lind-peinture » Children » Ghost Leopard: A Zoe Zak Adventure (Volume 1)

eBook Ghost Leopard: A Zoe Zak Adventure (Volume 1) ePub

by Lars Guignard

Lars Guignard Science Fiction and Fantasy English

eBook Ghost Leopard: A Zoe Zak Adventure (Volume 1) ePub

Author: Lars Guignard
Language: English
ISBN: 0987775367
ISBN13: 978-0987775368
Publisher: Fantastic Press (July 21, 2012)
Pages: 338
Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Subcategory: Children
Rating: 4.6
Votes: 833
Formats: docx mbr lit doc
ePub file: 1690 kb
Fb2 file: 1496 kb

Download ePub Download Fb2

Series: A Zoe & Zak Adventure (Book 1). Paperback: 314 pages.

Series: A Zoe & Zak Adventure (Book 1). Steeped in Indian mysticism, Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard is a magical journey through the eyes of 11 year old Zoe Guire into an ancient world where good must battle evil to protect the legendary Ghost Leopard which assumes a physical form (and consequently is vulnerable) only one night every 100 years.

Twelve-year-old Zoe Guire just talked to an elephant

Twelve-year-old Zoe Guire just talked to an elephant. Well, technically speaking, the elephant talked to her, but either way it was weird, and as a rule, Zoe doesn't do weird. Except the thing is, when Zoe goes along on her mom's business trip to India, things get very weird, very quickly. Only hours after she arrives, Zoe finds herself tagging alongside a kid named Zak, totally lost in a crazy city, with no money and no way home. And those are the least of Zoe's troubles

Their feet were hairy, almost like paws, and nearly silent on the wet cavern floor. I guess it wasn’t enough to have the hairy-footed freaks after us, because Rhino Butt entered right after them.

Their feet were hairy, almost like paws, and nearly silent on the wet cavern floor. I guess it wasn’t enough to have the hairy-footed freaks after us, because Rhino Butt entered right after them came from another entrance, his polished wooden crossbow in hand. Give me Stryker, Zak whispered. I handed Zak his whip. Zak looked to Rhino Butt. Then he looked to the goons. The goons were closer so he turned to them. The goons continued to advance. The goons smiled, spit falling from their pointy yellow teeth.

Zoe Guire just talked to an elephant. What I found most interesting is that it is a book about India and its culture and peoples. Well, technically speaking, the elephant spoke to her, but either way it was weird and, as a rule, Zoe doesn't do weird. What did you love best about Ghost Leopard? The setting, characters and magical, mythical creatures. We get a lot of Egyptian, Roman and Greek themes for this grade range but this was a refreshing and new experience and I liked it very much.

by Lars Guignard First published April 26th 2012. Ghost Leopard: A Zoe & Zak Adventure (Volume 1). Published July 21st 2012 by Fantastic Press. Paperback, 338 pages. Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard (Zoe & Zak Adventures, Published April 26th 2012 by Fantastic Press. Author(s): Lars Guignard (Goodreads Author). ISBN13: 9780987775368.

Ghost Leopard (A Zoe & Zak Adventure Lars Guignard. Twelve-year-old Zoe Guire just talked to an elephant. And those are the least of Zoe's troubles.

Book in the Zoe & Zak Adventures Series). Some say all children are born with magic inside of them. Zoe Guire is about to find out if that's true. Zoe doesn't believe in ghosts

Book in the Zoe & Zak Adventures Series). Zoe doesn't believe in ghosts. She doesn't believe in mythical creatures. And she definitely doesn't believe in magic.

Lars Guignard, Writer. The Circuit thriller series and Zoe & Zak middle-grade fantasy adventure series

Lars Guignard, Writer. The Circuit thriller series and Zoe & Zak middle-grade fantasy adventure series. Hey everyone, Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard is being featured in a flash sale at Buck Books today today for just 99 cents! If you've been wanting to pick up one of my books, now's the time. Because if she's to believe the scary-looking snake charmer guy sitting in the corner, she and Zak have been chosen - chosen to protect some kind of mythical animal called the Ghost Leopard from who knows what. Now, the further they get into the mountains, the more crazily impossible things get.

For Percy Jackson and Harry Potter FansSome say all children are born with magic inside of them. Zoe Guire is about to find out if that's true.Zoe doesn't believe in ghosts. She doesn't believe in mythical creatures. And she definitely doesn't believe in magic. But it's amazing how quickly everything you think you believe can change when you're confronted by the impossible.When Zoe finds herself lost, halfway around the world, her first thought is that she needs to get back to where she came from. Fast. But her friend Zak has other ideas, and when a peculiar snake charmer directs them deep into the Himalayan Mountains in search of a mythical leopard, what began as an accident soon takes on a life of its own.Zoe isn't worried. Not at first anyhow. Sure the talking elephant is strange, and the snake charming yogi is stranger, but she's a big girl. She figures she can handle it. But then, somewhere between the living statues and the screeching monkeys, Zoe realizes that what is happening to her and Zak is no accident.It's the result of something Zoe has deep within her, an energy so powerful, yet so personal, that she alone can right a deadly wrong.But nobody said confronting an ancient evil would be easy. And Zoe and Zak will have no chance at all unless they put aside their differences and believe.Discover the magic inside of you. Join Zoe and Zak on their Himalayan adventure today.*The adventure continues. When you've finished Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, be sure to read Book Two in the Zoe & Zak Series: The Yogi's Curse, followed by Book Three, The Tiger Temple. And yes, Book Four is coming soon!

Thozius

The concept of the book was very interesting and I really enjoyed the descriptions of India. It could've been part travel guide. Also, the villian, is one that of the most scary that I have come across in a YA book.
Because of this, I really wanted to like the book. Unfortunately, it seems that I slowly plodded through it, instead of reading it voraciously, like I would Percy Jackson or the Kane Chronicles.
One of the problems, is the main character. There is nothing wrong with her, and that may be the problem. She is ultimately a good child who may have been born with a special gift. Problem is it makes her a little boring, since her only problem is finding out what kind of gift she is and how she got it, which is never resolved. Not that I have anything against "good" children, I was one of those, just doesn't make for an interesting story when it is told from her point of view.
It may have been more interesting if it was told from Zak's point of view. A slightly troubled kid that has a good heart that just needs to figure things out, including himself.
And unfortunately, I am not too familiar with the Hindi gods, maybe a cheat sheet in the back of the book would've been helpful to keep everyone straight.
I probably won't be interested in the 2nd book.

Dorintrius

Are all children born with magic inside them or just a few? Zoe Guire is a good child who was born with a special gift. She doesn't believe in ghosts but because of her gift she will soon be seeing them. Zoe knows Zak from school and when she accompanies her mother on her business trip to India she finds he is there. Zaks father just happens to be a coworker of Zoe's mother and Zak to Zoe's dissatisfaction is also in India.

You learn about India trough Zoe's clear discription of their culture and legends, religion and beliefs. There is enough adventure to keep a young reader interested and also Zoe's mystical side and the mystical creatures, such as the ghost leopard and a talking elephant. There is a lot of adventure with scary train rides, monsoon floods, cobras, jungles, strange goons with sharp pointy yellowed teeth, mystic artifacts, ancient Indian
Gods and close calls which put plenty of twists and turns in this most interesting story. It is deffinately a must read.

Authis

My Review

Steeped in Indian mysticism, Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard is a magical journey through the eyes of 11 year old Zoe Guire into an ancient world where good must battle evil to protect the legendary Ghost Leopard which assumes a physical form (and consequently is vulnerable) only one night every 100 years. When Zoe travels with her mother, her colleague, and his son Zak Merril to India, she soon begins to hear and see strange things. But things suddenly take a turn when she and Zak find themselves mixed up with modern-day poachers hired by an evil “Monkey Man” intent on destroying what he cannot have – the Ghost Leopard. Assisted by the mysterious Amala and the wise yogi, Mutka as well as through Zoe’s discovery of her own special abilities, the children will stop at nothing to protect the sacred Ghost Leopard.

Ghost Leopard is the first book in the Zoe and Zak series following the exploits of the two main characters in India. We are introduced to Zoe, in first person narrative, as she first arrives in India with her mother. I really enjoyed the development of Zoe’s character over the course of the story. When she first arrives in India, she seems rather conservative, risk-aversive, and quite mature for her age. We learn that she was adopted under mysterious circumstances and this mystery unfolds as the story progresses. Zak is the polar opposite of Zoe and she views him as a bit of a “goofball” who takes too big of risks. We see both the characters evolve in their interactions as they go from having low opinions of each other, to learning to appreciate each others’ strengths. This, of course, sets up the continuation of the series.

The author has spent considerable effort in incorporating elements of Indian culture, mysticism, and mythology. I really enjoyed how there were sporadic mentions of Indian terms, concepts, and food such as saris, namaste, bhagwan, lassi, chai, and so much more. These terms were introduced by Zoe as she recognized some of these things from reading books about India prior to visiting the country. The text is peppered with these little factoids about India. Further, there are discussions of some of the deities associated with Hinduism, such as Ganesha, as well as more in-depth discussions of the yogi way of life. I think these discussions are an excellent introduction to the Indian culture.

The plot itself is a non-stop, action-packed rollicking good time. There is absolutely no guessing as to what will happen next. There is danger, magic, mystery, and intrigue as the reader is taken for a wild ride from a bustling modern city in India to quaint villages in remote areas, and through the perilous Himalayan mountains in search of the mystical ghost leopard. There is no time for a breather as the author keeps up a relentless pace which is sure to keep young readers engaged with the story and leave them begging to follow Zoe and Zak on their next adventure. I can’t wait to read the next book!

My Bottom Line:

Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard is a non-stop, action-packed magical adventure which features a dynamic duo in Zoe and Zak; rich descriptions of the Indian culture and mythology; lots of danger and intrigue; and an engaging plot filled with unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend the Zoe and Zak series to tween girls and boys who love reading stories featuring fantastical adventures with a touch of magic. Ages 8+.

I received a copy of this book free-of-charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Vikus

Various, religious beliefs, myths, cultures an more come together in the fast paced, fantasy adventure story for YA! Zoe's mother invited Zoe along on this business trip. A newly divorced co-worker invited his son to go with him, as well. Zak was very annoying but Zoe promised her mother to befriend him so she tried hard to ignore his crazy antics and ideas. However, one major antic she could not ignore , which led to a wild few days!

The Title and Book Cover are very appealing and fit the story well. The characters were portrayed well and the scenes were described quite well. There is a large amount of graphic violence that I would not recommend for readers under 14 years of age.

My Review of this offers a, Four Stars rating.

*I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.