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The Demon Queen and The Locksmith
In Turquoise, New Mexico, a small group of hippies believe that the mountain north of town emits a constant, resonant hum that is only audible to a chosen few. They call themselves the Hearers, and the fact that fourteen-year-old Kevin Brown has never trusted them makes it all the worse when his own ears begin to ring, and he comes to realize "The Turquoise Hum" may be much more than a sound.
236 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 17, 2018
This must have been a free kindle book because had I known it was a YA and totally stupid I wouldn't have bought it. The plot line was absurd and then it ended abruptly....and yet I read it.
May 22, 2024
Nope. Nope.
May 17, 2011
The so-called "Turquoise Hum" is an unique phenomenon, one that is not quite spiritual and not quite corporeal; it is a signal inextricably interwoven in the lives of individuals the world over. Kevin Brown's father is one person whose existence has been touched by the Hum. He is a Hearer, one who was able to follow this combination of life force and echolocation to find his way to a small town in New Mexico.
While the concept itself may seem extraordinarily complex, Baum feeds it to us in digestible chunks through the main character's thoughts and experiences. The plot was well-conceived, one that flows naturally through the author's words and his innate grasp of storytelling. From the moment Kevin meets Joseph and Jackie to his struggles with telling his dad about the Hum, each passage draws you deeper into the tale, even if the fire ants and termites make your skin crawl.
One of the author's greatest strengths is that he allows readers to discover things alongside his characters. For example, instead of being told of the children's newfound superpowers, we are able to witness their inception. This sense of involvement is ideal for younger and older readers alike, though it is especially important in maintaining the interest of those who are easily bored by academic text.
While it is evident that both fire ants and termites were heavily researched prior to the writing of this book, one major typographical error did bother me to no end: the substitution of "etymology" for "entomology", especially since the misuse of the term came from a character who is supposed to be a specialist. Another source of frustration is that almost all of the speech was indicated using "said" or "asked". With the plethora of dialogue-related verbs available, the unnecessary repetition chafed my ears, and I started sticking to the words inside the quotation marks to soothe the consequent irritation. If only the run-on sentences were so easily managed.
The Demon Queen and the Locksmith is an entertaining story that children and adult alike can enjoy. Just plan to set aside a few hours, or perhaps learn how to read and sleep at the same time.
Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews
While the concept itself may seem extraordinarily complex, Baum feeds it to us in digestible chunks through the main character's thoughts and experiences. The plot was well-conceived, one that flows naturally through the author's words and his innate grasp of storytelling. From the moment Kevin meets Joseph and Jackie to his struggles with telling his dad about the Hum, each passage draws you deeper into the tale, even if the fire ants and termites make your skin crawl.
One of the author's greatest strengths is that he allows readers to discover things alongside his characters. For example, instead of being told of the children's newfound superpowers, we are able to witness their inception. This sense of involvement is ideal for younger and older readers alike, though it is especially important in maintaining the interest of those who are easily bored by academic text.
While it is evident that both fire ants and termites were heavily researched prior to the writing of this book, one major typographical error did bother me to no end: the substitution of "etymology" for "entomology", especially since the misuse of the term came from a character who is supposed to be a specialist. Another source of frustration is that almost all of the speech was indicated using "said" or "asked". With the plethora of dialogue-related verbs available, the unnecessary repetition chafed my ears, and I started sticking to the words inside the quotation marks to soothe the consequent irritation. If only the run-on sentences were so easily managed.
The Demon Queen and the Locksmith is an entertaining story that children and adult alike can enjoy. Just plan to set aside a few hours, or perhaps learn how to read and sleep at the same time.
Stimulated Outlet Book Reviews
October 2, 2010
I have one word of advice for you with this book: Don't let the title fool you. Trust me on this. I let this one linger on my Kindle for months after picking it up as a freebie because I kept thinking "I don't know if I want to read about a demon queen and a locksmith." I mean, the title tells you exactly what the book's about yet at the same time it doesn't really do the book justice. This book was interesting and intriguing and it wasn't at all as silly as I thought it was going to be based on that title.
