Kindle Edition Amazon Blazing Star Books Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Blazing Star Books ISBN-10:  B089D34V7K Type: Fiction Pages: 160 Copyright: May 28, 2020 ISBN-13: 9798648022607 Price: $3.00 (eBook) Three small forest dwellers are given powerful gifts by an enchanted talking tree to fight a terrifying source of evil which threatens their world. Naive and inexperienced, these Treflins meet up with an old wizard and many other interesting characters on the road toward their destinies. The company encounters dangers and horrific situations which tests each Treflin’s courage and strength of character. Unexpected magic grows within each of the three Treflins helping them to find inventive and effective ways to conquer the formidable enemy. Naive and inexperienced, these Treflins meet up with an old wizard and many other interesting characters on the road toward their destinies. The company encounters dangers and horrific situations which tests each Treflin’s courage and strength of character. Unexpected magic grows within each of the three Treflins helping them to find inventive and effective ways to conquer the formidable enemy. Excerpt Suddenly a figure jumped onto the road from the high grass. It was black and leathery, but without wings. It stooped over and had long front teeth beneath a prominent snout and beady eyes. In its hands were metallic objects. It drew back and threw one at Trohm. The Treflin had drawn his sword at the first sight of the attacker. His quick reaction deflected the first salvo from the strange beast. “Thing, whatever you be, leave us! We have no quarrel with you!” Trohm exclaimed. The black beast uttered a horrifying sound which might have been laughter and did not move aside. Trohm charged, slicing at the creature’s arm and causing the metal objects to fall to the ground. The Treflin jumped aside, narrowly escaping the swipe of a clawed hand. Shala watched the two circling and fighting with horror. She took out her stone and considered how she could help Trohm defeat the strange and evil beast. Her green eyes flashed and she took a few steps forward, as the black creature advanced on Trohm. Suddenly, Treeblade came alive and slashed back and forth in a frenzied attack. The beast retreated a step, bleeding black blood from several cuts. It seemed confused for a moment, then focused on Shala. It raised a black claw as if to point at the Treflin girl. In fear, she grasped the stone and sent a burst of green lighting into the beast’s body. It immediately fell to the ground. Trafla hurried forward with his staff. “Let’s see what this is…or, was,” he said. He tapped the beast’s foot and quickly stepped back. The result of the Troppa staff against the tortured body was unexpected. A sudden explosion cause a concussive effect which knocked the entire company off their feet. Smoke and dust billowed and swirled in clouds. Each quickly rose to standing and waited anxiously for the roadway to clear. Lying in the dirt was a medium sized squirrel. Its fur was matted with blood and the body was deathly still. The company moved closer and tears rolled down Shala’s cheeks. “Poor, little creature. What evil does this to innocent animals?” she asked. “Oh, my. A little squirrel and I killed it!” Trohm cried. He looked away. Tremain moved to the Treflin’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Fret not, friend Trohm. This animal was used by some evil power, its shape tortured and its life broken. You gave it peace with your sword.” “Maybe so, but I wonder if Trafla could change such a creature back to its natural state before I have to kill it.” “I doubt that would work, Trohm. Let’s think a minute. First a bird, now a small woodland creature. Tremain, do you think the evil is near to have affected these seemingly local residents?” Trafla asked. Tremain looked at the group. “I cannot answer as I do not know. Though I suspect emissaries of the evil may be creating this aberrations of nature. These creatures are frightful, and perhaps are meant to deter us from our path.” Shala looked up at the wizard. “Yet the winged horrors have ventured far across the Lake into the Forest where Willoman’s kin dwell.” Nodding, Tremain returned his gaze to the dead animal. “Speaking of the faery, where is he? Trafla snickered. “Maybe he can’t see us from above.” “Oh, yes. Hand over the cloths. In the bag they go for another time. Trohm was correct, we should be vigilant on all planes. And I suppose we should bury this poor creature.”

Treflins Three
Three young lives are turned upside-down by a talking tree, launching them on a desperate quest to save the forest from dark forces in Treflins Three: A Staff, a Sword and a Stone by Elaine Smith. Following the path of so many YA fantasy novels, the bulk of the story is a harrowing journey to conquer an overwhelming evil, but the originality of the world-building helps this book stand out. There is a gentle edge to the narrative voice, with compassion and friendship taking center stage. While some of the language feels overly simplistic, Treflins Three is a unique and charming story with a hint of Arthurian legend, and an accessible introduction to the fantasy genre for younger readers.