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A Place to Run Free
Jake Phillips doesn't break the rules because he's a troublemaker. He breaks them because he thinks the rules are stupid. But some rules aren't meant to be broken. Haunted by memories of fear and violence, Ursus has never known kindness.
An accident sends Jake to an afterlife where pets go to await their human companions. Jake soon discovers it's not the afterlife he learned about in church. An evil presence stalks the dark places among the trees, searching for dogs and cats to steal away. With Ursus as his guide, Jake sets off on a journey through ancient woods and golden grasslands, determined to put a stop to the disappearances and bring back those who were taken.
Jake isn't strong, brave, or smart. Most of the time, he isn't even very nice. But there are animals who need rescue, and there is no one else to save them. He will just have to find strength and courage along the way.
An accident sends Jake to an afterlife where pets go to await their human companions. Jake soon discovers it's not the afterlife he learned about in church. An evil presence stalks the dark places among the trees, searching for dogs and cats to steal away. With Ursus as his guide, Jake sets off on a journey through ancient woods and golden grasslands, determined to put a stop to the disappearances and bring back those who were taken.
Jake isn't strong, brave, or smart. Most of the time, he isn't even very nice. But there are animals who need rescue, and there is no one else to save them. He will just have to find strength and courage along the way.
500 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 27, 2022
I was very lucky to get an early reader's copy of 'A place to run free' by Michael Lareaux. Not very often do you stumble upon a fiction novel like this that can be enjoyed by all ages, is full of imagination, and makes your heart explode.
Whether you are a dog lover or have ever had an animal companion, you will know the feelings experienced when losing your pet. The grief and the lingering sadness are terrible and you would do anything to bring them back into your life.
Jake Phillips is one of those people not ready to accept that his pet is gone. Circumstances send him to the afterlife of pets where he is searching for his beloved only to meet the unusual character of Ursus along his journey. With the help of many other critters, he tries to rescue his companion out of the dangerous depths of evil, hopefully saving other unfortunate creatures at the same time.
This book captivates you, and drags you into the world of the unimaginable, while being gorgeous, fascinating, and a little scary but still impossible to put down. A beautiful story for young and old, an absolute tear-jerker and a masterpiece with a big message: Love can fix it all.
5 stars for me and I can't wait to read this with my 10-year-old son.
Whether you are a dog lover or have ever had an animal companion, you will know the feelings experienced when losing your pet. The grief and the lingering sadness are terrible and you would do anything to bring them back into your life.
Jake Phillips is one of those people not ready to accept that his pet is gone. Circumstances send him to the afterlife of pets where he is searching for his beloved only to meet the unusual character of Ursus along his journey. With the help of many other critters, he tries to rescue his companion out of the dangerous depths of evil, hopefully saving other unfortunate creatures at the same time.
This book captivates you, and drags you into the world of the unimaginable, while being gorgeous, fascinating, and a little scary but still impossible to put down. A beautiful story for young and old, an absolute tear-jerker and a masterpiece with a big message: Love can fix it all.
5 stars for me and I can't wait to read this with my 10-year-old son.
September 27, 2022
This remarkable tale takes you on a journey as young Jake tries to uncover a darkness that not only holds onto him, but to the animal friends he makes along the way. Jake immerses himself in his journey and creates unbreakable bonds while he learns to love as unselfishly as his loyal companions love him.
This captivating novel grabbed me in a way that no other book has. We are blessed to live amongst creatures that truly live for each moment, while relishing in the beauty of the homes in which they live.
After going through this inspiring adventure with Jake, you will never look into the eyes of another animal the same and maybe we can all learn to love a little more like Jake!
The world needs this book!
This captivating novel grabbed me in a way that no other book has. We are blessed to live amongst creatures that truly live for each moment, while relishing in the beauty of the homes in which they live.
After going through this inspiring adventure with Jake, you will never look into the eyes of another animal the same and maybe we can all learn to love a little more like Jake!
The world needs this book!
September 27, 2022
YA Fiction is often my go to space for quick, stress-free reading. What I found in A Place to Run Free was on another level. Compelling, evocative, and exquisitely descriptive, this book takes you into a world we all should visit—the world we make through a thousand moments of kindness or cruelty as we navigate our lives. It was beautiful and generous; a world that haunts my mind, even though I closed the last page weeks ago. This is a book for everyone.
September 28, 2022
Heart-warming. Moving. Adventurous.
January 17, 2023
This book totally touched my heart! I felt, rather than read, every word. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster, laughing, sobbing, terrified, crushed...but always hoping, never wanting the book to end, having to stop and catch my breath every so often so I could coontinue on. I have been months trying to write this review because my words cannot do this book justice. It is a work of transcendent beauty, taking the reader on an emotional journey exploring the love between humans and pets that is simultaneously dark and soul-stirring. One moment you think you are just reading a good book, the next you are evaluating your own personal thoughts and beliefs. You can delve as deep as you want to go - amazing whichever you choose...as long as you read it! I loved it! Waiting for the next book!!!
February 28, 2023
I struggled so long with this book. I didn't enjoy it from the beginning, but I kept forcing myself to read thinking I really should like this story.
The main character (Jake), an 11 year old boy, was a complete brat. I couldn't stand spending time with him. He dies early on and ends up in dog heaven. This should have been such an amazing, wonderful story, but the writing was just so meandering and verbose. If the book had been tighter, if it had been edited to be half as long, I think it might have been a much better story.
After dog heavens, Jake finds cat heaven, horse heaven, and zoo animal heaven. I liked the idea of the afterlives and how the animals were handled, but the writing was just such a chore to get through. And again, every moment I spent with Jake I hated him more and more (as distasteful as it is to hate an 11 year old kid).
I spent four days reading this, forcing myself to the 50% point before giving up. I wish I had DNFed it from the beginning and moved on to something else.
The main character (Jake), an 11 year old boy, was a complete brat. I couldn't stand spending time with him. He dies early on and ends up in dog heaven. This should have been such an amazing, wonderful story, but the writing was just so meandering and verbose. If the book had been tighter, if it had been edited to be half as long, I think it might have been a much better story.
After dog heavens, Jake finds cat heaven, horse heaven, and zoo animal heaven. I liked the idea of the afterlives and how the animals were handled, but the writing was just such a chore to get through. And again, every moment I spent with Jake I hated him more and more (as distasteful as it is to hate an 11 year old kid).
I spent four days reading this, forcing myself to the 50% point before giving up. I wish I had DNFed it from the beginning and moved on to something else.
January 14, 2026
OKay - I cheated. I read the first third of this book and the last 50 pages. I needed to see where it ended - which speaks to the power of the story but didn't have the focus to read the in between. It is a beautifully written tale of life and death and the relationships we have on either side. The word pictures are beautiful and I wish I was in the head space to really appreciate the quest and the writing. Still there was a small tear at the conclusion which means it was a satisfying read. Maybe one day I will come back to it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews