Darryl Frayne's Blog, page 4
June 23, 2018
Midsummer 2018 Book Giveaways
A Reading Gift for our Email Friends
Hey Summertime Readers!
As you know, Shane and Darryl like to sponsor giveaways for avid readers. In July, we’re planning something a little extra – exclusively for our email friends.
Everyone on our email list as of July 31, 2018 will be entered for a chance to win one of the following box sets:
The Riyria Revelations Collection – by Michael J. Sullivan
A Court of Thorns and Roses Box Set – by Sarah Maas
The Hogwarts Library Box Set – by J. K. Rowling
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy – by Terry Brooks
One winner will get to choose one of these box sets!
Know someone who might like to win one of these book sets? Please send them to our website so they can subscribe to our email list.
We’re giving away one of these prizes:
The Riyria Revelations
From Amazon: “There’s no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness, just unlikely heroes and classic adventure. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, are running for their lives when they’re framed for the murder of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy that goes beyond the overthrow of a tiny kingdom, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery before it’s too late.”
Note: 3 separate books (not boxed): Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron. Actually, this is 6 books in 3 volumes.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Box Set
From Amazon: “When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin–one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.”
Note: This box set contains hardcover editions of the first three books: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin.
The Hogwarts Library Box Set
From Amazon: “Inside readers will find books treasured by users of the great library at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander’s master work on magical creatures; Quidditch Through the Ages, a comprehensive history of the game and its rules; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, with an introduction and illustrations by J.K. Rowling and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore.”
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy
From Amazon: “Now, for the first time in one elegant collector’s edition hardcover, and featuring an introduction by the author, here are the first three novels of that classic series: The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara, and The Wishsong of Shannara—the beginning of a phenomenal epic of good and evil.”
And another chance to win in July…
The Kindle Book Review – July Promotion
Once again, we’re sponsoring The Kindle Book Review’s awesome contest. Next month (July 1-29), they’re giving away more cool gifts!
Prizes: 1 – 10″ Kindle Fire, 1-Year Amazon Prime, $50 Amazon eGift card, and 8″ Kindle Fire ($400 value).
Watch The Kindle Book Review website for details starting July 1st.
Happy Summer reading!
The post Midsummer 2018 Book Giveaways appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
May 29, 2018
Two New Book Award Contests for 2018
We’re excited to announce that Across the Fourwinds has been entered into two book award contests!
Readers’ Choice
The first award contest is The Readers’ Choice award, sponsored by The Kindle Book Review.
If you love to read books and don’t mind (or prefer) reading e-books, consider subscribing to The Kindle Book Review’s email list. Every day, you’ll receive a short email with a few sponsored e-books in the genre you choose (which would be fantasy, of course!).
Across the Fourwinds has a few chances to qualify for the Readers’ Choice award for best Sci-fi/Fantasy of 2018:
Semi-finalists will be announced September 1, 2018
Top-5 Category Finalists will be announced October 1, 2018
Winners will be announced November 1, 2018
How you can win prizes
The Kindle Book Review has some great contests they’re constantly giving away prizes to subscribers.
Because we are entered in The Readers’ Choice award, our readers also have the opportunity to vote and win. Here’s what you could win:
An 8″ Kindle Fire
a $25 Amazon eGift card
a bookworm coffee mug
Yes, one winner gets all three prizes!
How to enter (and help spread the word about Across the Fourwinds):
Visit this web page: https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/vote-sci-fi-fantasy-2018/
Scroll through the book cover images & pick Across the Fourwinds (5th row)
Write the title of your favorite book ( Across the Fourwinds ) in the comments
Enter the Rafflecopter form and claim your free entry to WIN
Readers’ Favorite
The second award contest that Across the Fourwinds is entered in is the annual Readers’ Favorite Award Contest.
Winners of each genre will be announced September 1, 2018. Across the Fourwinds is entered in the Young Adult Fantasy genre.
There are no reader contests specifically related to this award competition, but readers are welcome to sign up for monthly Readers’ Favorite giveways here.
You simply add your name and email address, then pick the books you’d like to win.
We recently added Across the Fourwinds to the Readers’ Favorite giveaway list and it was selected by a reader on day one! Pretty cool.
What do these awards mean?
