The Eighth Day (Eighth Day Series #1)

by Dianne K. Salerni, David McClellan (Illustrator)

Overview

Fans of Percy Jackson will devour this first book in Dianne K. Salerni's time-bending series that combines exciting magic and pulse-pounding suspense. In this riveting fantasy adventure, thirteen-year-old Jax Aubrey discovers a secret eighth day with roots tracing back to Arthurian legend.

When Jax wakes up to a world without any people in it, he assumes it's the zombie apocalypse. But when he runs into his eighteen-year-old guardian, Riley Pendare, he learns that he's really in the eighth day—an extra day sandwiched between Wednesday and Thursday. Some people—like Jax and Riley—are Transitioners, able to live in all eight days, while others, including Evangeline, the elusive teenage girl who's been hiding in the house next door, exist only on this special day.

And there's a reason Evangeline's hiding. She is a descendant of the powerful wizard Merlin, and there is a group of people who wish to use her in order to destroy the normal seven-day world and all who live in it. Torn between protecting his new friend and saving the entire human race from complete destruction, Jax is faced with an impossible choice. Even with an eighth day, time is running out.

Stay tuned for The Inquisitor's Mark, the spellbinding second novel in the Eighth Day series!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062272171
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	04/22/2014
Series:	Eighth Day Series , #1
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	821,381
File size:	596 KB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Dianne K. Salerni attended the University of Delaware, where she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education, and then went on to earn a master's in language arts education at the University of Pennsylvania. She was an elementary school teacher for over twenty years and has also written several books, including We Hear the Dead and The Caged Graves. The Inquisitor's Mark is the second book in the Eighth Day series. Although Dianne knows there's not really such a thing as a secret Eighth Day, discovering one would explain all the food that disappears in her house. Until then, she'll continue to blame her husband, Bob, her two teenage daughters, Gabrielle and Gina, and her dog, Sorcia. Dianne lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2014
Gr 5–7—Jax Aubrey wakes up one day to discover he is a Transitioner; a person gifted with an extra 24-hour day between Wednesday and Thursday. His guardian, Riley, is also a Transitioner, and begins to slowly introduce Jax to a secret world of magic and adventure. Jax soon realizes it's not all fun and games. Not all Transitioners are who and what they appear to be, and Riley is tasked with guarding the girl next door, a prisoner who only exists in this magical Eighth Day. The girl, Evangeline, is the key to rival Transitioners' plans to use the extra day to destroy the normal world. Only Riley, Jax, and their allies can hope to stop them. The Eighth Day is an interesting concept, and Salerni makes it work by having Jax learn, along with the reader, to navigate this extra day that is both fascinating and extremely dangerous. The concept melds Arthurian legend into present day in much the same way that Rick Riordan uses Greek and Egyptian mythology, with characters being descendents of heroes long thought to be folklore and their place in this world sometimes dependent on that lineage. There are a few points where the action stalls slightly, but in general the writing is fast paced and exciting. The story lends itself to further adventures and readers will be excited to follow Jax and eager to see what happens next.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

School Library Journal

Ancient magic pairs nicely with modern intrigue. Complicated alliances and ruthless villains keep the pages turning. A promising start to a new trilogy.” — Kirkus Reviews (on The Eighth Day)

“[A] fast-paced, magical adventure. An unparalleled mix of evil villains, humor, and background that set this up for a likeable trilogy to be recommended for fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Absolutely necessary for middle grades.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Fascinating…Melds Arthurian legend into present day. Fast paced and exciting.” — School Library Journal

“Adventure, magic, and Arthurian legend combine in a roller-coaster ride of secrets. Perfect fodder for fans who adore mythology, legends, and series with more volumes yet to come.” — ALA Booklist

“Suspense, stakes, and action. Enormously satisfying.” — The Nerdy Book Club

Praise for the The Inquisitor’s Mark: “The concept and the characters are strong, and should continue to entertain its audience who will now eagerly await book three.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Suspense, stakes, and action. Enormously satisfying.

The Nerdy Book Club

Adventure, magic, and Arthurian legend combine in a roller-coaster ride of secrets. Perfect fodder for fans who adore mythology, legends, and series with more volumes yet to come.

ALA Booklist

[A] fast-paced, magical adventure. An unparalleled mix of evil villains, humor, and background that set this up for a likeable trilogy to be recommended for fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Absolutely necessary for middle grades.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

2014-01-29
Thirteen-year-old Jax wakes to an empty world, believing that he is the sole survivor of some terrible event. However, his isolation ends after only one day when he wakes again to life as usual. Following the death of his father, Jax is sent to live with Riley Pendare, a tattooed 18-year-old who can barely care for himself. However, when Jax discovers that he is a Transitioner, a member of an elite group that has access to a hidden eighth day each week, Riley may be the only one with the answers. Arthurian legends come alive as Jax learns that the eighth day was created by Merlin and other magicians to contain the power-hungry Kin. Imprisoned within a single day each week, some of the Kin and their allies are seeking to destroy the spell even if it means the world will be torn apart in the process. Ancient magic pairs nicely with modern intrigue as Jax is forced to navigate his dangerous new reality. Complicated alliances, unclear motives and ruthless villains will keep the pages turning. Although the plot is familiar, the inclusion of Arthurian legend keeps it fresh. A promising start to a new trilogy. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews