I really enjoyed this book. It's my favorite sub fantasy genre portals to other worlds .never dull moment. I really hope this book does well. So they author can write more adventures with Jack.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!

Overall, I had a great time reading this book. I often lost a couple of hours of sleep to continue reading! (It's probably because I'm a slow reader) I loved the pacing of the story and the plot direction. It was very very interesting to read and I hope lots of people discover and enjoy this book as well! I highly recommend!!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Legend of Black Jack took me on an entertaining adventure. The title alone intrigued me and sort of gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. If I'm being honest, that's probably why I wanted to read it. Then I actually dove into the book and let's just say that I wasn't disappointed one bit.

The adventure definitely takes off pretty early on. I never found myself bored or the pace lagging one bit either. The characters were pretty likable throughout it as well. Especially when it came to Jack. Now he didn't have things completely easy because of what went down in the very beginning. But like all tragic beginnings, he goes off to find himself and an adventure.

Long story short, each chapter kept me on my toes. I also really enjoyed the little illustrations because they definitely helped show what things would look like in this world. Especially when you could describe something one way and my mind goes down a different path. They just helped clear what the real image was so I couldn't be easily confused by... well... myself.

In the end, I honestly enjoyed everything about this book. I'll definitely be on lookout for the next one A.R. writes!

At its heart, this book is a coming of age story. Fantastical and lovable characters abound. But at the center of it all, is Jack - a teenager (which at times it's hard to remember that) faced with very dangerous threats, and who suffers from very real self doubt and anxiety. While not my usual book, definitely an enjoyable read.

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so intriguing and entertaining, I was thoroughly engaged whilst devouring this read and I honestly kind of wish I read it slightly slower so that I could properly indulge in it, but I got addicted and read it super quickly instead, oops.

The pacing was fantastic, the characters were gorgeously written and their growth was to die for.

I’m a huge fantasy reader and often I see books sort of recycle plots that I’ve read before, which is fine because it’s a saturated market, but this one I didn’t find myself finding similarities, this was entirely unique for me and I am hope that we will get a sequel, fingers crossed!

Jack is exceptionally smart who can remember anything he hears or reads, which makes him a bit of a genius, but no one cares. Since the death of his parents, Jack has been alone. All he has left is his desire to absorb as much information as possible.

Eventually, he realizes he wants to become a doctor, so while normal teens do normal teen things, Jack is reading any medical book he can get his hands on. Little did he know how valuable this knowledge would become for him.

One night, a monster enters his room and kidnaps Jack. Before he knows it, Jack Swift is spirited to another reality where there’s a desperate need for a doctor and they are all looking to teenage Jack for answers. Overwhelmed, Jack has some decisions to make.

The story continues as Jack tries to find his way in another world very different from his own where war is raging and he can’t read the local language (which for a boy who is used to knowing things, it’s a problem he can’t quite get over). He meets a beautiful girl whose heart belongs to another, and befriends a mix match of individuals that are as colorful and intriguing as the strange world he finds himself in.

Jack is pushed to his limits as he learns to survive in this new world of magik and monsters, and along the way
he finds himself becoming something more than just a teenage boy as the stories of The Legend of Black Jack follow him wherever he goes.

This story was such a treat as was full of such wonder and fantastic world building. I found myself easily wrapped up in Jack's life, and once I reached the end, I wanted the story to keep on going. The well done illustrations that were scattered through the book made this journey even more delightful!

What a story! I loved it! I loved the plot, the characters, the growth, everything. I didn’t know what to expect with a blurb like that. So much is still unknown about Keymark so I hope we get either a sequel or more from this world.
The pace was perfect for this story, I felt like I really got to know the main characters, maybe not so much Leah, but there’s always (hopefully) next time. She was a good strong capable woman who I am sure would have saved herself given a few more hours alone 😏

Now is it believable that a 14 year old boy comes through a gate and can do life saving surgery? Probs not. Neither is a person who can shoot fire from their hands but this author managed it in a way that I didn’t hang onto that fact and was able to emerge myself into it fully.

Black Jack. I’m not even sure what I was supposed to have learnt about him to be honest and that leaves me wanting more! I will be buying this book when it comes out and I will be hoping for a hardcover ❤️

Thank you to Dark Aura Publishing and Netgalley for the my free copy for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Jack's character and how smart he is but occasionally what a curse that is for him. his drive to bury his problems with knowledge felt relatable. the jump from jacks slightly tragic life into a mystical world and then from that mystical world into a pirate novel was a little jarring and I had to put it down and come back to it later once I was reoriented. I could have done without the romance of the manic pixie dream girl who is better at him than everything and not remotely interested but they kiss later anyways after her boyfriend dies. overall its a cool world and a fun book and I enjoyed all the characters and the twist at the end was heartbreaking. I'll definitely look out for the sequel!

The Legend of Black Jack was a delightful read. The writing style of this novel was beautiful, the scenes were coming to life on the pages.
The whole story is well-written, with characters development, adventurous twists and fast paced actions.

As well I need to highlight the amazing illustrations and the carefully picked quotes in the book. All those elements made the reading even more entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley for the free copy.

The Legend of Jack Black

[Blurb goes here]

If you're looking for your next great read, this is it. I'm not a fan of fantasy fiction, still this adventure wrapped me in its little finger, and didn't let me go. I was caught in its net in the first few pages. What kept me glued to the story was not only the adventure itself, it was also the way it's written. The detailed descriptions, the world building. I'll be on the look out for more books by this author, and also for further chapters in the Black Jack series.

Thank you Netgalley, for the free copy!

The Legend of Black Jack is pure fun fantasy! I wish they'd had more books like this when I was a kid. Fast paced adventure combined with coming of age. Well done.

The Legend of Black Jack is an action-packed fantasy story about a boy named Jack Swift. Jack is a genius and after the death of his father ends up being tossed from foster home to foster home until the day he is snatched and taken to a strange world. From there the story is one long action-packed ride with fighting, monsters, pirates, talking animals, and I think there may have also been zombies. It s a fun ride with a lot going on. There are a ton of characters that can be a problem to keep straight at times, but they are well thought out and most of them bring something to the story. It should be a hit with the middle-grade crowd that is yearning for new adventures with smart characters.

This is a great fantasy coming of age story, with amazing illustrations! Without spoiling anything, The storytelling is greatly built, fast-paced and descriptive, with dialog that makes reading very enjoyable!! The characters are unique and mysterious. I highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers!!

Thank you NetGalley, Nepenthe House, and Andrew Robert Witham for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC

Thanks AR Witham and Netgalley for this Arc.

Unique fantasy and take on this genre. The story and prose were great.
The pacing at first was a little slow but picked up quicky.

Would read a next installment

First off, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book and review it! Also, thank you to A.R. Whitman, who sent en email to say thank you for reading his book.

This was a pure fantasy book, with great world building and unique characters. That being said, I would like to give the warning now that this book does not have romance or a specific plot, so if you require this in your fantasy reads, this may not be the book for you. The protagonist is Jack, a 14-year old genius, who’s life takes a turn after an unfortunate circumstance. This has to be one of the only books where the main character in a fantasy world does not have brute strength, and instead relies on his intellect and intentions to get what he wants.

The pacing at the beginning and end of the novel was really good - I would say it dragged a little bit around the middle for me. The ending was a nice surprise and overall the writing style is entertaining! Also, the illustrations and quotes included before every chapter are beautiful and really enhances the story. Overall, this was a great fantasy coming-of-age story.

Thanks, Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
It was a truly intriguing read with interesting side characters, each one very unique in nature and hiding their own secrets....and Jack - our protag who is a 14-year-old genius boy, who lacks physical strength, but aims his heart and mind to the world in order to survive and prove himself! A fantastic and magical coming-of-age story of honor, loss, true friendship and hope that lights up even the darkest places of our minds!

Nice book! I really enjoyed the story! The characters could have been better built but it wasn’t to bad. Definitely an enjoyable read!