We may not win piles of money or fame from these awards, but that’s not our goal. Our hope is that these award contests will help us spread the word about Across the Fourwinds, and The Maidstone Chronicles series.
Thanks for your help along the way! We will know in September if Across the Fourwinds has won or qualified. We’ll keep you posted when we receive the award news.
Please feel free to share the link to the Kindle giveaway contest: https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/vote-sci-fi-fantasy-2018/ and remind your friends to vote for Across the Fourwinds.
Thank you!
The post Two New Book Award Contests for 2018 appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
February 28, 2018
Classic Editions of Classic Portal Fantasy Books
Portal fantasy books have captured the imagination of readers for many generations. To venture through a mysterious gateway into another world or dimension seems to be a great way for many readers to escape the pressures or monotony of everyday life.
And maybe even learn something about everyday life in the process.
Classic portal fantasy books such as Alice in Wonderland and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz have influenced scores of authors (and readers) right up to the present day. Some titles are regularly shelved under the portal fantasy subgenre, but others contain only a subtle reference to a portal. I’ve already written about a few recently published portal fantasy books. And I’ll likely write about more of them in the future!
Of course, the idea of a portal is not limited to the fantasy genre. There are many science fiction (and even horror) books with a portal from our world into another. Some books (like Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time Quintet) might be considered “science fantasy.” Whatever the subgenre, classic portal fantasy is a common trope within the larger speculative fiction genre.
Recently, I was looking on Amazon for some classic portal fantasy titles and I found some very interesting reprints of classic editions. These are definitely going on my wish list.
Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Caroll
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Originally published in 1865, this classic story has been retold numerous times, and influenced probably hundreds of other stories.
From the synopsis:
“This edition is derived from an 1869 reprint of the original 1865 text, making it almost as close as you can get to the original! Imagine sitting down with your children or grandchildren and reading this classic almost exactly as it would have been read more than one hundred years ago.”
The Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Originally published in 1900 as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this illustrated children’s classic story has also been retold numerous times and influenced many authors. And of course, who hasn’t seen the classic movie?
From the synopsis:
“Influenced by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, L. Frank Baum created this classic story and fantasy using the dream of young Dorothy on her journey home to demonstrate the theme of good vs. evil. Throughout her adventure, she encounters several newfound friends: a scarecrow, a tin woodman, and a cowardly lion. They traverse the land of Oz together by following the famous yellow brick road to the stunning Emerald City. Though they encounter surprises along the way, what they find in the Emerald City shocks them.”
The Wizard of Oz – Complete Set
by L. Frank Baum
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
This is a more recent collection, but I couldn’t resist including it for those who are curious about Mr. Baum’s sequels.
From the synopsis:
Volume 1: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz
Volume 2: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Emerald City of Oz
Volume 3: The Patchwork Girl of Oz, Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow of Oz
Volume 4: Rinkitink in Oz, The Lost Princess of Oz, The Tin Woodman of Oz,
Volume 5: The Magic of Oz, Glinda of Oz, The Royal Book of Oz
Peter Pan
by J. M. Barrie
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
After the success of his play, Barrie finally published his popular story as a novel (Peter and Wendy) in 1911. The cover of this reprint may not look like the original, but the text is, and there are some original illustrations by Francis Donkin Bedford.
From the synopsis:
“Included in this volume are the famous novel — Peter and Wendy (1911) — about the “boy who never grew up” and his adventures in Neverland, as well as a lesser-known prequel entitled Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906), which tells the story of Pan’s early years in London. This lively volume weaves a tale that is universally relatable and wildly popular for adults and children alike.”
Peter Pan (Illustrated with Interactive Elements)
by J. M. Barrie
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Yes, I did it again. Sorry, but I couldn’t resist showing off this new edition as well. This is actually the edition on my personal wish list. Check out the sample images on Amazon – wow.
From the synopsis:
“Peter Pan is packed with a lush array of colorful illustrations and interactive removable features, including a detailed map of Neverland, a croc o’clock with hands you can rotate to tell time, Peter’s shadow, and more. Beautiful and captivating, filled with breathtaking artwork, this stunning book is sure to become a treasured keepsake for fans of all ages.”
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by C. S. Lewis
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
What classic portal fantasy list would be complete without the Chronicles of Narnia? The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was originally published in 1950 and it’s popularity has yet to fade.
From the synopsis:
“This hardcover edition, featuring the original jacket art and black-and-white illustrations by Pauline Baynes, allows readers to celebrate the book that started it all.”
A Wrinkle in Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
by Madeleine L’Engle
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
“It was a dark and stormy night…” Another modern classic from 1962, often cited as a childhood favorite. I find it interesting that Disney has picked up Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, and now A Wrinkle in Time.
From the synopsis:
“Fifty years ago, Madeleine L’Engle introduced the world to A Wrinkle in Time and the wonderful and unforgettable characters Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe. When the children learn that Mr. Murry has been captured by the Dark Thing, they time travel to Camazotz, where they must face the leader IT in the ultimate battle between good and evil―a journey that threatens their lives and our universe. … This special edition has been redesigned and includes an introduction by Katherine Paterson, an afterword by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter Charlotte Jones Voiklis that includes photographs and memorabilia, the author’s Newbery Medal acceptance speech, and other bonus materials.
“
Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold! (Landover)
by Terry Brooks
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
I know this book is not that old (1987) but it amazes me that the original cover art edition is still available. Get it while you can!
From the synopsis:
“After Ben Holiday purchased Landover, he discovered the magic kingdom had some problems. The Barons refused to recognize a king and the peasants were without hope. To make matters worse, Ben learned that he had to duel to the death with the Iron Mask, the terrible lord of the demons–a duel which no human could hope to win….”
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Gryffindor Edition
by J. K. Rowling
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Don’t worry: if you’re not in Griffindor, you can get this edition in Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin themes. This is a collector’s item so it’s only available in book one (for now). It looks like Bloomsbury will be publishing the entire 20th anniversary set eventually – Chamber of Secrets House Edition is due in June 2018. Of course, if you don’t have the series and can’t wait, this paperback set is a great choice.
From the synopsis:
“For the true devotee of the series, this collector’s edition is a must. Gold foil stamping on an embossed leather cover marks the book as a bona fide treasure. Most exciting of all is a previously unpublished sketch of Harry by Rowling herself!”
This is just a sampling of some classic portal fantasy books available. And yes, I’m biased; these are some of my personal favorites. What are yours?
The post Classic Editions of Classic Portal Fantasy Books appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
January 25, 2018
Some of the Best Winter Fantasy Books for Young Adult Readers
For many people, winter is a season of staying indoors as much as possible. Unless, of course, you love to head up to the mountains and snowboard like Shane and I do!
But even if you do enjoy being outside in winter, eventually it’s nice to come inside and cozy up with a great book.
How Does One Determine the Best Winter Fantasy Books?
The answer to this question is very subjective, of course. But I’ve scanned through a number of lists to find some common recommendations for the best winter fantasy books. These are books that are set in a wintery location and/or have a predominantly icy theme.
The lists on the web are quite extensive, but I’ve limited my list to five books so you can return to your hot chocolate before it ices over.
These five titles will give you some variety to choose from and I hope will accommodate a range of personal tastes.
Some are old, some are new. Some may contain themes or characters that challenge your worldview. If you want more readers’ opinions on them, I’ve provided links to their Amazon pages. If you decide to buy one or two, Amazon might give us a small commission (no extra cost to you).
So here they are, five of the best winter fantasy books to help warm your soul.
The Bear and the Nightingale
by Katherine Arden
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Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
This is a debut novel based on Russian folklore that really surprised me (read my short Goodreads review here). I read it in October, but I wish I had waited until mid-winter, especially because book 2 was recently released: The Girl in the Tower.
From the synopsis:
“Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.”
The Golden Compass
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by Philip Pullman
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
From the synopsis:
“Lyra is rushing to the cold, far North, where witch clans and armored bears rule. North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal–including her friend Roger. North, where her fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.”
The Left Hand of Darkness
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by Ursula Le Guin
Ursula Le Guin, who passed away on January 22, 2018, had her share of critics. But she was highly recognized in the literary world, she inspired many great fantasy authors, was adored by her fans, and set high standards for the sci-fi/fantasy genre. One of her many words of wisdom: “When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.”
I was also pleased to see this tribute to Ursula Le Guin by Terry Brooks, one of our favorite fantasy authors.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
From the synopsis:
“A lone human ambassador is sent to Winter, an alien world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants can change their gender whenever they choose. His goal is to facilitate Winter’s inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters…”
The Ice Dragon
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by George R.R. Martin
Yes, I know that Game of Thrones could easily be on this list. But I passed on GOT (as I’ve done before) in favor of this older title.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
From the synopsis:
“In the world of A Song of Ice and Fire the ice dragon was a creature of legend and fear, for no man had ever tamed one. When it flew overhead, it left in its wake desolate cold and frozen land. But Adara was not afraid. For Adara was a winter child, born during the worst freeze that anyone, even the Old Ones, could remember.”
Wintersmith
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by Terry Pratchett
And finally, something clever and witty from one of fantasy’s best authors. Wintersmith is #35 in the Discworld series.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
From the synopsis:
“When the Spirit of Winter takes a fancy to Tiffany Aching, he wants her to stay in his gleaming, frozen world. Forever. It will take all the young witch’s skill and cunning, as well as help from the legendary Granny Weatherwax and the irrepressible Wee Free Men, to survive until Spring.
Because if Tiffany doesn’t make it to Spring, Spring won’t come for anyone.”
Happy Winter Reading!
Enjoy the remaining weeks (or months, depending on where you live!) of winter. Please let us know if you’ve enjoyed any of these books in the Comments below. Or maybe you have another winter fantasy favorite?
The post Some of the Best Winter Fantasy Books for Young Adult Readers appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
December 21, 2017
How to Purchase a Kindle Book as a Gift
Here’s some simple instructions for purchasing a Kindle book as a gift for someone else. NOTE: the recipient of your gift does not need a Kindle device. The Kindle app is available for almost any device.
All you need is an Amazon.com account (not Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, etc.) with a valid 1-Click payment method set up (usually a credit card on file).
To purchase Across the Fourwinds Kindle book as a gift:
Using a desktop or mobile web browser, follow this link to the Across the Fourwinds page on Amazon.com
Login to your Amazon.com account.
Below the “Buy now with 1-click” button, click the “Give as a Gift” button.
Enter the recipient information.
Enter the email address of your gift recipient.
(If you don’t know the email address for your recipient, you can select “Email the gift to me” before placing your order. That way, you can forward the gift email or print it and then deliver it to your recipient. The gift recipient will be able to enter the Gift Claim Code from the email, after they log in to their Amazon account.
Enter a delivery date and an optional gift message.
Click the “Place your order” button to finish your gift purchase using your Amazon 1-Click payment method.
If you have any problems, visit this instruction page on Amazon.com
The post How to Purchase a Kindle Book as a Gift appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
December 8, 2017
Unique Gift Ideas for Young Adult Fantasy Readers
Looking for some last minute gift ideas for young adult fantasy readers on your list? Fortunately, there’s no shortage of fantasy books. There’s bound to be a new book or boxed set that your fantasy friend or family member hasn’t read yet.
But what if you want to give them something other than a new fantasy novel?
Well, there’s no shortage of ideas there either. Here are a few suggestions—but first I have to start with two books I highly recommend.
Books
Across the Fourwinds
Shameless self-promotion? Perhaps. But these days it’s hard to surprise people with unexpected gifts. This one probably will. And it’s a gift that gives again. For every copy of Across the Fourwinds you buy to give to your favourite fantasy reader, we will give a student workbook for a child in Haiti.
And here’s another idea that’s perfect for the VERY last minute…
You can give the Kindle edition (e-book) of Across the Fourwinds and all you need is:
An Amazon.com account
One dollar
The recipient’s email address
Seriously, it’s that easy.
Just use this link to Across the Fourwinds on Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/2iGhHEL
And instead of clicking the “buy now with 1-click” button, scroll down a bit and click the “give as a gift” button.
You’ll need to login to your Amazon.com account (or create one – Canadians, you can set up an Amazon.com account too because the give as a gift option is not available on Amazon.ca).
The recipient just needs any device that supports the Kindle app (Kindle reader, iPad, iPhone or other Android device). Hmmm. Is there anyone you know who DOESN’T have one of those devices?
Besides being fast, easy and cheap affordable (only one dollar until the end of this year), you can specify the delivery date for the e-book. Yes, your beloved fantasy fan can check their email on Christmas Day (or whatever day you choose) and discover a new fantasy adventure!
Ok, enough self-promotion.
The one other fantasy novel I have to recommend is one that reignited my love of the fantasy genre (not that the flames had really died down that much).
Name of the Wind 10th Anniversary Edition
Get the hardcover on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
This story is one that I will probably read again and again. It’s that good. And with each read, there are new discoveries.
The Kingkiller Chronicle is a trilogy, but fans have been waiting years for the third and final book. Patrick Rothfuss seems like a bit of a perfectionist but wants to makes sure it’s the best it can be. I was at a book signing recently and he was asked, “When will book three be out?” He quoted Aslan from C. S. Lewis’ Voyage of the Dawn Treader:
“Do not look sad. We shall meet soon again.”
“Please, Aslan”, said Lucy,”what do you call soon?”
“I call all times soon,” said Aslan; and instantly he was vanished away.
So Rothfuss told us book 3 will be out “soon.” 
December 3, 2017
12 Recently Published Clean Fantasy Books
Whenever I read a reference to “clean” fantasy books, I cannot help but think of my kitchen.
Yes, my kitchen.
It seems the precise definition of “clean” when it comes to the kitchen is somewhat murky. One family member might put all (or most) of the dishes in the dishwasher, but leave a pot in the sink. Another will make sure all the dishes (including pots) are cleaned, but not put away. And then someone else will clean and put away all dishes but not wipe the counters or sweep the floor.
Each family member will leave the kitchen with a satisfied sense that it is “clean.” Inevitably, someone else will come to the kitchen, wondering why it’s not clean.
This subjective definition of the clean kitchen is what I think of when I read about “clean” fantasy. One reader’s definition of clean often differs from another’s.
What is Clean Fantasy?
There is general agreement that “clean fantasy” refers to novels without gratuitous or overly descriptive sex scenes, excessive violence and gore, and profanity.
Now, what you might consider an offensive sexual reference, another reader might not even notice. But that same reader might be sickened by the detailed description of a bloody battle scene that you consider completely appropriate.
Personally, I’m content to let readers and reviewers express their preferences when it comes to what they consider “clean” and what they deem “gritty” or grimdark. I think we need to recognize that defining sub genres is often not as clean as some might hope. And I accept that some readers feel that clean fantasy novels are often too simplistic in their depiction of things like war, evil, and flawed characters.
Instead of “clean fantasy” I wonder if it might be more helpful to refer to specific books in terms of “explicit” content. To me, “clean” connotes a certain moral standard that books will either pass or fail. If a book is not clean, it’s dirty, soiled, or imperfect. Because being physically clean is usually understood as something good and healthy, fantasy books that are not deemed “clean” may be thought of by some readers as bad or unhealthy. However, many fans of gritty and grimdark fantasy would disagree.
We’re not going to resolve this here, and I doubt we’ll all come to full agreement. That’s not the point.
I simply want to provide a list of so-called “clean fantasy” books for readers who are uncomfortable reading fantasy novels with sexually explicit content, too much blood and guts, and one too many f-bombs.
The following list of “clean fantasy” books has been collected from a number of recent reviews, forum discussions and other lists. They are all novels that have been published in the past ten years (approximately).
The reason for choosing recent books is that fantasy (especially high or epic fantasy) is traditionally lacking in explicit content. Recent fantasy novels (e.g. Game of Thrones) have intentionally moved away from this tradition. And many readers seem to appreciate this.
However, this list demonstrates that there is still an appetite for fantasy novels that do not contain explicit or gratuitous sex, violence, or profanity.
The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Rangers Apprentice
by John A. Flanagan
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Spindle
by W. R. Gingell
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Forest Born
by Shannon Hale
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Chalice
by Robin McKinley
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Sabriel
by Garth Nix
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Dawn of Wonder
by Jonathan Renshaw
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Mistborn
by Brandon Sanderson
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Ryria Chronicles
by Michael J. Sullivan
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Muirwood
by Jeff Wheeler
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
We consider Across the Fourwinds “clean” but another new classification might be “noblebright.” Read more about noblebright here.
Across the Fourwinds
by Shane Trusz and Darryl Frayne
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Please add your favourite clean fantasy novels in the comments below. Try to keep your suggestions to recently published novels. For example, most readers would consider The Chronicles of Narnia “clean fantasy.”
