In a tradition similar to the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books immensely popular in the 1980s and 1990s, Campfire Crisis puts the reader in the role of protagonist. In this particular book, billed as a “Choice Chapter Book,” the reader and two friends go on an overnight camping trip with the reader’s parents. Throughout the… Continue reading Revew — Campfire Crisis
Author: Blake Hoena
Review — Greek Mythology’s Adventures of Perseus
With the reader as the main character, Greek Mythology’s Adventures of Perseus by Blake Hoena follows the tradition of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books so popular with middle grade readers in the 1980s and 1990s. Perseus belongs to a series called “Can You Survive?” that repurposes the concept of the reader making choices by… Continue reading Review — Greek Mythology’s Adventures of Perseus
Zombified — new release
Just received my copies of Zombified, book 9 (written by your truly) of the Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution series, which was released earlier this spring. It may be hard to think about skateboarding here in Minnesota with the April showers coming as snow. But this story also has zombies! Summary: Once more beset by visions,… Continue reading Zombified — new release
Treasure Island — cover color study
Here’s a color study of the cover for my adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island. Elizabeth Hurley (not to be confused with the famous actress/model) is illustrating it. She also worked on the cover for my Perseus adaptation. In the background floats the Hispaniola, with the Jolly Roger flying from her topmast. And… Continue reading Treasure Island — cover color study
Treasure Island — cover sketch
One of my current projects is a choose-your-path adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island. It’s the book that impressed upon us our modern ideas of what pirates were like—how they acted and spoke. It was also a childhood favorite of mine, and one of the first books I recall actually wanting to read.… Continue reading Treasure Island — cover sketch
St. Peter Book Festival
Over the weekend I took part in the St. Peter Book Festival, to help promote Lake 7 Creative’s Can You Survive? series. My book Greek Mythology’s Adventure’s of Perseus, released last fall, is part of that series, which adapts classic tales into choose-your-path type stories. But I also had to show off Campfire Crisis now… Continue reading St. Peter Book Festival
Campfire Crisis — new release
NOW AVAILABLE: The first book in my new Adventure Kids series! The Adventure Kids are you, the reader, and your best friends Carla and Mike. Like you, they enjoy the outdoors. So read along as the three of you go kayaking, geocaching, and exploring in these interactive stories. Your first adventure is Campfire Crisis. Make… Continue reading Campfire Crisis — new release
Review — Greek Mythology’s Adventure’s of Perseus
Greek mythology is filled with tricky creatures with ill intent. Greek Mythology’s Adventures of Perseus is a choose-your-own-adventure book from Blake Hoena who presents an adventure of survival for young readers as they are faced with the nasty creatures of Greek mythology and what they can to survive and finish their arduous quest. Greek Mythology’s… Continue reading Review — Greek Mythology’s Adventure’s of Perseus
Review — Amplified
The first of the newest four books in the series find the youngest members of the Revolution crew working together without direct supervision. Things are going well at first: Dylan and Amy are scoping out a skate park in Minneapolis, and Joey and Omar are checking out some local caves in St. Paul, both teams… Continue reading Review — Amplified
Review — Cosmic Bounty Hunter
First sentence: On the faraway planet of Apokolips, a spaceship rumbled to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dirt and debris on the landing pad. Acquired: Received a review copy from Stone Arch Books. Reason for Reading: This book is too hard for my ds to read on his own and will be read… Continue reading Review — Cosmic Bounty Hunter