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Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone
Author J.T. Michaels brings a fantasy tale of an ancient war, a modern-day murder mystery, mystical creatures, and memorable characters in his masterfully written young adult novel, Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone.
The Great War ended a century ago. Peace reigns across the eight countries. Epic tales of heroic men and women of those times are recounted in song and story. Yet, history seems to have forgotten a young battlefield healer, Tessa Marlise…
Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Chartron has just enrolled at the Navale Academy of Eagleon, his mind set on becoming an electrician. A chance magical encounter binds him to the trapped soul of Tessa Marlise. As Jimmy struggles to deal with this shocking development, murder and mystery unravel in the academy. Caught in the middle of everything, Jimmy realizes that a larger evil is afoot and that only two things can stop it: himself and the ghost in his head…
The Great War ended a century ago. Peace reigns across the eight countries. Epic tales of heroic men and women of those times are recounted in song and story. Yet, history seems to have forgotten a young battlefield healer, Tessa Marlise…
Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Chartron has just enrolled at the Navale Academy of Eagleon, his mind set on becoming an electrician. A chance magical encounter binds him to the trapped soul of Tessa Marlise. As Jimmy struggles to deal with this shocking development, murder and mystery unravel in the academy. Caught in the middle of everything, Jimmy realizes that a larger evil is afoot and that only two things can stop it: himself and the ghost in his head…
- GenresFantasy
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2022
1 person is currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Michaels
1 book9 followersAuthor J.T. Michaels has always loved storytelling, no matter the medium. Being immersed in a different world, whether it’s through books or video games, has also been an obsession for him. Years after writing for his school magazine, he discovered he wanted to create his own worlds for readers, and his journey to fantasy writing began with Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone, the first volume in his epic fantasy series.
J.T. gets inspiration for his books from everything around him, incorporating his friends as character ideas to make his stories as relatable and realistic as possible. He hopes his young readers come away from his stories having escaped from the real world for a bit and with a spark of magic that lasts long after the book is closed.
When he isn’t writing enchanting fantasy novels for teens, J.T. enjoys running and spending time outside in the sunshine and hunkering down in a bookstore or library on rainy days. He lives in British Columbia, Canada, where he likes to indulge in a great cup of coffee. Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone is his debut novel, the first in a planned fantasy trilogy.
J.T. gets inspiration for his books from everything around him, incorporating his friends as character ideas to make his stories as relatable and realistic as possible. He hopes his young readers come away from his stories having escaped from the real world for a bit and with a spark of magic that lasts long after the book is closed.
When he isn’t writing enchanting fantasy novels for teens, J.T. enjoys running and spending time outside in the sunshine and hunkering down in a bookstore or library on rainy days. He lives in British Columbia, Canada, where he likes to indulge in a great cup of coffee. Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone is his debut novel, the first in a planned fantasy trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 25, 2022
I though that this book a little childish for me. I enjoy the frendship beteewen Jimmy and Tessa. And did like that Tessa is a ghost trapped in Jimmy´s body. But the worldbulding have little details, and that not give much information about Naval Academy.
If I was more younger, maybe in my 16s, I would enjoy much more. Especialy the investigation about the ragas and the fun personalty of Tessa. But now when I read a book if the setting is not wonderful, I not enjoy that much reading the book.
If I was more younger, maybe in my 16s, I would enjoy much more. Especialy the investigation about the ragas and the fun personalty of Tessa. But now when I read a book if the setting is not wonderful, I not enjoy that much reading the book.
October 7, 2022
Jimmy Chartron and The Lost Keystone is the first book of the Jimmy Chartron series. Jimmy is an orphan teenager that dreams of getting into the Navale Academy of Eagleon, and when he manages to enroll there, he meets Tessa. Together, they both get into many adventures that risk their lives, and uncover a bigger plot that any of them could anticipate.
The story has a good pace, it's very dinamic, and the relationship between Jimmy and Tessa is really nice to read. They're quirky and funny,making the narrative a lot lighter.
the plot is very well-written as well, there's a mystery that I wasn't able to solve until the end, and that ending left me wanting the next book asap. I really liked the story, it's engaging and fun to read. My only pet peeve is that sometimes Jimmy's actions seem off for his age, they'd be more fitting in those of a child seeing how innocently he reacts or believes things people tell him. This threw me off in some points, that's the reason for the 4 star rating, besides that the book is great.
This book was given me by BookSirens. All the opinions are my own.
The story has a good pace, it's very dinamic, and the relationship between Jimmy and Tessa is really nice to read. They're quirky and funny,making the narrative a lot lighter.
the plot is very well-written as well, there's a mystery that I wasn't able to solve until the end, and that ending left me wanting the next book asap. I really liked the story, it's engaging and fun to read. My only pet peeve is that sometimes Jimmy's actions seem off for his age, they'd be more fitting in those of a child seeing how innocently he reacts or believes things people tell him. This threw me off in some points, that's the reason for the 4 star rating, besides that the book is great.
This book was given me by BookSirens. All the opinions are my own.
May 25, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A kid from common origins gets to go to a special school. While there, strange things happen, and he finds himself possessed by the spirit of a female war hero. It turns out evil beings from dark dimensions are rising once again, using magical rats as their main weapons of espionage.
Mostly entertaining.
A kid from common origins gets to go to a special school. While there, strange things happen, and he finds himself possessed by the spirit of a female war hero. It turns out evil beings from dark dimensions are rising once again, using magical rats as their main weapons of espionage.
Mostly entertaining.
March 22, 2022
Jimmy Chartron has his heart set on becoming an electrician and has worked hard to be accepted at the elite Naval Academy of Eagleton. When he starts his year, he discovers a secret compartment on the statue of Tessa Marlise, a hero from the Great War, now a century past. As he fiddles with a gap he finds, something happens, and when he wakes from a blackout realizes that he has another person in his body. A ghost – and the ghost of a sassy girl to boot! The last thing Tessa remembers is protecting the Keystone with her life, and now it is a century later, and she is stuck in the mind of a sixteen-year-old boy. Tessa quickly takes the lead, and soon she and Jimmy is spying on the Headmaster and Headmistress. They are caught up in a conspiracy to cover up the actual cause of the great war and a race to prevent another war. J.T Michaels wrote a great fantasy starter, and it promises to be a series that will become loved by YA readers
Jimmy Chartron by J.T. Micheals is a YA fantasy adventure with great worldbuilding and characters. I loved it, the cover caught my eye and the story was so much fun to read. The story has a fast pace and is full of action and witty dialogue. Jimmy acts like a real teenager and is an excellent example of someone taking responsibility for his life and working hard to make his dreams come true. He is very accomplished in coming up with excuses to get himself out of trouble, which, after he meets Tessa, seems to be a lot. I liked the characters very much nd would recommend this to avid readers of the YA genres; even adults will enjoy this book. There is no profanity and therefore is squeaky clean and fit for younger readers as well.
