About the Book
Title: Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #3)
Author: Lars Guignard
Publisher: Fantastic Press
Publication Date: January 1, 2014
Number of Pages: 267
Recommended Age: 8+
Summary
Last semester, Zoe and Zak returned the first lost Noble Truth to its rightful home. Now, Zoe and Zak are back in India for their second semester at Moonstock Himalayan Academy. School kicks off with the Activity Week Challenge in the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan where the students must deliver medical supplies.
Things, however, take a turn for the worse, when Zak becomes deathly ill after an encounter with a strange floating bubble. On returning to Moonstock, Zoe and Zak discover that a creature has come through the lava hole far below their dormitory. When Zoe and Zak follow the creature, they soon discover what they must do.
They have been tasked with finding the second lost Noble Truth — the Tiger Eye of Justice. Finding the Tiger Eye sounds like an impossible mission, and it’s only made more confusing when Zak discovers that he has been given a supernatural power to help them with their task– a power that Zak, for the life of him, just can’t control. But he’s going to have to learn how to use his new ability because if Zoe and Zak can’t find the Tiger Eye quickly, Zak’s time will run out.
My Take
I am a big fan of the Zoe and Zac series. I think it’s the perfect action-adventure series to hand to kids who have read every word that Rick Riordan has ever written. Even better — this series is set in modern-day India with a backdrop of Hindu mythology. Because Lars Guignard lived in India as a child, he writes vividly of both the Indian countryside and urban India while weaving in Hindu gods with a nail-biting adventure.
Here’s an example of how Guigard weaves history into his story:
“Thank you. I keep meaning to take it to the tailor to have it fitted for me. It is a Coat of Ten Thousand Nails. Mughal armor. Have you learned about the Mughals in school?
We all shook our heads.
“They are a very famous dynasty of kings who lived many hundreds of years ago. Some say all of India experienced a golden age under their rule. Shah Jahan, the most famous of the Mughals, built the Taj Majal for his wife.”
Ottoman armor and helmets (kept in Topkapı Palace)
This Riordan-Like Hindu mythology adventure series is perfect for those kids who like the combination of action set in modern times but with historical references to ancient beliefs. Zoe and Zac are armed with latent powers and special equipment which they need given the save-the-world tasks they are given. Each book in the series reveals their different abilities and magical items. His series is a page-turner while also embedding culture and mythology from India, a winning combination!
Buzz About the Zoe & Zak Series
Book 1: “Awesome! ~ I am 11 and I liked the book because I love adventures. It was a different kind of adventure from what I usually read and it was funny too. ” ~ 5-Star Review from J. Olsen, Amazon
Book 1: “This was a fun read. This book was like a kid’s version of Indiana Jones. It’s also very educational as Zoe tells you real facts about what she sees and the history. I enjoyed it immensely. If you have a 10-12-year-old child who loves adventure books, this is definitely a must-read. ” ~ 5-Star review from Simone Lilly-Egerter, Amazon
Book 1: “I’m sure this book was written for children who are around the age of the two children in the book, 11 or so. But, this 35-year-old loved this book! It had action, adventure, and imagination galore! It was exactly the kind of adventure that a lot of kids that age dream of.” ~ 5-Star review from The Novice Christian, Amazon
Book 2: “I have a 10-year-old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he’s picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him with the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well-written page-turner! It’s a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, ‘Every kid should read this series’. ” ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon
Book 2: “I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up “just a little longer” to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost.” ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon
Book 2: “Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard’ & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school-age readers, you can’t beat this series. It’s fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he’s chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you’ve yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don’t limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!” ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon
About The Author: Lars Guignard
Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager, he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range.
For news about new releases, please join his email list by contacting the author: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com
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Tiger Temple Blog Tour Schedule (2014)
January 15
Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Review)
Mary-andering Among the Pages (Review)
January 16
January 17
January 19
Nik’s Picks Book Reviews (Review)
January 20
Houseful of Chaos (Review)
January 21
Black Words – White Pages Kids (Review)
January 22
For the Love of Books (Review)
January 23
January 24
January 25
Just Thinking (Review)
January 27
January 28
Fantasy Fun With Kirstin Pulioff (Review)
January 29
We are the DinoFamily (Review)
Cheryl Carpinello’s Writing Pages (Review)
January 30
January 31
Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia (Review)
February 1
The Dragyn’s Lair (Review)
February 2
Kids Book Group (Review)
February 3
February 4
The World of ContestPatti (Review)
February 5
February 6
Kay LaLone I Love Books (Review)
February 7
February 8
February 9
The Omnibus Publishing (Review)
February 10
February 11
February 12
February 13
Heart of a Philanthropist (Review)
February 14
Dalene’s Book Reviews (Review)
Cassandra Lost in Books (Review)
Zoe and Zac Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (or PayPal cash).
