Category: Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Smashwords
ISBN-10: 1737404206
Type: Fiction
Pages: 250
Copyright: July 29, 2021
ISBN-13: 9781737404217
Price: $3.00 (eBook)
Bristlecone Magic is a YA Christian fantasy about family, friends, neighborliness, love, magic and yes, even tragedy. The story takes place in Clinton County in upstate New York.
There is more than one kind of Magic! Contact me if you'd like an autographed copy.
Bristlecone Magic is a dialogue-driven novel about the magic within all of us. It’s there but do we take the time to let it out and actually see what it can do. It’s the magic of a hello to a stranger or a thank you when we need it the most. It’s the magic of what can be accomplished when a close-knit community comes together in a time of tragedy.
There is more than one kind of magic. There’s real magic, if we believe in it and in our friends. Today is Jimmy and Johnny Honeycutt’s twentieth birthday and everything is right with the world. What could go wrong? As fate would have it, the worst thing happened.
Consumed by guilt, Jim blames himself for his brother’s death. To avoid reality, he retreats inside himself because he doesn’t know what to do until he stumbles over a root from the oldest largest tree he’s ever seen near Honeycutt Haven. It is here that the magic of the Bristlecone begins.
Excerpt
Chapter 1 “I’m allergic to snowbirds.”
Jim slumped down at the base of an old pine, a really old pine. It was the largest, tallest, widest tree for miles and miles but Jim had never seen it before. With no one around to see or criticize him, the tears began to flow. Sobs of guilt and remorse wracked his soul as he remembered the raw events of the night before.
He had been walking through these old forests his whole life, well almost his whole life; Jim had just turned twenty. It was his birthday, and John’s. He wandered aimlessly, deep in thought, not really knowing where he was headed. Usually he had a destination in mind. One of his favorite places was the old fort he and his brother, John, had built when they were both seven. …But not today.
Professional Reviews
Reviewed By Joy Hannabass for Readers’ Favorite
Honeycutt Haven is a small family farm in upstate New York. Jim couldn't wait for him and his twin John to take the car out alone, so he talked John into driving one night. But what they weren't expecting was a big buck to jump out in front of the car. John braked but could not miss the deer. Sadly, John lost his life, and Jim survived, but he always felt guilty because he thought it was his fault. A day or so later, walking through the woods, Jim came upon a tree. A huge weird tree. A tree that hummed. The only people he trusted with this tree's location were his friends Tom and Julie. Come follow these friends on their journey to find out what this tree is, what it means, why it hums. It's all in this really good fantasy read; Bristlecone Magic by Dennis De Rose.
It took me a little longer reading Bristlecone Magic because I ended up going back and reading scenes over again. I grew quite fond of this family and especially Jim and Julie. The farm and home scenes were nicely done and I enjoyed the strong descriptions of the family. The journey through the tree mystery and miracle was the most fun for me. These teens reminded me of when I was young and things we cousins would get into. It was nice to see their kindness and being so respectful. Dennis De Rose does an awesome job creating realistic characters and their development throughout the story. And the ending is worth the wait, at least for me. If you enjoy a clean and enjoyable Christian fantasy, you will enjoy this one.
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite
In Bristlecone Magic by Dennis De Rose, Jim Honeycutt sits beside a creek, contemplating his past. He is still haunted by the memory of losing his twin brother John so tragically. Jim cannot bear the thought of life without John, especially since it was his actions that caused the tragedy. Suddenly, something magical occurs which Jim cannot explain and as John's funeral is planned, the strange occurrences continue. As Jim struggles to come to terms with his grief, he begins a journey of self-enlightenment with the help of his family and the wider community. Jim realizes that to truly live, your life must have a worthwhile purpose. He begins to understand the difference that small acts of kindness and generosity can make to another person's life. As Jim heals and ensures his brother will always be remembered, he discovers that every action has a consequence. Positive actions towards others are rewarded and returned to you always if you pledge to do the right thing every day.
Bristlecone Magic by Dennis De Rose is such a comforting read and full of important moral lessons. I adored the beginning when Jim was recollecting the events that led to losing his beloved twin John. The author captured Jim's grief, guilt, and sadness perfectly. There are many emotional scenes throughout the novel, especially when Jim placed the purple pine cone in John's hand and said his goodbyes. The plot highlights the magical powers we all possess if we let go of our negative inner dialogue. The events in this novel demonstrate that everything happens for a reason; even negative situations are there to teach us valuable lessons. The community spirit throughout the story was extremely heartwarming and shows what can be accomplished by working as a collective. I loved the scenes which showed the power of gratitude and the importance of generosity to others. The telescope scene also highlighted the law of attraction beautifully. The relationship between Jim and Julie was so loving and supportive and this developed perfectly as the plot progressed. Every character was created with a great deal of care and consideration and the dialogue exchanges between them were amazing. This is a wonderful story of hope, positivity, and optimism.
Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers’ Favorite
Bristlecone Magic is a novel that will renew your belief in miracles and in the kindness of people. Dennis De Rose writes a dialogue-driven plot about the Honeycutt family. While their parents were sleeping, Jim invites his brother Johnny for a short drive. Tragedy strikes when a ten-point buck crosses the slippery country road and although John brakes, the car hits the animal. Jim begins to live a guilt-ridden life over the death of his brother. But his life takes a miraculous turn when he stumbles upon a gnarly root of the largest tree he has ever seen. Jim starts to have lucid dreams about his late brother, and he finds a dark, heavy two-inch wooden cube that contains cryptic symbols. Jim is not aware that this mystery will lead him to find his way back toward healing and renewal.
Bristlecone Magic is not just a spiritual story. The conclusion of this novel makes an impact as things are revealed about their family’s past that involves being saved by God from a tragedy that Jim is not aware of. The novel is not outright religious, but it tries to illustrate God’s kindness through the actions of its characters. It is filled with scenes that demonstrate the importance of friends and family when coping with loss. Jim’s relationship with Julie Johnson is romantically charged, and the way she helps Jim to decode the mystery of the tree has spiritual power in itself. Dennis De Rose has written a hale and hearty tale that puts emphasis on age-old values that seem to be rare in fiction nowadays. It is a feel-good novel that will lift your spirits and make you give the important people in your life a second look.
