Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Published On: September 4, 2018
ISBN-10: 1944109749
ISBN-13: 978-1944109745
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.
Together, Jaclyn and Jack must battle to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.
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.
Together, Jaclyn and Jack must battle to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.
~~~Review~~~
I haven’t read a lot of Mary Ting’s work, but I was intrigued by the blurb for Jaclyn & the Beanstalk and had to check it out. This is NOT a Disney fairytale! Far from it! It is a much darker, twisted version. There is action, suspense, drama, death, and a budding romance. I was hooked from page one.
The author took a unique approach to the story by weaving in religion, magic, and monsters. I was whisked away to another land. Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn may be the strongest female lead I have read to date. I was blown away by her strength and tenacity.
I do have one small pet peeve with this story. I wish the author was more descriptive. While I was transported to another time, I felt that the author could have packed a bigger punch by painting a more complex and colorful world. As a reader it’s a personal preference of mine. For that reason, I gave the story 4 stars instead of 5.
~Lynn
The author took a unique approach to the story by weaving in religion, magic, and monsters. I was whisked away to another land. Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn may be the strongest female lead I have read to date. I was blown away by her strength and tenacity.
I do have one small pet peeve with this story. I wish the author was more descriptive. While I was transported to another time, I felt that the author could have packed a bigger punch by painting a more complex and colorful world. As a reader it’s a personal preference of mine. For that reason, I gave the story 4 stars instead of 5.
~Lynn
~~~MEET THE AUTHOR~~~
International Bestselling/Award Winning Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. She also toured with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.
Ways to keep in touch with the author:
Newsletter Updates: http://eepurl.com/YMyCn
Website: www.authormaryting.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/authormaryting
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/authormaryting
Twit @maryting
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4388953.Mary_Ting
I started writing Crossroads after my grandmother passed away about 3 years ago. When these characters came to life in my mind, along with the character Gamma, inspired by my grandmother, it was a way for me to heal. I decided to start from a dream I had in high school, chapter one. Chapter two is also based on my dream as well. I didn't think I would have much to write about, but when I made Claudia to be more like me, it was easy. Her first car, her first job, her first experience at camping and her grandmother having a stroke was all part of me. Too bad Michael wasn't real...lol!!!
Many people like Davin, which I'm really happy about because his character was inspired by my friend who passed away. He was very likable and was a best friend to all his friends. Patty is my friend from church. She is exactly how I described her, social butterfly who knows everything about her friends and fashion. I named Claudia after a student I once had many years ago. I can still picture her face, just like an angel. When I was much younger, I had a crush on a boy name Michael, but his character is based off my husband, protective, romantic, and silly at times. No... he doesn't have wings...lol!!!
Though I was busy with work, being a wife, a mother, and PTA president, I would always find time to write, even if that meant typing while I was cooking or brushing my teeth. Crossroads was written for a fast, fun reading with likable characters. Many have emailed me to let me know how Crossroads has helped them escaped from their everyday stress. Also, how they've connected to this book because of chapter one, having a loved one passed away. I took on a journey not knowing how rewarding it would be for me. I've meet so many wonderful people from all over the world through facebook, goodreads and blog sites. I've made everlasting friendship where friendship knows no boundaries. And I have to thank my grandmother who continues to watch over me from Heaven.
Ways to keep in touch with the author:
Newsletter Updates: http://eepurl.com/YMyCn
Website: www.authormaryting.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/authormaryting
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/authormaryting
Twit @maryting
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4388953.Mary_Ting
I started writing Crossroads after my grandmother passed away about 3 years ago. When these characters came to life in my mind, along with the character Gamma, inspired by my grandmother, it was a way for me to heal. I decided to start from a dream I had in high school, chapter one. Chapter two is also based on my dream as well. I didn't think I would have much to write about, but when I made Claudia to be more like me, it was easy. Her first car, her first job, her first experience at camping and her grandmother having a stroke was all part of me. Too bad Michael wasn't real...lol!!!
Many people like Davin, which I'm really happy about because his character was inspired by my friend who passed away. He was very likable and was a best friend to all his friends. Patty is my friend from church. She is exactly how I described her, social butterfly who knows everything about her friends and fashion. I named Claudia after a student I once had many years ago. I can still picture her face, just like an angel. When I was much younger, I had a crush on a boy name Michael, but his character is based off my husband, protective, romantic, and silly at times. No... he doesn't have wings...lol!!!
Though I was busy with work, being a wife, a mother, and PTA president, I would always find time to write, even if that meant typing while I was cooking or brushing my teeth. Crossroads was written for a fast, fun reading with likable characters. Many have emailed me to let me know how Crossroads has helped them escaped from their everyday stress. Also, how they've connected to this book because of chapter one, having a loved one passed away. I took on a journey not knowing how rewarding it would be for me. I've meet so many wonderful people from all over the world through facebook, goodreads and blog sites. I've made everlasting friendship where friendship knows no boundaries. And I have to thank my grandmother who continues to watch over me from Heaven.
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