In 2162, a young boy named Jal Valyhn begins an epic journey to find a safe haven in a world thrown into the turmoil and widespread devastation of war.
With a deep and gentle meaning that is born of violent circumstances, The Boy Who Walked a Way is a rare young adult novel that appeals to both genders equally. Though born of Christian roots, this profound story is a perfect fit for readers of all backgrounds and faiths that truly inspires with its touching journey of self-discovery, belief, and personal mastery.
The Boy Who Walked a Way is a touching literary fantasy novel by Nancy Janes about the true power of belief. Representing the child inside all of us that neither age nor time can eradicate, young Jal is a perfect personification to the wholehearted faith and belief in miracles that the innocence of childhood provides.
Excerpt
Eighth Morning
27
Jal awoke to the voice of Bea perched on his pillow. “Time to get up, Jal. Sammie and I have to be on our way.”
Jal pulled the sheet over his face to hide his tears. “Now, now. Remember—maudlin. None of that, or I’ll be blubbering. You don’t want me to drown in our tears, do you? It won’t be long until we see each other again. You can send a message to us by Eli; he stays over on a regular basis. His guest quarters are here, as I told you last night.
“Sammie and I are part of your life, Jal. You can’t shake us loose from this time forward. For in this country, we’re lifelong friends. We’ll emigrate to Syntee’s homeland in good time; that is, each of us in turn. But even then, we’ll only be parted a trifling amount of time. And Jal, it’s the greatest fabutale of all—a true one. We’ll live happily ever after. So keep that in mind. Let’s nip downstairs now with our usual panache.”
Jal showered and dressed while she waited for him. Sammie came to the door, and they descended the stairs together.
“The breakfast club has long awaited your arrival,” Tyhe said as they entered the dining room.
Bea said, “A tad of bother, please excuse our lateness.”
“No bother at all,” Aunt Letty replied. “Tyhe likes to tease. Please take your seats and never mind him.”
Jal regarded Tyhe with diffidence. His dream during the night seemed tangible, a vibrant reality. A dream; it had to be a dream! he thought, and then he sat down between Bea and Sammie. His mind was in such a tangle that the food tasted insipid and bland. Midway through the meal, he let go of his thoughts. I’ll add it to my memory stash on reflections.
The lively interchange arrested his attention. He focused on the conversation while he gazed at Bea and Sammie. They’re off to their work and had better go home to Syntee. The thought was absent the usual twinge of pain. I’m glad I’m not alone anymore, he said to himself. An onrush of gladness coursed through him; he looked at Bea, then at Sammie, and his face lit up with a smile. Instantly the chatter ended and everyone spoke in unison, “Welcome home, Jal.”
Jal and Grandfather Moutyn walked with Bea and Sammie to the outskirts of the village. Once more on the familiar path that would lead them home, Sammie paused at the bridge.
“Be sure to keep your hair dry, Bea,” Jal called out to her. She stood up and blew him a kiss as a beam of light separated and opened like a door. Sammie stepped through, and the beam of light closed behind them.
Filled with wonder, Jal began to launch into questions. Grandfather Moutyn gently laid his hand on his shoulder. “In good time all will be known, my dear boy. At present, the day gives fair promise and awaits our attendance. Revelations are in-flight and due to make a prompt landing.”
Professional Reviews
A Delightful and Inspiring Fantasy Novel
This is a delightful and inspiring fantasy novel about a young boy and his discovery of the power of the faith and belief that lies within. It was the year 2162, the world was in chaos and his country was at war. Surrounded by violence and conflict, Jal Valhyn is completely alone. He has lost everything, including his dear loved ones. But not to worry, he has a visitation by two invisible beings and sets off on a seven-days journey to another place. A place where there is peace and happiness.
On this journey, each day is a discovery of life lessons and new friendships. The boy quickly learns that there is so much more to life than what we can see with our eyes. He learns to trust in mastering his own inner-self and not being dictated to by life's ever flowing ebb and flow. He discovers the power of reliance on inner trust and the power of believing. This is a touching story of a boy on a journey; that all can relate to, for we all have our own journeys to conquer.
