The Choir Boats (Longing for Yount, Volume 1)

London, 1812
Yount, Year of the Owl

What would you give to make good on the sins of your past? For merchant Barnabas McDoon, the answer is: everything.

When emissaries from a world called Yount offer Barnabas a chance to redeem himself, he accepts their price — to voyage to Yount with the key that only he can use to unlock the door to their prison.

But bleak forces seek to stop him: Yount's jailer, a once-human wizard who craves his own salvation, kidnaps Barnabas's nephew. A fallen angel — a monstrous owl with eyes of fire — will unleash Hell if Yount is freed. And, meanwhile, Barnabas's niece, Sally, and a mysterious pauper named Maggie seek with dream-songs to wake the sleeping goddess who may be the only hope for Yount and Earth alike.

"(A)n auspicious debut . . . a muscular, Napoleonic-era fantasy that, like Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials series, will appeal to both adult and young adult readers. There's a Dickensian vibrancy . . . to Rabuzzi's book; it's filled with outsized characters, colorful slang, outrageous coincidences, buried secrets, stunning revelations, and star-crossed lovers." Paul Witcover, Realms of Fantasy Magazine

". . . a deliciously convoluted tale. . . .The Choir Boats is a strong opening to what could be a remarkable project. Since it came from a small press without a great deal of fanfare, I particularly urge you to check it out." Faren Miller, Locus Magazine

"[A] fun fantasy that blends many elements into a read that is endlessly entertaining." Midwest Book Review

"(P)romises to be the start of a vibrant fantasy series." K. A. Severson, SFReader.com

What would you give to make good on the sins of your past? For merchant Barnabas McDoon, the answer is: everything. When emissaries from a world called Yount offer Barnabas a chance to redeem himself, he accepts their price.

Daniel majored in the study of folklore and fairytales as an undergradate at Harvard, with a minor in comparative lit and history. An executive at a global non-profit in education by day, Daniel explores a world called Yount by night and on weekends. He is currently working on The Indigo Pheasant: Volume Two of Longing for Yount. He is married to the woodcarver and artist Deborah Mills, who also illustrated his book. They live in New York City.