The Calendar

Hello Peter, Who wouldn't be spurred on by the delicious smell of chocolate? This is a really good, unique concept - a story about an Advent Calendar. Just right for your chosen genre. Good imaginative writing and therefore deserving of a place on my SHELF. I read the first four chapters and would like to read more as time permits.

Phyllis
A Passing Storm (Would you have a look at this for me please?)

A fantastic beginning - I look forward to returning to this. I love the concept of an advent calendar. On the downside I think that the cover of the book is doing you no favours. Backed with pleasure and I wish you every success, Sana

The Calendar is a deluxe version of the 'magic artifact' fantasy, and is distinctive in the richness of of the alternative worlds you have imagined and shared with the reader. Will is an intriguing and faintly unpleasant main character, but although I was more interested in his comeuppance than in rooting for him I was still keen to read on - job done from the author's point of view! Your other characters promise to be equally quirky and vividly depicted, and I love the idea of the Bore Birds [hopefully not inspired by this website!]. Overall this is very well written and enjoyable, with a strong narrative pace and plenty of action, so it ticks all the boxes for the thriller genre and I'll be happy to back it.
One niggle for the editor: you tend to use passive verb forms and syntax frequently [shaking his head he...; ambling over to the fridge, he..; smiling, he ran..; closing her eyes, she...] The active form [he shook his head and...] is punchier and more effective IMHO especially in a thriller that needs to be fast moving. I use my word processor to search for 'ing' and then get rid of the little devils. Good luck.

Beautifully written. This should be a success anywhere. Backed, of course.

Robeson

hi Peter, I found this book has a double dose of many ingredients,- antique and ancient, raw and wild as well as controlled and sophisticated. The awkward atmosphere of youth is admirably contrasted with the refined descriptions and impressionist brushstrokes of a sensitive and longing spirit. I liked the calendar concept in relation to the time of year, December. There were great situational observations, i.e. the interaction with the cat. I enjoyed the lack of sweetness and stereotyping in your characters. On shelf.

Excellent, Peter. Good YA feel to it. Pitch does the job admirably, very descriptive, plenty of info on what to expect.
Nice beginning. I like your writing style, flows well, easy to follow. Great story plot, held my interest through the first 4 chapters. Glad to back it. On my shelf. And best of luck with it.

John Harold McCoy - Bramwell Valley

Drawn into the antique shop by a wonderful smell. Inside, he finds a strange advent calendar that appeared to be the source of that smell. He ends up stealing it, which is a good way to end the first chapter since you have not answered any of the questions that were in the mind of a reader, so the reader has only two choices: stop reading and never find the answers to the questions that have been posed by the reader's brain, or turn the page. Most will turn the page. I did was well, so you're shelved. Good job. I'll be back to read more when I find a little time.

I backed this a short while ago and have come back to comment.

Great premise and writing to go with it. Imaginative and descriptive narrative make this a wonderful read.

Though not a genre I would pick up to read, I appreciate good writing when I see it.

Good luck

Jo xx

Spoilt

The cover and the title got my attention. This is a cleverly orchestrated, whimsical tale, super creative! Backed yesterday, but just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed this.

This is highly original with a moping MC who drives it along, limping and hobbling the whole way. At first I was concered about this limping bit but then I see, football injury.
You do a great job with this. Subtle things make this shine. Living behind a green door. The smell of pork in breadcrumbs. I could nearly smell the hot chocolate in the opening chapter.
You have set this up perfectly. Will steals the calendar from the shop. And that night the first door is opened. A steady pace.
Will is a great character. Acned up and loserfied. You do a great job at capturing that adolescent attitude that seems so far away for me. You brought it back to me and made me remember what it is like to be a child.
Great writing, great characters.
Backed
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

I've only read 2 chapters but its enough to know this is a backer.
The very best of luck with it.
Leigh Fallon
The Carrier of the Mark

Two chapters in and I am hooked. This looks like it could be a great read.

This is an intriguing story. You write description well. Good luck with it. Backed.

Sara (The Organ Grinder)

Why didn't I think of this? Great fun, just the job for your target audience. Your MC is quickly engaging and dialogue is believable and appropriate. Well done, it should go far. Jim D Serpent's Blood

Sir, you wield powerful magic, indeed, for you have made me:

1. Feel like I was 14 again, curled up in my favorite corner chair, reading Alice In Wonderland.
2. Wish that I had wrote this!
3. Want to finish the whole thing here and now (at work!).

What a gorgeous creation you have wrought! Backed.

Gotta agree with Simon on your book. SHELVED!

I can use your comments on my book when you get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Dear Peter,

The Calendar, a feast for the senses, unique worlds behind doors. ... lockbylockreleasethisland ... sarcastic angels, unreliable Satyrs, great players, and the search for the creator of the Unknown. Lovely, the idea of water infusing language. Delightully imaginative.
Best success.

Pia (Course of Mirrors)

Brilliant writing and the great story!
You combined descriptions with the suspense very well.
It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz.

Two minor suggestions, both in chapter 4:
1. When Will woke up in the middle of the night he could sense presence of something big and unknown in the room. You wrote that he was very scared but then as if he suddenly forgets all about this strange presence, he starts playing with the calendar. Perhaps, you should prepare reader that he realises that there was nothing in the room but the presence he felt was actually coming from the calendar itself.
2. When Will opened the first door it was already 1st of December but later on you wrote "...he sat there in the November dimness..."

I think this is a great book and you should do very well.

All the best and good luck
Bojan (The Twelfth House)

How exciting! I relished stories like this as a child-- still do. It sparks mystery and intrigue... a delight for readers of all ages. You do your job well in the first few chapters, creating suspense and just a delicate amount of back story to get a feel for your characters. I also like that you do not describe your character's appearances in too much detail... this allows the reader to imagine them as they please.

This is one to watch. Best of luck!

PK Hrezo (The 49th Parallel)

Clive Barker or what? Master of imagination - but more on the light side. It takes a lot of creativity to fashion other-worlds such as this. I particularly like the doors between worlds and the numerological hooks . The first interface with the calendar/painting reminds me of Dorian Gray. You have a lot of clever motifs interwoven.

I would be very surprised if this doesn't zoom up the charts here. You have been featured by Lori C, as was I two days ago. Very notable to be picked up while you're still making early moves on authonomy - well done.

Intrigued to watch your coming days on here.

Backed and placed on my WL to come back to.

Best Wishes

Alexander *The Wisdom Tree and the Dormouse*

The book is clever, with marvelously written prose, great premise, and an overall original and brilliant idea for a story topic. One of a few outstanding fantasy novels that shouldn't be missed! Both shelved and Today's Pick I Like for 12/28/09: http://newandgoodreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/todays-pick-i-like-122809.html

L. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"

Fabulous! When I started reading this, I immediately pictured it in my mind's eye -- and wondered what it would be like as a movie. :) I think you've done a great job of pulling me in. Happily backed.

Lori
Beauty's Beholder

Polished, well written and the promise of a fantastic story. Kids will loves this! Delighted to back this.

Have a peek at Curse of the Golden Fly when you have time (a YA fantasy).

Camille

Clever idea. Original.
Backed.

Peter,

Good strong prose, a likeable MC and a great premise. Young adults will enjoy this story and have no problem relating to Will and cheering him on after the door swallows him whole. I liked how it was the smell of chocolate that lured Will in to the antique shop, very original.

Happy to shelve.

Laurie – Into The Master’s Lair

I was there in the midst of the shop, excellent writing, I just know this is going to be a hit on the site.

Well done.

Melxx
Impeding Justice

This is an incredible book. I love the cover and the pitch is excellent, I missed out on an advent calendar this year, long story. This is a brilliant idea. I love the opening, I can just picture myself in the forest, especially the smell of pine I liked. You really drew me in and then in the next bit when he enters the antiques shop, the atmosphere is incredible. I love the musty smell. The writing is excellent and this is already backed.

Sandie
The Crown of Crysaldor

The Calendar

Hi Peter,

This is such a grand idea for a YA novel, such a good idea that I was worried that your writing would not deliver for us, but you have got it all here. You have a great YA main character, shortish chapters, fast-pace, easy to read description and a strong, confident but not cocky authorial voice. Will read much more of this when time allows, but for now on my shelf. My opinion is that YA stuff on this site is some of the best written on here - well done.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary's Loss)

Fascinating premise with lots of hooks! I like this! Great cover as well! Worth a spin on the shelf! Good luck!
Simon

The Calendar: I really like the premise (it's not one I've seen): an advent calendar with doors - however, I did feel you spent far too long getting to the interesting bit (what happened when he opens it) so I have mixed feelings about the opening few chapters. Also, I wonder if there's a slightly less prosaic title than The Calendar? More fantastic, perhaps? Still, I'm happy to back this & wish you all the best with it.