Synopses & Reviews
Review
“This fast-paced hero quest is guaranteed to please any adventure reader” - Resource Links
"Neubert has crafted a fast-paced, imaginative plot that carries young and reluctant readers along on a magical fantasy. Young readers will delight in Chantel's adventure and the fantasy world that Neubert has created and the creatures that inhabit it. Filled with well developed characters and a richly captivating narrative, readers will be eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series." - BC Parent
"Oliver Neubert has created an engaging first book about the Four Lands, with fantastic characters and a solid story." - CM Magazine
“I was on the edge of my seat at the end of each chapter.” - Musings of a Book Addict
"I really enjoyed this book. I am not usually a fan of fantasy but this book grabbed my attention, and kept it! I particularly loved the characters in this novel and could really envision them.
I am definitely going to be on the lookout for the next three in this series - I am recommending them to my students as well, they are worth the read.
I can see using this book within the SOL curriculum easily - students needs these types of reads as well as the nonfiction, biography, etc. to keep a good mix. I would do some character comparisons with this novel and it lends itself well to prediction activities because it is a series and each book doesn't have a true conclusion to the overall story." - Lindsay Horne, New Kent Middle School
"Fantastic book and a hard one to put down! Can hardly wait until I can read the next three! I'm anxious to start it as a read aloud for my students. The short chapters will appeal to them as well as Mouse turning into the Mighty Warrior and the castle setting. Mr. Neubert does a superior job with the characters of Chantel and Mouse." - Kathy J. Johnson, 4th Grade Classroom
Williamsburg Elementary
"I give the book a 5 as it is engaging and brings the reader quickly into the world. You can really imagine your settings without it being overly descriptive. I tend to enjoy children's books, even as an adult, and do not feel that this is at all geared to early childhood as others commented on. I think girls and boys from 3rd grade on into middle school would enjoy this book and keep in mind there are many struggling readers that want age appropriate storylines and characters in simpler text. This book provides that without dumbing down the material." - Reviewer, Picnic Basket
Synopsis
The first in a series of four, this fantasy novel for reluctant readers stars Chantel the Princess of Freedom. She's the only one capable of retrieving the four ancient relics that will save the world from the darkness, a force of evil unleashed by a vengeful spirit that is slowly destroying nature. With the help of a warrior mouse, a winged creature, and a fox bat, Chantel's first adventure begins: her search for the powerful Golden Sword of the Land of the North. Unfortunately, the Snow Walker the brutal Warlord of the North is determined to find the Golden Sword first. In this thrilling adventure, young readers learn, as Chantel does, that everything in life is a precious balance, and caring for nature is key in that balance.
About the Author
About the AuthorOliver Neubert draws inspiration from his natural surroundings and from his wonderful, creative daughter. This is his first series. He lives in Vancouver, BC.