This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Parker is a scribbler and storycrafter who grew up on a cattle ranch in Southwestern New Mexico, married a wood nymph from the foothills of the Smokey Mountains and now follows two happy and endlessly curious little boys from one adventure to another. He loves the art of storycraft and talking about heroes, and is always excited to hear from adventurers. You can find more or get in touch at www.psbroaddus.com
Reviewed by Patricia Reding for Readers' Favorite
The synopsis for A Hero’s Curse, by P.S. Broaddus, intrigued me. To find a fantasy story for young readers with a blind protagonist conjured up all sorts of thoughts and ideas and Broaddus did not fail to deliver. The story is written from the perspective of Essie, in a manner that allows the reader to join in her thoughts. Together with her talking cat, Tig, Essie is left to the care of her Uncle Cagney when her parents must leave for unnamed purposes. But Uncle Cagney’s protection is short-lived. As a result, Essie and Tig (who Essie says is “my friend, my hunting tutor, and most importantly, my eyes”), must flee for safety. They find themselves chased into the Valley of Fire, a place from which no one has ever returned. From there, the two journey to discover what the new leader, Brogan, is up to, why the king disappeared, where Essie's parents have gone (and why), at whose hand she came to be blind, and whether she will find the means to forgive that person.
I was delighted with Essie’s inner dialog, and with her conversations with her Uncle Cagney and with Tig. Together they provided insight into the main protagonist. For example, Essie thinks to herself: “I love Tig. He never feels sorry for me, which is great, because I can feel sorry enough for myself.” Later, after a beast chases Essie and Tig, Essie thinks: “It’s one thing to hear monsters bump in the night. It is quite another to never be able to light a lamp to chase them away.” These thoughts made the story so real and so believable. I also enjoyed the bits of insight. Uncle Cagney tells her: “Some people say that there are no heroes in the face of pain. That if the hurt is bad enough, the hero will break. They’re wrong. That’s just what makes a hero. They’re the ones who take the pain. Stand in the gap.” Finally, I laughed on occasion at Tig’s sarcasm and at Essie’s responses to him. For example, she tells him: “Conceit is a weird disease — you have it, but it’s making me sick.” I found myself highlighting sections at a steady rate as I found P.S. Broaddus’s “voice” in A Hero’s Curse so very interesting. The sarcasm was funny and cutting, and age appropriate for the intended reader. Overall, Broaddus’s voice is one I would like to hear again and I am confident that young readers will agree.
