Category: Fantasy Publisher: Equilibrium Publishing
ISBN-10: 1921456485
Pages: 204
Copyright: March 2011
ISBN-13: 9781921456480
Darci is a popular sixteen-year-old girl who plays basketball and lives in an ordinary country town. But her life is changed forever when she is accidentally transported to the land of Nahaba by a young apprentice wizard called Taslessian.
Within hours of her unexpected arrival, both teens are thrust into a dangerous journey to the cave of Grisham the Great in the hope that he would be able to send her home.
Upon reaching the cave, however, Darci quickly discovers that there is no such thing as accidents, and that their journey is only just beginning.
Darci is a popular sixteen-year-old girl who plays basketball and lives in an ordinary country town. But her life is changed forever when she is accidentally transported to the land of Nahaba by a young apprentice wizard called Taslessian.
Within hours of her unexpected arrival, both teens are thrust into a dangerous journey to the cave of Grisham the Great in the hope that he would be able to send her home.
Upon reaching the cave, however, Darci quickly discovers that there is no such thing as accidents, and that their journey is only just beginning.
Excerpt
From The Book
Darci physically jumped back, gasping for air. For a fleeting moment she had seen into the thing inside her mind, somehow connected with the twisted presence of Domati.
What she had seen terrified her. Eyes open and head cleared, she looked at the shadow and shivered. What would something so evil and twisted want with her?
"You know that I am more powerful than you, wizard," the shadow growled. "If you don't get out of my way I will destroy you." Tension filled the air as everything went silent. Anticipation was everything, as even the birds in the trees and the wind in the air appeared to be awaiting Belderon's next move.
Professional Reviews
Star
Darci's not in Kansas anymore....
One night Darci wakes up and discovers a light shining through the curtain and ends up in another realm. Pulled through to Nahaba by an apprentice wizard, she's a stranger in a strange land and wants to go home. However, the apprentice (Taslessian) and his Master cannot send her back. Darci will need to complete a quest to return home. As all quests are, Darci's is fraught with danger, warlocks, and dragons.
Quest of the Demon was a quick and enjoyable read. The characters were likeable and Darci isn't a drama queen. She's very down to earth, using her wits and sarcasm to deal with the situation she's found herself in. It was good to see the characters grow throughout the story and they weren't one-note/one-dimensional. A great YA book which can easily be enjoyed by younger audiences, too.
MJ
Home alone one night Darci was suddenly woken up by a strange noise, grabbing a hockey stick as a weapon she nervously searched the house. In one of the rooms she saw an odd green light behind a flapping curtain and cautiously went to investigate. The light was a portal into another world called Nahaba, which had accidentally been opened up by a young apprentice wizard named Taslessian. Of course Darci didn't know this so when she got too close she was pulled into the other realm. Once Darci and Taslessian realised what had happened they went to see Belderon (Taslessian's Master) in the hope he could send Darci back home but his magic wasn't powerful enough so he sent them on a quest to see Grisham the most powerful dragon in the land. Getting to the Dragons lair was no easy feat there were warlocks and dragons determined to stop them and claim Darci as their own prize because `other worlders' were a very rare and coveted possession. Things become more complicated for the pair when they finally make it to Grishams lair only to discover even his power isn't enough to send Darci home and there is more the pair must endure before she can go back......
Darci has a very down to earth personality, she was stressed about what she was wearing just like any normal sixteen year old would be and she was amused by Taslessians embarrassment. Sarcasm and humour were a big part of her character making her very likable. Taslessian was a cutie, he was such a prude, every time he saw Darci in less clothes than was the norm' in his world he blushed and that made me smile.......it was so endearing!!! In the beginning he kind of felt like a bumbling fool, after all initially we are led to believe it was his error that had brought Darci here but once Belderon had sacrificed himself to save Darci, Taslessian seemed to gain confidence in himself and actually appeared to know what he was doing. It was interesting to watch how both of them grew and learned from their mistakes. There was a hint of romance but it didn't take off really which is fine for the age range that this book is aimed at.
It was really odd because when I started to read this book there was a distinct Enid Blyton feel to the writing and then blow me down did the author not make a reference to Enid Blyton's `faraway tree'!!!....the irony!!!...I grew up reading `Naughty Amelia Jane', `The Wishing Chair' and `The Famous Five' etc. and reading this book took me right back to those days. Writing styles have changed enormously since then so reading a story with that `feel' about it made it seem dated somehow, it's hard to explain...... the writing is very clean cut if you know what I mean not quite as gritty as the style we are used to today. There is action and humour and all kinds of typical other world creatures like elves and wizards and dragons that make this an interesting read and I think it is suitable for kids as young as eleven or twelve as well as YA.
Copy supplied for review.
Savannah (books with bite)
Now, I know the cover is not all that, but the adventure in this book is awesome! I love reading about time travel (cause I so wish I can do that myself) but the action to follow is great!
What I liked most about this book is the greatness of time travel. I loved that this girl pop into a different place, different time and really was confused. Most of the time, the books I read the characters always find their place right away. But not this one! She demanded to go back home, threw a fit and seriously thought she is crazy! I loved her sarcastic comments, but also like her wiliness to do what it takes to get back home.
The main character, Darci, went through some major changes.I like that she went from break down to don't you mess with me. Along the plot line, the reader sees Darci become stronger and accept her fate. The love interest was not quite what I expected but still loved watching it.
If you want a unique fresh take on dragons, time travel and destiny read this book. The pages in it are filled with legend, sorcerers and magic like I never seen before!
The ancient kings of Whitehawk were all too aware of the temptation of magic. They could feel its threat, a presence in their courts, a serpent slithering at their feet, even entering into their beds.
To de
The hoar witch and her forest full of malformed creatures await Vanx and his curious group of companions as they try to save the fairy folk and their magical Heart Tree from the powerful old crone and her evil.
