Links to book reviews and interviews
Sizzling Reads - Review by Sizzling Reads
Moonlit Dreams - Review by paranormal author Christine M. Butler
Jami Gold's Blog - Interview with my Muse
Kindle Author - Interview by David Wise
Mystic Thoughts - Interview and Review by Mary Beeson
Rachel's Review - Review by teen reviewer Rachel
Paula's SHx Blog- Review by Paula Hardman from Lancashire UK
Julie Lindsey's Blog - Writer Wednesday Spotlight
Flamingnet.com - Student Review
Amy and the pen - Interview by mystery author Amy Saunders
Indie Book List - Spotlight
Fantasy Cookie- Review by S. J. Wist
Lancashire Life - Magazine Interview
Two Ends of the Pen - Interview by Debra L. Martin
To Read, Perchance to Dream - Review and Interview by Maria Waddell
The Life of Fiction - Review by Carole McKenzie
Reading Tween and Reading Teen - Reviews by Austin
Whimsical Books - Review by Whimsical Books
Moonlit Dreams - Review by paranormal author Christine M. Butler
Jami Gold's Blog - Interview with my Muse
Kindle Author - Interview by David Wise
Mystic Thoughts - Interview and Review by Mary Beeson
Rachel's Review - Review by teen reviewer Rachel
Paula's SHx Blog- Review by Paula Hardman from Lancashire UK
Julie Lindsey's Blog - Writer Wednesday Spotlight
Flamingnet.com - Student Review
Amy and the pen - Interview by mystery author Amy Saunders
Indie Book List - Spotlight
Fantasy Cookie- Review by S. J. Wist
Lancashire Life - Magazine Interview
Two Ends of the Pen - Interview by Debra L. Martin
To Read, Perchance to Dream - Review and Interview by Maria Waddell
The Life of Fiction - Review by Carole McKenzie
Reading Tween and Reading Teen - Reviews by Austin
Whimsical Books - Review by Whimsical Books
5 stars
It was so interesting to read a book from a boys perspective, not that I haven't before but every time it's so refreshing when so many young adult books are written from a girls perspective. Sometimes I think I spend so much time reading about tough and strong girls that I forget, boys are pretty spectacular too. Gladius has that Upper elementary and middle grade boys will definitely love this heroic tale.
A lot happens in this story, Gladius, Flint, Elle, and everyone they meet on the way hold their own and are excellent well developed characters!
I've already recommended it to some of the older students and they are pretty excited to read it!
By Carole, Goodreads review
5 stars
This was an awesome action packed fantasy!
The whole time I read this I kept thinking how cool of a movie it would make. J.A. Paul has done a fantastic job at placing the reader in the story. I felt like I was dropped right beside Gladius on the first page and experienced everything with him. Everything was so visually stimulating I can still see it in my head. Scimitar's, Dragons, tyrannically controlled bats, non-stop adventure - what's not to like? When Flint described his homeland of Lake Gygax I could see it all. I wish I could draw, because this book gives you a lot of ammo. That scene with VaporRot alone was awesome! Gladius was a wonderful lead, with his loyalty and eagerness to help. Grommet usually popped up out of nowhere, and I welcomed his visits every time. I'd kill for an eagle who could talk and play tricks. Flint was also a wonderful addition with his knowledge of Longwood Forest and his desire to free his people of Mulhurt's evil rule. Elle was strong and capable, and I loved how she could keep up with the boys. Something else I loved was how clean this book was, without any bad language and unnecessary violence. J.A. Paul wrote a magnificent adventure that would appeal to young readers without losing any of his integrity and the appeal some authors forfeit in order to reach older audiences.
By Shana Vanterpool, Amazon review
5 stars
There is adventure, some magic, nonstop action, and more found in this journey that people of all ages will enjoy! I liked this book and know you guys will too!
This book is perfect for all age readers -- adventure, mystery, intrigue, suspense -- yet no sex or inappropriate language! If you are having a difficult time getting your middle school son or grandson to read a book, introduce him to Gladius! I think he'll love it. No question that it is also appropriate for young ladies, too! Thanks for such a great read, J.A. Paul. Looking forward to your next adventure!
By Bonnie, Amazon review
5 stars
As a pre-teen and teenager I regularly consumed adventure novels. They taught me many life lessons and instilled in me a life-long passion for the written word. I recently came upon 'Gladius and the Bartlett Trial' by J. A. Paul written in the same tradition. The name character, Gladius, is a brash 15 year old living in an ancient land populated by strange people and creatures. The `Bartlett Trial' is a rite of passage ritual where young people spend a month in the forest, surviving by their wits and instincts. Gladius, however, falls in with a revolutionary, Flint, determined to see his lands retaken from the cruel overlord Mulhurt, and Gladius' trial becomes a dangerous quest, full of harrowing escapes and encounters with dragons, as well as giant bats, boars, and tiger cats. J. A. Paul handles the epic climax deftly, and I was surprised to learn it was his first novel.
By R.W. Bennett, Amazon review
5 stars
Gladius and the Bartlet Trial is the perfect story for middle school aged children through adults who are yearning for a new adventure. The Bartlet Trial is a test of a young Wiggin's ability to survive one full lunar cycle in the dangerous Longwood Forest. The main character, Gladius, sets out on his very first adventure through the forest and, after having been regaled with his father's and brothers' adventures over the years, he sets out with some pretty large shoes to fill. Beyond having to bring home tales of bigger and better adventures, Gladius is also counted on to bring home prize money for his trial that will pay the taxes to help his family keep their farm. Along the way the 15 year old Gladius runs into some pretty strange and dangerous creatures. He also makes some new friends and joins in aiding them against the evil tyrant, Mulhurt.
Gladius and the Bartlet Trial was as charming as it was captivating. As a parent I would have no problem with my nine year old advanced reader picking this book up, which he has already asked to do. I feel I must add here that both of my boys (ages 9 and 12) do tend to judge books by their covers first and they have both ogled the cover in my Kindle selection window and begged to be the first to read it. I believe the exact words were: "Ohhh, that one looks cool, I got dibs!" Luckily for them, there's more to this book than the cover - much more! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It was perfectly paced, extremely well written, and had absolutely no bad language in it at all. As a parent to avid readers I can't ask much more than that. I simply can't wait to read more from J.A. Paul!
By Christine, Barnes and Noble review
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and to be drawn into the story. It started quickly and the action kept the adventure going. It had characters that were easy to like and could be identified with by adults and young adults alike. Also, as a parent, i liked that it was a book I could encourage my children to read without worrying about any inappropriate content.
By M. hampton "mama4888", Amazon review
5 stars
Gladius and the Bartlett Trial is a fun and engaging story that kids, teenagers, and adults will love. It's full of action right from the get-go and hardly lets you take a breath. That's a good thing, especially for kids who may tend to get bored quickly with reading, this book should keep them entranced.
The characters are intriguing. Gladius is a wonderful young hero that grows in maturity as the story progresses. Elle is the strong female there to keep him in line with her witty repartee. I absolutely loved the death bats! They talk and acted just like the stereotypical mob gangster; it was hysterical!
This book is a great adventure The world J.A. Paul has invented is ripe for many more stories, and they will be forthcoming. So, grab a copy of Gladius and the Bartlett Trial and get started! Also, check my next post out, I interviewed the author, he has some great comments!
By Maria Waddell, Barnes and Noble print edition review
5 stars
As an adult I found it hard to put this book down. It was full of adventure and a diversity of characters. I thought this book had some good life lessons for young adults. Gladius starts this story going on his Bartlett trial, which entails just surviving the forest for a month on his own, and ends up helping to overthrow an evil king who stole and plundered the land from a peaceful people. Throughout his travels he is shown what it means to be a loyal friend both by his own actions and those of the characters he meets. He also discovers his own capacity for courage and far surpasses the requirements of the Bartlett Trial. There were a few sad moments but overall this story was hopeful and encouraging, something I think we all need in our lives.
By SP, Seattle Washington, Amazon review
It was so interesting to read a book from a boys perspective, not that I haven't before but every time it's so refreshing when so many young adult books are written from a girls perspective. Sometimes I think I spend so much time reading about tough and strong girls that I forget, boys are pretty spectacular too. Gladius has that Upper elementary and middle grade boys will definitely love this heroic tale.
A lot happens in this story, Gladius, Flint, Elle, and everyone they meet on the way hold their own and are excellent well developed characters!
I've already recommended it to some of the older students and they are pretty excited to read it!
By Carole, Goodreads review
5 stars
This was an awesome action packed fantasy!
The whole time I read this I kept thinking how cool of a movie it would make. J.A. Paul has done a fantastic job at placing the reader in the story. I felt like I was dropped right beside Gladius on the first page and experienced everything with him. Everything was so visually stimulating I can still see it in my head. Scimitar's, Dragons, tyrannically controlled bats, non-stop adventure - what's not to like? When Flint described his homeland of Lake Gygax I could see it all. I wish I could draw, because this book gives you a lot of ammo. That scene with VaporRot alone was awesome! Gladius was a wonderful lead, with his loyalty and eagerness to help. Grommet usually popped up out of nowhere, and I welcomed his visits every time. I'd kill for an eagle who could talk and play tricks. Flint was also a wonderful addition with his knowledge of Longwood Forest and his desire to free his people of Mulhurt's evil rule. Elle was strong and capable, and I loved how she could keep up with the boys. Something else I loved was how clean this book was, without any bad language and unnecessary violence. J.A. Paul wrote a magnificent adventure that would appeal to young readers without losing any of his integrity and the appeal some authors forfeit in order to reach older audiences.
