Book Review of 'How to Kill a Giant' by Carol Schlorff

Hiya Bookworms!

Today I am switching things up a bit and featuring a novel that isn't in my typical genre pool. I've been doing this a quite a bit recently as I've found it's really helpful to get myself out of a reading rut. If you too feel like you're reading the same book over and over then I suggest doing the same. You'll be surprised at just how satisfying reading something out of your norm can be.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Middle Grade Action and Adventure Fiction and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for How to Kill a Giant by Carol Schlorff, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: How to Kill a Giant
Series: How to Be a Hero #1
Author: Carol Schlorff
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing Inc
Release Date: June 11, 2023
Genre: Middle Grade Action and Adventure Fiction

He lost his courage. Will meeting a real superhero help him find it?

An awful summer ... Thirteen-year-old Hugo is miserable. His move to a small Pennsylvania town has brought him nothing but trouble. Ignored by his new classmates and a favorite target for the school bullies, Hugo lets fear rule his life. It's going to be a long summer.

An unexpected twist ... Hugo meets siblings Julia and Stefan, who are just as unhappy as he is. After finding a mysterious old Bible, all three are magically transported to ancient Israel, where they meet the young shepherd David, who suspects they're spies. The trio is caught up in a scary world where danger lurks on every side.

A terrifying adventure ... As Hugo and his friends navigate the perils of this strange and frightening land, Hugo must face his greatest fear—that he's a coward. His only hope of survival is to learn the secret of David's bravery, but will he do so in time to face his biggest test? Find out in this thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and faith.

How to Kill a Giant is a 2024 Christian Indie Awards Winner.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Review

Fear is something that has plagued me my entire life, and while I am not the demographic that this book is geared towards, How to Kill a Giant still touched something deep within me. Since finishing the book, I’ve had this story on my mind and heart. This hit a lot deeper than what I had originally thought it would.

This is how all Middle Grade novels should be written. The flow is great, and the imagery is refreshing, taking my mind to places that I normally don’t think about when I am reading stories in the Bible that I’ve read repeatedly over my lifetime. It is written to be read by youth and adults alike and is very lively and engaging.

This novel took a turn I wasn’t expecting and made this story quite interesting. I loved all the moments that the friend group was with David, especially when they got to witness the young shepherd’s relationship with God. The message “Just talk to God” is a very relevant and timely message that is central to this story. It really is that simple, but it is us who complicate things.

Seeing David’s fight with Goliath paralleled with Hugo’s encounter with his own giant was very powerful. Reading this encounter has left me contemplating the giants in my life that I also fear, and I could see this empowering and inspiring many. A great read with a wonderful message; it doesn’t get much better than this!

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Author

Carol Schlorff’s passion is to write exciting stories that encourage, inspire, and boost the reader’s faith, possibly because she has always felt like an outsider. She was born in North Africa to American parents and grew up in France. At age 15, her family’s abrupt move to Philadelphia resulted in a rough transition to American life.

After graduating from Penn State, Carol joined the Army in search of adventure. She was stationed in exotic—for her—locations like California, Arizona, and Texas.

Since then, Carol has lived in Cracow, Poland, where she teaches English and organizes language camps. She also writes a blog on faith-related topics.

Carol enjoys caring for her cat, Tabasco, watching a good murder mystery, and getting nervous while watching NFL games. Connect with her on her blog and Facebook.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $30 Amazon gift card and a copy of How to Kill a Giant (winner's choice between paperback or kindle)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 11, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 18, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!