The Cracklock Saga Book 1: Fae or Foe? by C. A. Deegan brings you a fantasy adventure novel that is creepy and awesome at the same time. As Jack Crackley pulls up to the post boxes of Twillington House to finish his last newspaper delivery, a headline on the paper catches his eye: Child Aging Illness Reaching Epidemic Proportions. It has been all over the news and social media, reporting that kids age overnight and slip into a coma. Mr. Binks appears and offers him a paying job to move a table from a lower to an upper floor. As he drops by at Mr. Binks’s residence to do the task, the old man offers him a glass of orange liquid. Jack starts to lisp and hallucinates when he realizes that the old man has drugged him for no reason. Speaking about a purpose that makes no sense to Jack, Mr. Binks explains that Jack is fortunate to assist in a plan that is not normally shared with lifers. As if dealing with school bullies isn’t enough, Jack will be thrown into an otherworldly intrigue where the world of humans and faeries hang in the balance.

Fae or Foe is a rip-roaring tale of fantasy adventure where C.A. Deegan renews your acquaintance with fairies and mythical creatures that you have known from your youth. It has colorful and eccentric characters that operate with sinister intentions and drive Jack to discover who and what he truly is and what they want from him. Fighting against supernatural creatures is a scary task, but thank goodness Jack has friends, and he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. There is a distinct air of idealism in this tale that gives you grounds to suspend your disbelief as Jack undergoes discernable transformation—and this is essential if you are creating a series to make sure that your readers will never stop rooting for your hero. This is a brilliant new series that will make you await the next installment.

Fae or Foe? by C A Deegan is the story of a fifteen-year-old boy called Jack Crackley, working multiple jobs to help out his mum. Unfortunately, he has no choice with his dad gone and his mum not earning enough money. He finds this fantastical world he never suspected existed, but he has to try to help, like it or not. He has enough problems to deal with, and the Fae don't enter into it. But the Fae are real, and they are connected to the mysterious illness striking children worldwide. Jack is pulled into it and must figure out what is going on before it is too late.

C A Deegan has created an interesting world with Fae or Foe? The Cracklock Saga Book 1. It is well written, and I enjoyed how the story progressed. A mixture of real-world and fantasy, the opening pages showing a child being attacked by the Fae really drew me in. The author is very descriptive, and I could really picture what was happening as I read. Jack is a great character, and he does his best to help his family, while other boys his age would be busy watching TV or playing video games. The story does have a touch of Doctor Who to it, I think, which adds to the intrigue. I think this story would appeal to young adult fantasy fans and even adults, as there is enough to keep them entertained. I would definitely recommend it.

Jack Crackley is the epitome of the normal teenager at Bloxton Academy. Living with his widowed mother, he works hard to help by delivering papers and washing dishes. The story opens with Jack running behind with the morning paper. When he runs into Mr. Binks, the landlord of Twillington House asks if Jack will assist him with moving a table. Jack agrees to stop by after school. When he reaches school that morning, he sees Jimmy Owens running from the notorious Lefey Twins. Jimmy gets cornered, bleeding, and Tyler tries to break his arm, but Jack intervenes. He manages to take down Mason, but Tyler knocks him out against a stone wall. Thankfully, a teacher intervenes. Jack and Jimmy forge a friendship and plan to get together the following afternoon. While helping Mr. Binks, Jack discovers that appearances can be deceiving. Fleeing from the old man, a car hits Jack, and he falls into a coma. Why was Jack running? In Fae or Foe? , C. A. Deegan creates an intriguing world.

Once I started reading Fae or Foe? The Cracklock Saga Book 1, I couldn’t put the book down. Deegan offers vivid descriptions of the characters and scenery in a way that I was able to envision every moment. The plot is deep, with subplots that kept me engaged throughout the entire book. I would have to say that Jack was easy to understand, and I liked his sense of fulfilling promises. Despite him being raised impoverished, I also like that Jimmy didn’t look down on him and was willing to help Jack without hesitation. When the two boys worked together, it was remarkable to see how they could outwit adversaries. The format of this book is exceptional, going through the explanation of the Fae that Jack’s Aunt Elsie gives him after discovering his unique ability. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories that support the theory that there are more beings in existence than what we believe. I anticipate the Cracklock series will easily become a family favorite with its message against bullying, believing in yourself, and seeing possibilities instead of believing in current conditions.