Jimmy Chartron by J.T. Micheals is a YA fantasy adventure with great worldbuilding and characters. I loved it, the cover caught my eye and the story was so much fun to read. The story has a fast pace and is full of action and witty dialogue. Jimmy acts like a real teenager and is an excellent example of someone taking responsibility for his life and working hard to make his dreams come true. He is very accomplished in coming up with excuses to get himself out of trouble, which, after he meets Tessa, seems to be a lot. I liked the characters very much nd would recommend this to avid readers of the YA genres; even adults will enjoy this book. There is no profanity and therefore is squeaky clean and fit for younger readers as well.
August 4, 2022
Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone is a middle grade book that is written by J.T. Michaels. The book is recommended for ages 9 and up. I chose to read this book with my 11 and 9 year old son. My 9 year old is not the hugest fan of reading, but he was excited to sit down every night.
They loved this book because it is full of adventure. I hope to read the next book in the series. Jimmy is 16 and has worked really hard to get into Navale Academy of Eagleon. He has big dreams of becoming an electrician. Once he arrives he finds a secret in a statue from a Great War hero, Tessa Marlise. Imagine Tessa's surprise when she wakes up in the body of 16 year old Jimmy. The last thing that Tessa had remembered was protecting the Keystone. They work together, Tessa takes the lead and go on a fun adventure.
The book was well written and would appeal to middle grade readers. The kids and I enjoyed it. Thank you to the author, publisher and Children's book review for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
They loved this book because it is full of adventure. I hope to read the next book in the series. Jimmy is 16 and has worked really hard to get into Navale Academy of Eagleon. He has big dreams of becoming an electrician. Once he arrives he finds a secret in a statue from a Great War hero, Tessa Marlise. Imagine Tessa's surprise when she wakes up in the body of 16 year old Jimmy. The last thing that Tessa had remembered was protecting the Keystone. They work together, Tessa takes the lead and go on a fun adventure.
The book was well written and would appeal to middle grade readers. The kids and I enjoyed it. Thank you to the author, publisher and Children's book review for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
December 18, 2022
Although I don't really believe in boys- and girls things, I do believe that some things appeal more often to boys while others appeal more often to girls. The current YA market is filled with books that mostly have a girl protagonist and a swoony love story. I'm certain there are enough non-girls loving these stories as much as girls do, but I can imagine that some people need something more action-packed. And when I found this title on BookSirens I hoped this would be such a novel.
And this book certainly is action-packed from start to finish while also containing all the elements a good YA novel should contain. The prologue is really setting the atmosphere, although I had some issues really connecting it to the rest of the book. Very likely it's more a prologue to the entire series and answers will come in future books. However, from the moment we meet Jimmy we're thrown into an adventure that never really stops.
There's quite a lot going on in this book and for a long time the different elements and events of the book seem a little disconnected. It's only at the end of the story that we find some link connecting all these elements and making it one big event and element. Since there's so much going on it's sometimes a challenge to remember everything and to keep all the characters, their names and what they've done so far straight.
Because of all the action, the running, the fighting, the fleeing and the exploring the world, there is also not much time for the characters to actually stand still and feel. I can imagine that not every reader cares much about that, but I always do. However, in this case I do understand that there is not too much time for Jimmy to pity himself or to feel sad about everything. There's way too much work to do. And for some reason it feels like this is only the beginning!
And this book certainly is action-packed from start to finish while also containing all the elements a good YA novel should contain. The prologue is really setting the atmosphere, although I had some issues really connecting it to the rest of the book. Very likely it's more a prologue to the entire series and answers will come in future books. However, from the moment we meet Jimmy we're thrown into an adventure that never really stops.
There's quite a lot going on in this book and for a long time the different elements and events of the book seem a little disconnected. It's only at the end of the story that we find some link connecting all these elements and making it one big event and element. Since there's so much going on it's sometimes a challenge to remember everything and to keep all the characters, their names and what they've done so far straight.
Because of all the action, the running, the fighting, the fleeing and the exploring the world, there is also not much time for the characters to actually stand still and feel. I can imagine that not every reader cares much about that, but I always do. However, in this case I do understand that there is not too much time for Jimmy to pity himself or to feel sad about everything. There's way too much work to do. And for some reason it feels like this is only the beginning!
April 23, 2022
Let me start by the saying the cover is very eye catching and feels perfect for the story.
I really enjoyed the world building and it had fantasy supernatural elements which added to the story. The author had a way in describing the scenes which made it quite visually pleasing. The characters were great and the dynamic with Jimmy and his ghostly counterpart Tessa was really fun. They had some really good banter. There is a vast variety of characters but they do seem to have their own voices which makes it easier to keep track of who is who.
This book had a lot of adventure and it's quite fast paced. It's a really solid start to a new YA fantasy series. I think this book would also be good for younger readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Thank you to the author giving my an ARC copy for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the world building and it had fantasy supernatural elements which added to the story. The author had a way in describing the scenes which made it quite visually pleasing. The characters were great and the dynamic with Jimmy and his ghostly counterpart Tessa was really fun. They had some really good banter. There is a vast variety of characters but they do seem to have their own voices which makes it easier to keep track of who is who.
This book had a lot of adventure and it's quite fast paced. It's a really solid start to a new YA fantasy series. I think this book would also be good for younger readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Thank you to the author giving my an ARC copy for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
Young Adults and some Middle Grade students will love this book, filled with adventure. They’re going to be looking for more in this series, because of the book’s creativity. Each and every page draws the reader in so that they really can’t find a good place to stop. “Just one more minute” will be the excuse we give for staying up too late to keep reading.
Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Key Keystone is mysterious, a little scary, and oh, so interesting! I found myself reading quickly because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. Picking a book filled with danger and excitement? This is the one for you!
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and J.T. Michaels.
Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Key Keystone is mysterious, a little scary, and oh, so interesting! I found myself reading quickly because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. Picking a book filled with danger and excitement? This is the one for you!
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and J.T. Michaels.
July 5, 2022
Poor Jimmy, I don’t know when he finds the time to eat, much less sleep at the speed this lad jumps from the frying pan thru multiple fires!!!
First up he’s been newly accepted into the very prestigious Navale Academy with a full docket of classwork. While also holding down a full time job on the docks. Then! he makes a mysterious discovery & gets a century old ghost inhabiting his head mean while dealing with all that and a string of mysterious break-ins culminating in a murder! He ends up volunteering for Fort duty.
I’m tired just thinking about it!
So, as one can surmise, this is a fast paced, fast moving, highly entertaining jaunt in a world that depends on magical element stones for everything BUT is also dabbling in a new era of electricity & machinery. While also containing two warring races and a host of hostile creatures from unknown lands.
There are enough characters weaving in and out of the story that I sometimes lost track of who was what. But, overall I found it quite entertaining and look forward to further adventures with Jimmy & Tessa.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First up he’s been newly accepted into the very prestigious Navale Academy with a full docket of classwork. While also holding down a full time job on the docks. Then! he makes a mysterious discovery & gets a century old ghost inhabiting his head mean while dealing with all that and a string of mysterious break-ins culminating in a murder! He ends up volunteering for Fort duty.
I’m tired just thinking about it!
So, as one can surmise, this is a fast paced, fast moving, highly entertaining jaunt in a world that depends on magical element stones for everything BUT is also dabbling in a new era of electricity & machinery. While also containing two warring races and a host of hostile creatures from unknown lands.
There are enough characters weaving in and out of the story that I sometimes lost track of who was what. But, overall I found it quite entertaining and look forward to further adventures with Jimmy & Tessa.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2022
I really enjoyed Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone from the moment I started it. Our hero is a new pupil at the Navale Academy and although he lives in a world of magic stones, he has decided to specialise in the study of electricity, which I have to say, I thought was a nice touch: his world is like a reverse mirror image of ours and there is some magic in electricity, isn't there? Or certainly there is for Jimmy.
Jimmy soon discovers that things are not right at the Academy with the spotting of shadowy figures, and the book involves him going on a quest to seek answers, especially when people start to be attacked. I am not going to reveal too much here about what happens but Jimmy gets help along the way, gaining crucial friends from different quarters to help him.
Jimmy is an engaging hero who is easy to like. He has courage and brains and whilst he may have been thrown into circumstances into which he never expected to find himself, he does it with a can-do spirit. J.T. Michaels has Jimmy on a fast-paced adventure, discovering a lot about his world from which he had previously been sheltered or of which he had a basic knowledge and there are scuffles and skirmishes galore in various settings in his fictional world.
All of these incidences are well written. J.T. Michaels has a particular talent for writing dialogue and I think that some of the best fantasy novels I have read have this in common: the characters seem relatable because of the way that they interact with each other, and teasing and humour accentuates this and builds a relationship for you as the reader with those characters which makes you will them on, to find the truth, to beat the baddy, to overcome. It also helps that they are involved in scrapes that bond them to each other. Nothing like shared strife to help you see who has got your back.
Could parallels be drawn with Harry Potter? Possibly, as there are definite similarities. However, Michaels' style and the situations that Jimmy finds himself in are their own.
In Jimmy Chartron, I think as an introduction to fantasy, this will appeal to its target audience and as a fantasy reader of some experience, I am curious to see where Jimmy's adventures take him next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jimmy soon discovers that things are not right at the Academy with the spotting of shadowy figures, and the book involves him going on a quest to seek answers, especially when people start to be attacked. I am not going to reveal too much here about what happens but Jimmy gets help along the way, gaining crucial friends from different quarters to help him.
Jimmy is an engaging hero who is easy to like. He has courage and brains and whilst he may have been thrown into circumstances into which he never expected to find himself, he does it with a can-do spirit. J.T. Michaels has Jimmy on a fast-paced adventure, discovering a lot about his world from which he had previously been sheltered or of which he had a basic knowledge and there are scuffles and skirmishes galore in various settings in his fictional world.
All of these incidences are well written. J.T. Michaels has a particular talent for writing dialogue and I think that some of the best fantasy novels I have read have this in common: the characters seem relatable because of the way that they interact with each other, and teasing and humour accentuates this and builds a relationship for you as the reader with those characters which makes you will them on, to find the truth, to beat the baddy, to overcome. It also helps that they are involved in scrapes that bond them to each other. Nothing like shared strife to help you see who has got your back.
Could parallels be drawn with Harry Potter? Possibly, as there are definite similarities. However, Michaels' style and the situations that Jimmy finds himself in are their own.
In Jimmy Chartron, I think as an introduction to fantasy, this will appeal to its target audience and as a fantasy reader of some experience, I am curious to see where Jimmy's adventures take him next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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June 24, 2022Thanks to BookSirens for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
tl;dr
A plot-forward adventure that will appeal to middle grade and teen readers looking for lots of action and magic.
About
Jimmy's life is about to change - he's got a job promotion, and he's finally been accepted to the prestigious Navale Academy of Eagleon. But the changes don't stop there. He's also been possessed by the ghost of Tessa, a warrior of old. Great timing, considering an ancient enemy is on the rise, and Jimmy and Tessa might be the only ones who can stop it. Yes, Jimmy's life is definitely about to change.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I noted down "I'm willing to bet the author based these characters on people he knows." A quick look at the author's bio confirms that I'd be richer if someone had been willing to take me up on that bet. There's a sort of familiarity that the author has with the characters, and that the characters have with each other that feels very lived in. Jimmy and Tessa's banter, in particular, feels like they're very comfortable with each other. There's very little time for most of the cast to show off these connections, though, as this book is extremely plot-driven. Action sequences and plot twists feed directly into each other, giving Jimmy (and the readers) very little time to catch his breath before leaping into the next danger. Pacing is reminiscent of a video game, with new information and dangers being revealed at every turn, and a lot of world building. The ending ties up enough threads while leaving the much bigger plot ready for upcoming books in the series. Only time will tell if Jimmy and Tessa will make it out - but I'm cheering for them.
tl;dr
A plot-forward adventure that will appeal to middle grade and teen readers looking for lots of action and magic.
About
Jimmy's life is about to change - he's got a job promotion, and he's finally been accepted to the prestigious Navale Academy of Eagleon. But the changes don't stop there. He's also been possessed by the ghost of Tessa, a warrior of old. Great timing, considering an ancient enemy is on the rise, and Jimmy and Tessa might be the only ones who can stop it. Yes, Jimmy's life is definitely about to change.
Thoughts
About halfway through this book, I noted down "I'm willing to bet the author based these characters on people he knows." A quick look at the author's bio confirms that I'd be richer if someone had been willing to take me up on that bet. There's a sort of familiarity that the author has with the characters, and that the characters have with each other that feels very lived in. Jimmy and Tessa's banter, in particular, feels like they're very comfortable with each other. There's very little time for most of the cast to show off these connections, though, as this book is extremely plot-driven. Action sequences and plot twists feed directly into each other, giving Jimmy (and the readers) very little time to catch his breath before leaping into the next danger. Pacing is reminiscent of a video game, with new information and dangers being revealed at every turn, and a lot of world building. The ending ties up enough threads while leaving the much bigger plot ready for upcoming books in the series. Only time will tell if Jimmy and Tessa will make it out - but I'm cheering for them.
June 29, 2022
First I want to talk about the things in this book that disappointed me. One is while the beginning of the story started at Navale Academy not much is known about the subjects taught at the Academy nor do any of the teachers aside from the Headmaster & Headmistress interact with our main character Jimmy Charton. Second is while the two main characters Jimmy Charton & Tessa Marlise are well flushed out not much is known about the other characters who interact with them. That's it.
If you want to read a book about fantasy, action & adventure, crime & mystery, friendship, & travel to a new world then this is the book for you. I would definitely recommend reading this book. It has become one of my favorite books. A must reread book. New world check. New history & culture check. A teenage school boy & the ghost possessing him check… wait what?
Introducing us to a new world called Eagleon & its inhabitants. Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Chartron has just enrolled at the Navale Academy of Eagleon, his mind set on becoming an electrician. At some point during his wondering around the Academy Jimmy gets possessed by a ghost named Tessa Marlise. After a murder happens on school grounds Jimmy & Tessa get involved in something more than just school. As Jimmy & Tessa try to find out more about what happened to Tessa they are somehow roped into a group consisting of the Headmaster & Headmistress of the Academy, A lieutenant from the army, A captain who I also think is from the army, the head inspector of the investigative bureau, & an architect as they try to prevent another war from happening. Someone from the group also happens to be a spy.
If you want to know if they actually prevent the war… Read the book to find out.
And as I say goodbye to Jimmy Charton & Tessa Marlise I will miss the witty banter between them. That is until the second installment to this series comes out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you want to read a book about fantasy, action & adventure, crime & mystery, friendship, & travel to a new world then this is the book for you. I would definitely recommend reading this book. It has become one of my favorite books. A must reread book. New world check. New history & culture check. A teenage school boy & the ghost possessing him check… wait what?
Introducing us to a new world called Eagleon & its inhabitants. Sixteen-year-old Jimmy Chartron has just enrolled at the Navale Academy of Eagleon, his mind set on becoming an electrician. At some point during his wondering around the Academy Jimmy gets possessed by a ghost named Tessa Marlise. After a murder happens on school grounds Jimmy & Tessa get involved in something more than just school. As Jimmy & Tessa try to find out more about what happened to Tessa they are somehow roped into a group consisting of the Headmaster & Headmistress of the Academy, A lieutenant from the army, A captain who I also think is from the army, the head inspector of the investigative bureau, & an architect as they try to prevent another war from happening. Someone from the group also happens to be a spy.
If you want to know if they actually prevent the war… Read the book to find out.
And as I say goodbye to Jimmy Charton & Tessa Marlise I will miss the witty banter between them. That is until the second installment to this series comes out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 25, 2022
I received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone is an adventure story middle-grade kids will love. With just the right mix of scary, magical, and mysterious, Jimmy and the characters he meets at the Navale Academy of Eagleon set out to find the lost keystone before other, darker forces do. Jimmy is an orphan who works on the docks but has aspirations of becoming an electrician. At the very start of his educational career, he finds himself playing host to the ghost of Tessa Marlise, a forgotten war hero that speaks inside his head. Not only does Tessa give him advice (often questionable) but she leads him in and out of some dangerous situations—fighting ragas, ferocious wolves, and otherworldly creatures—as they dig deeper and deeper into an age-old mystery. From one exciting quest to the next, the two form an endearing bond in spite of the way they often humorously bicker. This is Part 1 in a trilogy, and I look forward to watching the story unfold.
August 19, 2022
This young adult novel combines the most popular genres for this age group of readers. Fantasy, ghosts, a murder, coming of age struggles, and strong characters all rolled into a fast-moving adventure written with humor and great dialogue. The setting consists of a peaceful world left behind after a devastating war that wiped out civilization a century ago. Myths and stories tell the tales of former heroes. A battlefield healer named Tessie attaches her lost soul to Jimmy, the protagonist, who has just enrolled in school to become an electrician.
Jimmy struggles to deal with this dilemma but soon finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery at the school. Readers become immersed in his struggles, the murder mystery, and the lives of other colorful characters at the school. Michaels artfully reveals the successes and failures of the characters through skilled dialogue and humor.
This young adult novel is the first in a series and has much to offer to its targeted audience of readers nine and older but has widespread appeal for adults.
Jimmy struggles to deal with this dilemma but soon finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery at the school. Readers become immersed in his struggles, the murder mystery, and the lives of other colorful characters at the school. Michaels artfully reveals the successes and failures of the characters through skilled dialogue and humor.
This young adult novel is the first in a series and has much to offer to its targeted audience of readers nine and older but has widespread appeal for adults.
July 4, 2022
Jimmy Chartron starts a new school and works at the docks. Jimmy is fascinated with electricity. He discovers a part of the school that hasn't been used and finds a statue of a lady. jimmy pulls at her name plate and all of a sudden she's in his head. Jimmy and the ghost have an adventure of finding the Lost Keystone. Along the way, he meets some loyal friends who want to help him. He also learns secrets to the people he thought he trusted.
This book reminded me a bit of a Harry Potter-ish type story except with keystones, elves, fairies and creatures that are great fun to imagine. I enjoyed the story and the characters like Jimmy and Tessa (the ghost) who were relatable and lovable. The world building needed more in the way that I couldn't imagine the city or different people that were in it. Overall, I know a young audience who love Harry Potter or Keeper of the Lost Cities will love this series.
