Crik

Deep within Crik Wood is a village in which every person has a unique ability called a “Talent”. The Mayor can talk to insects, a girl can disappear in a cloud of smoke, and a young boy called Jack has a living shadow. One thunderous night Jack discovers the horrifying secret buried at the heart of his village. Thrown into an adventure filled with danger and discovery, Jack is faced with the question: ‘What would you do if your closest friend was your greatest enemy?’ For Jack that someone is his shadow.

From the Inside Flap

Set within a small village where everyone has an ability that is unique to them, called a Talent. E.g. a boy has the Talent to control animals, the village elder's Talent enables him to converse with bugs. The book opens with Jack, a 12 year old boy, discovering a seven foot tall Giant, burying an object in the village. Jack's nickname is Yin; Yang, his shadow, acts independently, often getting Jack into trouble. The object the Giant buried will lead Jack to question everything he thought he knew. This secret will send him and his friends on an exciting, but dangerous journey.

From the Back Cover

Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' FavoriteI just finished reading Crik by author Karl Beer, and all I can say is "Wow!" How's that for a review? I must admit, I read a lot, and a lot of what I read is in the genre of fantasy. I can honestly stay that Crik is one of the very best that I have read in a long, long time. Follow the story of Crik Village and the inhabitants there, all of whom have their own unique "Talent." Jack, our protagonist, who is also known as Yin, has a talent that none has really encountered before. He has a shadow, but not just any shadow. Jack's shadow can act independently from Jack and does his own very often naughty things that get Jack into quite a bit of trouble. Jack starts to wonder where his and all of the Talents have come from and that's when the real adventure begins. I loved this book. Loved. It. Author Karl Beer has done an absolutely fantastic job in creating characters that his readers will relate to and connect with, even in a highly fantastic setting; not an easy feat. His world creation abilities are simply second to none, and this story line was so creative and unique that I was left in awe. Any reader who loves a great work of fantasy will love Crik. I highly recommend this book. I will be anxiously waiting for the next offering by author Karl Beer. With his obvious and immense talent, I am quite certain that he will not remain undiscovered for long!

About the Author

I work at Swansea University Research Department, where I am lucky enough to be part of so many exciting projects. Seeing all the good work in fields such as medicine is very inspiring, and motivates me every day. Creativity is very important and I try to surround myself with as much as possible. I live in Swansea with my beautiful wife Helen. We enjoy exercising, and walks along the coast. I love a good read, and have spent countless, hours, days, weeks...ok probably years of my life absorbing as much as possible. By taking everything I love from cherished authors such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Tad Williams, George RR Martin, Piers Anthony, amongst a multitude of others, my writing tastes of all. Though the gravy may be a concoction of many, the meat and potato are my own. Fantasy is my greatest love, and the genre I enjoy most to write. With all great books, characters come first; I enjoy putting mine through hell, thinking of ways to make them grow, and for the reader to relate to them. I love to hear from new people, and to share ideas. You can find me on Twitter Karlbeer2 or contact me through this website: http: //illyarden.weebly.com/

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