Review: Delightful fantasy for all ages!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 29, 2013
Warily James made his way up the path to his next door neighbour's front door. He was a little frightened, as the kids from school all said Mr McKenzie was a weird old man who killed cats! They all disappeared, never to be seen again....James wondered if he did that with children too. When the shuffling old man told him to go to the back door, he wasn't sure what to expect. He wished his mother hadn't given him the job of delivering the book to his neighbour! But after his initial fright, he found Mack was a nice old man, a bit eccentric perhaps, but he seemed kind.When he returned on a second visit, Mack showed him some of his inventions; James was fascinated. As he was leaving to go home, Mack gave James a gift. He told him to show his mother - to tell her it was a dragon box; she would understand. After James had talked to his wheelchair bound Dad and his Dad's friend Derek, he showed his Mum the dragon box. She became emotional, but in a happy way. She sent him to his room to learn about it, saying she would keep the other family members from disturbing him. And so began the most amazing adventure James had ever had, but also the scariest and strangest. He was sure he was dreaming; he was - wasn't he?With the thrumming in his hands of the dragon box, suddenly his bedroom vanished and in its place was another room, which seemed to be inside a very old castle. When he heard footsteps coming up the nearby stairs and saw Mack arrive, but dressed as a wizard, he was stunned. But discovering his challenge, the quest he had to complete, made him sure he was dreaming. For James was in a place called the Kingdom of Grobnog, where the Queen looked very much like his mother; he had to confront a witch by the name of Khalana - how could he possibly do all these things? Was it safe? Would anyone be hurt?What a wonderful, fascinating and imaginative story! The characters are beautifully developed; I felt I was involved in James' quest, and was quietly cheering him on. This is the fourth fantasy novel I've read by Aussie author Katie W Stewart and she never ceases to amaze me. A very talented writer of whom I'll be reading more. Highly recommended.