Tag: fantasy

The Magic Maze Trilogy by Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Twins Tyler and Tess must navigate perilous worlds within 12 mazes and stop a wicked queen and a nefarious wizard before finding a way home in the novels “The Magic Maze Trilogy” by authors Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

THE MAGIC MAZE TRILOGY is about eleven-year old fraternal twins, Tyler and Tess Porter, who accidentally get sucked up into the bizarre world of the Magic Maze. Geared to appeal to children from seven to thirteen and older fantasy fans as well, the story propels the twins into an “Alice in Wonderland/Wizard of Oz” world. In order to return home, they must get through twelve separate parts of the maze. Each is its own world with strange rules, riddles and puzzles that the twins must solve using their wits, knowledge and athletic prowess. Tyler and Tess learn how much they mean to each other as they evade the evil QUEEN ZEBRA and her ZENTAURIAN GUARD of two-faced POLINERDS, and a duplicitous wizard, SIMON PERCIVAL. They form alliances with the rebel TRIDGETS (tiny trolls with Mohawk hairdos) led by the feisty BELKIN, and an assortment of other bizarre and funny characters. At the end, they must track down and put back together three parts of a MAGIC AMULET before they can be finally transported home, safe and sound.

The Review

What a powerful and memorable trilogy of middle-grade, fantasy-driven novels. Each novel’s pacing was superb, instantly capturing the reader’s attention with magic and action while delivering relatable, engaging character development from the two protagonists. The world-building and mythology the authors brought to life in these books were a unique blend of magical realism and sword and sorcery style fantasy storytelling, complete with magical beings such as the Tridgets and an evil queen who pits a full-blown rebellion against her nefarious ways. 

At the heart of this story is the bond and understanding each of the two protagonists holds for one another. The series starts with Tess and Tyler on opposite ends of the spectrum from one another. Yet as the series progresses, their shared bond and ability to see one another instill a sense of understanding and connection between the reader and the characters. The imagery and atmosphere of each book create a sense of wonder and awe that draws younger readers into the magic of that world, and the variety in the different mazes and worlds shows the creativity and depth of world-building that the authors brought to this series. 

The Verdict

A story of magic, adventure, and family, authors Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor’s “The Magic Maze Trilogy” is a must-read children’s and middle grade fantasy read. The twists and turns this series takes, and the open-ended nature of the final chapter of this trilogy, will stay with readers. As someone with a close bond with his sister, I find this book an excellent way of bringing siblings together and showing the importance of that bond in a magical way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Authors

Samuel Warren Joseph – is a writer whose credits include DuckTales, Batman, Beast Wars, and the film Off Your Rocker. His plays and musicals, including Window of Opportunity, Campaign, and God Help Us!, have earned critical acclaim. He co-authored Ed Asner’s autobiography and teaches college English and Creative Writing.

Phil Proctor – is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated Firesign Theatre and a veteran actor with voice credits in Rugrats, Assassin’s Creed, Dr. Dolittle, and Pixar films. He has performed on stage, screen, and in video games, earning numerous theater awards. Phil co-wrote the political comedy God Help Us! and several books, including his autobiography Where’s My Fortune Cookie?

http://www.magicmaze.com/

Interview with Author Tricia Copeland

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

My writing journey began with penning a fictionalized account of my experience with and recovery from anorexia as a young adult. The process of creating that series catapulted me into the world of writing and publishing and I quickly jumped into my first love, the fantasy genre. 

Advertisements

What inspired you to write your book?

I was inspired to write To be a Fae Queen after seeing an invitation to submit short stories to an anthology with the theme of fantasy character with mental health challenges. The invitation included an image of a fairy hunched in a meadow with an anxious expression on her face. I began to brainstorm reasons she would be anxious, what her world was like, who she was, and where a story could lead her and the first ideas for To be a Fae Queen were born.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Each of my books in the Realm Chronicles series have different themes. In To be a Fae Queen I hope that readers will find themselves examining their trust in their inner compass.