And that last sentence makes me sound like a title snob or something. I don't even know if they're such thing as a title snob but if there is, apparently I'm it. Here's the thing, when I picked up this book I thought it was going to be very juvenile. Yes, it is a young adult book but it's far from juvenile. Like I said, it's interesting. And there are lots of bugs. I hate bugs. But I liked reading about them and seeing how they fit into this story.
Okay. Enough about the title. Seriously, there's more to the book than the title. I swear.
The entire book is interesting and imaginative. It's different enough from what I've been reading lately that it caught my attention from the first page and kept me hooked. It does indeed have a demon queen and it does indeed have a locksmith. Both of those individuals are critical to the plot.
I don't know. I liked the book. Yay!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
And that last sentence makes me sound like a title snob or something. I don't even know if they're such thing as a title snob but if there is, apparently I'm it. Here's the thing, when I picked up this book I thought it was going to be very juvenile. Yes, it is a young adult book but it's far from juvenile. Like I said, it's interesting. And there are lots of bugs. I hate bugs. But I liked reading about them and seeing how they fit into this story.
Okay. Enough about the title. Seriously, there's more to the book than the title. I swear.
The entire book is interesting and imaginative. It's different enough from what I've been reading lately that it caught my attention from the first page and kept me hooked. It does indeed have a demon queen and it does indeed have a locksmith. Both of those individuals are critical to the plot.
I don't know. I liked the book. Yay!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
April 24, 2011
The fantasy genre has been severely neglected in my reading materials over the years, although I have read some. One way "The Demon Queen and the Locksmith" differs from what I’ve previously read is the “story world” is at least nominally the world in which all of us live. Whether genre purists would still consider this fantasy or not, I have no idea. At least for me, that doesn’t matter, the story does, and in this case it is a good one.
The first day of high school is trying for everyone. For Kevin it starts out worse than most. His reaction, fleeing school for the day, sets off a chain of events leading to a magical adventure. It allows him a temporary escape from his less-than-perfect life and in the end to change it for the better.
Throughout the book, it felt more like a fairy tale than a typical fantasy. I often found myself thinking the story was allegorical although, if so, I was never able to pinpoint why I felt that or deduce the symbolism. In the end it doesn’t matter whether this was my overactive imagination or not, because the story works so well. If escapism is one of the reasons for reading fiction then "The Demon Queen and the Locksmith" should allow a teen (or an adult for that matter) an escape from the problems of their real world life as they follow Kevin on his adventure.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**
The first day of high school is trying for everyone. For Kevin it starts out worse than most. His reaction, fleeing school for the day, sets off a chain of events leading to a magical adventure. It allows him a temporary escape from his less-than-perfect life and in the end to change it for the better.
Throughout the book, it felt more like a fairy tale than a typical fantasy. I often found myself thinking the story was allegorical although, if so, I was never able to pinpoint why I felt that or deduce the symbolism. In the end it doesn’t matter whether this was my overactive imagination or not, because the story works so well. If escapism is one of the reasons for reading fiction then "The Demon Queen and the Locksmith" should allow a teen (or an adult for that matter) an escape from the problems of their real world life as they follow Kevin on his adventure.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**
May 15, 2011
Strange book, quite surreal. It's young adult, which limits the scope, but nevertheless there's some depth to it. The premise: three teenagers meet by chance, it seems, in the park and witness some strange events which lead to them developing superpowers. And if the idea is not the most original ever, the author gives it a whimsical, bizarre spin which is anything but hackneyed. There are butterflies and bugs and an oak tree and strange swirly patterns and a Hum emanating from a mountain and espresso - lots and lots of espresso.
About half-way through the story changes from the whimsical to a straightforward race to flee from the bugs and survive long enough to work out what is actually going on, and this part is a real white-knuckle ride. Of course, this being young adult, the outcome is not much of a surprise, but the story is very readable, there is some knowledge gained along the way (about bugs and pitcher plants and how social insects organise themselves, among other things), and there is a teeny, tiny amount of advice about dealing with bullies hidden in there too. A short but sweet book, and it was free too. Not entirely my thing, which keeps it to three stars.
