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Finley Flood #2
The Wall of Darkness
Finley Flood age twelve has a secret, a really cool secret that he only shares with his closest friends. When they all start to have the same dreams Finley realises something is very wrong and discovers the menacing darkness that will give them the biggest challenge of their lives.
Fin finds himself stranded and in deadly danger when he finds the most awesome use for his new phone that you could ever imagine. As the tension mounts Fin and his friends will have to confront their biggest fears as they find themselves in a strange and hostile land, where darkness rules and something sinister lurks within. Danger abounds as they race to locate the source and protect the most secret of secrets from a terrifying power that threatens their entire existence.
Fin finds himself stranded and in deadly danger when he finds the most awesome use for his new phone that you could ever imagine. As the tension mounts Fin and his friends will have to confront their biggest fears as they find themselves in a strange and hostile land, where darkness rules and something sinister lurks within. Danger abounds as they race to locate the source and protect the most secret of secrets from a terrifying power that threatens their entire existence.
301 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2014
3 people want to read
About the author
John Cummings
2 books7 followersI am finally fulfilling my lifetime ambition of being a published author. I always wrote but never had time to take it seriously, something I regret. My first novel 'Finley Flood - Mirrors and Glass' was released in November 2013 and is the first in a planned series.
I guess the basic story for the novel was whizzing around in my head for quite some time before finally making into the written word. Initial feedback has been far better than I ever expected and it has really given me the drive to push on and write more.
Finley Flood has really come to life in my head, and now I am developing story lines and scenarios for him almost hourly. I believe he is very sustainable and will be around for some years as we grow up with him.
The thing I have quickly realised is that writing is only half the story. Marketing and selling the novel is an equally big although different challenge, and I find myself at the very foot of a long learning curve.
The second book in the series is well underway and hopefully will be published early 2014.
I guess the basic story for the novel was whizzing around in my head for quite some time before finally making into the written word. Initial feedback has been far better than I ever expected and it has really given me the drive to push on and write more.
Finley Flood has really come to life in my head, and now I am developing story lines and scenarios for him almost hourly. I believe he is very sustainable and will be around for some years as we grow up with him.
The thing I have quickly realised is that writing is only half the story. Marketing and selling the novel is an equally big although different challenge, and I find myself at the very foot of a long learning curve.
The second book in the series is well underway and hopefully will be published early 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 5, 2014
In the second book of the Finley Flood series, our hero and his friends face a stronger challenge against a deadly darkness in dangerous lands.
As we are re-introduced to Finley we quickly recognise him, remembering that he is just a regular boy with a knack for letting trouble find him. He's in bed with his shiny new phone, and he knows he's kind-of breaking the rules about phones at bedtime, but he decides he's also kind-of not, because he's still dressed. A kid's way of thinking if ever I heard it! It's a great way of bringing us back into Finley's story, and it's only a couple of paragraphs before the action begins. There's a great twist on Finley's original trick with mirrors (think of the surface of a mobile phone screen), and in the space of two pages we've caught up with the tale, without the use of large chunks of clumsy exposition (a pet hate of this particular reviewer).
There's a darker tone from the start this time round, with Finley feeling an evil force that wants to pull him in through the mirror's surface, and the crystal shard from the first book starts to glow. It's great to have this tension early on. As we've already met the characters in a previous book, the author gets straight on with telling the story. The presence from the forest is back, and Mr. Cummings does a good job of conveying Finley's unease at knowing it's near. I particularly enjoyed the idea of a thick darkness that Finley has to push his way through, as if its almost a physical thing. Children should have a great time pitching themselves into this scenario and wondering what they would do in the same situation.
Again, characterisation is spot on. His sister Phoebe is an annoyance he can't understand - for example, an early chapter where she has all of her bears sat around the table for breakfast, and he asks himself the classic question: Why do sisters have to be so weird? Then there's Finley's friend Rob - or Robster and Finbow as they call each other - just two typical boys knocking about and climbing trees together who happen to have a bit of a problem with mirrors and other dimensions... And we've got our old friends from the first book, Rummana and Maluna and the rest, and there's a fun scene where Finley describes his new phone to these people who've never seen such a thing (and I wonder if our children could imagine a time without mobiles!). Fin's also got a great answerphone message, but I'll let you discover that for yourself.
It's good to have a series for boys to enjoy, and the author understands his target audience. They want action, mystery and scares, and that's all within these pages. Dark forests, frightening beasts, glowing crystals, it's all here. Thematically it's about friends sticking together, and pushing through that darkness as a team. Finley is brave, intelligent and resourceful, and through it all he's certain, like any kid would be, that he'll be in deep trouble if he ruins his jeans! It's little touches like this that add that bit of humour any book needs to keep the reader onside - a couple of jokes really real children in and make them feel like they're in on the fun.
As with the first book, we've got quick, fat-free chapters that really drive the story along which helps to keep those pages turning - when you see the next chapter only has two or three pages, it's hard to resist reading just a little bit more before lights out! It isn't just more of the same either. The picture is painted broader this time - as I've already noted, the characters are in place, so there's plenty of focus on furthering the story. Keep an eye out for Franklin's back-story, which adds extra depth to the world Mr. Cummings is building.