What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve loved the fantasy genre from a young age. The first books I remember binge reading were Frank L. Baum’s Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz series books. I like believing that there is a layer of magic just beyond our sight or comprehension that sometimes we get to experience. 

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

If I could sit down with any character in my book, I would sit down with the antagonist in this series and ask them why, why they are so focused on hunting vampires, and anyone who would stand in the way of their quest to destroy all those thought to be created by the fallen angels.

Advertisements

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I love interacting with readers and other authors on social media. My favorites are YouTube and Instagram.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

My advice to aspiring or new authors is to decide what your goals in writing and publishing are and to surround yourself with people who help you achieve those goals.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

My next release is the finale to the Realm Chronicles series, To be a Fae. This book will release July 29, 2025, and completes not only the Realm Chronicles series but the crossover Kingdom Journals series.

Advertisements

About the Author

Tricia Copeland is the critically acclaimed andaward-winning author of Kingdom of Embers, To be Fae Queen, Lovelock Ones, and Azreya, Aztec Priestess, as well as dozens of other titles. She is the host of the Finding the Magic Book Podcast who weaves magical stories about love, courage, and finding your passion.

Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, seeing a beautiful sunset, or reading a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles including contemporary romance, now penned under Maria Jane, young adult fantasy, and dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Author Link:

https://linktr.ee/triciacopeland

https://www.facebook.com/TriciaCopelandAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/authortriciacopeland/

@triciacopelandauthor

https://www.youtube.com/@triciacopelandauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055439.Tricia_Copeland

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tricia-copeland

Interview with Author S.A. Schneider

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

When my daughter was younger, I was her girl scout leader. I noticed most of the girls read, but they were reading books with male protagonists and I wanted to create a book with a female hero. Now there are quite a few books with girl hero’s.

Advertisements

2) What inspired you to write your book?

What inspired me to write Transgression of Magic, book 2 in the Town Magician series? Book 1. Seriously, this book couldn’t have been written without book 1 being before it.

I originally wanted to write a short story about wizards and magic for a local Wizarding World fest at Kent State. That grew into the Town Magician series. the first story started about 7,500 words and now I  have 4 books planned and several short stories.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

For book 2, Transgression of Magic, its about kids dealing with their parents mistakes. Even parents mess up and don’t make the right choice at times, and Samual has had to deal with that. It was something I thought about after book 1, Embracing the Magic, and needed to figure out what happened between Samual and his father after he became Town Magician.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve always loved fantasy and read fantasy. It was a natural fit for me and I can picture wizards fighting goblins and dire wolves better than I can picture a murder mystery or action thriller.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Maybe Toby, the Grand Wizard. It’s a bit bumbling, like a cross between Fizban from Dragonlance and Merlin from Disney’s Sword in the Stone. If not Toby, Cat. There is a lot more to Cat than we know, but its been hinted at. What is really going on with this animal? Hard to say.

Advertisements

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I’m on Facebook mostly and reach out to parents and teachers. I also have an Instagram and YouTube and am working on more videos for parents and teachers. While I write middle grade, I try to offer information and educational aids to the teachers and home school parents.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write. Tomorrow, write. Then write some more. Make up stories and get them on paper or some online document or even dictated in audio. Just tell stories. Forget about spelling and grammar. That stuff will come and you can work on it once you’ve written. But we don’t have our kids really write stories much. We teach them spelling and grammar and sentence diagrams and what a verb and noun are, and then we move on. we never have them write much and it’s backwards. They would get so much more out of the lessons if they already had experienced some writing. Forget that stuff until 4th or 5th grade. Just get the younger ones telling stories.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Well, book 3 is planned out and being worked on. More exciting is my Oddish Questor series about a group of sibling investigators that explore Bigfoot and other cryptids. Think Scooby-Doo meets the X-files.

I’m finishing up my video game series also that focuses on video game storytelling.

Advertisements

About the Author

S.A. Schneider has a wolf, so of course he writes middle grade fantasy, wouldn’t you? Since his Lego and action figure days, he’s crafted worlds and stories within those worlds. This pursuit continues into his middle grade fantasies.

He doesn’t stop with inspiring kids to write linear stories. Oh no, no. S.A. shows kids how storytelling in video games work and how they can learn to write those . He wants others to join him and delve into creating fantastical worlds.

Enjoy the Adventure!

https://www.sa-schneider.com/

Interview with Author K.T. ANGLEHART

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?


I’ve been writing since grade school! At first, I was inspired by television—I thought, I can be funny too. One year, I won a storytelling contest, and that’s when I realized I loved writing stories, but not presenting them. I’ve been writing ever since, always choosing college and university programs that helped me hone my craft and taught me how to take a punch (figuratively speaking). I declared The Wise One my MFA thesis, and that became the first official book I published.

Advertisements

2) What inspired you to write your book?


This is a hard one to answer. I’ve always loved all things witchy and magical. I grew up a huge Harry Potter and Charmed fan! One day, I imagined a witch who didn’t understand who she was and felt disconnected from everyone around her. Then I saw her journeying through the British Isles to find her birth mother—and herself—while learning she’s the key to both saving the natural world, at the cost of billions of souls, and destroying it (I love a good moral dilemma). That gave me the perfect excuse to visit Ireland and Scotland and breathe as much life into the pages as possible, tying in its folklore and natural beauty. So, I guess it was really a culmination of many things…

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My first ever reviewer put it so perfectly that at the time, it brought me to tears: “Don’t be a bully, love is love, protect our beautiful planet, accept your faults, family comes first and love your friends unconditionally.” –Sarah Bell, ARC reviewer.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?


I’ve always loved the idea that magic can be found in the real world. There’s something timeless about the young adult journey—finding yourself, pushing past what you thought were your limits, and surprising yourself along the way. And honestly…who doesn’t love a good prophecy?

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?


Even though I feel like I’ve already asked my protagonist, Mckenna, everything I need to, I’d still want to say: What on earth were you thinking, taking off with a stranger to Ireland? Sometimes even the author can’t fully explain her character’s wild choices!

Advertisements

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?


I’m not much of a social media person, but Instagram has connected me with some truly wonderful readers and fellow authors. It’s become a place where I can share my world and meet others who love it too.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just-starting authors out there?


Savour the romantic phase of writing, when you’re falling in love with your story and everything feels possible. And when that honeymoon phase ends (because it always does), remember: it’s all about process over perfectionism. Keep going.

8) What does the future hold for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?


The final instalment of The Scottish Scrolls trilogy is heading to my editor at the end of this month, with a release planned for 2025! After that…of course, there are more stories waiting. Writers never really stop imagining what comes next.

Advertisements

About the Author

Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is an award-winning author from Montreal, with a multilingual prowess in English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”. A dedicated academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Inspired by the wizarding world, the land of Narnia, and parallel planes, she penned The Wise One, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever present magic. Her exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced her debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.  

K.T. Anglehart is a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to her late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind her imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When she’s not writing or diving into magical reads, she revels in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. They currently live in Toronto with their three pets:  Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and their whimsical bunnies, Onyx and  Stirling. 

https://www.ktanglehart.com/

The Way of Stones (The Red Kingdom Book Two) by Ryan Lanz Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

In the aftermath of a failed attack, a group of rebels must regroup while dealing with a traitor in their midst, while a former hunter of the Corrupted struggles with becoming one of them, and the mission he has been given as well in author Ryan Lanz’s “The Way of Stones”, the second book in the Red Kingdom series.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

In a changing world, old loyalties might not survive.

The attack on Abalreen has failed. Phessipi’s band of rebels have regrouped in the forest, but she’s missing some of her key people. She’s finding it hard to move forward and even harder to come up with a new plan, especially now that The Order has its sights set on revenge.

