Review: Chum by Adam Glendon Sidwell

I'm pleased to share my review for Chum, a new middle-grade adventure that releases today...

Chum

by Adam Glendon Sidwell

10/22/14

Future House Publishing

Thirteen-year-old Levi Middleworth insists he's got a Destiny, even if half the internet's tried to bully it out of him with a viral video. When a Hollywood executive in a trim green suit invites Levi to star on a reality TV show aboard a hi-tech pirate ship, Levi thinks his Destiny's finally come a knockin' a bit of fame is exactly what he needs to finally make some friends his eighth grade year. But almost as soon as they set sail, the games aboard the ship turn savage, and he and his new bud Holly must do everything they can to find themselves some Chums little round-headed autonomous toys since failing to do so means getting thrown to the sharks. With the help of Levi's long-lost television hero and a tech-savvy pirate crew, Levi has to rethink his quest for fame in an attempt to save himself, his fellow contestants, and every human being on the beach from a feeding frenzy of grisly proportions.

Goodreads  / Amazon / B&N 

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Last year, Adam Glendon Sidwell charmed me with his imaginative and superb middle-grade debut, Evertaster, so I was super excited to dive into his new middle-grade adventure, Chum. And, while I found Chum creative and entertaining, it didn’t wow me as much as I hoped it would.

Thirteen year old Levi believes he’s meant for stardom and greatness...but ends up the star of an unfortunate and embarrassing viral video. But when Levi is invited to participate in a new reality show aboard a pirate ship, he’s convinced his destiny is within reach. The contestants aboard the ship soon learn that they must find CHUMS, little autonomous toys, everyday in order to stay in the game. And the game is BRUTAL! Contestants quickly turn on one another and resort to violence and trickery to stay in the game.  Levi soon learns that nothing is as it seems aboard the ship and the truth could lead to a bloody frenzy of an end.

Adam Glendon Sidwell is definitely a creative and enthralling storyteller, who infuses a great deal of imagination and humor in his stories. And Chum is no exception. Chum’s premise is wildly original and innovative, both action-packed and funny. There’s a lot I enjoyed about this unique middle-grade adventure. The reality show theatrics are amusing, while the pirate-ship-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean makes for a thrilling setting. The idea of contestants competing to find Chums and having to do ANYTHING to do so, is really fun and makes for an entertaining time aboard the ship. However, the overall execution felt a bit jumbled and disjointed. There are many twists and turns and, while pretty cool, they often left the story feeling too rushed and busy and, perhaps even too unbelievable or outlandish for even middle-grade readers to believe.

Sidwell fills Chum with a quirky, eclectic cast of characters. Levi and his new friend Holly are relatable, endearing young characters, who make for a hero and heroine young readers will want to root for. The other contestants are just as amusingly over-the-top and larger than life you’d expect reality show contestants to be. I only wish more time was spent on character development and getting to know these intriguing people.

There is one thing in Chum that I personally found hard to swallow and that’s all the shark hate. In the story, sharks are made out to be these evil, killing machines and, while this makes sense within the story and makes for a pretty thrilling ending, as someone whose favorite animal is the Great White and who thinks sharks are the most amazing creatures alive, this made my shark loving heart hurt :( Of course, this is totally a personal thing and I can definitely see younger readers enjoying this aspect of Chum.

My Final Thoughts: Overall, Chum could use with some story tightening and more development, however I did find it to be greatly enjoyable and full of fantastic imagination. I think its target audience will be charmed by its quirky premise, laugh-out-loud moments, thrilling action, and likable hero.

MY RATING

website * goodreads * twitter * facebook

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He's been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can't wait to fall into the sea.

Fetch: A Kickstarter Campaign For An Illustrated Book

As a huge picture book fan, I wanted to share this cool Kickstarter campaign for a new dog-filled illustrated book by my buddy Adam Glendon Sidwell. Adam is a visual effects artists for movies and the author of the wildly fun middle-grade series, Evertaster (which I love!).

Adam's new illustrated book, Fetch, is the story of where dogs come from- a place where dogs live wild and free and do as they please. Adam has the fun story written and has the awesome Edwin Rhemrev working on the illustrations. Here are a few of the cool images:

To learn all about the book and the Kickstarter campaign, watch this video where Adam tells you all about it:

You can visit the Fetch Kickstarter page and, if this is a book you'd love too see come to life, you can donate to the campaign HERE

Adam Glendon Sidwell

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformersand Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: The Buttersmiths' Gold (An Evertaster Novella) by Adam Glendon Sidwell

I'm very excited to be spotlighting The Buttersmiths' Gold today! This is a novella set in the very awesome and fun world of the Evertaster series by Adam Glendon Sidwell. Evertaster was one of my favorite middle-grade reads last year...

5/2/13

add on goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

The Buttersmiths' Gold

BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.

TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.

Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.

Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.

About The Buttersmiths' Gold

The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.

 6/14/12

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Purchase: Amazon

Evertaster (Book #1)

A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

Check out my 5 Cupcakes/Stars Review of Evertaster

Check out my interview with Adam Glendon Sidwell

WATCH THE AWESOME EVERTASTER BOOK TRAILER

Adam Glendon Sidwell: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He's been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can't wait to fall into the sea.

Adam is giving away a $50 Amazon GC and a 

signed copy of The Buttersmiths' Gold!

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Evertaster Blog Tour: book spotlight & giveaway

I'm super excited to be a part of the Evertaster Blog Tour because Evertaster is one of my absolute favorite reads this year! My review is even blurbed below!

I reviewed this book several months ago and also interviewed author Adam Glendon Sidwell, so be sure to check out my review to find out why I adore this book and the fun interview  with Adam.

Now, here's more about Evertaster, Adam and a giveaway...

"Wonderfully talented writing; funny."

--Orson Scott Card, NYT Bestselling author of Ender's Game

"Sidwell is a talented comedian, and that is certainly reflected in his writing. The characters are quirky and likable." --Deseret News

When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.

 "One of the most original, well-crafted and imaginative MG stories I've come across in a long time." - Word Spelunking Book Review (that's me y'all!)

Adam Glendon Sidwell

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to

make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the

Caribbean, King Kong, Transformers and Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a

keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is

delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed

adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once

showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles,

where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

Watch the awesome book trailer!

You can learn more about Adam and his writing adventures here:

 Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Evertaster Website

Purchase Evertaster on Amazon

Follow the whole tour schedule here

During the blog tour, Adam is giving away a signed copy of Evertaster plus a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

You can enter the giveaway below or at any of the tour stops.

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Interview and Giveaway: Adam Glendon Sidwell

I'm very excited to have the awesome Adam Sidwell here today for an interview and giveaway!!! Adam is the author of the fantabulous MG novel Evertaster...seriously, this book rocks and I LOVED it!  Be sure to check out my review of this wonderful book.

WS: What three words best describe Evertaster?

AS: Delicious. Dangerous. Delightfully-death-defying-fun.

WS: In one sentence tell readers why they MUST read your book…c’mon really sell it.

AS: You must read Evertaster because it will change the way you taste every morsel of food you will eat for the rest of your life.

WS: What inspired Evertaster? Where did the idea for the story come from?

 AS: I was browsing through the book store, when I happened upon a cookbook. I saw how thick it was, and how many other books there were like it, and thought about all the cookbooks in the whole world, and how many there must be, and how many were written over the centuries. That’s when I wondered: what are all those chefs looking for? What are they after? In science, there’s an idea that there is a grand Theory of Everything that is waiting to be discovered. What if there is was grand Recipe? The final answer to all cooking and food. From there, the Johnsonville family developed naturally, with the mom, Mabel, who feels inadequate about her abilities as a cook, and Guster, the eleven year old for whom food burns or stings his mouth and tongue as he swallows it. It made for a fun dynamic. The setting and adventure itself were inspired by some of the places I’ve had the chance to travel to. They were such interesting settings, I just had to put them into a story.

WS: Grab a copy of Evertaster and answer the following:

·         Favorite chapter?

Chapter 23 

·         Favorite page?

Page 274 

·         Favorite character?

Archedentus, the Master Mead Maker, the Great Chef.

WS: Any hints about what’s next for Guster and the Johnsonvilles? Please?!

AS: Yes. I’ll say this: currently the first sentence of Evertaster - the Delicious City goes something like this: Guster Johnsonville tasted a hint of danger in his tuna fish sandwich. The Delicious City will be about a delicious city of course. Guster and the Johnsonvilles find themselves in a far off place due to circumstances beyond their control. We see Guster taking a much more active role in decision making that ultimately affects the family. He’s a little more grown up now. The Delicious City is indeed a mysterious and wonderful place which if any of us were able to find it, we’d gladly spend the rest of our lives there. 