About half-way through the story changes from the whimsical to a straightforward race to flee from the bugs and survive long enough to work out what is actually going on, and this part is a real white-knuckle ride. Of course, this being young adult, the outcome is not much of a surprise, but the story is very readable, there is some knowledge gained along the way (about bugs and pitcher plants and how social insects organise themselves, among other things), and there is a teeny, tiny amount of advice about dealing with bullies hidden in there too. A short but sweet book, and it was free too. Not entirely my thing, which keeps it to three stars.
May 23, 2011
When Kevin skips his first day of high school, he never imagines the sort of impact it will have on his life. He meets a couple of other kids, they eat magic sap, they gain super powers, and all of it is somehow linked to Turquoise Mountain and its mysterious Hum that only certain people can hear. Throw in termites, fire ants, espresso, and a healthy dose of conspiracy theories, and you’ve got yourself one strange little tale. Still, I kind of enjoyed it. It’s certainly unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Sure, there were times when it felt like the author had been given a list of objects and told to write a story around them, but as a fan of writing challenges I can appreciate that aspect as well. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this to, though. Espresso fanatics? Budding entomologists? I don’t know. But if you’d looking for some young adult fantasy that doesn’t follow the same old formula, try this one on for size.
November 7, 2011
I kind of want to review this one but I also can't think of much to say about it, I'm afraid. Essentially this is a lackluster fantasy set more or less in our own world about irritating teens who gain super powers after eating tree sap, a mysterious hum from deep within a mountain that calls to 'Hearers' and a demon queen who isn't actually a demon OR a queen - at least not in the traditional definitions of those words. She's just kind of an evil giant ant woman with a sad childhood.
This was ok but I didn't really enjoy it. It was free (or almost free, I forget) on the Kindle which makes it not so bad but still not really ok. Urgh. It's not bad but it's not good, either and I would suggest not bothering with it, in all honesty.
This was ok but I didn't really enjoy it. It was free (or almost free, I forget) on the Kindle which makes it not so bad but still not really ok. Urgh. It's not bad but it's not good, either and I would suggest not bothering with it, in all honesty.
January 9, 2013
This is more of a children's story than YA. The style, writing and plot are written for a younger audience and I do think readers aged 10 plus will enjoy the fantastical plot.
There are no hell spawned demons in it, just the Queen of the Ants with a fear inspiring name. I mention that, because some parents may be cautious about letting their children read paranormal stories with demons/angels in them. Unfortunately the title suggests a different type of story, despite the ant on the cover.
It is good wholesome fun with some bizarre quirks and tree sap that can create super powers if you drink it.
There are no hell spawned demons in it, just the Queen of the Ants with a fear inspiring name. I mention that, because some parents may be cautious about letting their children read paranormal stories with demons/angels in them. Unfortunately the title suggests a different type of story, despite the ant on the cover.
It is good wholesome fun with some bizarre quirks and tree sap that can create super powers if you drink it.
September 21, 2018
*I got this free on Amazon
This book was...bizarre. But that in and of itself isn't a bad thing. I don't even really know where to start...
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
All that being said, I didn't hate this book. There's nothing intrinsically bad about it, but it's also nothing to write home about. I think it's written lower than it's pitched (middle grade instead of young adult), but it's entertaining for what it is. It might be a gateway into more speculative fiction, but unless it's on sale, I wouldn't bother seeking it out.
This book was...bizarre. But that in and of itself isn't a bad thing. I don't even really know where to start...
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
All that being said, I didn't hate this book. There's nothing intrinsically bad about it, but it's also nothing to write home about. I think it's written lower than it's pitched (middle grade instead of young adult), but it's entertaining for what it is. It might be a gateway into more speculative fiction, but unless it's on sale, I wouldn't bother seeking it out.