Thank you for BookSirens for this ARC of this book.
This book reminded me a bit of a Harry Potter-ish type story except with keystones, elves, fairies and creatures that are great fun to imagine. I enjoyed the story and the characters like Jimmy and Tessa (the ghost) who were relatable and lovable. The world building needed more in the way that I couldn't imagine the city or different people that were in it. Overall, I know a young audience who love Harry Potter or Keeper of the Lost Cities will love this series.
Thank you for BookSirens for this ARC of this book.
April 19, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up because it's rather refreshing having a young main character who's fairly sensible.
Although I felt dialogue was a bit stiff, I did love the world-building and quite enjoyed the storyline.
Thanks to BookSirens for a copy of this book.
Although I felt dialogue was a bit stiff, I did love the world-building and quite enjoyed the storyline.
Thanks to BookSirens for a copy of this book.
August 11, 2022
Very fun and easy read. I feel like it is suited for the younger readers . Maybe something to read together and spending some quality time while imaging the world building. Jimmy seems to have a very busy life with work and school and still finds the time to embark in this adventure with Tessa. I enjoyed how the author imagined Tessa. She is very sassy and smart and not at all as one would picture a war hero.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 13, 2022
this was a great start to the Jimmy Chartron series, it had a great supernatural elements to it and I enjoyed the adventure aspect to it. The characters were great and I enjoyed going through this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 28, 2022
The story has a slow start, but it's worth the wait. It's a page-turner once it's heated up. I enjoy reading about the relationship between the main character and his ghost "mentor". I was slightly disappointed when some exciting characters that I'd love to know more about appeared but were not well presented. However, I think the book contains so many promising future thrills that it made me wonder what would happen in the next book. I received this book as a review copy for free, but I am writing this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2022
Thank you so much to BookSirens and the author for this ARC! This review is voluntarily written by me.
First of all, I really like the cover! I like it because I can already start imagining the worldbuilding of the story even before I start reading the book. The writing is also just nice for me and the plot is easy to understand. For me, the strength of this story is its worldbuilding and some characters’ back stories, but, I think there is a lot to be uncovered in the next installment of this series (based on my understanding of the ending). The characters are also nicely written, but I think they can be explored more in the next book. Some chapters are a little bit long (for me) that sometimes makes me lose focus on the story, but that's just a minor issue due to my generally short attention span. Congratulations to the author for this debut and I’m hoping for the best for the next book from the author. If anyone wants to read a teen sci fi, paranormal, fantasy and historical mystery story (this story falls under multiple genres), I recommend this story for you.
First of all, I really like the cover! I like it because I can already start imagining the worldbuilding of the story even before I start reading the book. The writing is also just nice for me and the plot is easy to understand. For me, the strength of this story is its worldbuilding and some characters’ back stories, but, I think there is a lot to be uncovered in the next installment of this series (based on my understanding of the ending). The characters are also nicely written, but I think they can be explored more in the next book. Some chapters are a little bit long (for me) that sometimes makes me lose focus on the story, but that's just a minor issue due to my generally short attention span. Congratulations to the author for this debut and I’m hoping for the best for the next book from the author. If anyone wants to read a teen sci fi, paranormal, fantasy and historical mystery story (this story falls under multiple genres), I recommend this story for you.
September 14, 2022
I didn't hate this book but it was not my favorite either. Overall it was a nice story. I did really enjoy the supernatural elements to the story!
January 5, 2026
🌟🌟🌟⭐ (3.75/5 stars, rounded up to 4)
This is a wonderfully whimsical debut by J. T. Michaels, full of potential. The writing is a little amateurish, but I mean that positively - it's full of little details that do get repetitive at times, but for the most part, communicates the main character's relatability, and Michaels' excitement in sharing his world with us. This may not be for some readers, but personally, it pulls me in and makes me just as eager.
Some parts of it are paced weird, if only for a paragraph or two. Like, who decides to just start running down a tunnel of unknown length? I guess the implication was that since the character couldn't see the end of it, he knew it was long enough to have to run through it, but then it seems dangerous... I don't know. Further instances, generally, included the main character getting immediately used to wild ideas unlike anything he was used to being possible in his life, and either being good at new skills immediately or just having a single summary of the "hard" learning/training part. I guess that'll appeal to some people, but I love the depth and drudge that fantasy books can be. This is pretty short for a fantasy novel, which doesn't leave a lot of room for extra details.
There's also quite a few minor typos, and mistakes happen, though they do lessen my immersion. Missing commas, misplaced quotation marks, etc. Somewhat along the same lines, there's a lot of internal monologuing in this (for good reason), though I had a bit of trouble discerning if some things were italicized to indicate an internal monologue by accident, and if other things weren't italicized by accident.
Overall, this was a pretty good debut novel with decent pacing and a lot of thought and love put into the world. Being the first in a series, it is a little bit like watching the first few episodes of a new show and waiting for it to hook you, but by the end, I had a pretty good image of the world, and the events and characters were clear in my mind when referred back to. It intrigued me enough to possibly pick up the next one, but it doesn't leave on a cliffhanger, either, which is appreciated.
This is a wonderfully whimsical debut by J. T. Michaels, full of potential. The writing is a little amateurish, but I mean that positively - it's full of little details that do get repetitive at times, but for the most part, communicates the main character's relatability, and Michaels' excitement in sharing his world with us. This may not be for some readers, but personally, it pulls me in and makes me just as eager.
Some parts of it are paced weird, if only for a paragraph or two. Like, who decides to just start running down a tunnel of unknown length? I guess the implication was that since the character couldn't see the end of it, he knew it was long enough to have to run through it, but then it seems dangerous... I don't know. Further instances, generally, included the main character getting immediately used to wild ideas unlike anything he was used to being possible in his life, and either being good at new skills immediately or just having a single summary of the "hard" learning/training part. I guess that'll appeal to some people, but I love the depth and drudge that fantasy books can be. This is pretty short for a fantasy novel, which doesn't leave a lot of room for extra details.
There's also quite a few minor typos, and mistakes happen, though they do lessen my immersion. Missing commas, misplaced quotation marks, etc. Somewhat along the same lines, there's a lot of internal monologuing in this (for good reason), though I had a bit of trouble discerning if some things were italicized to indicate an internal monologue by accident, and if other things weren't italicized by accident.