Epically written and filled with grand detail into the chaotic world the boy escaped from, this novel comes from the author's love of literary work that expresses the divine, lovely and sometimes chaotic experience of all walks of life. With the use of descriptive imagery and dialogue, the reader will be pulled in and will want to know what happens next. This is a deeply touching novel that will touch the innocent child in all of us and encourage us to keep our faith whatever life circumstances may bring.
A Good Read
"The Boy Who Walked A Way" is a delightful and inspiring tale of a journey (We're all on some kind of a journey!) that echoes a tradition in the history of literature from the beginning of story-telling down to the contemporary practice of fiction writing, of which this book is a splendid example. (No use getting into a debate about all the categories and conventions of story telling.) Often in this kind of story the hero(s) and his companions, like Jal and his friends, strike out, from a background of violence, on an adventure filled with experiences that produce a wisdom to better manage the vicissitudes of life. Thus The Boy Who Walked A Way is a tale of a boy growing up in a violent and chaotic world, and through initial gut-wrenching experiences finds friends whom he increasingly trust to guide and teach him on his path through life.
The action of the story is often presented in vividly focused and affecting scenes, deftly executed. Who can not sympathize with Jal in the scenes when his family is torn apart by the war? When even his uncle Joulh has to leave him: almost the last thread of family security? All alone, and heart-broken, with no relief in sight, he drops off to sleep sobbing and the nightmare of his situation. If we have not been there in reality, at least with a little imagination we may enter into Jal's experience vicariously. This scene is a sample of what is to come; there is plenty more just like it--but with a lot more sunshine!
Really the whole journey is almost entirely sunshine: the progressing journey is bathed in an atmosphere of joy and light, with only an occasional reference to shadows in the past and the outlying regions contiguous to the land of their journey.Read more ›
The entire action of the story is also essentially moved along by the dialogue of the characters in the story, and the reader notices the maturing effects produced on Jal--the development of his social consciousness, and an increasing self-awareness! These effects are especially enhanced by all the many "stories" in which he learns about his fellow human beings, and other beings--like Syntee--inhabiting the cosmos. Jal relishes his experiences, and his reflections and meditations on these expand the horizons of his own consciousness--his inner spiritual life--and the result at the end is an optimistic and hopeful vision of the future. At the end of the journey Jal's story is not over; neither is the reader's--it will go on forever!
It is a story, to be sure, about trust--and faith. As someone somewhere said "my upright one (We all walk upright do we not?) by faith shall live." Is not life about faith and trust? We learn first to trust Mom and Dad--especially Mom. Then our friends, and our teachers. Ninety percent plus (90%+) of what we all believe rest on our faith in what others tell us, and through our own experience and judgments (that of listening to a lot of stories--like those Sammie is always telling Jal!) we either accept or rejects those beliefs. It all ultimately depends on who we accept and trust as our guides and teacher(s)!
No matter how we read "The Boy Who Walked A Way," one notes that the story never looses touch with the fundamental issues and patterns of human experience.
A Very Touching Story
he Boy Who Walked A Way by Nancy Janes is a must read for everyone out there I believe. This lady is such a passionate author. Nancy delved into the chaos and troubles that has plagued our lives in so many ways. This novel truly holds the key to restoring sanity to our troubled world for real. I find the book very deep and thought provoking. What a fantastic book. A must read folks
Taerak's Void
(Book One of Fantastica)
A new series by multiple award winning author, M. R. Mathias
After finding a strange medallion and some maps with markings that no one in his village can understand, Braxton Bray decides to
The Legend of Vanx Malic Book Six - Paragon Dracus.
Vanx, his full blooded Zythian friend Zeezle Croyle, Gallarael, and Chelda Flar, set out for Dragon Isle, to hunt down the terrible force who calls himself Paragon Dracus, but they soon
In 2000, Todd Cheney set out to write a complete fantasy series. Now, almost five years later, his goal is accomplished. The Soulstone will bring to conclusion the story began in The Seventh Circle.
Buried for a thousand years under the sea,
