SYNOPSIS
What fate awaits a girl who hears monsters at night…
Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn looks up to her father. An honest man who once fought for the king, he now teaches Jaclyn how to use her wits—and her sword.
But he has a secret. And his secret may have a connection to the one thing Jaclyn is hiding from him.
Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn looks up to her father. An honest man who once fought for the king, he now teaches Jaclyn how to use her wits—and her sword.
But he has a secret. And his secret may have a connection to the one thing Jaclyn is hiding from him.
Upon hearing “monsters” are terrorizing the small villages
around Black Mountain, Jaclyn’s father and his friends head out to hunt them …
but they don’t return.
Armed only with her sword and three magic beans—a gift from a mysterious old woman—Jaclyn sets out for Black Mountain to save her father.
On her climb, one bean drops and grows into a beanstalk, catching her when she falls.
She isn’t the only one that takes the ride. Jack, her childhood friend and secret crush, is following her.
Jaclyn and Jack will have to work together to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.
Armed only with her sword and three magic beans—a gift from a mysterious old woman—Jaclyn sets out for Black Mountain to save her father.
On her climb, one bean drops and grows into a beanstalk, catching her when she falls.
She isn’t the only one that takes the ride. Jack, her childhood friend and secret crush, is following her.
Jaclyn and Jack will have to work together to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.
Praise for JACLYN AND THE BEANSTALK
A mash-up of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Lord of the Rings" ... RECOMMENDED ―School Library Journal
"Keenly descriptive and eloquently written with touches of sixteenth-century language, the story takes the reader into the world of monsters controlled by a diabolical villain, and into a land of mystery and magic beans." ―Readers' Favorite Review
"Mary Ting managed to surprise me at every turn, even though I must have read this story a million times as a kid. The most impressive surprise was the creation of a girl protagonist who is so much better than the original Jack. Then she brings in the boy, Jack, as the love interest. Sheer genius and a great idea. The writing is great. The plot is good, and the various themes woven throughout the story make it a very compelling tale." ―Readers' Favorite Review
Mary Ting writes with an adventurous heart, a clever pen, introducing young readers to a classic that meets fantasy, shedding light on the family devotion and a love story that buds to completion by the end. This short novel comes as a highly recommended read for parents and young adults that prefer fantasy fiction with a Christian-based theme and a creative perspective. Mary Ting is one of those writers to notice and watch. ―Kingdom's Review
My Review:
Jaclyn and the Beanstalk is a retelling of Jack and the
Beanstalk and the main character is female. Jaclyn is a sixteen year old girl
who loves her parents very much. Her father teaches her everyday how to use a
sword and take care of herself in battle. He practices with her all the time
and she is getting to be almost as good as he is.
Jaclyn has been having nightmares for a while now but she
has not told her parents as she doesn’t want to worry them as they have enough
on their plates already. I really admired Jaclyn when she wouldn’t tell her
parents about the dreams it showed that she thought about someone other than
herself.
Jaclyn learns that her father and some of the other men in
town are going to go to Black Mountain to stop the monsters that have been
attacking the town. When her father doesn’t return home Jaclyn tries to get
help from the townspeople to help rescue her father and the others but when no
one will step up to help out Jaclyn decides to go on her own. I mean someone
has to save her father and the other men.
But Jaclyn is not alone she is being followed but doesn’t
know it. She was followed by a childhood friend Jack whom she has had a crush
on for a long time. Jack is in love with Jaclyn and has been for a long time
but is a very shy sort of person and doesn’t know how to show his feelings but
he is growing up so hopefully things will turn around for the two love birds.
Jaclyn and Jack race against the clock to save her father
and the townspeople from the monsters who took her father and the other men and
who are coming to attack them. Can Jaclyn and Jack save her father and the
whole town? Can they stop the monsters?
Jaclyn and the Beanstalk has been a fun fast read that I
have enjoyed tremendously. It pulled me in from the beginning and never let go.
Jack was a refreshing addition to the story. His mannerism and attitude was
heavenly. I loved how he was always cutting up and aggravating Jaclyn. I loved
the twist on the tale in adding a girl to the mix.
When I was reading Jaclyn and the Beanstalk it reminded me
of the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk of course but it also made me think
about the Bible and about the Salem Witch stories at times too. I enjoyed this
story so much that I would love to see more of these characters and their
adventures and their world.
If
you like fairy tale retellings and Jack and the Beanstalk of course then I
think you will fall in love with Jaclyn and the Beanstalk.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Ting is an international bestselling,
award-winning author. She writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the
imagination and captivate readers around the world. Her books span a wide range
of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans,
as well as garnered critical praise.
Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.
Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Being a huge Twilight fan, Mary was inspired to make book-themed jewelry and occasionally gives it away as prizes to her fans.
Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching after twenty years. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.
Mary resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two little dogs, Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Being a huge Twilight fan, Mary was inspired to make book-themed jewelry and occasionally gives it away as prizes to her fans.
PHOTO CONTENT FROM MARY TING
Giveaway:
--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter
- Winner will receive a $25 Dollar
PayPal/Amazon Gift Card.
- Winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card.
ENDS: DECEMBER 24, 2018
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