Legend of the Storm Sneezer
About the Book Legend of the Storm Sneezer
Book: Legend of the Storm Sneezer
Author: Kristiana Sfirlea
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Legend Seeker. Part-time Ghost Hunter. Time Traveler.
Thirteen-year-old Rose Skylar sneezed a magical storm cloud at birth, and it’s followed her around ever since. But when “Stormy” causes one too many public disasters, Rose is taken to Heartstone, an asylum for unstable magic. Its location? The heart of a haunted forest whose trees have mysteriously turned to stone.
They say the ghosts are bound to the woods … then why does Rose see them drifting outside the windows at night? And why is there a graveyard on the grounds filled with empty graves? Guided by her future selves via time travelling letters, Rose and Marek—best friend and a potential figment of her imagination—must solve the mystery of the spectres and the stone trees before the ghosts unleash a legendary enemy that will make their own spooks look like a couple of holey bed sheets and destroy Heartstone Asylum.
Letters from the future are piling up. Rose can’t save Heartstone herself. However, five of herselves, a magical storm cloud, and a guardian angel who might very well be imaginary? Now that’s a silver lining.
But will they find what killed the ghosts before what killed the ghosts finds them?
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts on Legend of the Storm Sneezer:
First, I have to say that I’m one of those people that do not celebrate Halloween at all. We don’t do ghosts or haunted houses, etc. So this is a book that would immediately be on the unsure shelf in our house. Which means that I have to read it before any of the kids can.
That being said, I read this book. I think the author did an amazing job writing the book. It is a great book that reads quickly, keeps you entertained, and makes you want to keep reading until the whole book is done.
There is a lot of magic and a lot of ghosts, evil plots in this book. But there is also a lot of teachable moments with compassion and honesty, etc as well. So this is a toss-up that parents are going to have to read on their own before they decide if it’s one their children can read.
In this book, there is one spot where a sentence is left open-ended where most people are going to read in a bad word. The word is not there, but the suggestion is.
For my personal thoughts. This is not a book I’m going to let my 10-year-old read. Because of all the magic in it and the allusion to a cuss word I would be more comfortable letting my teenagers read this book. I think it is a wonderfully written book and it reads really well, but due to the content, I would err more on the side of titling it young adult versus middle school just because of our beliefs. If I had not received this for a review it would not have been one that I would have picked up to read solely on the description of the book.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
About the Author of Legend of the Storm Sneezer
As an author, Kristiana Sfirlea knows what it means to get in character. She spent five years volunteering as a historical reenactor and trying her best not to catch her skirts on fire as a colonial girl from the 1700s (the leading cause of death at the time next to childbirth). Working at a haunted house attraction, she played a jumping werewolf statue, a goblin in a two-way mirror, and a wall-scratcher—so if she’s standing very still, growling, checking her reflection, or filing her nails on your wall, be alarmed. Those are hard habits to break.
Kristiana’s speculative flash fiction has been published by Havok, and her debut novel Legend of the Storm Sneezer is a whimsical Middle-Grade fantasy involving time travel and things that go bump in the night. She dreams of the day she can run her own mobile bookstore. Or haunted house attraction. Or both. Look out, world—here comes a haunted bookmobile! (And this is precisely why writers should never become Uber drivers.) She loves Jesus, her family, and imaginary life with her characters.
More from Kristiana
Should kids enjoy spooky things?
It’s the question on many Christian parents’ minds this time of year. Should my kid see that movie, wear that costume, celebrate that holiday? From tots to teens, most kiddos have an undeniable fascination with Halloween. But should this be encouraged—or cut down quicker than the first victim of a horror flick?
Let me tell you a story. (Don’t worry, it’s not too scary.) Once upon a time, there was a young girl with a monster that followed her wherever she went. It bit at her constantly, venom flooding her veins with anxiety, teeth gnawing her courage to worried nubs. But her monster wasn’t really a monster—it was a debilitating health condition that took the girl’s entire childhood to diagnose.
For years, her fears and pain and panic seemed like her only friends. But then one day, the girl discovered a book series, unlike anything she’d ever read before. (And believe me, she’d read a lot.) It was filled with magic and monsters and chilling, thrilling adventures. The heroes faced so many scary things—and putting herself in their shoes, the girl had never felt so understood. Finally, she had friends to take with her to the endless doctor appointments, and somehow holding those books in her hands made her braver.
But in the end—for there is always an end to such things—those books failed her.
They failed her because they didn’t point her to the only true source of bravery: Jesus.
And so, with this in mind, the girl grew up to write a book called Legend of the Storm Sneezer, a story about ghosts and time travel and the true meaning of sacrificial love.
Should kids enjoy spooky things? Maybe. Should kids enjoy spooky things that show them how the power of God’s love frightens any monster—or monster-sized problem? Absolutely.
Blog Stops for Legend of the Storm Sneezer
Rebecca Tews, October 2
Blogging With Carol, October 3
Through the Fire Blogs, October 4
Vicky Sluiter, October 5 (Author Interview)
The Book Chic Blog, October 5
Texas Book-aholic, October 6
For Him and My Family, October 7
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 8
Wishful Endings, October 9 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, October 9
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 10
Inklings and notions, October 11
Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 13
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 14
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 15
Giveaway for Legend of the Storm Sneezer
To celebrate her tour, Kristiana is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book, mini red umbrella, two mini storm-scented candles, a storm sneezer tissue packet, and a button!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!
Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10197/legend-of-the-storm-sneezer-celebration-tour-giveaway
Rita Wray
My granddaughter would like this.
Erin S.
I hope she gets a chance to read it then!
Julie Waldron
I don’t care for Halloween either. This sounds like a good book though.
Erin S.
It really is a good book and if it were not Halloween season I don’t think it would have quite the impact it is right now.