By Shana Vanterpool, Amazon review
5 stars
There is adventure, some magic, nonstop action, and more found in this journey that people of all ages will enjoy! I liked this book and know you guys will too!
This book is perfect for all age readers -- adventure, mystery, intrigue, suspense -- yet no sex or inappropriate language! If you are having a difficult time getting your middle school son or grandson to read a book, introduce him to Gladius! I think he'll love it. No question that it is also appropriate for young ladies, too! Thanks for such a great read, J.A. Paul. Looking forward to your next adventure!
By Bonnie, Amazon review
5 stars
As a pre-teen and teenager I regularly consumed adventure novels. They taught me many life lessons and instilled in me a life-long passion for the written word. I recently came upon 'Gladius and the Bartlett Trial' by J. A. Paul written in the same tradition. The name character, Gladius, is a brash 15 year old living in an ancient land populated by strange people and creatures. The `Bartlett Trial' is a rite of passage ritual where young people spend a month in the forest, surviving by their wits and instincts. Gladius, however, falls in with a revolutionary, Flint, determined to see his lands retaken from the cruel overlord Mulhurt, and Gladius' trial becomes a dangerous quest, full of harrowing escapes and encounters with dragons, as well as giant bats, boars, and tiger cats. J. A. Paul handles the epic climax deftly, and I was surprised to learn it was his first novel.
By R.W. Bennett, Amazon review
5 stars
Gladius and the Bartlet Trial is the perfect story for middle school aged children through adults who are yearning for a new adventure. The Bartlet Trial is a test of a young Wiggin's ability to survive one full lunar cycle in the dangerous Longwood Forest. The main character, Gladius, sets out on his very first adventure through the forest and, after having been regaled with his father's and brothers' adventures over the years, he sets out with some pretty large shoes to fill. Beyond having to bring home tales of bigger and better adventures, Gladius is also counted on to bring home prize money for his trial that will pay the taxes to help his family keep their farm. Along the way the 15 year old Gladius runs into some pretty strange and dangerous creatures. He also makes some new friends and joins in aiding them against the evil tyrant, Mulhurt.
Gladius and the Bartlet Trial was as charming as it was captivating. As a parent I would have no problem with my nine year old advanced reader picking this book up, which he has already asked to do. I feel I must add here that both of my boys (ages 9 and 12) do tend to judge books by their covers first and they have both ogled the cover in my Kindle selection window and begged to be the first to read it. I believe the exact words were: "Ohhh, that one looks cool, I got dibs!" Luckily for them, there's more to this book than the cover - much more! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It was perfectly paced, extremely well written, and had absolutely no bad language in it at all. As a parent to avid readers I can't ask much more than that. I simply can't wait to read more from J.A. Paul!
By Christine, Barnes and Noble review
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and to be drawn into the story. It started quickly and the action kept the adventure going. It had characters that were easy to like and could be identified with by adults and young adults alike. Also, as a parent, i liked that it was a book I could encourage my children to read without worrying about any inappropriate content.
By M. hampton "mama4888", Amazon review
5 stars
Gladius and the Bartlett Trial is a fun and engaging story that kids, teenagers, and adults will love. It's full of action right from the get-go and hardly lets you take a breath. That's a good thing, especially for kids who may tend to get bored quickly with reading, this book should keep them entranced.
The characters are intriguing. Gladius is a wonderful young hero that grows in maturity as the story progresses. Elle is the strong female there to keep him in line with her witty repartee. I absolutely loved the death bats! They talk and acted just like the stereotypical mob gangster; it was hysterical!
This book is a great adventure The world J.A. Paul has invented is ripe for many more stories, and they will be forthcoming. So, grab a copy of Gladius and the Bartlett Trial and get started! Also, check my next post out, I interviewed the author, he has some great comments!
By Maria Waddell, Barnes and Noble print edition review
5 stars
As an adult I found it hard to put this book down. It was full of adventure and a diversity of characters. I thought this book had some good life lessons for young adults. Gladius starts this story going on his Bartlett trial, which entails just surviving the forest for a month on his own, and ends up helping to overthrow an evil king who stole and plundered the land from a peaceful people. Throughout his travels he is shown what it means to be a loyal friend both by his own actions and those of the characters he meets. He also discovers his own capacity for courage and far surpasses the requirements of the Bartlett Trial. There were a few sad moments but overall this story was hopeful and encouraging, something I think we all need in our lives.
By SP, Seattle Washington, Amazon review