This fantasy novel stars the eponymous Clod, named after his
father Claude, although the change in spelling was somewhat a result of his
mother Eidy’s illiteracy. Each chapter occurs at a particular age in Clod’s
life, beginning with him at nine years, where his teacher, Learned Yugen
(Learned pronounced with two syllables rather than one), sees his mother due to
his breaking the arm of a boy named Ried. Clod is also on the brink of failing
his classes, with his main solace being sculpting, in which case he manages to
create and bring to life a homunculus he names Ada.
At age eleven, Clod visits the town of Durgoon with Ada, where she yearns to taste a cake that the two end up stealing, only for Yugen to bust them, with Clod’s penance being working for the bakery owner, Mister Haim, until he turns fourteen. When Clod is sixteen, Learned Yugen expresses concern that he is tainted by the power of darkness, due to his gift of bringing Ada to life, with Clod otherwise lacking magical talent, and generally being the butt of his classmates’ bullying.
At seventeen, Clod and Ada witnesses a puppy named Lady get trampled and killed by horses, with the former using his powers to revive the dog so that her owner, Michael, can say goodbye before she dies for good. To accomplish this angers Yugen, with Clod being brought before the Council of Elders for inquisition, although his mother believes that he did nothing wrong. When Clod is nineteen, the sorceress Shaman Millow visits him and his mother, informing of a war between various magical factions, the boy requested to revive an important dignitary.
When Clod turns twenty-two, a mysterious snowstorm threatens the land where he and his mother live, which usually sports endless summer. Backstory for Clod is ultimately revealed, the story concluding when he turns fifty-seven, the story in general being bittersweet and somewhat sad, with this reader somewhat sympathizing with Clod since he was the victim of bullying throughout his years of grade school and had special talents. The story is short, so younger readers will find it an easy read, and even older readers will definitely gain something from this intriguing tale.
At age eleven, Clod visits the town of Durgoon with Ada, where she yearns to taste a cake that the two end up stealing, only for Yugen to bust them, with Clod’s penance being working for the bakery owner, Mister Haim, until he turns fourteen. When Clod is sixteen, Learned Yugen expresses concern that he is tainted by the power of darkness, due to his gift of bringing Ada to life, with Clod otherwise lacking magical talent, and generally being the butt of his classmates’ bullying.
At seventeen, Clod and Ada witnesses a puppy named Lady get trampled and killed by horses, with the former using his powers to revive the dog so that her owner, Michael, can say goodbye before she dies for good. To accomplish this angers Yugen, with Clod being brought before the Council of Elders for inquisition, although his mother believes that he did nothing wrong. When Clod is nineteen, the sorceress Shaman Millow visits him and his mother, informing of a war between various magical factions, the boy requested to revive an important dignitary.
When Clod turns twenty-two, a mysterious snowstorm threatens the land where he and his mother live, which usually sports endless summer. Backstory for Clod is ultimately revealed, the story concluding when he turns fifty-seven, the story in general being bittersweet and somewhat sad, with this reader somewhat sympathizing with Clod since he was the victim of bullying throughout his years of grade school and had special talents. The story is short, so younger readers will find it an easy read, and even older readers will definitely gain something from this intriguing tale.
Book Title: Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction, 174 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Odysia Press
Release date: March 2018
Tour dates: March 26 to April 13, 2018
Content Rating: PG (There is no bad language, but there is one "boss fight" scene.)
Book Description:
Best Friend Ever?
Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates - he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.
Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.
After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?
After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.
Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.
To read reviews, please visit David J. Pedersen's page on iRead Book Tours.
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About the Author:
David J. Pedersen is a native of Racine, WI who resides in his hometown Kansas City, MO. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has worked in sales, management, retail, video and film production, and IT. David has run 2 marathons, climbed several 14,000-foot mountains and marched in The University of Wisconsin Marching Band and written 4 fantasy novels. He is a geek and a fanboy that enjoys carousing, picking on his wife and kids, playing video games, and slowly muddling through his next novel.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
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Thank you for taking the time to read and review Clod, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, it was a pleasure reading your book.
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