable adventures. In a way, this story is very Alice in Wonderland meets otherworld meets technology. This book isn't really based in magic - it's more based in science, which I find extremely cool! Whenever people say, 'That's impossible,' I always thing, 'It's only impossible because we haven't seen a way for it to work, but that doesn't mean it can't work somewhere somehow,' and this story really embodies that. Here you have two normal humans - Ethan and Haley - and they're exposed to a whole new world of impossible. But it's not necessarily full of magic; there is a bit, but they're mostly introduced to 'natural' creatures and awesome technologies.
My only real issue with the book is the lack of character development. The world itself was incredible, with so many details and new ideas, but the characters never really grew or interacted. Most of the dialogue was explaining story and furthering the plot, rather than developing the characters or having them socially/casually interact. I didn't get a great sense of who Ethan was, or what his personality was like. I never really felt for him or connected with him.
That being said, The Eyes of the Desert Sand is still a great book. The story is so intricate and interesting and there's never a dull moment. Each page is full of some new creature or object to read and learn about. We are thrown into an amazing world we never knew existed - one with shape shifters, vampires, trolls, leprechauns and more. There are some great histories that are a delight to learn about.
There is a lot of promise here and I can't wait to read the next book! I'm hoping we'll learn a lot more about the Caretakers and their history. Their world, purpose, and culture are all so interesting and I'm thirsting for more!"
--Ashley, Goodreads, June 27, 2012
--Ashley, LibraryThing, June 27, 2012
*** "I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, thank you for the prompt delivery!
Completely original and a vivid pen for detail, the only issue I really had with this novel is I couldn't really feel or identify purpose in most of the characters or their actions. I don't know if it was just me, but the mental analysis provided for each of the characters involved just fell a little flat for me."
-- Jackie, Goodreads, June 23, 2012
**** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"The Eyes of the Desert Sand is such a wonderful read. I wish there were more books like this! Wolfe has such an imagination, that sometimes I couldn't even conjure up images in my own head. I will have to re-read it whenever book 2 comes out. I can't even remember the names of everything in this book. You know why? Its cause it's freaking new, original. I loved it!"
-- Rita, Goodreads, June 18, 2012
*** "Uuuugh how I wish this book had good writing, because I-love-the world and I-love-Edwin Wolfe's imagination… but boy does his writing suck.
It reminds me of my own writing style when I was eight years old, except my punctuation was a heck of a lot better. Or at least, I understood that I-didn't- know how to properly use a semicolon, so I never tried. Geez.
The writing is incredibly, -incredibly-juvenile and makes me cringe. Commas missing, commas where periods should be, semicolons all over the place obstructing sentences, and uses of the wrong 'there', plus a few misspelled words. There are also some very convenient solutions to some of the characters' predicaments.
But despite all this, it was strangely…enjoyable. Like I said, Edwin Wolfe has a fantastic imagination, I just think he should've gotten together with someone who could actually write. There are a few very cool characters (Pepper, Gruggins, Irvin), but everyone else blends together and it doesn't even seem to matter if you get them mixed up.
The ending is really good though. His time travel is very well executed, and the last chapter makes me crave another book, but… I really hope Mr. Wolfe's writing improves before he finishes the next one."
-- Persy, Goodreads, June 9, 2012
-- Bryn Dahiquis, LibraryThing, June 4, 2012
**** "I received a free ebook eGalley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a middle-grade fantasy adventure book. At first I didn't much care for it, since it sometimes seems to 'write down' to the reader, and there are a lot of grammatical errors in it; however, as I read further, it became almost compulsively readable and I was unable to put it down until I finished. There are mysteries within mysteries in this book, and it is just the first book in a series - many questions are left unanswered at the end of this book, but it wraps itself up nicely enough. The characters all seem to have quirky or strange differences - to the point where their variety is almost a similarity of a sorts. Many of them are described as having goofy or silly voices; I could almost see this being turned into a Pixar cartoon. It is certainly colorful enough, with enough strange and interesting characters to pull it off.
All-in-all, I could recommended this even for very young readers, although I would also recommend that someone help with pointing out grammar errors - it could almost be a lesson! A fun book, and I'll be watching for future books in the series."
-- Katy, Goodreads, June 7, 2012
***** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"Give the book a 5 out of 5, I can not find the proper words to explain how much I enjoyed reading this book every second of it. The cover of the book will make you wonder what it is actually about but the content is just mind blowing. Love how the author uses so many different fantasy characters for this book and just love the quote: 'Many of the human worlds greatest authors have gotten their material from the stories of taletaddlers. Could you possibly believe stories as inspiring as the Harry Potter novels, were written solely by a human? No human could create such a masterpiece without the seeds of a taletaddler.' (maybe its true we never know :)
Love how the level of fantasy of this book is so expanded, so many amazing fantasy books have been published but this one exceeds all of them. I was literally fighting with my sister over this book after skimming through it about who will read the book first. Each character is unique and throughout the whole book it will introduce you to each of them in such a creative way that will guide you from page to page seeing each character, feeling like you are apart of the book.
What I can say is thank you for writing this amazing book, it made me feel like I was in a world of fantasy and I did not want to come back from there."
-- Luana Sirbu, Blogger, Goodreads, June 6, 2012
**** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"Edwin Wolfe has a wonderful imagination that has created the first book in the Chrysalis Chronicles. The Eyes of the Desert Sand is full of many creatures, both we've heard of before and some made up! This story takes you to magical wells, odd riddles, and a cast of characters that are bound to make an impression. My two favorite ideas in the book is the book traveling and the paintings. I don't want to give anything away, but those two things held the most interest to me. Ethan is a 13 year old boy who has no idea who he can trust and what things his parents might be hiding. This book is a good set-up for the rest of the following books and will leave readers awaiting the next book to find out more!"
-- Sally Hannoush, Goodreads, June 6, 2012
***** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"I actually loved reading this. It keeps you interested throughout the book. It's different which is why I loved it. I will be re-reading it later.
I thought there'd be more action but it has less of it. There was just so many things that they had to introduce themselves to. For one thing Gruggins McGhee, my favorite character in the book. He's small and lives in a box lol. Don't want to give too much away.
A taletaddler? What's a taletaddler? I have never heard that anywhere before. I never had a taletaddler. Lol. Like, how does an author make things up? Find out for yourselves what a taletaddler is, read the book.
Ethan and Haley received gifts by Irvin. Gifts that I would love myself lol. There's just a bunch of things I liked about this book. So, I don't want to name them all as I might spoil it. You really have to pay attention to the story to get it.
I will recommend this book to my sister who loves fantasy books. Also, children and young adults. Thanks to the author who gave me this book ;)
I like stories like this one. Even though I may be a little older. Well not that old, I'm not 30 yet lol."
-- Kewwy's review, Goodreads, June 3, 2012
**** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand
"Shnickyrooners and things like that… A thirteen year old Ethan Fox is different from his friends. He loves to play outdoors unlike his friends who are always glued to their videogames. But the difference doesn't end just there. Ethan also has no personal memory of himself before the age of eight! He writes mysterious poems in his sleep and Vampires try to kidnap him!!
He has a distinct feeling that his parents are trying to hide something from him but puts it out of his mind temporarily when the FOX family decides to take a break and visit a carnival near the beach. But strange things seem to happen wherever Ethan goes. First he meets a girl, Haley Hunt, with whom he feels a strange connection. Then while exploring the beach with her, Ethan sees a blue rabbit and falls into a Rabbit hole only to discover a whole new world!
As Ethan discovers a new world, where he is famous, we the readers discover it alongside him. A world where vampires, shape shifters, leprechauns, grumplings reside. A world where flowers dance in moonlight, beanstalk is real and plants have to be kept in a pen because they keep changing their places. Also this is the world where Ethan discovers more information that enforces Ethan's initial doubt that his parents are hiding something. It would be interesting to see how the plot unfurls in the coming books, as I personally want to know more about Haley!
Different characters of Ethan, George and Betsy Fox, Haley, Irvin, Gruggins are complimentary to each other. While some help keep the intrigue in the plot, some add to the seriousness and some are simply hilarious! I love reading Irvin's random ranting. In fact, after finishing the whole book, I went back to read Irvin's garbled words over again!
(Note: I started off with 'Shnickyrooners and things like that…' because it's Irvin's signature beginning to one of his 'normal' monologues.)
It's an exciting journey to take because the Chrysalis Chronicles is an enchanting world of its own. It is like Alice in Wonderland meeting Harry Potter. The unique characters and intriguing plot weaves a magical tale that draws in its readers."
-- Debdatta Dasgupta Sahay, Goodreads, May 31, 2012
** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"I received this as an advanced readers copy through a Goodreads giveaway. I was very excited to read the book as the description reminded me a lot of some of the children/YA books I love (e.g. Harry Potter, Twilight). I was particularly eager to read about the world author Edwin Wolfe created. Within this world was a host of new characters. Some were brand new, and seemed to be dreamed up completely by the author's vivid imagination. Other characters were drawn from existing legends and myths. In either case, the characters, and the world itself were original and fresh.
Conceptually, I enjoyed the story Wolfe created. However, he did not fully describe the world he envisioned. For the majority of the book, I was left wondering what the connection was between all the characters and events in the book. There was very little character development and I was unable to fully relate to any of the characters. This was particularly true of the main characters, Ethan Fox and Haley. Their personalities never seemed to fully round out and I was left wishing I knew more about them.
Similarly, on many occasions, I was left wondering what exactly had happened because of lackluster descriptions. While the author was descriptive in terms of physical locations and surroundings, he never fully made clear what the purpose of many events was. In fact, on a few occasions, Ethan and Haley went to different locations with other characters, and the purpose of their excursions (particularly their involvement in them) was never fully made clear. Also strange to me, was the way Ethan and Haley embraced this new world. They seemed to fit into it with no difficulties, the reason for which was not fully made clear.
In addition, I found the writing to be somewhat confusing and redundant. The author had go-to phrases that he used a lot (e.g., 'tomorrow would be a busy day'), and sometimes would repeat sentences within the same paragraph or page. There were many grammatical errors (which the editor should have caught) and rather than describing an object, he would often use the world 'like' to compare it to a common object (e.g., 'marble like'). The world he created was so fantastical, I wanted to fully be immersed in it, but instead, I feel like I never left my living room couch.
My hope is that changes can be made to the book to round out the story. The world and the stories of the characters within it are interesting and exciting. I think many readers, particularly those who enjoy fantasy and YA books, would appreciate the series. With some changes, I think The Chrysalis Chronicles could be right up there with the greats."
-- Renee, May 29, 2012
KIRKUS REVIEWS - Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"After a young girl and boy are magically transported to another world, they must unlock its secrets while contending with an evil group bent on destruction.
Ethan Fox randomly meets Haley Hunt while enjoying a day at an amusement park with his parents. However, when he and Haley go off exploring the beach, they're suddenly teleported to a magical land. They're greeted by an interesting cast of characters and creatures, most importantly Daavic and his mother, headmistress Jordanna Ravenwood. Jordanna explains that they are Caretakers who watch over Earth to ensure that its inhabitants aren't harmed by such creatures as vamprils and hell giants. The Caretakers work against the Grimleavers, who are led by a man who killed Jordanna's father-in-law after betraying him. Jordanna's other son, Damien, purportedly killed his own father and abducted his sister, Danielle. Once Jordanna sees Haley, however, she contemplates the curious resemblance between Haley and her lost daughter.
Ethan and Haley explore the world, starting with the mysterious Moongarden and its secret wishing well. Trouble strikes when they visit different lands, including the Silent Forest and Kraken Island, to help the Caretakers thwart attacks and kidnappings by Grimleavers. Through these journeys and more, Ethan uses his power to conjure words on the pages of a blank book - poems that hint at clues to help in dire situations.
Ethan and Haley make a cute, energetic and formidable duo, as they try to make their way through a familiar yet foreign world while aiding their new friends. The blending mythologies can be confusing in this alternate universe that's also sometimes overwhelmed by an array of characters. At its heart, this story colorfully portrays a family once betrayed but now slowly putting itself back together.
A delight for fans of fantasy and action adventures."
-- Kirkus Reviews, May 29, 2012
**** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe - Goodreads bookshelves giveaway
"I received this very enjoyable book from First Reads Good Reads, and highly recommend it! Edwin Wolfe has created an imaginative world that it was a pleasure to follow his characters around in. Looking forward to the sequels!"
--Therese, Goodreads, May 18, 2012
*1/2 LibraryThing Early Reviewers
"I will say this for Edwin Wolfe: he certainly seems to have had fun writing The Eyes of the Desert Sand, the first volume of The chrysalis Chronicles. A quick look through some of the other reviews on LibraryThing seems to reveal that several people have had fun reading it. I am not among them.
Wolfe's debut novel reads like a first draft. The story starts, stops, starts again, and meanders from one event to another for no other reason than to connect plot point A with plot point B. Characters are treated as pencil-drawn cardboard cutouts of archetypes. The author sprinkles the book with occasional appearances by supernatural beings whose purpose seems to be to convince the reader that they hold in their hands a creatively wacky fantasy novel. Every lien smacks of smug self-satisfaction. Any actual creativity between the covers of this book is overshadowed by the incredible clumsiness of the prose.
I don't mind a good run-on sentence from time to time. I will even enjoy them if they are well written. There may even be a few in this review. A good run-on sentence will generally have a reason for existing and a self0contained logic or meaning. The run-on sentences in The Eyes of the Desert Sand tend to be two or more complete sentences inexplicably strung together with commas. On the other hand, there are plenty of places where a few commas would have helped a sentence along, btu they are conspicuously absent. It's as if someone has given the book a thorough shake and all of the commas have been jostled around. These are things that should have been corrected during the first revision of the manuscript. As I mentioned earlier, the entire book has the tone of a first draft. I realize that I'm reviewing an ARC, but there are so many basic errors, so many one-dimensional characters, and so little life in the story that I wonder if the author took even a second look at his work before shipping it off. If he did, I am sorry. If he did not, I am angry. Either way, this was not an enjoyable read for me."
--Whatnot, LibraryThing, May 12, 2012
***** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"I received this as an advanced readers copy through a Goodreads giveaway and I'm glad I did! In one word its magical. The interesting story and descriptive imagery draws you in and makes you feel like you are there. I would suggest this to anyone looking for an imaginative story with unique characters. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series."
-- Lindsey, Goodreads, May 2, 2012
***** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
"This book was a really good book, especially for people who love fantasy. One of the reviews for the book said, 'A charming debut from an author who is sure to draw comparisons to none other than J.K. Rowling - AuthorsOpen.' I personally agree with them, and from me that is about the biggest compliment I can give a book."
-- Sophie Hrhlgnd, LibraryThing, April 24, 2012
***1/2 "If you somehow cross Alice in Wonderland and Stargate you get some of the wonderful ideas within the pages of The Eyes of the Desert Sand. The concept of traveling from one location to another through doors, using them to pass through time and space was familiar, yet it was also made new by the situation and location of the main building called the Residence where much of the book takes place. The amount of time that the author took to create the people and culture behind this book amazed me as I read it. And the ability to wrap all of that in to the story and use it as a plot point in many cases was unique and surprising, as the tale came to its conclusion.
This is the first book in a series and is the author's debut. In some ways this is evident as I found the writing to be a little awkward at times. There were sections of the book where words and phrases were repeated so many times I started to feel as if I were going a little crazy and had been reading the same paragraph over and over again even though I had finished an entire page. As the first book in the series, I recognize that it is important to set the stage of a series, however this book was mostly the two main characters being introduced to people and places. There was very little action until the end, only tiny trivial matters that needed attending to. By the time I got halfway through the book I was honestly starting to wonder if anything was ever going to happen or if the characters would simply be sent home without a major incident to test them. These things will certainly work well for younger chapter book readers, but I don't know that the older set would take well to the read based only on those aspects.
What made the book worth the read was most defiantly the universe it was created in. Where Alice in Wonderland brings magical happenings and strange creatures in to the mind, the Stargate introduces new worlds and explains the legends behind the gods people worshiped in ancient times, The Eyes of the Desert Sand combines all of those aspects in a very creative and wonderful way. The reader turns each page is introduced to a new setting or character and becomes lost in the wonder of the universe that has been created for them. Though more like the style of the Narnia series, where major descriptions are mostly left to the reader's imagination, the minor details from the color of someone's skin to the fact that 'you can't go out the door' all help to create a magical place that the reader will not want to leave.
Hopefully further books in the series will spend more time explaining this universe to the reader so that even more can be known of this wondrous place. I am certain that many will want to visit again and again."
-- Mirrani, Goodreads, April 22, 2012
-- Mirrani, LibraryThing, April 22, 2012
**** "I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. This was a great book with plenty of unique characters and themes. I liked how the author connected everything to create a great story. I am eager to read the next book when it comes out"
-- Merrick Judkins, Goodreads, April 20, 2012
***1/2 "The Eyes of the Desert Sand was a creative if a bit confusing in the beginning of the book. The writing was a little all over the place, and when I read I prefer to be "shown" rather than "told" what is happening in the book. Other than the lack of explanation for a few things and few times I would rather have been "shown" what was going on. The story was fairly well planned out and it tied up most if not all of the loose ends at the end of the book while still leaving enough unsolved answers for the sequel. I enjoyed the Alice and Wonderland feel of the book and will most likely check out the second and third to see how Edwin Wolfe finishes out his series."
-- Apryl Hanus, LibraryThing, April 16, 2012
**** "It was a very well written book. Very enjoyable and hard to put down."
--Melania, Goodreads, April 12, 2012
**** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand
"13-year old Ethan Fox has always had an odd life, he has no memory of his life since the age of eight; has a father who enjoys making quirky videogames, and was recently almost abducted by two vampires and a hooded stranger.
Ethan's life becomes immeasurably odder when he meets a strange, when he meets a Haley, strange girl Ethan feels drawn to, at the beach near an amusement park and they both fall down a hole into a strange land. Once there, Haley and Ethan are both introduced to the Caretakers, a group of mythical creatures and human-like aliens who are tasked with maintaining order in the supernatural world. Ethan and Haley also discover that they may hold the key to the Caretakers fight against the Grimleavers, a group of individuals bent on exposing the human world to supernatural elements and generally wreaking havoc.
Throughout the book Wolfe skillfully twines modern elements such as iPhones, and supernatural elements such as vampires together for a fun and interesting read. Even though this novel can at times seem to have the feel of some elements of the Wizard of Oz and Alice and Wonderland, the Eyes of the Desert Sand expounds on these foundations in an original and modern way. The Eyes of the Desert Sand is a refreshing fantasy novel, the author isn't afraid to take creative license and twist characters and supernatural elements to his own whims. Unlike, many other YA fantasy novels in todays market, this one doesn't evoke the slightest feeling of Déjà vu in the reader; Wolfe truly creates his own world.
The first Chrysalis Chronicles book shows enormous potential and if the author continues to expand, he will have a great series. The book is at times fast-paced and the reader will have to pay close attention to keep the thread of the plot in several chapters. However, for readers that are tired of the current markets YA fantasy options, solace can be found in Wolfe's work.
For all of its good points, The Eyes of the Desert Sand, falls short in a few areas, a few plot twists that the other would have done well to present a little more obscurely, will be able to be guessed early in the book by many readers. Also the cover leaves a lot to be desired, it is unimaginative and a poor contrast to the high-quality text that the author has produced, on the basis of the cover many readers may be reluctant to buy the book."
-- SJM, Goodreads, April 12, 2012
-- 1722sjm, LibraryThing, April 12, 2012
Age group: 10 and up. Content: very mild reference to violence, mythical situations and animals that may scare some kids, references to a failed kidnapping.
**** "A charming lead character with an equally enjoyable female lead. The beginning of the book starts out well and is paced just right. Towards the middle/end it starts to get confusing, with the sci fi and the fantasy characters getting a little mixed up. A re-read is helpful to truly appreciate this book. I would recommend to ages 13-up. A good read for an adult too."
-- flanisntjustdessert, LibraryThing, April 11, 2012
****** "This book was well plotted and exciting. I think it is recommended for age groups 10-15. I really liked the characters and the unexpected enemies and allies. I don't know how Edwin Wolfe thought up the names, places, and personalities in this book. I recommend this book to anyone who needs a good book to keep them reading until midnight or longer. This book gets a well earned 5 stars!"
-- Ladyicewing from LibraryThing, Hogwarts Express group member, April 8, 2012
***** Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand, receives another 5-star review on Goodreads! "I really, really enjoyed the Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand Book 1 by Edwin Wolfe. I seriously couldn't put it down. The whole surrounding is described really well. It was really easy to imagine being right there with Ethan, Haley, Jordanna, Gruggins, and the rest of the characters. I am certainly excited for the next book. I would recommend this to anyone!"
-- Jenny Franklin, Goodreads, March 30, 2012
***** The Chrysalis Chronicles - The Eyes of the Desert Sand Book 1
"From the opening pages where we are first introduced to 13 year old Ethan Fox and his beloved parents, George and Betsy, through the winding pathways that guide us through the start of Ethan's story, to the closing lines where we must say a found farewell (but not for long I hope) to all the characters we've met thus far, I had a wonderful time learning their story!
...Throughout this extremely entertaining story, Ethan meets some remarkable diverse characters. From the blue taletaddler who says xo-xo, to the shape shifting sea hydromorphs, from the Grumplings to the grimtailed dread, the characters are different, interesting and colorful.
This was such an interesting read, I had difficulty putting it down, even for just a short time. It had a great storyline, the story flowed very smoothly and I loved the characters. I look forward eagerly for the next book in the series."
-- Susan Ashcraft, Goodreads, March 27, 2012
**** "This is the author's debut book, and he is off to a great start. He has a whimsical story that can grow into a fun and adventurous series."
-- Gretchen, Teacher, Goodreads, March 20, 2012
THE EYES OF THE DESERT SAND
book one in the Chrysalis Chronicles series!
Visit www.ChrysalisChronicles.com and watch the trailer.
* “Wolfe brings fantasy and fun to the first in his Chrysalis Chronicles. A tale of pure imagination, it brings readers to unknown worlds as its wondrous characters come to life. The author has written an adventure that is exciting and charming. A truly fantastic debut.” -- Amy Lignor, New York’s RT Book Reviews Magazine, February 2012 issue, 4-1/2 Stars and a Top Pick!
About Fox Hunt Publishing Group
Fox Hunt Publishing Group is a publishing house for Chrysalis Chronicles, the digital home of the Chrysalis Chronicles books, and Chrysalis Chronicles book series. All things Chrysalis Chronicles is currently available through the Chrysalis Chronicles website and soon through selected wholesalers, distributors, libraries, and bookstores. Visit us on the Web at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com. The Company is headquartered in San Jose,California.
* * *
Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe
A delightful novel that glows with rare magic, unearthly wonders, and true friendships
Discover the world at www.ChrysalisChronicles.com
Press Contacts:
Jaimison Steinworth
Fox Hunt Publishing Group
PublicRelations@ChrysalisChronicles.com
(408) 216-0309
Chrysalis Chronicles characters, and related indicia are trademarks of and © Fox Hunt Publishing Group.
All Rights Reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
June 30, 2012
Wolfe's Debut Novel Exhibits at the NEA Trade Show in Washington, D.C.
Look for our title, Chrysalis Chronicles – The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe at the National Education Association national trade show conference held July 1st and 2nd in Washington, D.C.
NEA is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become teachers. The NEA has 3.2 million members and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. With affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the nation. Dennis Van Roekel is the NEAs current president.
Find our title at the Combined Book Exhibit booth and pick up a free catalog in person or go online to their websites to view an electronic copy at www.combinedbook.com or www.thebookcheckout.com. Also, see our full-page ad in the catalog.
