The Misfits Save The World: An Aran Islands Fantasy

by Therese Gilardi

A group of teenage misfits are sent to a reform school on a remote Irish island with the hope they can salvage their lives. Hiking among the ruins, they find the "serpent's lair" wormhole. Tumbling into the wormhole, they discover a parallel world where Ireland's extinct animals are still alive. After returning to the present, the misfits are determined to save endangered animals. They hatch a conservation plan that goes viral. Then they turn on each other.

166 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2023

About the author

Therese Gilardi is a poet, novelist and essayist whose work has appeared in numerous journals including "Literary Mama," "Mom Egg Review," "Punchnel's," "Onthebus," and "Ariel Chart," among others. An avid cinephile, Therese is a juror for the Socially Relevant Film Festival. Therese loves Celtic rock, speed trains and easy guitar riffs.

Reviews

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🕳️ have ever discovered a wormhole
🦒 want to protect endangered animals
📖 enjoy short reads
🌲 were sent to wilderness camp

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

A group of teenage misfits are sent to a reform school on a remote Irish island with the hope they can salvage their lives. Hiking among the ruins, they find the "serpent's lair" wormhole. Tumbling into the wormhole, they discover a parallel world where Ireland's extinct animals are still alive. After returning to the present, the misfits are determined to save endangered animals. They hatch a conservation plan that goes viral. Then they turn on each other.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a fun and entertaining read with some magical moments! Five teens are sent to a wilderness camp to learn how to properly behave in society and end up becoming unlikely friends. Quinn and Freya are the two we get to know most, but Ravi, Tadgh, and Maisie are also introduced to us in smaller ways. My favorite character was Freya, because she seemed to have the toughest go of things, but I did realize that if everyone had just been more communicative, that none of the problems they encountered would have happened, so this definitely felt like a coming of age type of story! I recommend this one for younger readers or for fans of Ireland.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got lost in this fantasy world and I couldn’t get enough! Sent to a reform school on the Irish island a group of teenage misfits go on a hike. On this hike among the ruins they stumble into a wormhole called the Serpents Lair, as they tumble into a parallel universe where they discover Ireland's extinct animals are still alive in. When they return back to the real world, they have the determination to save the animals. They come with a plan that soon goes viral, but happens when they start turning on each-other? This was such an interesting concept for a book, I loved the characters and their differences and they felt so real!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘈 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦!

What a great story, I had so much fun reading it. A group of misfits, a reform school, a remote island, time traveling and extinct animals. A story about second chances, the meaning of friendship discovering yourself and nature. A great book for young adults.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 by Therese Gilardi Author released July 15, 2023.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿?
I pick Friends!

𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆!

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[crafty.jenn.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts with the parental and societal expectations these five teenagers face and why they are considered misfits. Finding a sense of belonging and a wormhole all bring them closer together. They launch a plan to save Ireland’s extinct animals and it goes viral. Then when credit is not given to all of them, some hard life lessons are taught. Will their friendships survive?

I enjoyed each character and their unique qualities. I loved the messaging they story showcased and will look forward to more from this author.
This is a great YA fantasy read appropriate for age 10+.

[Lisa Albright]

This tween/teen book about a group of students sent to a school for self-improvement is an adventure into learning how to be a responsible productive adult in a very unusual way. They call themselves the misfits and it's also about building friendships and healthy relationships. I love the use of endangered animals and a wormhole to bring about these changes and inspire the misfits to take action in the care of the world we live in and those that inhabit it. A charming story that will delight readers of all ages.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read, but it's full of fantasy, adventure, and friendship. The setting of Ireland made for a perfect backdrop for the five “misfit” friends finding the wormhole called the Serpent’s Lair.

I loved that this involved the pursuit of animal conservation, being the big animal lover that I am. It also encourages kids to study and explore the STEM fields. It’s certainly a fun adventure with a fantasy twist, but ultimately, it's a good lesson on friendship and how fragile life is.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @theresegilardi for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read much fantasy but do enjoy magic realism occasionally. I’m so glad I read this book! The bond the “misfits” formed while attending reform school was really special and something they all five needed. Their backgrounds were extremely different but each of the five teens was an outcast of sorts and in need of a supportive friend group. Their shared love of helping animals really touched my heart. Such a enjoyable read!

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how fast the main characters became friends and bonded over being the outcasts of their family. Friendships like that can make a reform school a little more interesting. I liked that it followed more than just one person in the group. I loved the magical realism aspect and everything surrounding the wormhole and cabin. The school was a little different than what I was expecting, but with the length of the novel I understand why it was focused more on the adventures of the groups rather than the school itself. The school and events following allowed the group to learn some lessons in a way that stuck with them. Fun read

Thank you @theresegilardi and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.