WS: In Evertaster, Guster and his family are on the hunt to uncover the Gastronomy of Peace, the most delectable recipe ever…what’s the yummiest, most delicious thing you’ve EVER eaten?

AS: It would have to be the ice cream cone I ate in 1993 in Tillamook Oregon. I was riding my bicycle across Oregon that summer and I passed some bovines with udders so large they dragged on the ground. We stopped off at the Tillamook factory where the ice cream came as direct from the cow as you can get. I had a blueberry cheesecake flavored scoop on top of a sugar cone. Perhaps it was because I was so tired or because my body was so drained, but that ice cream cone was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. It completed me, and I’ve never forgotten it.

WS: You’ve worked on some pretty awesome movies, but what’s the most awesome movie you’ve worked on? What’s the coolest thing you’ve created for a movie?
AS: The most awesome movie I’ve ever worked on would probably be King Kong. I was working with the best in the industry at Weta Digital. I got to move to New Zealand for a year. I learned the cutting edge technology. My favorite thing that I’ve worked on would probably be building digital human replacements for Tron. I built the digital versions of most of the riders in the light cycle sequence. I also created the lightwalls. I built the digital double for Sam, which if you watch that scene, he’s mostly digital, though you shouldn’t be able to tell. The goal is to have people watch your work without even knowing that those humans aren’t actually actors but are computer generated.

WS: What are some your favorite MG books and characters (other than your fab book and characters, of course)

AS: Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson. IT’s a mind bending idea that Librarians are really a secret organization that are controlling all the world’s knowledge. Brandon is an amazing author and has a mastery of the craft, and it really comes through in those books in a very humorous way that breaks the 4th wall as Alcatraz talks directly to the audience. I also will never ever forget the moments in 3rd grade when I discovered Roald Dahl. A freind passed off the Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the BFG. I couldn’t believe I was reading about giants eating human beans. I love the BFG! Ultimately those books are what inspired me to write.  

WS:  Fill in the blanks:

·         I’m awesome at ________.

AS: Wilderness Survival 

·         I’m embarrassed to admit that _______.

AS: I don’t know the capital of Connecticut. Who knows? Maybe I’ll keep it that way. 

·         In the event of a zombie/demon/alien apocalypse I’d______.

AS: Teleport. 

WS: If you were to bake an Evertaster inspired cupcake what would it look and/or taste like and what would you call it?

AS: It would taste like the Gastronomy of Peace of course! The One Recipe that Guster and the Johnsonvilles spend 300 pages searching for. What would I call it? the Gastronomy of Peace! What does it taste like? The Gastronomy of Peace! No spoilers though. To know what that tastes like, you’ll have to read Chapter 23. What would it look like? Sunshine. History. Perfection.

Thank you so much for answering my questions Adam!!!

Connect with Adam: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

In between books, Adam Glendon Sidwell uses the power of computers to make monsters, robots and zombies come to life for blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, Transformersand Tron. After spending countless hours in front of a keyboard meticulously adjusting tentacles, calibrating hydraulics, and brushing monkey fur, he is delighted at the prospect of modifying his creations with the flick of a few deftly placed adjectives. He’s been eating food since age 7, so feels very qualified to write this book. He once showed a famous movie star where the bathroom was. Adam currently lives in Los Angeles, where he can’t wait to fall into the sea.

Evertaster

What if there were a taste so delicious that if you found it, you’d never want to eat anything else again?

When eleven year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother's casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him to the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city, they meet a dying pastry maker who tells them of a legendary recipe called the Gastronomy of Peace -- a recipe created hundreds of years ago, shrouded in secrecy, and sought after by connoisseurs everywhere. 
So begins a perilous adventure that will take Guster, his clever sister Mariah, and the rest of the Johnsonvilles on an adventure to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves, where they discover that their search is more than just a quest to satisfy Guster’s cravings -- it is a quest that could change humanity forever.
Purchase: Amazon / B&N 

Win a signed copy of Evertaster

Adam has generously offered a signed copy of his awesome MG book to one lucky cupcake!!!

DETAILS

-One winner will win a signed copy of Evertaster

-US/CAN only

-Will run from 7/27 - 8/10

-Fill out Rafflecopter form to enter

• Must be 13+ to enter
• One main entry per person
• Winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
• I am NOT responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes

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