October 23, 2017
7 New Portal Fantasy Series for Teen and Adult Readers
What is Portal Fantasy?
One of the classic forms of fantasy literature is portal fantasy. Depending on the specific nature of the book, similar genres include cross world fantasy, alternate universe stories, and parallel worlds fiction (often sci-fi rather than fantasy).
Generally speaking, portal fantasy novels are stories that introduce a character living in our world, minding their own business (or perhaps sticking their curious noses where they shouldn’t). Either intentionally or quite by accident, characters pass through a portal—a doorway, a rabbit hole, a wardrobe, or a brick wall in a London train station—and are magically transported into another world or alternate reality.
You’re likely familiar with some of the popular portal stories, depending on your age. You might have fond memories of Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia captivated your childhood imagination. In recent years, J. K. Rowling introduced a new generation to portal fantasy books (and perhaps to reading in general!) with her popular Harry Potter series.
Are portal fantasy stories still popular?
Some say portal fantasy is now cliché. They think readers are bored with characters who fall through magical doorways into fantastical places. Readers of fantasy, they say, prefer to escape into another world without needing to worry about a character who needs to return to our world.
However, these types of stories continue to captivate and entertain us, young and old. Recent film adaptations of best-selling portal fantasy books suggest that it’s not only children who like to follow a main character down a rabbit hole. Classic examples of fantasy novels adapted for the big screen include Harry Potter for younger audiences, and Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series for adult audiences. Additionally, examples of popular TV series based on fantasy books include Game of Thrones and The Shannara Chronicles (both are fantasy, but not portal fantasy).
If you’ve read our new book (or even if you’ve only read the synopsis), you know that Across the Fourwinds is based on an important “portal” that Will and Morgan discover in the Arden Forest.
Of course, I’m biased with regard to portal fantasy—or action-adventure fantasy, as I prefer to call Across the Fourwinds—but there is evidence that readers are as interested as always in portal fantasy stories. As one reader recently said, “As long as it’s a good story, it doesn’t matter if people label the genre cliché.” So true!
A few examples of modern portal fantasy stories
If you share my interest in portal fantasy, you might be interested in one of the following fantasy book series. All of them share the classic storyline where the protagonist ventures in and out of—and often back again—a fantasy world. Most of these are recently published. And as you’ll discover, the variety demonstrates the appeal of portal fantasy books to readers of all ages.
Please note: this is not a review of these books. They are on my “to read” list (I’ve started one of the series already). I’m listing these merely to illustrate my belief that portal fantasy is alive and well. And I have a suspicion that I’m not alone in wanting more great portal fantasy stories. While I work my way through as many of these as I can, I’ll review them and look for reader comments.
The Magicians
by Lev Grossman
I’m starting the list with this series because the target audience is slightly more mature (e.g. college age and up). And yet, The Magicians trilogy looks like an entirely appropriate read for young adults and adults who enjoyed the worlds of Hogwarts and Narnia.
Book 1: The Magicians
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Basic description…
Quentin Coldwater loved reading fantasy books as a child. As a high school student, he’s admitted to a secret college of magic, which is initially pretty exciting. But he is soon disappointed and disillusioned. Then he learns of the dark history of the magical land of Fillory.
Reviewers say…
Most reviewers highly recommend this series to fans of Narnia and Harry Potter who are now adults. Each book gets progressively better (book 3 was a NY Times bestseller).
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 2: The Magician King
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Basic description…
Quentin, now king of Fillory, is restless. He and his friend Julia set off looking for adventure, but end up back in the real world. Together, they work to find their way back to Fillory.
Reviewers say…
“The Magician King is a rare achievement, a book that simultaneously criticizes and celebrates our deep desire for fantasy.”
—The Boston Globe
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 3: The Magician’s Land
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Basic description…
Quentin Coldwater gets kicked out of Fillory and returns to the College of Magic. He embarks on another epic adventure, in a grand effort to recreate Fillory.
Reviewers say…
“Richly imagined and continually surprising…The Magician’s Land is the strongest book in Grossman’s series..”
—The New York Times Book Review
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
The Fourline Trilogy
by Pam Brondos
Readers who enjoy The Magicians might also be interested in following Natalie Barns, a college student who is called upon to help a mysterious group of people in a magical realm known as Fourline. What hooked me with this story is the very believable setting and protagonist. If you ever lived as a poor college student, struggling to keep your grades up while working part-time to finance your education, and trying to maintain commotion with family and friends, you’ll sympathize with Nat.
Book 1: Gateway to Fourline
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Basic description…
Natalie Barns, a struggling college student finds a part-time job at a costume shop to help pay tuition. When she goes through the mysterious door in the backroom of the shop, her world is turned upside-down.
Reviewers say…
See Amazon reviews.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 2: On the Meldon Plain
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Basic description…
Natalie has returned from Fourline, but she’s a mess. Looking for healing and answers, she returns to the costume shop and discovers she is needed back in Fourline.
Reviewers say…
See Amazon reviews.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 3: The Last Remnant
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Basic description…
After Natalie is forced from Fourline, she longs to return to help in the struggle against its evil dictator. The situation is dire when she finally returns to Fourline in the battle against the Nala.
Reviewers say…
See Amazon reviews.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
The Hidden Sea Tales trilogy
by A. M. Dellamonica
If you like to add a swashbuckling pirate adventure element to your fantasy world, you might be interested in diving in after twenty-four-year-old Sophie Hansa and discovering the world of Stormwrack. But don’t be too swayed by the pirate-y potential of this series; there’s more to it than that. I’ve noticed many Goodreads reviewers commenting on the slower pacing of these novels but enjoying the writing style and the development of the protagonist’s relationships and self-identity.
Book 1: Child of a Hidden Sea
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Basic description…
The story begins with twenty-four-year-old Sophie Hansa in a San Francisco alley trying to save the life of a woman she believes is her aunt. She falls into the water and enters of an unfamiliar world known as Stormwrack.
Reviewers say…
“This was a solid, enjoyable book, entirely appreciable on its own while setting up interesting hooks for future installments.”―NPR
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 2: A Daughter of No Nation
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Basic description…
Sophie Hansa returns to our world, but longs to return to Stormwrack, frustrated that she cannot talk to anyone about her adventures. Suddenly, Garland Parrish shows up and Sophie is back to Stormwrack.
Reviewers say…
See Amazon reviews.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 3: The Nature of a Pirate
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Basic description…
Some ships within the Fleet of Nations are magically sunk and Sophie is called upon to uncover the mystery.
Reviewers say…
See Amazon reviews.
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
The Magonia Series
by Maria Dahvana Headley
From college and adult readers, I make a slight shift to a younger audience. With this shift, we move from the high seas up above the clouds beyond our atmosphere to the magical world of Magonia.
Book 1: Magonia
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Basic description…
This is the story of 16-year-old Aza Ray, who struggles to survive—to breathe in fact—in our world, despite the best efforts of modern medicine. Aza appears to die on her sixteenth birthday, but awakens in the non-human world of Magonia. Book one is a “story about a girl caught between two worlds . . . two races . . . and two destinies.”
Reviewers say…
“Magonia is magical. A high-flying, refreshing, and literally out-of-the-blue fantasy with great characters, emotional depth, and a unique fantasy world that I never saw coming.”
—Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times Best selling author of Red Queen
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Book 2: Aerie
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Basic description…
Aza Ray returns to earth, but soon finds herself on a journey to the edge of the world, forced to choose between “two families, two homes—and two versions of herself.”
Reviewers say…
“Gorgeous, hopeful, heroic, as far-out fantastical as a lost Bowie song—a wild and wonderful novel that makes you glad to be alive.” (Libba Bray, New York Times bestselling author of Lair of Dreams)
Find it on Amazon.ca or on Amazon.com
Manifold Worlds series
by Foz Meadows
Based on a reading of Goodreads reviews, the target audience is a bit confusing on this one. Some say the content is more suitable for adult readers. Others say that the characters and themes appeal only to teens. Probably one way to know for sure is to read it. 
October 7, 2017
Across the Fourwinds book launch
Across the Fourwinds is finally ready for purchase! Watch this video announcement, then find out where you can buy the book.
In this vlog, I introduce a very special partnership that will change a part of the world with every book we sell.
The post Across the Fourwinds book launch appeared first on The Maidstone Chronicles.
August 28, 2017
Vlog – Book launch update!
Across the Fourwinds was supposed to launch Thursday August 24th but there were a few delays on the distribution side. Looking good for this coming week!
