4.03.2018

Clod Makes a Friend ~ Review with Giveaway

Clod Makes a Friend
By David J. Pedersen

Clod Makes a Friend is a story that shows the importance of having a friend and the crushing power of the word of a bully. Clod is a somewhat clumsy large young boy who takes after his father. While those around him exhibit magic skills Clod seems to be lacking in both magic and intellect and his teacher lets him know just how worthless and unskilled he is. But even worse Clod has no friends and the other children make fun of him and let him know that they consider him the ugliest thing they've ever seen.

But Clod has a skill that has not been encouraged by his teacher - a skill that allows him to bring to life a friend. But Ada, who is made from clay, can only exist for a short time. But the brief periods of time are enough for Clod to finally have a friend. As the years go by Clod continues to carve Ada and awaken her for slowly extended periods of time.

Clod's skill as a carver is unique and declared evil with possible ties to dark magic. But when Clod's skills are needed in the war that has drawn ever closer to his town others begin to realize that he isn't as worthless as his teacher believed. Some still fear Clod but he has his small circle of friends and Ada.

This is a delightful story that will enchant readers and there is a most unexpected twist at the end that one will not see coming. At just under 170 pages this book is a good length for middle-grade readers. Friendship, bullying, and self-worth are at the heart of this story that has a glimmer of fairytale within its woven spell. Highly recommended reading that offers some important truths.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author through iRead Book Tours with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



Book Details:

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.


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


Enter the Giveaway!
Grand Prize:
Clod & Ada Gift Package, which includes:
1) an Ada Amigurumi Doll (book character)
2) a hardcover copy of Clod Makes A Friend
3) a $20 Amazon Gift Card
(open to USA and Canada / 1 winner)


2nd place prize:
Hardcover copy of Clod Makes A Friend with a $10 Amazon Gift Card
(open to USA and Canada / 2 winners)


3rd place prizes:
5 winners will get a paperback copy of Clod Makes A Friend
and
5 winners will get an ebook copy
(Open to USA and Canada / 10 winners total)

Ends April 21, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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