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    The Children's Book Review

    A Leap into Darkness, by Ray Petrolino | Dedicated Review

    Dr. Jen HarrisonBy Dr. Jen Harrison3 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Author Showcase Fantasy: Supernatural Fiction Novels for Kids and Teens
    A Leap into Darkness by Ray Petrolino Dedicated Review
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    Book Review of A Leap into Darkness
    Sponsored* | All opinions are our own
    The Children’s Book Review

    A Leap into Darkness: Book Cover

    A Leap into Darkness

    Written by Ray Petrolino

    Illustrated by Natalia Junqueira

    Ages 10+ | 240 Pages

    Publisher: Beasts at the Feast Press | ISBN-13: 9798218061012

    What to Expect: Family, Animals, Fantasy Adventure, Friendship, Betrayal, Trust

    Filled with magic, talking animals, villains, heroes, and quests, A Leap into Darkness is an epic fantasy adventure about trust, loyalty, and love.

    In the kingdom of Gorseland, magic and war are looming threats. Jake, however, knows very little about this. Despite the whispers from his owner and other dogs about him being a “wise one,” he is just an ordinary, fluffy little dog—and one who was not good enough to save his beloved mistress from drowning. Taken in by the kindly King and his children, Jake is mostly just grateful that he no longer needs to perform in the streets for his keep. However, when the evil sorcerer Beezeldorn kills the Queen and starts usurping the King’s trust, there’s no one else but Jake to step up and save his family and kingdom.

    Told from Jake’s point of view, A Leap into the Darkness offers readers a dog’s-eye perspective on the relationship humans have with their animals and each other, especially when the things they hold dear are threatened. Jake’s humility and determination make him a thoroughly endearing protagonist, and readers are sure to empathize with his quest for identity and belonging. Natalia Junqueira’s black and white illustrations are scattered throughout the story, bringing the fantastical kingdom and its animal characters to life. And best of all, there’s a happily ever after ending.

    A Leap into Darkness is an enjoyable and exciting read about a thoroughly enchanting little dog.

    Buy the Book
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    Ray Petrolino: Author Headshot

    About the Author

    Branded an “abject failure” by his dog, Ray Petrolino struck up a partnership with him: the animal would dictate and the human would write. The results? Two award-winning screenplays (A Leap into Darkness and Zombie in the Attic) and the recent debut novel A Leap into Darkness (not surprisingly, the hero of the book is…wait for it… a talking dog).

    Ray lives in North Carolina with his wife, family, and their dog Jake (not just any dog, but, as mentioned above, a talking bichon with an unfulfilled set of demands). When Ray is not writing, he’s listening to his dog (and sometimes his wife); or he can be found working on film sets, playing drums at his house, or playing drums at someone else’s house.

    For more information, please visit https://www.raypetrolino.com.

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of A Leap into Darkness. Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Gold Mystery Adventure, by Randy Kaufman | Dedicated Review
    2. Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts | Dedicated Review
    3. The Legend of Hobart, by Heather Mullaly | Dedicated Review
    4. How to Set the World on Fire | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Adventure Dedicated Review Dogs Family Friendship Middle Grade Books Natalia Junqueira Ray Petrolino
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    Dr. Jen Harrison
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    Dr. Jen Harrison provides writing and research services as the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect. She completed her Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature at Aberystwyth University in Wales, in the UK. After a brief spell in administration, Jen then trained as a secondary school English teacher and worked for several years teaching Secondary School English, working independently as a private tutor of English, and working in nursery and primary schools. She has been an editor for the peer-reviewed journal of children’s literature, Jeunesse, and has published academic work on children’s non-fiction, YA speculative fiction, and the posthuman.

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