Overall, this was a pretty good debut novel with decent pacing and a lot of thought and love put into the world. Being the first in a series, it is a little bit like watching the first few episodes of a new show and waiting for it to hook you, but by the end, I had a pretty good image of the world, and the events and characters were clear in my mind when referred back to. It intrigued me enough to possibly pick up the next one, but it doesn't leave on a cliffhanger, either, which is appreciated.
July 5, 2022
Looking for fantasy adventure with action, magic, strange beasts, and a young protagonist coming of age? Jimmy Chartron is a teenage orphan working any jobs he can find (cleaning ships down at the harbor, delivering mail, etc.) to survive. His goal is to go to school and become an electrical inventor. It seems that his dreams are coming true, because he is accepted to the Navale Academy and is able to sign up for the track of study that will let him learn about electricity. But instead of clear sailing, Jimmy winds up stuck in a web of intrigues with ties back to a war that ended before he was born, and the players in the intrigue seem to be everywhere. There are attacks in the school, shadowy figures trying to assassinate instructors and government agents, and no matter where he goes, Jimmy is always right in the thick of the action.
This book has many attractive features for middle grade readers. There is the plucky orphan who works hard to rise above circumstances. The stately school with its well-respected instructors is now plagued by break-ins, fires, and attacks by magical creatures. Working so hard just to have food and a place to stay, Jimmy has not made friends of his own age until he reaches school. Suddenly, he meets other young people and begins to form alliances with them. There are objects that seem magical or part of a steampunk world - trains with elemental stones that help to move the cars along tracks, air ships that use other stones to levitate them through the air, pistols that send out bullets and smokescreens. Whether readers enjoy the trope of the lonely boy finding his place in the world, or simply want some fighting scenes with magical creatures and weird gadgets, Jimmy Chartron will keep them turning the pages. And they will be glad to see it is only the first in a series - so they can expect more from Jimmy and his friends (and enemies) in the future
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has many attractive features for middle grade readers. There is the plucky orphan who works hard to rise above circumstances. The stately school with its well-respected instructors is now plagued by break-ins, fires, and attacks by magical creatures. Working so hard just to have food and a place to stay, Jimmy has not made friends of his own age until he reaches school. Suddenly, he meets other young people and begins to form alliances with them. There are objects that seem magical or part of a steampunk world - trains with elemental stones that help to move the cars along tracks, air ships that use other stones to levitate them through the air, pistols that send out bullets and smokescreens. Whether readers enjoy the trope of the lonely boy finding his place in the world, or simply want some fighting scenes with magical creatures and weird gadgets, Jimmy Chartron will keep them turning the pages. And they will be glad to see it is only the first in a series - so they can expect more from Jimmy and his friends (and enemies) in the future
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 16, 2022
3.5/5
This book has heart. I care about Jimmy and Tessa and I want them to be safe and figure it out together. The world is very interesting and even without a map the author did a good enough job describing relational locations that I never felt lost. The descriptions of spires and market squares immersed me in the setting.
What I don't get is the baffling number of adults. And the fact that they seem to trust Jimmy. And that Jimmy trusts them. This book really does seem to put forward that people are generally good and working towards peace and justice, rather than pretending to work towards these things while really having their own agendas. This is a comforting world to be presented with, one where the injustice of the ruling kingdom are primarily in the past and the current power set is interested in making things right.
But it makes the characters seem… flat. Don't get me wrong, Dunan and Jenna and Caroline and the rest of the supporting cast all all unique. They have their own voices and distinctions, but most of them seem to lack personal motivations beyond the common goal of "find the keystone, prevent a war". Even Jimmy, who's beginning goal is to simply go to school and keep his head down, doesn't seem to have very strong motivations for doing that.
Overall I would say this is a technically strong start to a YA, or potentially even middle-grade, fantasy saga. The characters need some work, but the mythos, world, and overarching conflict have good bones that will carry it forward.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has heart. I care about Jimmy and Tessa and I want them to be safe and figure it out together. The world is very interesting and even without a map the author did a good enough job describing relational locations that I never felt lost. The descriptions of spires and market squares immersed me in the setting.
What I don't get is the baffling number of adults. And the fact that they seem to trust Jimmy. And that Jimmy trusts them. This book really does seem to put forward that people are generally good and working towards peace and justice, rather than pretending to work towards these things while really having their own agendas. This is a comforting world to be presented with, one where the injustice of the ruling kingdom are primarily in the past and the current power set is interested in making things right.
But it makes the characters seem… flat. Don't get me wrong, Dunan and Jenna and Caroline and the rest of the supporting cast all all unique. They have their own voices and distinctions, but most of them seem to lack personal motivations beyond the common goal of "find the keystone, prevent a war". Even Jimmy, who's beginning goal is to simply go to school and keep his head down, doesn't seem to have very strong motivations for doing that.
Overall I would say this is a technically strong start to a YA, or potentially even middle-grade, fantasy saga. The characters need some work, but the mythos, world, and overarching conflict have good bones that will carry it forward.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 5, 2022
thank you to booksirens and the author for this advance review copy. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
two stars, for me. maybe two and a half.
at about a third of the way in, i was going to dnf. i would have done it, if this wasn't an arc, but i want to give the books i review a fair shot so i pushed through to finish it. and i did.
i'm not sure what the marketed age category is for this book, but if i had to make an estimate, i'd say it falls between the ages of 11 to 14 – which is a decade under my own age. i feel like that was the biggest contributing factor as to why i didn't like it that much.
this book really was all over the place, and at times i was reading passages that i felt didn't contribute to the story at all. any loose ends got "tied up" with a quick sentence at the end of the book, and the dialogue felt forced throughout the entire story. and i'm still trying to pick out what the actual plot was.
fantasy worlds need to feel like they already existed prior to when the book takes place, and i'm sad that wasn't the case for this book. the premise really held a lot of potential, and i fell into the trap of this intriguing book cover, but the story and world building didn't do it for me.
again, maybe it's because this book fell (to me) way under my age category. the other reviews show that a lot of other people DID like it, so that must count for something!! it just wasn't for me, and i encourage any future readers to not just go by my words, but to see for yourselves. maybe you WILL like it!! :)
two stars, for me. maybe two and a half.
at about a third of the way in, i was going to dnf. i would have done it, if this wasn't an arc, but i want to give the books i review a fair shot so i pushed through to finish it. and i did.
