Name: Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows
ISBN: 9781732457805

J. M. Bergen

Thomas Wildus thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, he discovers hidden powers and a secret family legacy. As he tries to unravel the truth, dark forces threaten to end his rise to power and force him to fight for the future of all mankind.

Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows

Ida Vestman

Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC by the publisher ahead of the release.

This book is nothing like Harry Potter. Thomas was 5 when his father disappeared and his last words to Thomas were "magic is real". Since then Thomas has believed in magic, searching for proof every chance he gets. Walking in to a mysterious bookstore he recieves a book called The Book Of Sorrows. Through reading the book he finds out his father was right and he is thrown into the world of magic. 

I really enjoyed this book, the writing was great, descriptive and easy to follow. The characters were fleshed out and fun to read about. I especially liked Enrique and Adelia. I also liked Thomas' mother, Susan, who raised Thomas by herself while also workkng at a university. She is a professor and really clever and very invested in her son. Enrique was fun and entertaining as well as a good friend. The chemistry he had with Thomas was engaging and believable. Adelia is also very bright, an alchemist and researcher. She was a fun addition to a group of men that easily could have become stale.

Over all an enjoyable read and I look forward to the sequel!

Alexis 

I really enjoyed myself while reading this book. I’ll admit that there is something that is keeping me from fully loving it, but it was entraining and did keep my interest!

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows

Author: J.M. Bergen

Book Series: The Elandrian Chronicles Book 1

Rating: 3/5

Diversity: many different POC side characters

Recommended For...: middle grade, fantasy

Publication Date: February 2, 2019

Genre: MG Fantasy

Recommended Age: 10+ (science, magic, and technology combined, slight violence)

Publisher: Elandrian Press

Pages: 352

Synopsis: Thomas thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly he’s faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale.

Review: This was a good book. The book had great world building and the story was interesting. I felt like the book was well written for the most part and that the book did well to blend different sciences with magic and technology.

However, I had a lot of issues with the characters. I felt like the female and POC characters were stereotypical. They didn’t have much of a personality outside of what you normally perceive of them and that was a bit of a problem with me. I loved the inclusion, but I think more could have been done or a team of sensitivity readers could have been used. I also felt like that pacing was very slow overall.

Verdict: It was a good book, but just some issues.

Kerri McDonald

"We'd like to dispense with the preliminary steps and head directly into the experimentation phase," said Professor Reilly. "To drop you directly into the deep end, as it were."
"But people drown in the deep end," said Thomas.
"Or they learn very, very quickly," said Huxley. "We're hoping for the latter."

I want to thank Kelsey Butts with Book Publicity Services for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was certainly an adventure! I've been trying to cobble together my feelings surrounding it for months, now, and I think I've finally captured what worked and didn't work for me. Let's start with the stuff that worked:

* The writing - The descriptions in this book were what originally captured my imagination. This is a book that is set in our modern, ordinary world, but the author has a way of describing things that makes it incredibly vibrant!

* The plot - I was instantly pulled into the plot as soon as I started reading. Magic is real! Quests are given! And I had a good time following Thomas as he tried to navigate all the new situations in his life. Like I said, this book was an adventure and I enjoyed the ride!

*The relationships - The relationships between Thomas and the other characters in this book had great depth and made the story that much more relatable. Thomas' banter with his best friend, the way he is with his mom, his burgeoning curiosity of the strange bookshop owner... it was all well done and captivating.

Now... for what didn't work for me, personally:

* The pacing - This book, though it pulled me in from the beginning, has kind of a slow start. There's a space of time where it feels like nothing is really happening. And then *BAM* everything is happening in rapid succession! Though it made this book a fast read once you got past the slow start, it kind of threw me off.

* The characters - Yes, I know I said I loved the relationships, but the characters themselves felt a little one-dimensional. Especially any ethnic character. It makes it kind of hard to connect to any of them, which detracted from the book for me.

* The CONVENIENCES - Thomas has some serious problems thrown his way and a lot put onto his young shoulders. Yet, for someone who had never been exposed to magic before, everything seemed to come to him so easily. And, yeah, I understand that's the classic Chosen One trope at work, but it felt... stale? Again, that's just me personally! I can totally see why people would love it!

So, in the end, I enjoyed my time with this book. It was good, it had an interesting plot, and I thought it wrapped up nicely. There were a few things that didn't work for me, but I think they could work for others! It's a solid middle grade fantasy with magic, intrigue, and humor and I think it's worth checking out!

Jessica 

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As a note, a copy of this novel was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. Review also found here at Booked J. 

Perfect for fans of The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken! Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows brings a little magic to our lives. Unique and enthralling, the story opens with what seems to be an ordinary child. Like all good middle grade stories, we're quickly proven wrong, and set off on adventure of the ages with Thomas Wildus and the following words: Magic is real.

Magic.

Is.

Real. 

If you aren't hooked based on those three simple words, I genuinely have questions for you? 
 
This is ABSOLUTELY the type of book that I'd have devoured in under a day as a kid. As an adult, it's still as brilliantly captivating, so I can honestly say that readers of all ages will enjoy J.M. Bergen's particular brand of magic and wit. It doesn't matter if you're a new reader or an older one, this book WILL hook you.

Young boy finds a mysterious bookshop and book? Echoes of his long-lost father's belief in magic at the center of his mind? A completely magical thrill ride promises to follow? Friendship? Mystery? Possible kidnapping? A LOT OF MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS? Plot twists? 

SIGN. ME. UP.

Truly, I had this compulsive need to finish it in one sitting because it's impossible to look away. As I was reading it, I was like, "This feels like a bedtime story." so it makes sense that it did start out that way: J.M. Bergen crafted this tale as a bedtime story for his son and that is, perhaps, one of the best things about Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows. It will transport readers to the feelings we all associate with childhood.

I will say that I enjoyed the first 25% of the book, but it was also the slowest part of it. This isn't a bad thing, but I do feel like I have to put it out there that the tension and worldbuilding takes place throughout the beginning; clicking the adventurous tone into place soon after. 

Ultimately, there's something so beautifully charming about Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows. Bergen creates something purely magical and vivid with his characters, worldbuilding and plotlines.

I cannot wait to (throw this book at everyone) read more of the adventures of Thomas Wildus. Bergen is only just beginning.

Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows

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