Skip to main content

Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof

Image
By


Epoca: The Tree of Ecrof 
Created by Kobe Bryant
Written by Ivy Claire
Two Rivers Distribution, 2019. 353 p.

The Kingdom of Epoca is ruled by Dreamers and Realists. Which class rules is based upon which side wins a series of games similar to the Olympics every few years. Princess Pretia Praxis-Onera is both. Her father is a dreamer and her mother is a realist. As of this story, no matter who wins the games her parents will rule together (though the mixed-race marriage caused a huge scandal in Epoca). The athletes that compete to have their clan rule are graced with grana, their divinely given talents that supposedly come from the gods and help them to excel in all things sports. Pretia isn’t sure that she likes her grana—the first time she used it there was an accident so she believes it is cursed. Pretia’s story intertwines with the story of Ravi. Ravi is the son of an exiled Visualization trainer at the elite school Ecrof Academy (the place where all those with grana train in various sports). Ravi is sure there was more to the story of what happened when his father was disgraced and sent away from Ecrof, but he has no idea what. Now Pretia and Ravi must work together to figure out what is really going on and to save the school as well as their kingdom.

This is an intricate world built on what seems like a nod to Greek gods and goddesses as well as the Greek Olympiads with a touch of fantasy (that grana and the magic and power that comes with it) and a whole dash of sports—especially track and field. Readers who love fast-paced world building, strong characters, adventure, and sports (and Kobe Bryant) will enjoy reading this tale of adventure and comradery.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

By Anonymous
There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

By Anonymous
J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Super Boba Cafe

By
Super Boba Café By Nidhi Chanani New York: Amulet Books, 2023. Comics. 215 pages. 14-year-old Aria is excited to spend her summer in San Francisco getting quality time with her Nainai. She loves helping at her grandmother's Super Boba Café. But she can't help but notice that her grandmother is acting strange and secretive. She refuses to let Aria into the kitchen at all and she disappears at the same time each night without telling Aria where she goes. Meanwhile, Aria is eager to drum up more business for Super Boba Café. She gets a major windfall when the shop cat, Bao, surprises them by having kittens, and Aria realizes this is a major social media opportunity. She knows this will help Nainai's shop, but she is apprehensive to get back on social media after a terrible cyberbullying experience she had back home. As the shop starts to get busier, Nainai is more and more anxious about her secret project. This prompts Aria to investigate with help from her Nainai's neighb...
Post a Comment
Read more