Erec must rescue his mother and save the entire magical world he has discovered - a world he learns he has come from, himself.
Enter Alypium, a hidden world within our own where our old knowledge of magic is kept and strange and fantastical creatures abound. It is a beautiful and mystical place, but things are caving in. The king is hypnotized and his castle turned on its side. The very Substance that holds things together has gone awry, and whispers tell of evil plans to destroy everything. Twelve year old Erec Rex has been yanked out of the world as we know it and thrown unwillingly into this mess. As he learns how to get by in this strange world he also discovers some truths about himself ... and must learn the power of trust and love in order to save his mother, and all of Alypium. In this stunning tale packed with action, humor, a colorful cast of characters, and a riveting plot, debut author Kaza Kingsley brings us into a world of danger and excitement. For Erec, it is a world that is eerily familiar and inevitably intertwined with his future. To the reader, it is a fantastic escape that shall be taken again and again.
Professional Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Entertaining magic and magical gear, along with polished vignettes from Grant, animate familiar fantasy trope in this seriocomic debut . . . Erec finds himself competing for one of three nefarious schemes, a crew of sneering bullies, allies for Erec, a surprise villain and magic worked by everything from explosive "nitrowisherine" to push-button remotes, Kingsley speeds her tale along to a climax involving an impulsive dragon . . . Closing with the news that the young hero still has 12 tasks to fulfill, this light but not insubstantial outing definitely belongs aboard the Potter wagon, but merits a seat toward the front.
ForeWord Magazine
For the millions of Harry Potter fans desperately waiting for the next installment of the famous series, this novel will provide a worthwhile distraction. The first book in what promises to be an ongoing fantasy series, Erec Rex contains elements of magic, conflict, and otherworldliness reminiscent of the Harry Potter series, and Kingsley delivers her tale in a light-hearted yet compelling style like that of J.K. Rowling or Diana Wynne Jones.
Erec Rex, resident of New York City, wakes up one morning to find the world gone horribly wrong. His mother is missing, a creepy guardian won't let he or his sibling leave the house, and his efforts to figure out what's happening turn up even more questions. Eventually, Erec makes his way through a secret entrance in Grand Central Station to a magical world where a contest to discover the next rulers of the lands just happens to be getting underway . . . Caught up in the competition, Erec finds friendship and bullies, magic and trickery, and clues to his own identity that make for as compelling a read as any Hogwarts adventure.
The quirky setting is as much of a star of this fantasy as any of the characters. A castle tipped onto its side, mazes and magical creatures, and cleverly disguised competitions create an atmosphere any fantasy fan will long to visit. The story is peppered with delightful gadgets like aniballs, colorful balls that burst to reveal a real animal inside and an identdetector that "shows your true identity and appearance and exposes people who changed shape," and nitrowisherine, an explosive substance that also grants wishes. This is Kingsley's first novel, and she is currently working on the second book in the Erec Rex series. Notable fantasy illustrator Melvyn Grant pens illustrations for each chapter that illuminate aspects of the setting crucial to the plot, like the side-lying castle, and the magic glasses Erec uses to speak to his mother.
Grant and Kingsley are also collaborating on a forthcoming musical CD linked to the Erec Rex series. The book concludes with the news that Erec has more tasks to fulfill, followed by a cliffhanger of an epilogue that contains clues to his mysterious past - good news for fantasy readers of all ages.
Midwest Book Review
Writer, artist, singer, and movie buff Kaza Kingsley presents Erec Rex: The Dragon's Eye, a fantasy adventure novel for young adults set in the magical world of Alypium, a place hidden within our own world and brimming with mysterious magic and wondrous creatures. But something has gone wrong with the very Substance that connects the planet, and an evil presence whispers its plot to destroy all. The king is hypnotized and his castle is turned on its side. And twelve-year-old Erec Rex has been forcibly transported from our world to this strange place in peril. He must learn how to survive in Alypium, uncover hidden truths about himself; ultimately, only the powers of trust and love can help save him, his mother, and all of Alypium. An engaging adventure, accessible to readers of all ages but especially recommended for YA libraries and reading shelves.
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