CHILDREN OF THE ANCIENT HEROES: A Remarkable Review by Kate Lundeen

New from Monarch Publishing! A middle grade fantasy novel entitled Children of The Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares by Russell Fellows. 

I grew up wishing that literary worlds like Narnia or Middle Earth were real places to explore. Fellows addresses this type of wanderlust. What if fantasy characters were social outcasts and had important roles to fulfill in a fantasy world as part of their destiny? I find a plotline that blends fantasy and reality to be intriguing.

REVIEW

Children Tirza and Eli Nesbit feel adrift in this world without a place to call home. Their parents uproot the family quite often and the children have very few chances to form friendships. The parents also regale Tirza and Eli with Greek Myths and paint lifelike portrayals of mythical creatures or fantastical scenes. Such storytelling is so convincing that the children believe characters might leap off the page or canvas and inhabit the real world. 

Tirza and Eli stumble upon a mysterious book of magic that unleashes a portal to another world. Tirza lands in a beautiful light-filled landscape with fairies and animals that seem to reognize her. Eli ends up in a dark dragon’s cave plagued by a menacing voice that gives him chills.

The siblings’ tender concern over each other’s well-being right from the entrance into the fantasy world paves the way for Tirza and Eli to uncover their heritage and forge their destiny as the children of the ancient heroes.  When Tirza and Eli reach the fantasy world their first thought is worry for each other as separation splits them apart. Dragons, nymphs, tigers, and fairies come alongside the siblings in reunification efforts, heritage exploration, and development of their magical abilities. When crisis comes to the fantasy world, do Tirza and Eli have what it takes to step into their roles as children of the ancient heroes and save the world from destruction?  

One of the themes in Children of the Ancient Heroes is the treasure of family support that shapes an individual’s heritage or destiny. Papa’s bedtime stories and Mama’s murals encourage a love of fantasy in the children’s hearts.  Papa’s books called out to Tirza at the same time that her mother’s decorative murals held her spellbound.  Fellows writes on page 12, “Giant murals decorated the walls and ceiling, hand-painted by Mama…, their beautiful brushstrokes bringing to life epic tales of adventure…The depth and details of Mama’s paintings were magic on their own.” 

A read of Fellow’s story recalls the saying “No man is an island” and that we all need loved ones and community to flourish as individuals. Fantasy is a fun escape but when push comes to shove, it is a treasure to have family and friends who stick with a person through life’s hard knocks and wonderful joys. Children of the Ancient Heroes is both a mythological page-turner and a touching exploration of family heritage and bonds that bridge two worlds.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the sequel!

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Readers: Stay tuned for news of the sequel, Children of the Ancient Heroes: Hope and Despair. I’m sure Kate will be anxious to read and review it here!

GIVEAWAY

Russell Fellows is giving away an autographed copy of Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares to one fortunate individual, school, or library. To enter, please leave a comment by November 19. If you are an educator or librarian or share this on social media, please let me know. I’ll put your name in twice. U.S. addressses only. It would make a wonderful holiday gift to the young reader in your life!

MEET GUEST BLOGGER, KATE LUNDEEN

The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills.  I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people.  I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.

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For more middle grade books, make sure you read Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday blog.