Contest runs: January 15 to February 21, 11:59 pm, 2014
Open: Worldwide
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lars Guignard and Fantastic Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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I’m curious if the Noble Truths in the story are in any way connected with the Buddhist Four Noble Truths–are they?
It does sound like an adventure series Riordan fans would enjoy. (My younger son was a big Percy Jackson fan.)
Hi Asakiyume,
YES! I think the Noble Truths are related though his chapter book series is about Hindu mythology, I have the feeling that world religions are included.
Hi Asakiyume,
I’m the author of the Zoe and Zak series. Good catch. Yes, the Noble Truths in the story certainly found their inspiration in the the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. The truths will be developed fictionally as the series progresses into something quite different, but ultimately, I’d say they owe a nod to Buddha, who, if I remember correctly was a Hindu prince… it’s all very interconnected.
Yes, he did indeed start out as a prince. Well, all very interesting! Sounds like an excellent adventure series–Magic Treehouse-like as well as Riordan-like.
Hi Asakiyume,
I think Lars’ series would be perfect for Percy Jackson fans who have run out of Riordan books to read (like my kids). His characters have latent powers like the half bloods. It’s set in the present but with interaction with the mythological gods, and the fate of the world is at stake! It’s also a nice mix of boy and girl characters who have to work together towards a common goal. The adventures also require them to travel so the reader gets a sense of geography as well.
It does sound very good!
Thanks Asakiyume! We are really enjoying the Zoe and Zac series!
Hi Lars,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I am really enjoying your Zoe and Zak series. My mother is Buddhist though I wasn’t raised strictly Buddhist and I am really enjoying the references to Hindu mythology as well as other world religions. What a nice tie in that Buddha was a Hindu prince! I had forgottent that!!!
Wow! That was a LOOOONG list of entries! Thanks for sharing, Mia. This book series sounds right up Dylan’s alley.
Hi Dee,
You can just enter part of the entries if you want. Sorry for the long list. I’m part of a blog tour so the linky is pre-set up and I just post it. I am loving the Zoe and Zac series and highly recommend it for Percy Jackson fans who have finished all of Rick Riordan’s books and are seeking more books similar to his. I think you might be able to find it at your local library as well.
How are you? Hope all is well with you! I’m so glad that Dylan had a great summer experience at that sleepaway camp. Is his year going well? I hope so!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Tiger Temple in the Blog Tour Mia. I think it’s just a matter of time before the Zoe and Zak series goes fully mainstream. The books just get better and better and I’m totally invested in what happens next to Zoe and Zak. Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Renee,
I also think that Zoe and Zac will go mainstream and hopefully big like Rick Riordan. It is such a wonderful series! I am loving it. I will try it out with my third grade son who had read every word Rick Riordan has ever written as soon as we finish the Harry Potter series and The Unwanted series.
No worries on the long list – it was sort of fun checking out some of the others. I was judicious in what I followed. I think you made the right choice using twitter for your entry. I followed anyone on twitter – less commitment. For Facebook, I would only follow if they really aligned with my interests.
Hi Dee,
I am the same about Twitter; I am pretty willing to follow almost anyone except those who promise to get me 10,000 Twitter followers immediately.
HI Mia,
Thanks for your take on the Tiger Temple. The Zoe and Zak stories are something I’ve been meaning to put down on paper for a long time so its nice to see that they’re finding an audience. It’s funny, my memories of India are so richly rooted that a lot of the material seems to come to life all on its own. (I sure hope it keeps doing that.) Let me know how your third grader likes the books!
Hi Lars,
Your descriptions of India and Nepal are what really anchor the books for me. I feel like I can picture what it is like there because you write with wonderful yet effortless description about setting and place. The pacing is spot on too. My son will love this. He wants to finish Harry Potter though it is a tad scary for him and he likes The Unwanteds series a lot (though I personally enjoy your style of writing a bit more). And I’m hoping he will read some Roald Dahl this year.
Thanks, Mia. It’s great to get some feedback on what’s working in the books. Glad the writing seems effortless. That’s the goal. It makes it easier to enjoy what matters most — the story!
Hi Lars,
I’m looking forward to your next installment!
I am a big fan of the Zak & Zoe series as well. My son read all of the Percy Jackson books and I agree this series appeals to those readers. I cannot wait for the next book!
Hi Stacie,
What does your son think of the Zak and Zoe series? Has he tried it yet? My son hasn’t but I hope to try it this school year after we wind down Harry Potter (which is getting kind of intense and downright scary so not entirely sure we will finish) and The Unwanted series. I think he would like them too!
My son is 16 now, so he hasn’t read the Zoe & Zak books. I am hoping my daughter will read them as I know she’ll enjoy them, but she is 10 and has developed a strong desire to be contrary to many of my ideas! 🙂
Hi Stacie,
I know all about that! My son is 9-years-old and it’s tough to steer him to books as well! I think he would love Zoe and Zak and he’s read all the Percy Jackson books so I’m hoping he will give this series a try too!