Sunday, March 29, 2015

Timmy's 5★ Review of Slaying Isidore's Dragons!

Jean-Isidore de Sauvéterre and Declan David de Quirke II are both sons of ambassadors, and have a lot going on in their lives. Isidore is dealing with an abusive home life and the loss of his mother, while Declan is dealing with the loss of his father and assassination attempts on his mother. They meet at school, and Declan begins protecting Isidore almost immediately. As soon as Declan learns of Isidore’s troubled home life, he takes action. Isidore moves into Declan’s home and starts to recover. However, that’s not the end for them. There are Isidore’s four brothers and father to deal with, problems at school, the assassination attempts, and more! This book is one you won’t want to put down. When the action begins, it’s fast-paced and thrilling and there are mysteries to unravel. Through it all, you get to watch Declan and Isidore’s feelings evolve into a great love.

Cody’s books are the only ones that I know of on the market that are contemporary high-action. He isn’t kidding when he says Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is a teen Bourne Identity. Isidore is raw and terrified and has nothing to hold onto except Declan and his mother, Sorcha. They not only do everything in their power to protect him, they go above and beyond. While this is a story of fiction, it does represent a lot of what it takes to keep a kid safe after leaving an abusive environment, especially if the parents of the abused kid are wealthy and powerful. This isn’t only a story of hope, but a story about the extreme measures it can take to remove a kid from an abusive environment and protect him from his abusers trying to get him back—which happens in real life. Cody writes it in such a way that it isn’t based in fear, but in triumph. It’s a totally feel-good book.

I have read two books, one novella, and a free serial story by Cody Kennedy. I am in awe of his ability to tell a story in any form, and I was not disappointed when I read Slaying Isidore’s Dragons. It takes great talent to be able to tell a story based in negative events and situations in such a way that it gives hope to the reader. Cody has done that in every book I’ve read of his, but especially in Slaying Isidore’s Dragons. Coming from a troubled home myself, I really appreciate how Cody can tell stories of abused kids and still leave me feeling hope and triumph after reading it. This book, and others like it, not only help abused kids, it gives us the strength to survive and continue on. I don’t say that because Cody is a close friend, for I have said this about authors I don’t know, but hope is a very magical thing to a kid who has none. I have all these emotions that would explain it better, but it’s so hard to get it out in words.

Happiness is a hard thing for abused kids to see in their futures. It’s like that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We want it to be real, but can’t seem to actually find it. Books like Cody’s give us hope for our futures, and he does it by telling his stories without dwelling on all the negatives in our lives. It’s not that he skims over the negative aspects, because those are all there. But he shows how we can still have the elusive happiness by trusting people who are trustworthy and want to help us. So I would like to thank Cody for the time and effort he puts into his books for the kids who need it the most.

Cody has a true skill for pulling the reader into his stories. This is another way his books and others like it will save lives. They are a safe place. A place we can hide, even if only for a few hours, and imagine a world better than the one we live in. Slaying Isidore’s Dragons is so much more than a book about an abused boy. It’s an adventure.

After reading the final copy, I fell even more in love with Slaying Isidore’s Dragons. There is MUCH more of Isidore in the story now, and that made an excellent book a PERFECT book. I can now relate to Isidore and the story even more than before. It also gives the reader a little more insight into the mind of an abused kid. This is important because it will help readers understand a small part of the heartbreaking confusion that makes up our daily thoughts. I believe everyone has had hard times, but it almost seems harder to start over than it does to remain in an abusive home. It’s hard to find the real you under everything you were forced to be. It’s harder still to explain that to someone who never lived that type of hell. This book will give you some idea of how hard the “new life” can really be.

I give this book 5 marbles and would give it more if I could. It is a must read (as soon as it comes out. You can preorder it now.) Be sure to buy your own copy rather than borrowing someone else’s because you will want to read it more than once. ~Timmy


Now available for preorder in print and ebook at



A special note to the author:
I know your life hasn’t been easy, but the work you do to help save others, either through real life or your writing, is what makes you a true superhero. I can’t tell you the number of kids you will save, but I can say for sure, you have saved at least one. Here's a poem I wrote for you.

About Slaying Isidore's Dragons


5 Best friends
4 Vicious brothers
3 STD tests
2 Guys in love
1 Car bombing
&
Nowhere to run

Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.

5 Weeks of hell
4 Attempts on their lives
3 Law enforcement agencies
2 Dead high school seniors
1 Jealous friend
&
A love that won’t be denied

Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.

5 New family members
4 BFF’s
3 Countries
2 Extraordinary Psychologists
1 Courageous Mother
&
A new beginning for two young men in love



Stop by Cody’s Blog with questions or comments, or simply share what’s on your mind.
Find Cody on Facebook, Twitter @CodyKAuthor, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+,
Ello, Goodreads, & read Cody’s free serial story, Fairy

29 comments:

  1. What a wonderful review. If I'd had any doubts about reading the book (I didn't) they'd be long gone now. I'm in awe of your power with words, Timmy, and humbled with your honest and openness when you review books. Your Ode to Cody brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad Cody is in your life and the rock you need, and I'll always be grateful that I got the opportunity to meet and get to know you. <3

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    1. Thank you Helena! I wrote that poem for Cody a while ago and never gave it to him. I thought this was the perfect time.
      <3 Timmy

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  2. It's a beautiful review and a beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful person. Cody enriches many lives and I'm so glad he has touched yours. He is a blessing for all of us.

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    1. He is a blessing, and he will help many kids through his books. We are all lucky that God gave us Cody.
      <3 Timmy

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  3. Excellent review Timmy ... especially important because, unfortunately, you understand all to we'll the situations ported in this book. Even as a teen counselor ... it is hard to help bring feelings into language. Cody's characters give words to the inside of heads & hearts. We all need to understand ... empathize ... and help! Thank you for the beautiful poem to Cody & sharing your words with us. You shine the light so we can find you & others & give them safety & Love.

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    1. Yes! You are so right! If every adult read his books, and DIDN'T see the fiction, but the REAL story in it, life would be easier for kids like me.
      <3 Timmy

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  4. Sorry, I was a little choked up by the poem and forgot to talk about the book. All I can said is Slaying Isidore's Dragons, IMHO, is the finest work Cody has produced to date. All of his books are remarkable pieces of literature but he just gets better and better with each work. This story is so moving and so touching, it will leave you speechless in some places and breathless in others. What a remarkable talent.

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  5. A wonderful review Timmy. You not only give a review that will make people want to read the book, you also give just a little more insight that will make this story just that extra bit special.

    I can't wait for my paperback copy to arrive.

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    1. Oooooh sorry I hit send before I was finished. That poem was so beautiful and really sums up your Cody. <3 LYT <3

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    2. Thank you Deezey! I hope everyone loves it as much as I do, because the more people read it, the better the chance it will get into the hands of someone who needs it most.
      <3 Timmy

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  6. What an excellent review, Timmy! I agree with what you've said about Cody's writing. There is always so much hope even in dire situations. I'm so looking forward to this book! Thank you, Timmy!!

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    1. Let me know what you think after you have read it Kari!
      <3 Timmy

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  7. Timmy, you and Cody. You two are light the midnight sky with your beautiful souls. I adore what you two have together. So beautiful. The poem is breathtaking, literally. As for the review. A + my young friend. I can't wait to read this book. Keep shining superstar.

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    1. Thank you Carol. You got me blushing. You are so sweet.
      <3 Timmy

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  8. I can't find the words to tell you how much your review, as well as your poem, moved me. If I hadn't already pre ordered, this would make me buy it. I find you and Cody to be beautiful souls. Thank you both for sharing parts of your life that were painful. Cody, thank you for providing hope for those who need it. Timmy thank you for being you: a wonderful young man with the gift of friendship. Hugs to you both <3 <3

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    1. I love that Cody has given me a chance to help with the blog tour. I hope that it helps (even if only a little) to get this book out there to help those who need it.
      <3 Timmy

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  9. Timmy, you absolutely write the best reviews! Thank you for your great insight into Slaying Isidore's Dragons. If it's even possible, I'm more excited for this release!

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    1. *Blushing* Thanks Sandy. I love reviewing.
      <3 Timmy

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  10. Such a terrific review Timmy! I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

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    1. Let me know your thoughts on the story after you have read it!
      <3 Timmy

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  11. Thank you very much for the review, very lovely! It's always nice that a book you want to read can arouse these sort of feelings. I also love the poem you wrote, sad and beautiful all in one.

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    1. Thank you Serena, for reading my review and leaving a comment. I hope you like the book!
      <3 Timmy

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  12. I am constantly in awe of your words, Timmy. You get to the inner core of things in seconds; you see the centerpiece so clearly. And you manage to describe it to the rest of us with such clarity.
    Thank you. Thank you for showing us the way, and thank you for simply being you.
    I am so excited about this book. So excited.
    Your review simply doubles my excitement. <3

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    1. Thanks my Anna! I love seeing my peeps here to support me. <3
      <3 Timmy

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  13. Thank you for the review Timmy. Reading it makes me want to read it even more!

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    1. I hope you love as much as I did! Thanks for joining us!
      <3 Timmy

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