Blog Tour: Finn Finnegan by Darby Karchut

Cead míle fáilte!  Today I am lucky enough to be taking part in the Blog Tour from Spencer Hill Press in celebration of Darby Karchut's release of middle grade gem Finn Finnegan yesterday.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Here is the blurb and cover:

Finnegan MacCullen: a thirteen-year-old apprentice with the famous Irish temperament.

Gideon Lir: a legendary Celtic warrior with a bit of a temper of his own.

Secretly, these blue-collar warriors battle the hobgoblins infesting their suburban neighborhood...when they are not battling each other.

Finn (not bleedin' Finnegan) MacCullen is eager to begin his apprenticeship. He soon discovers the ups and downs of hunting monsters in a suburban neighborhood under the demanding tutelage of the Knight, Gideon Lir. Both master and apprentice are descendents of the Tuatha De Danaan, a magical race of warriors from Ireland. Scattered long ago to the four corners of the world, the De Danaan wage a two thousand year old clandestine battle with their ancient enemy, the Amandán, a breed of goblin-like creatures.

Now with the beasts concentrating their attacks on Finn, he and his master must race to locate the lost Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan, the only weapon that can destroy the Amandán, all the while hiding his true identity from his new friends, Rafe and Savannah, twins whose South African roots may hold a key to Finn's survival.

Armed with a bronze dagger, some ancient Celtic magic, and a hair-trigger temper, Finn is about to show his enemies the true meaning of "fighting Irish."

This book is a great middle grades adventure story that will attract boys and girls alike.  Readers young and old will be drawn into this lovely world that features fey living hidden among us while fighting hobgoblins.  Finn is a colorful narrator who makes reading a joy.  Darby Karchut's characters are all beautifully written.  Finn deals with Gideon, a fey knight who has lived 370 years and seen more battles that he cares to admit.  Finn also befriends twin neighbors Savannah and Rafe.  Their parents are a doctor and a science teacher.  They regularly visit South Africa where their grandfather lives.  They believe in the ancient ways of their Manchester and so does Finn so that is a cool thing.  I have to admit that I did not realize that they were meant to be characters of color until it was explicitly mentioned.  Even though they talk about tribal culture.  Most South Africans are white due to colonization of the area by the Dutch.  It is nice to have characters of color in the story as they are so often glossed over in books.  Rafe is nerdy but cool and Savannah is quirky and smart.  They make great friends for Finn who has had so little in the way of real friendship and companionship.  The story shows a new and interesting interpretation of the fey and uses a ton of great Gaelic.  I loved that the story had tons or action and adventure.  I think that it keeps the story moving at a great pace.  I love all things fey and all things Irish and this book has both.  I really enjoyed it and can not wait for the sequel!  I highly recommend this book!

At the bottom of this post you'll find my giveaway of two copies of Finn Finnegan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I loved this book and I think you will too!  You can click here to add Finn Finnegan to your Goodreads.  Darby Karchut can be found on her website and her blog.  I give Finn Finnegan 4 Fairies for a great book that is a unique read for middle grades readers and adults alike.

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