There is plenty of scope for more adventures, and I eagerly await the next installment.
As we are re-introduced to Finley we quickly recognise him, remembering that he is just a regular boy with a knack for letting trouble find him. He's in bed with his shiny new phone, and he knows he's kind-of breaking the rules about phones at bedtime, but he decides he's also kind-of not, because he's still dressed. A kid's way of thinking if ever I heard it! It's a great way of bringing us back into Finley's story, and it's only a couple of paragraphs before the action begins. There's a great twist on Finley's original trick with mirrors (think of the surface of a mobile phone screen), and in the space of two pages we've caught up with the tale, without the use of large chunks of clumsy exposition (a pet hate of this particular reviewer).
There's a darker tone from the start this time round, with Finley feeling an evil force that wants to pull him in through the mirror's surface, and the crystal shard from the first book starts to glow. It's great to have this tension early on. As we've already met the characters in a previous book, the author gets straight on with telling the story. The presence from the forest is back, and Mr. Cummings does a good job of conveying Finley's unease at knowing it's near. I particularly enjoyed the idea of a thick darkness that Finley has to push his way through, as if its almost a physical thing. Children should have a great time pitching themselves into this scenario and wondering what they would do in the same situation.
Again, characterisation is spot on. His sister Phoebe is an annoyance he can't understand - for example, an early chapter where she has all of her bears sat around the table for breakfast, and he asks himself the classic question: Why do sisters have to be so weird? Then there's Finley's friend Rob - or Robster and Finbow as they call each other - just two typical boys knocking about and climbing trees together who happen to have a bit of a problem with mirrors and other dimensions... And we've got our old friends from the first book, Rummana and Maluna and the rest, and there's a fun scene where Finley describes his new phone to these people who've never seen such a thing (and I wonder if our children could imagine a time without mobiles!). Fin's also got a great answerphone message, but I'll let you discover that for yourself.
It's good to have a series for boys to enjoy, and the author understands his target audience. They want action, mystery and scares, and that's all within these pages. Dark forests, frightening beasts, glowing crystals, it's all here. Thematically it's about friends sticking together, and pushing through that darkness as a team. Finley is brave, intelligent and resourceful, and through it all he's certain, like any kid would be, that he'll be in deep trouble if he ruins his jeans! It's little touches like this that add that bit of humour any book needs to keep the reader onside - a couple of jokes really real children in and make them feel like they're in on the fun.
As with the first book, we've got quick, fat-free chapters that really drive the story along which helps to keep those pages turning - when you see the next chapter only has two or three pages, it's hard to resist reading just a little bit more before lights out! It isn't just more of the same either. The picture is painted broader this time - as I've already noted, the characters are in place, so there's plenty of focus on furthering the story. Keep an eye out for Franklin's back-story, which adds extra depth to the world Mr. Cummings is building.
There is plenty of scope for more adventures, and I eagerly await the next installment.
July 12, 2014
By Bree Wolf, author of Fireflies
What I found most amazing about ‘Finley Flood and the Wall of Darkness’ was the incredibly detailed world creation. Ferrister and its people come to life right there in your living room (or wherever you’re reading this book) and although they’re not really human, they feel like neighbors you’ve known forever. The four main characters (Fin, Rob, Hannah and Van) are easy to relate to, while at the same time unique in their abilities and how they contribute to the success of their mission to save the people of Ferrister from the Wall of Darkness. With great attention to detail, the author creates an atmosphere that has you on the edge of your seat - sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad!
A great read that shows that courage and responsibility go a long way!
What I found most amazing about ‘Finley Flood and the Wall of Darkness’ was the incredibly detailed world creation. Ferrister and its people come to life right there in your living room (or wherever you’re reading this book) and although they’re not really human, they feel like neighbors you’ve known forever. The four main characters (Fin, Rob, Hannah and Van) are easy to relate to, while at the same time unique in their abilities and how they contribute to the success of their mission to save the people of Ferrister from the Wall of Darkness. With great attention to detail, the author creates an atmosphere that has you on the edge of your seat - sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad!
A great read that shows that courage and responsibility go a long way!
August 5, 2014
In the second book of the Finley Flood series, our hero and his friends face a stronger challenge against a deadly darkness in dangerous lands.
As we are re-introduced to Finley we quickly recognise him, remembering that he is just a regular boy with a knack for letting trouble find him. He's in bed with his shiny new phone, and he knows he's kind-of breaking the rules about phones at bedtime, but he decides he's also kind-of not, because he's still dressed. A kid's way of thinking if ever I heard it! It's a great way of bringing us back into Finley's story, and it's only a couple of paragraphs before the action begins. There's a great twist on Finley's original trick with mirrors (think of the surface of a mobile phone screen), and in the space of two pages we've caught up with the tale, without the use of large chunks of clumsy exposition (a pet hate of this particular reviewer).
