Jake & the Giant

The Gryphon Chronicles, Book 2

By: E.G. Foley

Narrated by: Jamie du Pont MacKenzie

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Big trouble...

Reunited with his aristocratic magical relatives and finally getting used to his supernatural powers, orphaned ex-pickpocket Jake Everton, the young Lord Griffon, travels on his first-ever holiday to beautiful Norway. There, at the amazing Invention Convention, his cousin Archie, the boy genius, plans to unveil his marvelous new flying machine to the scientific world. But legends of the Viking Age die hard in Scandinavia.

Danger strikes as famous Victorian scientists start mysteriously disappearing. When Archie vanishes, too, Jake races to the rescue. With the help of his trusty pet gryphon, he tracks the kidnapper to his lair, only to come face-to-face with an angry Norse giant!

From the whimsical steampunk oddities of the Invention Convention to wondrous worlds of Norse mythology, join Jake and his friends on a giant-sized adventure full of hair-raising dangers and big laughs!

©2013 E.G. Foley (P)2021 E.G. Foley

another great book by E.G. Foley

What did you love best about Jake & The Giant?

I loved the whole book E.G. Foley knows how to write childrens adventure books

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jake & The Giant?

when Jake met the Giant for the first time

Which character – as performed by Jamie du Pont MacKenzie – was your favorite?

Jake as always

Any additional comments?

I loved this book so much I cant wait to get the 3rd one and E.G. Foley sent it to me for a honest review

missing pages

there is a section of this book missing what happened to it? it was around chapters 41 and 42

good

I am 10 and personaly liked the story very much. I liked the characters and the plot.
I would like to tell the characters and who i liked the most but I dont want to spoil the story...
Well...good listening

Entertaining story brimming with life lessons!

An awesome addition to the series! I loved the characters, elements of the story and especially the travels through 'other' lands. It takes fairy tales, myths and legends and shakes them all together. Our friends and some new companions begin on a new, intriguing journey that will have you both cheering for and against our own species (at times). I appreciated that the author noted some of our faults as well as those of the non-humans.

As before, the narrator did a wonderful job giving different voices to the different characters.

I can't wait for the next one!

I received a free copy of this audio book from the author, publisher or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

A Fun, If Inaccurate, Adventure

As a story, taken as a fairy tale, this book is fun and exciting. But, if you know much at all about Old Norse Mythology, this may grate on you a bit here and there, and even insult anyone who follows the Norse Pagan Faith at one point.
If you're a kid who doesn't know much or anything about it, this is just a fun adventure with mythological overtones. I highly recommend for younger audiences (though parental discretion is advised).

Funny and adventurous.

The boys have an adventure in giant land where Loki is causing havoc. In this book, the kids go to Norway for Archie’s science fair, where all the scientist of the time are there. You will recognize some of the scientist. This is a great series, good for all ages. There are some juvenile jokes, but if you’re like me I don’t mind them and even find them funny. With the Nordic lore going on and making new friends this book is recommended. The characters are well developed and I felt like I was seeing friends again. This series should be read in order, there are quite a few references to the first book. I will be continuing with the series. Narrator is above average.

Great book. Pretty good for a second book.

The story was great. I really like this series so far! The jake is such a likable character, who is really very easy to draw inspiration from. This being the second book in this series is very impressive, seeings how usually the second book in a series is usually not nearly as good as the rest, this book pretty much picked up right from where the last one left off. A wonderful adventure. My favorite character Danny was not even in the story that much, but I did not mind because the writer did a good job keeping it interesting by introducing more character that were interesting in there own right and by showing more of the genius boys personality. I would recommend this book to any age of person who likes a good adventure. And the reader did a great job as well. You can tell he put in lots of extra effort for all sorts of sound effects and what not.

Amazing second book!

Let's just talk about the awesomeness that is the narrator! Take a minute to bow down to his super powers ;) He is fan-freaking-tastic!! The amount of different voices he can do is phenomenal. It felt like I was listening to an audio that had multiple narrators, he is that good!!

Now onto the book. I didn't think this would top book 1, but it did!! This had so much going on that it's impossible not to love. I mean, first and foremost we have the stunningly beautiful setting that is Norway! It's a beautiful place and the authors capture that perfectly. Then we have the Norse mythology! I love mythology, no matter where it's from but most of the mythology is Greek or Roman Gods, so it was nice to see the Norse Gods have their turn.

We have giants, well one giant to start, Snorri! We have Yggdrasil. Valhalla. We have Odin, Thor and LOKI! Loki, as the trickster god, is up to his usual no good in this, and wants to bring about Ragnarok, but he needs the giants help. Loki will try anything to do it so we see plenty of antics from him! We also have scientists added into the mix! Some of the most famous are mentioned in the story and I absolutely loved that fact! Anyway, add all those together and you get this amazingly addictive read.

Every single character in the book is well written and developed. Jake grows a lot and I loved seeing him take responsibility and try to do the right thing. Snorri was such a great character too. He was hilarious at times and the narrator really brought him to life.

The plot was fast paced and engrossing. As I said, I loved the mythology of it but we still have a great story at the core. Jake and his cousin are willing to do what they can to help Snorri get home and save the day. Snorri isn't the brightest but the boys treat him with respect.

In all, this was an entertaining, laugh out loud, engaging and engrossing read. Right from the start you are pulled into a land of myth and legend, of magic and mayhem and a land that you will fall in love with. It's definitely a series that all ages will enjoy and one that will firmly stay on my favourite shelf. I can not wait to listen to the next one!! Amazing book and an amazing narrator!!

*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Brilliant

As with the first book in the series, Jake & The Giant is a fun adventure with great themes. Adding to the fun is the steampunk vibe, characters based on literary and historical figures, and, of course, Norse mythology.

Jamie du Pont MacKenzie is an absolutely brilliant narrator. He truly brings the story and characters to life!

(Jake and) the Gryphon,the trickster,and the tree

NORWAY!!! Jake and pals accompany Cousin Archie to the Invention Convention in NORWAY and meet Edison, Bell, and many more inventors. But the best part is all of the legendary Norse that they become involved with. Truly, Librarian Eva, Nordic Pride Worldwide, Nordic Brotherhood, Nordic Gods, and Norse Mythology have got to favor this one! Ja! Whether the reader is 8 or 80, this is a great book to tickle the fancy of we Norsk, followers of Atticus O'Sullivan, Harry Dresden, George R R Martin, or those who need to 'Google This' for all of the fascinating places and personages met here. Of course, there is a Giant, and Loki, and The Norns, and Yggdrasil, and 3 of the 9 worlds. No spoilers, the publisher's summary will give hints.
Jamie must have spent enough time in Minnesota or Decorah to do a creditable job performing the voices, but it is obvious that he is fully engaged in this tale and really enjoys the performance!
What a perfectly wonderful gift this is! Guess what the kids are getting for gifts, too!