Tag: Folklore

Time Travel Meets Thermopylae: ‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ Is Here

‘The Spartan Sacrifice’ by Andrew Varga is Book 4 in the time travel series. Photo: Imbrifex Books, used with permission.

📚 Book Spotlight: “The Spartan Sacrifice” by Andrew Varga

Coming August 5, 2025

If you love time travel, epic battles, and historical adventures, mark your calendars—“The Spartan Sacrifice” is almost here! This highly anticipated fourth installment in Andrew Varga’s A Jump in Time series takes young readers on a thrilling journey to one of the most iconic moments in history: the Battle of Thermopylae. (Imbrifex Books, 2025)

About the Book

In “The Spartan Sacrifice,” seventeen-year-old Dan and his partner Sam know their only chance to stop Victor Stahl’s quest for global domination is one more jump into the past. But this time, they land in ancient Greece, just before the legendary showdown between 300 Spartans and the massive Persian army.

As the warriors prepare for battle, a sudden accident threatens the very fabric of history. With the stakes higher than ever, Dan and Sam must navigate danger, loyalty, and sacrifice to prevent a catastrophe far worse than Victor’s evil plans.

Packed with fast-paced action, emotional depth, and historical intrigue, this book is a must-read for middle-grade and YA fans who crave adventure, courage, and clever storytelling.

Why You’ll Love It

  • 🛡️ Incredible Historical Hook
    From Hollywood epics to viral TikTok explainers, the Battle of Thermopylae continues to capture imaginations—and this novel dives into the real history behind the myth.
  • 🤝 Friendship Over Romance
    Dan and Sam’s bond grows stronger in this installment, highlighting the power of platonic friendships in a genre often dominated by romance.
  • 📚 History That’s Both Accurate and Fun
    Learn surprising details (like what Spartan shields really looked like!) while exploring themes of identity, courage, and sacrifice.
  • 👨‍👦 Parent-Inspired Origins
    This series began as a father-son exploration of history—and continues to be shaped by that shared curiosity and love of storytelling.

Series Recap

Catch up on the first three books in the A Jump in Time series:

  • The Last Saxon King
  • The Celtic Deception
  • The Mongol Ascension

Each adventure offers a stand-alone journey through a different era—perfect for young readers eager to time travel with purpose.

Meet the Author

Andrew Varga has been fascinated by history ever since his mother revealed he’s descended from Vikings. With a BA in history and English from the University of Toronto, Andrew has traveled across Europe, explored castles and museums, and collected swords and medieval weapons along the way.

Now living in the greater Toronto area with his wife Pam, three kids, and a lively household of pets (including dogs, cats, a turtle, and some fish), Andrew draws inspiration from his family’s passion for reading. His mission? To make history exciting, accessible, and unforgettable for the next generation.

Stay tuned for the release of “The Spartan Sacrifice” on August 5, 2025—and don’t forget to grab your shield. 🛡️

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‘The Watchers’: Adapting A.M. Shine’s Epic Tale for Film

The movie adaptation of ‘The Watchers’ is in theaters now. Photo: Amazon

Book to movie adaptations bring beloved characters and intricate plots to life, yet often spark debates among fans about the faithfulness to the source material. Directors face the challenge of condensing rich narratives into a cinematic format, risking either losing nuance or gaining new perspectives. Successful adaptations capture the essence of the book while leveraging the unique power of film to enhance emotion and spectacle. These adaptations continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The most current one is “The Watchers” by A.M. Shine; the movie adaptation, produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning, is currently out in movie theaters nationwide. 

A.M. Shine writes in the Gothic horror tradition. Born in Galway, Ireland, he received his Master’s Degree in History there before sharpening his quill and pursuing all things literary and macabre. His stories have won the Word Hut and Bookers Corner prizes and he is a member of the Irish Writers Centre. His debut novel, “The Watchers,” has received critical acclaim. It is a horror adventure set in the remote and sinister forests of Ireland. (Amazon, 2024)

“The Watchers” – You can’t see them. But they can see you.

This forest isn’t charted on any map. Every car breaks down at its treeline. Mina’s is no different. Left stranded, she is forced into the dark woodland only to find a woman shouting, urging Mina to run to a concrete bunker. As the door slams behind her, the building is besieged by screams.

Mina finds herself in a room with a wall of glass, and an electric light that activates at nightfall, when the Watchers come above ground. These creatures emerge to observe their captive humans and terrible things happen to anyone who doesn’t reach the bunker in time.

Afraid and trapped among strangers, Mina is desperate for answers. Who are the Watchers, and why are they keeping the humans imprisoned, keen to watch their every move?

Book review: ‘The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit’ by Elizabeth A. Gould

‘The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit’ by Elizabeth A. Gould. Photo: Amazon

Elizabeth Gould is a mother, teacher, art historian, and menstrual advocate and has long been fascinated with the importance of rites of passage and divine feminine archetypes for women in our modern culture. She has taught and mentored girls at puberty and is the former director of a nonprofit dedicated to positive menstrual/menopausal education. She holds a BA in Art History from Stanford University and an MA in Education from the State University of New York. “The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit” follows a female heroine through poignant moments of her adult life. (Elizabeth Gould, 2023)

“The Well of Truth” – Incorporating elements of fantasy, mysticism, and lore, Grace experiences life’s ups and downs. Through the initiations of marriage, raising children, getting divorced, going through menopause, losing loved ones, and ultimately making an independent life for herself, she gains insight and spiritual wisdom from unexpected places. These short stories are filled with reflections on feminine resilience, power, and agency. It begins with Grace deciding to spend the summer traveling in Scotland to work on her photography portfolio and research her Celtic ancestry. From there, her life’s milestones come and go, sometimes with unexpected surprises, but she always comes out on top a little wiser with the help of various deities.

Every woman’s life journey is different but we all share the same milestones and struggles. This is what makes Grace’s story so relatable. Readers bear witness to one woman’s transformation from young woman to mom and beyond, complete with victories as well as heartbreaks. The tone has a certain dreamlike quality, with the narration going back and forth between daydreaming and reality. Throughout her life, her personal values are deep rooted in nature and the different goddesses that push her along to succeed. The chapters/stories are short and easy to to read and the language is flowing and poetic. “The Well of Truth: Stories of Spirit” is charming and entertaining and can easily be read in one sitting yet the themes of nature, resiliency, and personal growth resonate past the final page. It is recommended for readers who enjoy books on folklore, fantasy, spiritualism, and magical realism.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.