Category: fantasy

Author: David Michael Slater
Publisher: Blooming Tree Press/CBAY
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-933767-00-0
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Daphna loves books, and can’t wait to show her father the wonderful old bookstore she’s discovered while he’s away. But when her father comes home, he isn’t himself, and he’s brought a strange old book with him.

Her twin brother, Dexter, dislikes the idea of reading as much as Daphna loves it. He resents Daphna’s intelligence, and he’s often the butt of schoolmates pranks and jokes.

But when their dad sells this book to the mysterious stranger who owns the shop, in exchange for Daphna’s assistance, they need to band together to find out what’s going on. And what does their mother’s disappearance all those years ago have to do with this unusual book?

Full of mystery and adventure, The Book of Nonsense pulls the reader in, wondering about this tattered old book full of nonsensical writings. What do the words mean, and how can they be used for power? And how can Daphna and Dexter stop its owner from using it for evil purposes? These questions are only partially answered in volume one of this exciting new series.

A great read!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Alan Williams
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Genre: Children’s / fantasy
ISBN: 142513151-4
Pages: 174
Price: $15.38

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Life was one long, continuous bore for eleven year-old Thomas Parkinson, so he made a wish for some excitement. Soon he and his sister, Suzy, are whisked away to visit Uncle Fibber while their parents vacation in Hawaii.

When they arrive, their uncle scares them with a story about a curse placed by Victoria von Vampire, and soon they find themselves living that very curse. With the aid of Archy the Flying Dolphin, they go on a magical adventure in a desperate attempt to lift the curse and restore their world back to normal.

Thomas and Suzy finally come face to face with Victoria, and Thomas must make a decision that could land him and his sister in her famous Coffin Pot Stew.

Though some of the adventures are a bit scary, there isn’t anything in this book that would cause nightmares for most kids. The action is fast and furious, and before the reader can blink, he’ll find Thomas and Suzy in another precarious predicament.

Thomas and Suzy are often spectators, swept along by others in this adventure. It would have been more enjoyable to see them take a more active role in planning their escapes and making their next move.

If you’re looking for lots of action and dramatic tension, you’ll find this a good read. But this style leaves little room for character development, and you may find yourself wanting to know more about Thomas and his new best friend, Archy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: David Field
Genre:Young Adult Fiction
Publisher:Athena Press
ISBN:1-84401-460-6 / 1-84401-881-4
Pages:408 / 438
Price: $20.95 / $22.95

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A mixed-up holiday house swap sends Tommy and his family to spend their vacation at a French chateau. But Tommy doesn’t end up at just any French chateau – this one has a time portal to the year 1599.

Before he’s even fully settled in for his vacation, Tommy finds himself four hundred years in the past, wearing uncomfortable clothes, and surrounded by people he doesn’t know.Or does he?He’s stepped into the life of Thomas de Romolue, and he seems to share the memories of the boy who looks just like him in 1599.And he falls immediately in love with the beautiful girl whose painting graces the walls in the present-day chateau – Eloise de Narbonne.

Caught up in this new time period, he must act the part of this other boy, facing the evil churchmen who want to control him and the Romolue family.And his new love is threatened, so he must protect her at all costs.As Tommy and Eloise run from their pursuers, they join up with an unlikely group of characters who help them in their quest to reveal the treachery of the evildoers.

In the sequel, Beings in a Dream, they finally figure out how to return to the present day, but Tommy has no idea how difficult the transition will be for Eloise.A modern day priest looks strikingly similar to the priest from 1599, and he’s just as evil.Although they thought they had returned to safety, they must protect themselves in the present, just as they did in the past.

Finally returning to 1599, Eloise is whisked away by the Count and Countess de Romolue to a safe place, far from Tommy.Now Tommy must find her before they can attempt to capture the evil priest from his brother’s protection.

The author portrays life in France in 1599 very realistically, even down to the little details like what kind of undergarments people wore, and where one would find a commode.

I really enjoyed the light-hearted and sweet romance, and the antics of the unique group that comes to their aid.Tommy’s use of his cellular phone, which amazingly enough actually works in 1599, was particularly clever.This is a great adventure, and I look forward to reading the third and final book in this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger