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Fotografie: Author: Michael Bialys

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Werken van Michael K. Bialys

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Officiële naam
Bialys, Michael
Pseudoniemen en naamsvarianten
Bialys,Michael K
Bialys, Michael Korry
Geboortedatum
1962-04-18
Geslacht
male
Nationaliteit
USA
Canada (birth)
Geboorteplaats
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Woonplaatsen
Los Angeles, California, USA
Opleiding
University of Toronto
Western State College of Law
Beroepen
Lawyer
Author
Songwriter
Organisaties
State Bar of California
Prijzen en onderscheidingen
Witkin Award
Finalist for Dante Rossetti Book Awards recognizing emerging new talent and outstanding works in Young Adult Fiction.
Kirkus Blue Star Review The Chronicles of the Virago: Book III the Triumviratus
Literary Titan Award
Korte biografie
Born and raised in Canada, moved to LA at 26 to pursue a carreer in music as a singer/songwriter. Eventually became a lawyer and eventually released my first novel. Married to Misty.

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Besprekingen

Deze bespreking is geschreven door de auteur.
Kirkus Review

In this debut middle-grade fantasy, a girl must protect her newborn twin siblings from evil forces.

Twelve-year-old Makenna Grace Gold of the Los Angeles area can’t wait for school tomorrow. She’s trying to fall asleep but is excited about the Science Fair, where she’ll present homemade sugar crystals. Just as Makenna drifts off, a trio of fairies appears in her bedroom: cousins Bree and Dee Delphine and “Marigold Frith, Fairy Prelate.” They’ve come to initiate Makenna as The Virago, Warrior of Warriors. From braids of light and hope, they summon the Ancient Weapon, which looks like a sword as it bonds with Makenna. The girl wakes, assuming that she’s dreaming, and the fairies explain that her new brother and sister will be born tomorrow. They are hope incarnate, and Makenna must protect them against villainous forces, namely Sir Seaton, war profiteer and head of Natasi Industries. He sends his beautiful but deadly associates, Ms. Chevious and Ms. Creante, from their London headquarters to collect the twins. Luckily, Makenna can focus the power of the Ancient Weapon as she chooses, and she does so through her new lowrider skateboard. In his novel, Bialys introduces a spunky protagonist who’s fun to root for as she deals with rival classmate (and skating champ) Heather Stern; the twins’ creepy nanny, Ms. Revel; and, later, reptilian demons. Aside from the fairies, Makenna gets help from Fluffy, a talking worm, and Stephen Levine, a dreamy Canadian transfer student. The author reveals that some characters aren’t who they initially appear to be, which should keep middle-grade audiences alert. He also educates as he connects the Virago legacy to King Arthur, the monarch’s sword Excalibur, and the story of David, who felled Goliath with a slingshot. The notion that children can change the world by channeling their passion through an object has broad appeal in reality and further potential as a narrative device. The finale featuring an actual Highway to Hell should amuse anyone who’s driven in Los Angeles. The overall likability of this series opener should secure readership for the sequel.

This zany adventure flaunts a heart of gold and a plucky heroine.
… (meer)
 
Gemarkeerd
bialys | 3 andere besprekingen | Dec 15, 2018 |
Deze bespreking is geschreven door de auteur.
Kirkus Review

THE CHRONICLES OF THE VIRAGO: BOOK II
In this middle-grade fantasy sequel, Bialys’ (The Chronicles of the Virago: The Novus, 2018) heroic teens continue protecting twin infants who are destined to usher in a golden age.

Thirteen-year-old Makenna Gold is the Virago, “tasked by the forces of good” to protect her twin 14-month-old siblings, Emilyne and Noah. She’s aided by an enchanted lowrider skateboard called “the Redeemer” and three fairy mentors: Marigold Frith and Bree and Dee Delphine. One night, in the Pasadena, California, home that she shares with her parents and siblings, Makenna receives a visit from the Grim Reaper. He warns her, “You are dangerously close to being one of my clients.” The next day, she learns that her school has won the Roosevelt Meir Award, which allows the school administration to send her; her best friend, Stephen Levine; and their classmates Heather Stern, Elise Green, and Sam Taylor on a three-week educational trip to China. Parents will chaperone them, and the London-based Natasi Foundation will pay all expenses. However, it turns out that this foundation is run by the foul Sir Malvado Seaton, who will do anything to kidnap the twins. Numerous “Efflusyum decoys” throughout the world prevent Seaton from tracking Makenna and the twins’ exact location, so he plans to lure them to a place where his operative, the sinister and effective Mr. Xshun, can dispatch the Virago. Also gunning for her is Ms. Creante, a disguised Alghanii demon who’s already failed to defeat Makenna once. Thankfully, help awaits the teen at Nanjing University in the form of Tai-Pan, an Air Elemental who will train her to use the Redeemer in more advanced ways.

For this series’ second installment, Bialys deploys more bombastic wit and skillful plot twists. He provides heaping portions of weirdness—such as a talking worm named “Fluffy”—while also guiding characters through incredible transformations. Tai-Pan, a sly transplant from classic literature, is a pleasant surprise, and Mr. Xshun harbors a centuries-old secret that enables a gripping action sequence. Young genius Sam is a fun font of knowledge; for instance, he lets the other kids know that the name “Natasi” is “I Satan” backward. Stephen pitches in with his powers of clairvoyance, but the best help that Makenna receives is Tai-Pan’s advice to never “take a life in anger.” Bialys trusts his young audience to handle some graphic moments, including Ms. Creante’s demonic transformation with “her skin falling away like paper, blood seeping in pools onto the dirty pavement.” There are some religious themes; for example, “blood metal,” derived from the nails used to crucify Jesus Christ, is employed to create an “anti-weapon” to counter the Redeemer. Heather, though frequently off-page, is a memorable character when she does appear; at one point, for instance, she’s determined to go on a shopping spree, “crisis or not.” Bialys’ joy in bringing this world to life is clear and remains his greatest strength. The epic closing events lead organically to a planned third volume.

A fantasy adventure that builds thrillingly on its predecessor.
… (meer)
 
Gemarkeerd
bialys | Dec 15, 2018 |
I love this book and will definitely read this to my children. I can't wait for the next in the series. I bet the Virago will have even bigger adventures. This should be made into a movie. It's great!!
 
Gemarkeerd
mistyfyer | 3 andere besprekingen | May 22, 2008 |
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

Makenna Gold is a normal, average twelve-year-old girl living in Southern California. So why on earth would fairies appear in her room in the middle of the night, with flaming swords no less? Well, it turns out that Makenna has been chosen as the Protector, the Defender, the Warrior of Warriors, the Virago. Her brand new twin brother and sister are a gift of pure Goodness to the world, and it is now Makenna's job to protect them from the pure Evil.

Unfortunately, no one can tell her exactly who or what it is that she should be looking out for. Pure Evil has friends everywhere, but so does Goodness, and none of them wear name tags or signs. Between helping with the babies, protecting them, trying to at least appear to be a normal kid, and figuring out who is an enemy and who is a friend, Makenna more than has her hands full.

While the flow of the book is somewhat stilted at times, it also has some pretty funny moments. Evil's minions are Miss Creante and Miss Chevious, for example. Parts of it were particularly fun for me because it takes place right by where I live. And, I can say with certainty that anyone who has ever driven around here wouldn't be remotely surprised at the location of the Highway to Hell.

It may be a little rough going to begin with, but once the story/author hits their stride, the book is off and running. It's a quick and entertaining read, and looks to be a fun series.
… (meer)
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Gemarkeerd
GeniusJen | 3 andere besprekingen | Oct 12, 2009 |

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Leden
22
Populariteit
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Waardering
4.8
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5
ISBNs
4
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