Review - Candyland: The Battle Of Naughty And Nice by Tony Bertauski

December is a time of giving and Tony Bertauski pays it forward. By purchasing a copy of Candyland, you are donating to a worth cause, Novak’s House. 10% of the profits from Candyland is donated to Novak’s House: a recovery residence that was founded in 2020 by Brandon Novak and George Evagelou to help those struggling with addiction find a safe, sober place to call home.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been visiting the Claus Universe since Santa came to town. I have missed a book or two, so it’s a good thing each book can stand alone. Are you ready for an adventure?

Let’s follow Arthur to Candyland, where the battle between naughty and nice reigns. Arthur’s imagination has brought him to Candyland where every day is Christmas. We have magical characters and a king that wants to turn Candyland all naughty. He needs Arthur and his talent, to help him make it happen.

Arthur doesn’t know what his talent is, what the king is looking for, and he has no idea how he will ever get home again.

I love getting lost in the fantasy Tony Bertauski has created. I have met many a character that I would never have found anywhere else, but in one of Tony’s books. His world building knows no boundaries, He has the ability to set my imagination on fire. So, if you are looking for some holiday reading for you or someone else, I highly recommend taking a look at the Claus Universe.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The 12th standalone novel in the Claus Universe. The Christmas adventures you’ve been waiting for…

Arthur woke up in a realm where fairy tales are born and Christmas never ends.

Naturally, he thought he was dreaming. Who wouldn’t? This wasn’t his world. He had no idea how he got there, and even the natives were clueless about how or why a crosser came to Candyland. But there was a reason—there was always a reason.

Arthur is quickly caught up in the eternal battle between naughty and nice. King Chocolate ruled the Naughty Side, and with Christmas fast approaching, he’s determined to finally win at any cost. When he hears rumors of Arthur’s arrival, the king springs into action. The last thing he wants is a talented crosser helping the Nice Side win the war.

Arthur has no idea what talent the king is after. He barely remembers who he is. He crossed over with only the clothes on his back and a pocket full of drawings. Soon, however, he finds himself trapped between naughty and nice. When he discovers the secrets inside himself, Candyland is transformed. And in the process, he will remember who he is and understand why he’s there.

When his true talent is unleashed, nothing will be the same.

Genre: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Teen, Young Adult
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
Series: Claus Universe, Stand Alone

ABOUT TONY BERTAUSKI

Get my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com

He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.

He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.

After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.

After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.

That was a few years later.

His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.

He wanted out.

A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.

He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.

Turns out he did.

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