Life is what it's Called: Mightier Than the Sword and Mightier Then the Sword: The Edge of the Word Review and Giveaway

Mightier Than The Sword - Wildly funny and inventive, this interactive book pulls you, the reader, into the action. Yes, YOU! You wake up in the fictional land of Astorya, where stories from our world come to life. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create: what you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story!

Only you can rescue Prince S. from the evil Queen Rulette. Aided by the Couriers–a French stoat with dangerous dance moves, a giant dung beetle, a fire ninja, a Pegasus-centaur-cowgirl and a super-intelligent femalien chameleon—you must write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure and prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

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Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 978-1524785109

Review - I hadn't heard of this book before this tour, and as a mom I am always on the look out for new books and authors for my kids to read. Especially, something that my son would be interested in. It's hard to find books for boys that are adventurous and not too scary. Mightier Than The Sword was adventurous, entertaining, and creative. The story pulls the reader into an imaginative world and provides interactive experiences i.e. creating a monster, drawing pictures, and creating your own spin on the story. It's a little old for my seven year old, since he hasn't learned adjectives or what exclamatory statements are. But he's expressed interest in it and I can help him with it as needed. The cover seemed to peak his interest. It's a book I could see him enjoying and loving the chance to draw and create along with the book. This book would appeal to both boys and girls. The story is told in 2nd person point of view. The story reader is the main character in the story and along the way meets many interesting characters from a stoat to bandits and more. The villain and the rubots were more silly than scary, which I think would also appeal to young readers. The humor also seemed appropriate for young readers although I cringed a little with some of the "dung" humor. I would recommend owning a copy rather than borrowing it from the library that way the reader can draw and write in it and make it their own.

Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the World, the humorous and fantastical interactive middle-grade novel which needs , the reader, to get in on the action! The second book set in Astorya places back in the driver’s seat. You’re a real human being (we assume), and in this fictional world, that makes you a superhero. Armed with your trusty pencil, you have the power to create. What you write, draw, or scribble in the book becomes part of the story! With Queen Rulette gone, and Astorya returning to normal, you decide to journey to Astorya’s Other Side, a place of monsters and mayhem, to hide the original Original forever. nothing bad could happen to Astorya’s precious document there, right? But when the plan goes awry and digital doppelgangers are unleashed on the world, once again only you can save the day. Write, draw, and puzzle your way through a hilarious adventure story that is unique to every reader! And, most importantly, prove that the pencil is mightier than the sword.

Buy on Bookshop.org.
Buy on Amazon.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13:978-1524785109

Review - Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word is a fun and entertaining read. The reader again becomes the hero again, but this time the hero must enter into the other side of the paper/story filled with monsters. There are mad-lib type activities to engage the reader, a crossword and more. I love that the reader is included in the story and can make it their own. The authors did a good job at portraying the monsters. The monsters are a little scary, but they're presented in a funny way so I don't think younger readers of middle grade fiction will think it's frightening. I almost wished that we could explore the world a little more. There were so many outrageous monsters and ideas, that I wouldn't mind revisiting it again in another book. I was impressed at several points of the story of the creativity and imagination that went into the story. The authors/illustrators brought up the difference between light vs. dark, good and evil, and the difference between copies and originals. Mightier Than the Sword: The Edge of the Word seemed like it could bring forth a lot of good discussions in a classroom setting or children's book club. I would recommend this book to middle-grade fiction readers. I think it's engaging and I love that it supports grammar, words and engaging with your imagination.

The Authors - Alana Harrison and Drew Callander have spent their lives telling stories and cracking jokes. Alana graduated from The College of William and Mary with a degree in Comedic Writing and Performance. Drew graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Fiction Writing. Together they have created cartoons and short films with Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, John Oliver, and Kristen Schaal. Their work as writers and improv comedians has aired on Sirius XM Radio, NBC, and Comedy Central. Mightier Than the Sword is their first book series. They live with their two kids and one exquisitely talented cat (none of whom help with the dishes).

The Illustrator - Ryan Andrews lives in the Japanese countryside, with his wife, two kids, and their dog, Lucky. A friendly Kodama or two have been known to take up residence in the giant acorn tree that shades the house. Ryan often works at his drawing desk in the early-morning hours, to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers, who come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts.