With whispers of a haunted house and creepy poems, this book grabbed my attention. Plus, I'm a fan of the publisher, since their books haven't failed to disappoint me yet. Taking a fantasy twist, which I think, has two siblings entering the world of stories, this sounds like an entertaining read and should be packed with imagination. There is the promises of magic and monsters, and I'm curious to see how adventurous this read becomes.
It released just a few days ago (on the 8th), so it's new to the shelves, too.
CHILDREN OF THE ANCIENT HEROES: DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
A Lighted Lands Journey
by Russell J. Fellows
Monarch Educational Services, LLC
Middle Grade Fantasy
193 pages
ages 8 to 12
Thirteen-year-old Tirza Nesbit longs for magic. Her nine-year-old brother, Eli, longs for stability and a place that feels like home. When they read a strange book full of old stories and creepy poems, they are ripped from our world and thrown into another - one full of magic, monsters, and old family secrets.
Is it a world of their dreams... or their worst nightmares?
Is it a world of their dreams... or their worst nightmares?
MY TIDBITS
Dragons, magic, monsters, and the battle against evil whirl together to create a rich, fantasy world and fast-paced adventure.
Tirza understands her younger brother, Eli, like no other. While taking him to the usual park to escape the bullies, she urges him to visit a nearby, abandoned house, but when the get there, their parents are already waiting with the news that they're purchasing it. Eli's anything but happy, but luckily, the house holds books and stories, which Tirza can read to him to calm him down. Until the stories pull her in, and she wakes up in a strange world, where magic, monsters, and evil threaten to take over everything.
With whispers of The Chronicles of Narnia, this adventure takes the two siblings into a fantasy world, where they not only discover amazing secrets about their parents but battle monster inside and out. The imagination soars with dragons, goblins, evil queens, and so much more, making it a read for true fantasy fans. While the story takes a little time to set the stage, it grounds Tirza, Eli, and the parents (a little) before heading into the magic and danger, but after that, the high-paced pacing doesn't let up much until the end. Tirza and Eli meet all sorts of creatures, encounter deadly dangers, and have to deal with more than a few difficult situations. While some moments speed by a bit too quick, it also keeps boredom at bay. The surprises keep them on their toes, and the reader at the edge of their seat.
While the imagination, world building, and excitement keep the read engaging, there's also enough character depth to add heart. The siblings learn quite a bit about themselves, and their own relationship. Both have a few inner-demons to battle. Then, there's a wonderful sense of family, and while the parents aren't wrapped up too much in the read directly, they are never forgotten and are at the center of Tirza and Eli's own adventures. There are also several wholesome messages to be uncovered as the siblings meet various characters and deal with the dark evil.
Fantasy fans are sure to enjoy this rich world and get lost in the exciting adventure.
And here he is...
Master of illusions, Captain of industry, a leader of
leaders. Russell J. Fellows is none of these. He is a
storyteller, however. Russell believes that stories
weave magic into everyday life, especially the magic
of faith, hope, love, and family in its myriad forms.
Deep in the heart of Oklahoma, Russell lives with his
beautiful wife and two amazing children. When he's
not dreaming of new stories to tell, he loves spending
time outdoors with his family, playing Everdell or
many other family games. Visit his website and share
your stories. He would love to hear from you.
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