Levas just wants things back the way they were, before the Corrupted attacked Abalreen, damaging his city and The Order’s trust in him at the same time. He used to be Lord Commander of the army, but now, he’s on the run, desperate to get back home.

Rhael is still coming to grips with having an ability, something that could get him arrested or killed. He knows how this works—he used to hunt Corrupted before becoming one of them. So when the most powerful man in Abalreen gives him a mission, he knows he needs to pay attention…even if it means betraying others like him.

The fight for survival always leaves casualties behind.

The Review

As with the first book in the series, this novel did an incredible job of world-building, not only with the world readers were introduced to in the first book, but also with the new faces and places that readers became acquainted with in this novel. The slow, methodical pacing allowed the author to draw the reader into this narrative, and the rich dynamic between the political nature behind the divisiveness of this kingdom, the power moves those in power make, and the fantasy mythos the world embraces wholeheartedly, made this narrative shine.

The standout moments of this novel came in the character development that transpired throughout this narrative. Readers get multiple perspectives throughout this book from characters like Rhael and his allies as they struggle in the aftermath of such a brutal battle. He remains conflicted about his new reality, and Phessipi’s struggles in the wake of such a monumental loss, the author did a masterful job of reconnecting readers with the characters of this series. Yet it also served to introduce new perspectives and engage with new readers, such as the introduction of Jaheim’s story and how his perspective introduced the theme of loss, hidden secrets, and how war impacts those caught in the crosshairs. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heart-pounding, and entertaining, author Ryan Lanz’s “The Way of Stones” is a great way to delve back into the Red Kingdom series and a must-read fantasy story. The twists and turns that come and the rich mythos this unique fantasy world builds upon will keep readers thrilled and eager for the next entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Ryan Lanz was born and raised in Hawaii, but now lives in the continental United States.

When traveling the world with a theater production and music education company, he was exposed to a broad range of people, culture, stories, and experiences.

Now he spends his time writing fantasy books, usually with his pet parrot supervising.

The Prince of Ileria by Daniel N Fite Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Daniel N. Fite’s ” The Prince of Ileria, ” a young man searching for the parents taken from him as a child must find answers and navigate the drama of high school while participating in a new RPG fantasy world. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Nate Daniels is on a quest to find his parents, taken from him when he was only four years old. Now a high school senior, armed only with his snark and an unshakable belief that his parents are still alive, Nate enters the final phase of his lifelong quest.

Soon, however, a former teacher introduces him to the fantasy realm of Ileria—an amazingly realistic RPG sim unlike any he’s played before. Could Ileria hold the key to his search or is it merely a fun side-quest? Nate must find new friends and forge new relationships as he navigates high school drama, a prickly adoptive brother, and an ever-changing relationship with his bestie, Jan. Oh, and let’s not forget the 400-pound telepathic Ilerian murder-cat who just might help him piece it all together—if she doesn’t eviscerate him first.

The Review

This was such a fun and engaging read. The story really speaks to the RPG, video game, and fantasy crowd in a profound and thrilling way, delving into a unique blend of action and mystery infused into this fantasy world setting. The world-building for this narrative was top-notch, not only giving readers a full experience of high school life but also delving into this exciting new world of magic and wonder. 

The character development became the heart of this narrative, especially Nate’s story and evolution. His love and passion for RPGs and how that translated into his journey to become a hero in this fantasy world, as well as his drive to find his parents and the relationships he developed with his best friend Jan and his sort of brother Thomas, kept the reader invested in his story.