January 17, 2012
This is one of the most original and fascinating books I have ever read - and one of the reasons I prefer YA to adult fiction. The generic fantasy name doesn't do it justice. While I've read other books using the particular form of storytelling, it felt fresh and better-used than usual, and the story had mythic proportions that somehow blended well with the B-movie elements. The teenagers are taking characters, and their reasons for not telling what happens to them were better motivated than is usual in YA books. I really recommend this!
August 5, 2013
Having read other books by Baum I was quite keen to read this one. The story kept me interested although it wasn't the best book I've read and I don't think I'll remember much about it once I've read a few more books, but it was enjoyable whilst reading, and really what more can we ask for? The books was well written and believable in a fantasy way until the three kids met up with Lou Sweeney and then not only did the plot get less believable it also moved so quickly that I feel the story lost out.
January 22, 2012
This is one of those books where I just went to read the first few sentences so I could figure out which genre it was and add it to a collection on my kindle and I was hooked at the first sentence.
The beginning had that fresh, free feeling of being a kid. The characters were fun and unusual -- two kids were kids being homeschooled (how often does that happen in a book?) -- and the plot was strange and unique. The descriptions of everything were really rich.
The beginning had that fresh, free feeling of being a kid. The characters were fun and unusual -- two kids were kids being homeschooled (how often does that happen in a book?) -- and the plot was strange and unique. The descriptions of everything were really rich.
October 29, 2009
This is a really great read. I was impressed with the characters and the story as a whole. The setting was well thought out and easily imaginable. My only critiques where that the end was a little abrupt and I wish there had been a bit more relationship development between Kevin and his friends. However I am very much looking forward to Mr. Baum's next story.
March 25, 2010
I know the author, so I may be a little biased, but I enjoyed this book. The title is a bit weird, but the story is a great one for middle schoolers and older. A fun tale of some children having a supernatural encounter that launches them on a path that takes them to the Demon Queen. A good yarn, and a quick read.
January 26, 2011
I really enjoyed this book.
The story of 3 teenagers caught up in a battle of good and evil. Magic tree sap, giant ants and termites, an unusual mountain, and a small town with a secret...all of these ingredients brought together to create a tale of mystery, fantasy, and what happens when you believe in the unbelievable...
It was a quick, easy read, highly enjoyable and fun.
The story of 3 teenagers caught up in a battle of good and evil. Magic tree sap, giant ants and termites, an unusual mountain, and a small town with a secret...all of these ingredients brought together to create a tale of mystery, fantasy, and what happens when you believe in the unbelievable...
It was a quick, easy read, highly enjoyable and fun.
February 27, 2012
Personally, I wasnt real impressed. Though the storyline is very unusual and a bit creepy...It was very entertaining and alot of fun to read. Cute characters, good descriptions, and alot of indepth ant stuff. More along the lines for my step son to enjoy, so I am passing it on to him. I did enjoy the book.
October 5, 2010
This was an interesting story about good versus evil. You have Kevin that thru a series of events meets some new friends and is lead on the journey of a lifetime. The teens recieve some special powers and must stop the Demon Queen from distroying thier town.
May 20, 2011
I really liked this adventure story. The writing is good, and the story is interesting. Ordinary teens get extraordinary powers and become involved in a battle of good vs. evil. If I tell you that there are giant ants and termites, will you still try it? :) It's good!
January 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It is a good story and well-written. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and enjoyed the satisfactory conclusion. I look forward to reading more of Spencer Baum's work.
Read
May 10, 2010I've recommended this book a few times. 8^)
August 17, 2010
Some interesting ideas, but it didn't really expand on any of them enough to really hold my interest.
August 31, 2010
A good read. A little confusing at first, especially when reading it without reading a summary, but everything gets explained as well as it can be.
January 17, 2011
I would swear that a ten year old wrote this book.
January 26, 2011
a free download and interesting - just a little too out there for me.
June 9, 2012
Strange tale of a woman who becomes queen of the fire ants. Her opponents are 3 teenagers and some older people who have been hunted by the queen.
Want to Read
June 21, 2011Free on Amazon and Nook
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews