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The Book Ark: Black on White Kindle Edition

5.0 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

Do you believe in the Realms of Fiction?

Imagine an alternate universe where every book you have ever read, every story ever told, really exists, these are the Realms of Fiction. Librarians from our Realms of Fact have known of its existence for generations and have been its protectors. It is in constant danger of falling back into the Scribing Wars of old with the creatures from the Realms of Fantasy, and modern challenges now seek to destroy this fragile place... This is the world of The Book Ark Series, every reader’s ultimate fantasy!

“In this author’s talented gift for story-telling, Roald Dahl’s magical tales and Phillip Pullman’s believable alternative existences have met a very serious rival… The Book Ark is destined to become a long-lasting classic to treasure”
Helen Hollick author of the Captain Jesamiah Acorne Novels

Bookworm and technophobe Joshua Ridley desperately needs an escape from his misandrist female relatives, inheriting his deceased grandfather’s floating bookshop could prove to be the perfect solution. Running away to Cambridge, he seeks a complete change of lifestyle, but not the complete change of reality he stumbles upon.
Plunged into the alternate universe of the Realms of Fiction, where every book that has ever been written is a reality, Josh soon discovers that his grandfather might not be dead after all. In his search for the truth he has to learn on his feet in this world of book characters, librarian guardians, and malevolent creatures from the Realms of Fantasy, who are eager to reignite the ancient scribing wars.
The stakes are high as Josh sets off with newly found friends on a quest across the realms in the hope of finding his beloved grandfather.

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There are 2 books in this series.
This option includes 2 books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...In Janis Pegrum Smith's talented gift for story-telling, Roald Dahl's magical tales, J.K. Rowling's imagination and Phillip Pullman's believable alternative existences have met a very serious rival... it is destined to become a long-lasting favourite classic to treasure!" - Helen Hollick, Author

"...The Book Ark' is a wildly imaginative novel and a delightful read..."
- The Spectral Times

"... It ought to become a classic, and I'm pleased to see that there are many sequels planned. I for one will be snapping those up as they come out."
- Debbie Young, Author

About the Author

Janis Pegrum Smith is the author of the highly acclaimed fantasy series The Book Ark, she also writes historical novels and the odd romance.  Born in London, raised in Essex, she now lives in the wilds of Norfolk with her husband and their pair of rescued sighthounds. When not writing she can be found indulging in her other passion as a furniture artist, recycling unwanted junk for her company FABB FADS or off adventuring in a caravan called Queenie.To discover more about the author Janis Pegrum Smith please visit her website at janispegrumsmith.com and you can see her artistic creations at fabbfads.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00X7YNE7C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TP Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 949 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ The Book Ark
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

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Janis Pegrum Smith
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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2015
    This is an excellent book to read to yourself or to your children, or for them to read on their own. I'm really impressed with the details of the story and the impeccable writing. I look forward to reading many more books by this author in the future, as we do with any of the outstanding authors. The story telling style is comparable to Dahl and the imaginative potential is similar to contemporaries like Gaiman and Tan. Great story!
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
    This is a memorable and engaging novel, which librarians, authors and avid readers everywhere will want to pretend is true. My only qualms about it were the ambivalence of who it's pitched at - it would have great child appeal were it not for the fact that the hero is 19 years - and the missed opportunity to feature a picture of The Book Ark on the cover, which would surely draw in many more readers, and get this book the attention and fanbase that it really deserves. It ought to become a classic, and I'm pleased to see that there are many sequels planned. I for one will be snapping those up as they come out.

    Disclosure: I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review.

    (There's a more detailed review on my book blog.)
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
    Format: Paperback
    In Janis Pegrum Smith's talented gift for story-telling, Roald Dahl’s magical tales, J.K. Rowling's imagination and Phillip Pullman’s believable alternative existences have met a very serious rival.

    If you are stuck for an imaginative gift for adults or teenage readers, give them a copy of The Book Ark – it is destined to become a long-lasting favourite classic to treasure!

    I have only one complaint... as an author I wish I had thought of the idea first.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2014
    What a fantastic read, some lovely plot twists and if the Realm of Fiction is true, then that sounds like my idea of heaven. Fab book for all ages, my 11 year old really enjoyed it too. Can not wait for the next instalment.

Top reviews from other countries

  • T P Gregory
    5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to become a Modern Classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It's hard to write a review for 'The Book Ark' without spoiling it or giving away the story because if you come to it (as I did) with no real idea about what it's about or where it's going to take you then (like me) I am sure you will be hooked quite quickly and won't want to put it down! You can't judge this book by the cover, but it's a rip-roaring adventure story that transcends time and all manner of genres, examines the themes of old vs. new (Digital vs.Traditional), good and evil, the concepts of isolation and belonging, the joy of books reading and writing and all the excitement and magic that they bring.

    As an avid reader (I devour at least one novel a week) I found myself completely immersed in this book and the adventure, which in turn gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. It works on many levels (and I've handed my copy to my 10 year old son who I know will enjoy it as much as I did, but in a different way) and is a well-written and well crafted tale that will have you laughing out loud on the train, enjoying the absurdities and ingenuity of the story as well as identifying with Josh - our hero and desperate for the next instalment. I suspect that it will become a modern classic and I would heartily recommend it to anyone between the ages of 9 and 109 who is looking for an intelligent and well written story about writing, books, pirates, mysticism and magic as well as the joys of being an everyday Librarian!
  • Nicho
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and creative tale.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and in all honesty I am no book worm, it is just so well written. Considering I had no idea on the story line before beginning this book I was well and truely submerged into the tale during the first chapter and there was never was there a dull moment in the story. Every chapter was well worded and enjoyable. I definitely recommend this book to anyone of any age! A charming book about family, books, reading, magic and fantasy.
  • Helen Hollick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Destinied to be a favourite classic to treasure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Book Ark

    “A Once Upon A Time story that will enchant all book-lovers from ages nine to ninety. This is the sort of story that us old-hand bookworms used to enjoy under the bedcovers by the light of a torch; it will enthral young new-timers and keep them glued to their e-readers.
    The concept is brilliant, the writing is superb, and the characters are real – well of course they are! Whether we are readers or writers (or both!), we all know that, like stepping through the back of a wardrobe opening a book transports us into that very real world of Imagination, where belief is suspended and fantastic things happen... Prepare to be transported!

    In Janis Pegrum Smith's talented gift for story-telling, Roald Dahl’s magical tales, J.K. Rowling's imagination and Phillip Pullman’s believable alternative existences have met a very serious rival.

    If you are stuck for an imaginative gift for adults or teenage readers, give them a copy of The Book Ark – it is destined to become a long-lasting favourite classic to treasure!

    I have only one complaint... as an author I wish I had thought of the idea first.
  • Judy Parker
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Book of Books!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved this book! A wonderful, unique, fantasy story with great characters including a wise cracking talking dog... Cant wait to read the second book!
  • Filmgoer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An excellent read. Can't wait for the next one. Kept me enthralled from start to finish. Seemed to pair up latest science theories with new imaginative spiritual theories.

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