Advertisements

The Verdict

A blend of Jumanji meets Stranger Things meets Free Guy with a deep fantasy twist, author Daniel Fite’s “The Prince of Ileria” is a must-read fantasy novel and a great start to a brand new series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the rich mythology and world-building, and the thoughtful approach to character arcs will have fans eager for more of this upcoming narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on May 16th, 2024, or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Shapers of Worlds Volume V Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Authors featured in the award-winning podcast The Worldshapers share a new collection of science fiction and fantasy stories in the book “Shapers of Worlds Volume V”. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

The fifth and final installment in a series of powerhouse anthologies featuring some of today’s top authors of science fiction and fantasy

From outer space to inner space, from realms of the never-were to those of the here-and-now and the soon-to-be, the twenty-four authors in this fifth and final collection of science fiction and fantasy by writers featured on the Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers plunge readers into fantastic worlds filled with unforgettable characters.

Teenagers are disappearing in a mysterious grove, and no one knows why—not even those who escape it. The god of love finds magical arrows just don’t cut it in the modern world of digital matchmaking. A prisoner discovers he has been stripped of thirty-five years of memories as punishment for a crime he cannot remember. Far from being a refuge from humdrum reality, dreams become a trap for one young man when he encounters those who dwell there. A man who hunts angels for a living has the tables turned on him by the last angel he corners. Talking beasts from the island of a certain infamous doctor arrive in London to make their way in the world of men, only to be caught up in the ongoing Martian invasion . . .

Shapers of Worlds Volume V showcases stories by Brad C. Anderson, Edo van Belkom, J. G. Gardner, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, Chadwick Ginther, Evan Graham, M. C. A. Hogarth, M. J. Kuhn, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Kevin Moore, Robin Stevens Payes, James S. Peet, Omari Richards, Lawrence M. Schoen, Alex Shvartsman, Alan Smale, Richard Sparks, P. L. Stuart, Brad R. Torgersen, Hayden Trenholm, Brian Trent, Eli K. P. William, Edward Willett, and Natalie Wright. Every story is illustrated with an original black-and-white drawing by Wendi Nordell.

Travel into the past, the present, and the future in stories set in our world, in deep space, in the land of dreams, and in worlds of pure imagination, shaped by an outstanding roster of authors featuring many bestsellers and award-winners. All you have to do is turn the page . . .

The Review

What a stellar collection of stories. The range that both the narratives and the author’s writing work in showcases this collection’s depth of talent, with stories ranging from deep sci-fi madness to heartfelt character studies and so much more. Each story can establish memorable characters in such a way. Short time stood out, such as in the story Coming of Age by Edo van Belkom, which takes a story of a failed colonization settlement on another world which affects the maturation of those born on the planet, and examines not only a close-knit father/son relationship, but the difficulties of growing up and facing the world on our own, while also exploring facing things on one’s terms. 

I loved the fusion of genres throughout these stories. The authors find ways of quickly bringing fantasy or mythological elements into heavily sci-fi narratives and creating worlds that simultaneously feel unreal and very relatable. One great example was Cupid 2.0 by Brad C. Anderson, with the god Cupid facing a new reality in the modern world of social media and dating apps, and the exploration of profits versus love for dating app companies.

The Verdict

Creative, thoughtfully crafted, and entertaining, “Shapers of the World Volume V” is a must-read anthology collection of sci-fi, fantasy, and even horror elements. The twists and turns in each story and the inventive twist on genre fusion propel each story forward, and these elements will stay with readers long after the last story ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

PRESS RELEASE: The Ghost Wrangler: Gold Winner in the 2024 Global Book Awards by critically acclaimed author, Matthew Hughes

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

In a world of wizards and walled cities, Galabras Nachecko is a necromancer in the seaport metropolis of Golathreon, connecting the living with deceased relatives and associates to answer questions left unresolved at the time of death.

Then he is tasked by Duke Simisson’s conniving seneschal to capture the ghost of a notorious land pirate scheduled for execution. He snags the spirit but finds that the assignment has made him a man who knows too much.

Nachecko is propelled into a new career—secret agent segueing into diplomat—that leads him far from home, plunges him into perilous adventures, and brings him both true love and tragedy.

More from Matthew Hughes:

Praise for Matthew Hughes:

“I really enjoyed Barbarians of the Beyond. Matthew Hughes does Jack Vance better than anyone except Jack himself.”  — George R. R. Martin

“Lock the door, turn off the phone, get into a comfy chair, and deep-dive into a marvelous continuation of Jack Vance’s Demon Princes series. Matthew Hughes is a treasure and Barbarians of the Beyond is a terrific adventure.”  — David Gerrold

“Matthew Hughes follows nimbly in Jack Vance’s footprints, then breaks some fresh trail. First-class space opera.”— Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Hominids

“Engaging and enchanting…a fine companion adventure to Jack Vance’s The Demon Princes series, told with Matthew Hughes’s excellent sense of charm, ethical complexity and exotic worldbuilding. Let’s hope this is just the beginning!” — Kurt Busiek

“Barbarians of the Beyond is just plain old-fashioned space opera fun with a relatable heroine who is sometimes fallible, rather than some Shaolin Temple kung fu megamaster. I enjoyed it a lot.”
— Glen Cook

“…a tale that captures that special ‘golden age’ feel in which mankind has travelled far into the stars yet still behaves as though it’s the Wild West.” — David White, RNR Magazine

About Matthew:

 Matthew (Matt) Hughes writes fantasy, space opera, crime fiction, and historical novels. He has sold 24 novels to publishers large and small in the UK, US, and Canada, as well as 101 works of short fiction to professional markets. 

Besides the Global Book Award in the dark fantasy category, he has won the Endeavour and Arthur Ellis Awards, and has been shortlisted for the Aurora, Nebula, Philip K. Dick, Endeavour, A.E. Van Vogt, Neffy, Derringer, and High Plains Book Awards.  He has been inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association’s Hall of Fame

People who sign up for his monthly newsletter will receive a free ebook of his short story collection, 9 Tales of Henghis Hapthorn:  http://eepurl.com/cyNSA9

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hughes_(writer)

The Abandoned Theater (Alderland Series Book One) by Dana Robertson Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In Dana Robertson’s The Abandoned Theater, the first in the Alderland Series, a young girl goes to an abandoned theater in search of a missing teenager, only to discover an evil that threatens multiple worlds.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Deep in the woods of the Winnodov property sits the abandoned theater. Something mysterious happened during the last performance there – the same night Mr. Winnodov disappeared. Eight years later, it’s happening again. A group of mischievous teenagers sneaks into the theater. And now, one is missing. When 12-year-old Beth Shoner learns who the missing teen is, she sets off with two friends to find him. But what they discover is more astonishing than they could ever have imagined. Now, Beth must defeat an evil plan unleashed long ago that threatens to destroy countless worlds, including their own.

AudiobooksNow

The Review

What a compelling and engaging read. The author does a marvelous job of balancing the relatable, heartfelt character development with the visceral fantasy world-building that the author was able to create. The imagery in the author’s writing made the world the characters stumbled into feel alive on the page, and the mythology the author was able to drive into the narrative not only ramped up the drama quickly but honed in on some of the more personal mysteries tied to the characters themselves.

What stood out was how much this story seemed to embody the themes and nostalgia that so many projects in this genre have established beforehand while still creating a fresh and remarkable story. Whether it was Steven Spielberg’s E.T. or the modern-day Stranger Things, the idea of young people having to confront the strange and the unknown and face their own looming adulthood in the process was thoroughly presented in this narrative. 

The Verdict

Action-packed, magical, and entertaining author Dana Robertson’s “The Abandoned Theater” is a must-read middle-school/YA fantasy read. The magical world-building that the story takes on and the rich and relatable character dynamics of this novel make this a remarkable narrative that readers won’t be able to get enough of and will be eager for the next entry into the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on May 1st, 2025 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Dana Robertson lives in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. She completed a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology with Trent University in Peterborough Ontario, followed by a graduate creative writing program with the Humber School for Writers in Toronto, Ontario. She writes mystery, fantasy, science fiction and middle grade. The Abandoned Theater is her debut novel and book one of the Alderland Series.

Dana Robertson Books