i'm not sure what the marketed age category is for this book, but if i had to make an estimate, i'd say it falls between the ages of 11 to 14 – which is a decade under my own age. i feel like that was the biggest contributing factor as to why i didn't like it that much.
this book really was all over the place, and at times i was reading passages that i felt didn't contribute to the story at all. any loose ends got "tied up" with a quick sentence at the end of the book, and the dialogue felt forced throughout the entire story. and i'm still trying to pick out what the actual plot was.
fantasy worlds need to feel like they already existed prior to when the book takes place, and i'm sad that wasn't the case for this book. the premise really held a lot of potential, and i fell into the trap of this intriguing book cover, but the story and world building didn't do it for me.
again, maybe it's because this book fell (to me) way under my age category. the other reviews show that a lot of other people DID like it, so that must count for something!! it just wasn't for me, and i encourage any future readers to not just go by my words, but to see for yourselves. maybe you WILL like it!! :)
May 28, 2022
Jimmy is a teenaged (16 year old) orphan cleaning boats at the docks. All he wants is to attend a school that will help him use his mind and skills beyond cleaning. But life at school is not as he imagined it. Magical (bad) creatures found their way into the academy, and a staff member is dead. Then, while exploring, a ghost has become attached to him; it co-exists in his mind.
The school staff tell students everything is okay, but Jimmy and the woman ghost in his head disagree. Something is very wrong. They worry that nothing is being done! (And pretty girls act strangely around Jimmy; at least he thinks they do.)
This world is imaginative, layered, and very thoroughly built. However, characters need more description and depth, and some things are never defined or explained; snow horses, why stones are faint if people blow on them, but they can spin with no darkening effect, and things like that. But the story has enough action and complexity to keep readers interested.
4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher and BookSirens for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#JimmyChartronBookOne #BookSirens
#JimmyChartronandtheLostKeystone
#JTMichaelsCanada #CanadaBC
#FantasyAdventureFiction
#WomensAdventureFiction
#TeenFiction #TeenBoyAdventureFiction
#TeenScifi
The school staff tell students everything is okay, but Jimmy and the woman ghost in his head disagree. Something is very wrong. They worry that nothing is being done! (And pretty girls act strangely around Jimmy; at least he thinks they do.)
This world is imaginative, layered, and very thoroughly built. However, characters need more description and depth, and some things are never defined or explained; snow horses, why stones are faint if people blow on them, but they can spin with no darkening effect, and things like that. But the story has enough action and complexity to keep readers interested.
4/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher and BookSirens for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#JimmyChartronBookOne #BookSirens
#JimmyChartronandtheLostKeystone
#JTMichaelsCanada #CanadaBC
#FantasyAdventureFiction
#WomensAdventureFiction
#TeenFiction #TeenBoyAdventureFiction
#TeenScifi
January 3, 2023
This was an exciting read.
A ghost inhabits Jummy's head on his first week at a new school, and suddenly he's chasing people he didn't know existed and heading out on an adventure as he tries to make sense of it all (and save the world).
Jimmy deals with scary guys invading his school, scary ragas, and spying on his headmaster all by himself, at first. (With the help of Tessa, the ghost in his head). Then, it becomes too much for him, and he tells an adult. He discovers that there is a traitor on the team of adults. And, has to go save them all.
I was left a bit... confused, though.
This book seemed to me a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk. And, I didn't understand why we needed all those parts.
There's elemental powers which seem to be most popular.
Then, there's magic. There are fairies, elves, dragons even. All which are mentioned in passing, but not more than that.
There's also electricity which is starting to be discovered, and though it was mentioned at lot in the beginning of the book, after a while it was replaced by all the magical powers.
And, guns. Jimmy's given one to protect himself. (I was sort of hoping for a protective stone or something, honestly).
So, there's a lot of exciting technology/magic being used. Take these, for example:
The one thing in common between all these quotes? Extremely cool ideas, with lots of concepts and words thrown in that lose me. Keystone. Skystone. Air scouts. Element stone.
There dangerous creatures - ragas, winter wolves that were cursed by an elven guard and turn into ice after they're killed, dark elves.
And, different races, some of whom are elven (and dangerous).
Everything felt a bit forced. All these seemingly unrelated elements were thrown into the story, but I didn't understand why we needed them all, or how they connected to each other.
There are trains, some more technologically advanced than others, but people still use horses and carriages, and no one seems to think it's strange that sometimes they can use trains or flying machines called air scouts, and other times they're riding a horse.
Everything seems to have a fancy name, and I felt like I was constantly introduced to new concepts - between lightstones, verspers, and a levitation room. And, there were too many foreign countries and people to keep track of. There were even made up curses.
I had a very hard time following it all.
Years ago there was a world war - The Great War, and the ghost, Tessa, is from then.
We're told a lot about the war in the book, and what caused it and what the world is like now. I was completely lost, though. There were too many details. (There were many monologues with explanations on it all. They were boring. I skipped them.)
I have no idea what the war was about, who caused it, or what state the world is in now, though it was mentioned multipled times.
It was all one big blur for me.
Towards the end there are a few scenes on a ship, and the whole time, I had no idea what was happening or where we were because we kept on moving from place to place, and I had no idea what anything was.
There was also the whole issue of Tessa in Jimmy's head. Sometimes they can hear each others' thoughts. Other times she speaks out loud, from inside his head somehow. With her own voice.
So, yeah, I was left feeling confused.
There were many parts of the book that I enjoyed, too. Don't get me wrong.
The pace of the book was fast. We kept on moving forward. Jimmy had a purpose.
He was a great character.
I've read all too many books with characters who make bad decisions and are just annoying. Jimmy was not one of those. He was likeable, admirable, and couragous but not foolish. Able think fast and responded well to new situations. And, he made good, responsible, decisions (at least, most of the time).
The setting and ideas in the book were really exciting, also. There are lots of really cool inventions and we move seamlessly from one setting to the other so we don't get bored.
Content:
There are mentions of girls throughout, but Jimmy seems pretty indifferent.
There's a girl Jimmy hates for no reason, and who he keeps on meeting (and, we're told she has a boyfriend).
And, the end of the book, with dead people all around, a girl jumps onto Jimmy's horse and wraps her arms around his waist, while they gallop away. A few scenes later, as she leaves, potentially forever, he wonders if he'll ever see her smile again.
It was somewhat violent, between burning ragas, unsolved murders, and even a fight where someone throws a knife. Oh, and Jimmy's given a gun that he even uses against wolves and one of them leaps on him. He even fights a dangerous raga with nothing more than two lightstones.
None of this was described in too much detail, however.
Overall, this book was pretty clean.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A ghost inhabits Jummy's head on his first week at a new school, and suddenly he's chasing people he didn't know existed and heading out on an adventure as he tries to make sense of it all (and save the world).
Jimmy deals with scary guys invading his school, scary ragas, and spying on his headmaster all by himself, at first. (With the help of Tessa, the ghost in his head). Then, it becomes too much for him, and he tells an adult. He discovers that there is a traitor on the team of adults. And, has to go save them all.
I was left a bit... confused, though.
This book seemed to me a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk. And, I didn't understand why we needed all those parts.
There's elemental powers which seem to be most popular.
Then, there's magic. There are fairies, elves, dragons even. All which are mentioned in passing, but not more than that.
There's also electricity which is starting to be discovered, and though it was mentioned at lot in the beginning of the book, after a while it was replaced by all the magical powers.
And, guns. Jimmy's given one to protect himself. (I was sort of hoping for a protective stone or something, honestly).
So, there's a lot of exciting technology/magic being used. Take these, for example:
"My grandfather possesed a unique element stone that allowed him to control time in a confined area for an unlimited period."
"The Moonlight's taken the keystone and we're not allowed anywhere near it.
"Is this whole thing powered by skystone?"
"Is there any place where I can get some transportation around here?"
"The only way there is by horse or maybe one of the air scouts. You'd need a pilot for the last option, though."
"An air scout? What does it look like? Who can pilot it?"
The Akran boy propped the sword on his shoulder and rubbed his forehead. "I know for a fact that the physicians are trained to fly. The scouts are really just a hunk of metal with a skystone that powers it."
The one thing in common between all these quotes? Extremely cool ideas, with lots of concepts and words thrown in that lose me. Keystone. Skystone. Air scouts. Element stone.
There dangerous creatures - ragas, winter wolves that were cursed by an elven guard and turn into ice after they're killed, dark elves.
And, different races, some of whom are elven (and dangerous).
"Pointy ears are a dead giveaway. The first one's definitely an Aatolon".
Everything felt a bit forced. All these seemingly unrelated elements were thrown into the story, but I didn't understand why we needed them all, or how they connected to each other.
There are trains, some more technologically advanced than others, but people still use horses and carriages, and no one seems to think it's strange that sometimes they can use trains or flying machines called air scouts, and other times they're riding a horse.
Everything seems to have a fancy name, and I felt like I was constantly introduced to new concepts - between lightstones, verspers, and a levitation room. And, there were too many foreign countries and people to keep track of. There were even made up curses.
I had a very hard time following it all.
Years ago there was a world war - The Great War, and the ghost, Tessa, is from then.
We're told a lot about the war in the book, and what caused it and what the world is like now. I was completely lost, though. There were too many details. (There were many monologues with explanations on it all. They were boring. I skipped them.)
I have no idea what the war was about, who caused it, or what state the world is in now, though it was mentioned multipled times.
It was all one big blur for me.
Towards the end there are a few scenes on a ship, and the whole time, I had no idea what was happening or where we were because we kept on moving from place to place, and I had no idea what anything was.
There was also the whole issue of Tessa in Jimmy's head. Sometimes they can hear each others' thoughts. Other times she speaks out loud, from inside his head somehow. With her own voice.
So, yeah, I was left feeling confused.
There were many parts of the book that I enjoyed, too. Don't get me wrong.
The pace of the book was fast. We kept on moving forward. Jimmy had a purpose.
He was a great character.
I've read all too many books with characters who make bad decisions and are just annoying. Jimmy was not one of those. He was likeable, admirable, and couragous but not foolish. Able think fast and responded well to new situations. And, he made good, responsible, decisions (at least, most of the time).
The setting and ideas in the book were really exciting, also. There are lots of really cool inventions and we move seamlessly from one setting to the other so we don't get bored.
Content:
There are mentions of girls throughout, but Jimmy seems pretty indifferent.
There's a girl Jimmy hates for no reason, and who he keeps on meeting (and, we're told she has a boyfriend).
And, the end of the book, with dead people all around, a girl jumps onto Jimmy's horse and wraps her arms around his waist, while they gallop away. A few scenes later, as she leaves, potentially forever, he wonders if he'll ever see her smile again.
It was somewhat violent, between burning ragas, unsolved murders, and even a fight where someone throws a knife. Oh, and Jimmy's given a gun that he even uses against wolves and one of them leaps on him. He even fights a dangerous raga with nothing more than two lightstones.
None of this was described in too much detail, however.
Overall, this book was pretty clean.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 2, 2022
This was a fun story that would be perfect for middle grade readers. It introduces us to 16 year-old Jimmy Chartron and the ghost of Tessa Marlise, whose soul, by chance, gets stuck in his head, as well as a host of other really memorable characters. The story was well-paced, the world-building rich, and the dialog engaging, and I loved following Jimmy and Tessa as they worked together to unravel the mysteries of Tessa's situation and the keystones. All in all, a very strong debut that sets up nicely for more adventures to come!
May 25, 2022
"Combining the best elements of the fantasy adventure genre, the ghost story, the murder mystery novel, and the coming-of-age novel, Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone... is an exciting and original read..." - The Children's Book Review
"Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone... specializes in a changing plot and characters that test their abilities and perceptions of the world as it builds a fast-paced adventure spiced with humor and strong dialogue. The result is a story young adults will find compelling and hard to put down." - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"A fresh adventure through a unique magical world, this series start will leave readers eagerly awaiting a sequel." - Booklife
"J.T. Michaels' young adult novel, Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone, is a magical fantasy that will capture the reader's attention from the start and carry them through one thrilling adventure after another to the very end... This is an engaging and entertaining read, a real classic." - Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Reader's Favourite
"Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone... specializes in a changing plot and characters that test their abilities and perceptions of the world as it builds a fast-paced adventure spiced with humor and strong dialogue. The result is a story young adults will find compelling and hard to put down." - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"A fresh adventure through a unique magical world, this series start will leave readers eagerly awaiting a sequel." - Booklife
"J.T. Michaels' young adult novel, Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone, is a magical fantasy that will capture the reader's attention from the start and carry them through one thrilling adventure after another to the very end... This is an engaging and entertaining read, a real classic." - Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Reader's Favourite
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