There's a darker tone from the start this time round, with Finley feeling an evil force that wants to pull him in through the mirror's surface, and the crystal shard from the first book starts to glow. It's great to have this tension early on. As we've already met the characters in a previous book, the author gets straight on with telling the story. The presence from the forest is back, and Mr. Cummings does a good job of conveying Finley's unease at knowing it's near. I particularly enjoyed the idea of a thick darkness that Finley has to push his way through, as if its almost a physical thing. Children should have a great time pitching themselves into this scenario and wondering what they would do in the same situation.
Again, characterisation is spot on. His sister Phoebe is an annoyance he can't understand - for example, an early chapter where she has all of her bears sat around the table for breakfast, and he asks himself the classic question: Why do sisters have to be so weird? Then there's Finley's friend Rob - or Robster and Finbow as they call each other - just two typical boys knocking about and climbing trees together who happen to have a bit of a problem with mirrors and other dimensions... And we've got our old friends from the first book, Rummana and Maluna and the rest, and there's a fun scene where Finley describes his new phone to these people who've never seen such a thing (and I wonder if our children could imagine a time without mobiles!). Fin's also got a great answerphone message, but I'll let you discover that for yourself.
It's good to have a series for boys to enjoy, and the author understands his target audience. They want action, mystery and scares, and that's all within these pages. Dark forests, frightening beasts, glowing crystals, it's all here. Thematically it's about friends sticking together, and pushing through that darkness as a team. Finley is brave, intelligent and resourceful, and through it all he's certain, like any kid would be, that he'll be in deep trouble if he ruins his jeans! It's little touches like this that add that bit of humour any book needs to keep the reader onside - a couple of jokes really real children in and make them feel like they're in on the fun.
As with the first book, we've got quick, fat-free chapters that really drive the story along which helps to keep those pages turning - when you see the next chapter only has two or three pages, it's hard to resist reading just a little bit more before lights out! It isn't just more of the same either. The picture is painted broader this time - as I've already noted, the characters are in place, so there's plenty of focus on furthering the story. Keep an eye out for Franklin's back-story, which adds extra depth to the world Mr. Cummings is building.
There is plenty of scope for more adventures, and I eagerly await the next installment.
As we are re-introduced to Finley we quickly recognise him, remembering that he is just a regular boy with a knack for letting trouble find him. He's in bed with his shiny new phone, and he knows he's kind-of breaking the rules about phones at bedtime, but he decides he's also kind-of not, because he's still dressed. A kid's way of thinking if ever I heard it! It's a great way of bringing us back into Finley's story, and it's only a couple of paragraphs before the action begins. There's a great twist on Finley's original trick with mirrors (think of the surface of a mobile phone screen), and in the space of two pages we've caught up with the tale, without the use of large chunks of clumsy exposition (a pet hate of this particular reviewer).
There's a darker tone from the start this time round, with Finley feeling an evil force that wants to pull him in through the mirror's surface, and the crystal shard from the first book starts to glow. It's great to have this tension early on. As we've already met the characters in a previous book, the author gets straight on with telling the story. The presence from the forest is back, and Mr. Cummings does a good job of conveying Finley's unease at knowing it's near. I particularly enjoyed the idea of a thick darkness that Finley has to push his way through, as if its almost a physical thing. Children should have a great time pitching themselves into this scenario and wondering what they would do in the same situation.
Again, characterisation is spot on. His sister Phoebe is an annoyance he can't understand - for example, an early chapter where she has all of her bears sat around the table for breakfast, and he asks himself the classic question: Why do sisters have to be so weird? Then there's Finley's friend Rob - or Robster and Finbow as they call each other - just two typical boys knocking about and climbing trees together who happen to have a bit of a problem with mirrors and other dimensions... And we've got our old friends from the first book, Rummana and Maluna and the rest, and there's a fun scene where Finley describes his new phone to these people who've never seen such a thing (and I wonder if our children could imagine a time without mobiles!). Fin's also got a great answerphone message, but I'll let you discover that for yourself.
It's good to have a series for boys to enjoy, and the author understands his target audience. They want action, mystery and scares, and that's all within these pages. Dark forests, frightening beasts, glowing crystals, it's all here. Thematically it's about friends sticking together, and pushing through that darkness as a team. Finley is brave, intelligent and resourceful, and through it all he's certain, like any kid would be, that he'll be in deep trouble if he ruins his jeans! It's little touches like this that add that bit of humour any book needs to keep the reader onside - a couple of jokes really real children in and make them feel like they're in on the fun.
As with the first book, we've got quick, fat-free chapters that really drive the story along which helps to keep those pages turning - when you see the next chapter only has two or three pages, it's hard to resist reading just a little bit more before lights out! It isn't just more of the same either. The picture is painted broader this time - as I've already noted, the characters are in place, so there's plenty of focus on furthering the story. Keep an eye out for Franklin's back-story, which adds extra depth to the world Mr. Cummings is building.
There is plenty of scope for more adventures, and I eagerly await the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews