NY Times Bestselling Author E.G. Foley brews up a magical potion for fantasy readers of all ages!Take a dash of Harry Potter and a splash of Oliver Twist, add a pinch of steampunk and a sprinkle of Victorian fairy lore, and what do you get? The Gryphon Chronicles! A rollicking fantasy adventure series that’s as much fun for grownups as it is for kids.A very special Gryphon Chronicles story, for … Gryphon Chronicles story, for all those who love A Christmas Carol and savor the joys and traditions of a Victorian Christmas.
(Note: This book can stand alone without having read the rest of the series.)
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men…and Gingerbread Men?!
After his harsh beginnings as a rough-and-tumble orphan on the streets of Victorian London, Jake Everton, the twelve-year-old Lord Griffon, takes his rightful place as the long-lost heir of an aristocratic family with magical powers—his personal quest, to follow in his slain parents’ footsteps as a Lightrider in the age-old battle of good versus evil. In the fantastical nooks and crannies of the Victorian Age, Jake and his friends (including his pet Gryphon) find no shortage of adventure—righting magic-related wrongs, solving supernatural mysteries, and exploring wondrous new worlds. Now it’s Jake’s first Christmas with his eccentric magical relatives…but trouble never takes a holiday.
Santa’s Horrid Little Helper
Humbug hates being a Christmas elf. Instead of making toys, he’d rather make mischief. Angling for a new job in Halloween Town, he sets out to prove he’s frightful enough for the post by ruining Christmas for as many people as possible—until Jake and his friends manage to capture the little troublemaker, determined to put a stop to his devious schemes.
When the kids find out that Santa is offering a reward for the return of his runaway elf, the kids set out on a rip-roaring Christmas adventure to the North Pole to hand Humbug over to Santa and Mrs. Claus, and collect the promised reward of one wish granted by Kris Kringle himself. But the way is fraught with danger (and yetis), leaving Jake and his pals to wonder if they’ll make it home in time for Christmas—or even make it back alive!
“A wonderful novel in the same vein as Harry Potter, full of nonstop action, magical creatures, and the reality that was Queen Victoria’s England.” ~The Reading Café
Dear Reader,
Although this book is connected to The Gryphon Chronicles series, it was written to stand alone, so you can still enjoy it just as much even if you haven’t read the full-length novels. For readers who ARE following the adventures of Jake and his friends, consider this story #3.5 in the series. As a Christmas tale, GINGERBREAD WARS is the lightest of the stories, and is half the length of the regular novels.
The Gryphon Chronicles are fun family reading for ages 10 & up, but younger kids who are avid readers should do fine with them, too. Thank you for your interest in our work!
With warmest wishes,
E.G. Foley
The Gryphon Chronicles Series:
Book 1 – THE LOST HEIR
Book 2 – JAKE & THE GIANT
Book 3 – THE DARK PORTAL
Book 3.5 – JAKE & THE GINGERBREAD WARS
Book 4 – RISE OF ALLIES
Book 5 – SECRETS OF THE DEEP
Book 6 – THE BLACK FORTRESS
more
It was magical. I loved it.
Just finished reading “Jake and the Gingerbread Wars”. It is a very fun read with excellently crafted characters that you are quickly drawn to. The antagonist does everything he can to stop Jake and his friends from reaching their very important destination. Still, the antagonist is witty and quite entertaining. I really like that this book didn’t forget to include a nativity that Jake committed himmself to even though he will look foolish in the fake beard, which is very characteristic of a ten year old boy.
This is a book that middle grade kids will love to read, yet gentle enough to be read to young children without giving them nightmares. I don’t mean to limit it to chikdren. I am in my mid sixties and I loved it. If I were to name the book, I would call it “Jake’s Christmas Wish”, as it also shows that even a former pick-pocket, like Jake, has a tender side. Although a stand-alone book, it made me want to know more about Jake, so I have already started reading the first book in a series that looks like it will give his history.
It was fun to read with some twists and turns.
This was such a fun Christmas read! Exciting, magical, festive! It’s full of holiday spirit, adventure, and magic. It really encapsulates the whole spirit of Christmas.
Although it’s a Middle Grade book, it has enough maturity and intrigue to still appeal to adults.
This is my seventh Christmas novel of the season, and it is my favorite so far!
This is a great Christmas story on its own, however I highly recommend the series! My whole family loves it!
A sweet story set in the Victorian Age, this is a story suitable for children 10 and up, and adults too. I enjoyed the adventures of Jake Everton, his cousins Archie and Isabelle, friend Dani O’Dell, and pet Gryphon Red, as they captured a trouble making elf named Humbug, who is on the run from the North Pole. They’re on a mission to return him to Santa and hope for a Christmas wish granted as a reward. They run into feuding pastry chefs, battling gingerbread people, yetis, Snow Maiden and her brother Jack Frost, and plenty of danger on their way to the frigid North Pole. Of course there is magic, we’re dealing with Santa Claus here, as well as elves and fairies, and the children have some magical abilities as well, which makes it even more fun. I loved how it all turned out and I would definitely recommend this story. This is a stand-alone, but is part of the Gryphon Chronicles series, so there are more adventures to enjoy.
This book is really fun for Christmastime and a great way to introduce your middle grade reader to this series because, while the rest of the Gryphon Chronicles books are to be read in order, this one is a stand-alone. Whimsical, exciting, and wonderful escapism for kids or adults!
This was a cute story for middle-grade readers.