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Bartholomew the Adventurer #2
The Thirteenth Monk
"...the metaphysical adventures of Bartholomew Rabbit...""A homogeneous blend of Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland, these stories are well worth the effort to really read them. They speak to any age and any level of enlightenment.""Unique, charming, humorous, whimsy, lovely, and gently philosophical. Not since Watership Down have rabbits come alive as heroes and villains."The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy is a story of spiritual transformation wrapped in a romping tale of adventure set in the far distant future after humans have vanished from the planet. The protagonist is a rather silly and self centered rabbit named Bartholomew who sets out in search of a missing object which he is unable to describe or name. Along the way he meets his adventuring companion, Oliver T. Rabbit, a brilliant scientist who also undergoes a deep transformation in the trilogy, coming to understand that there is no magic, only science, whether it’s time travel, parallel dimensions, manifesting physical objects with thoughts, or reincarnation. Their adventures take them to lost cities, parallel universes and other planets, along the way meeting a host of memorable characters including ancient robotic rabbits, the Tree of Eyes, the Singing Monks of Nirriim, the Blue Spectre, Edmund the Explorer, etc. By the end of the third book Bartholomew Rabbit has transformed into a fully awakened and enlightened being.The Thirteenth MonkOliver T. Rabbit develops a revolutionary new invention and Edmund the Rabbiton develops an inexplicable new phobia. When Edmund unwittingly opens an interdimensional doorway, Bartholomew, Oliver, and Edmund are pulled into the strange world of Nirriim. Edmund encounters the enigmatic thirteen Blue Monks, Master Singers of Nirriim and relives a life changing traumatic event which occurred fifteen hundred years ago during the Anarkkian Wars. With help from Ennzarr the Red Monk, the eerie Blue Spectre, and two unlikely treasure hunters named Thunder and Lightning, the three adventurers must find the lost Seventh Key and defeat the inconceivably powerful Wyrme of Deth or be trapped forever in the world of Nirriim.Excerpt from The Thirteenth “Edmund, I am the Thirteenth Monk, and I am going to tell you a story that may help you understand the true nature of the song we will sing for you. When you hear the story it may sound familiar to you, as though you have heard it before, perhaps a very long time ago when you were young, or even before then.” Edmund closed his eyes, listening to the calm, soothing voice of the Thirteenth Monk.“There was once a bunny who lived by the ocean. Every day he would stroll along the sandy beach and pick up thoughts which had washed ashore. He would find them in shells, under rocks, and sometimes even tangled in seaweed. "Oh, this is a good one,” he would say, “we see chaos, but if we look carefully, if we look beneath the chaos, we find order and perfection." And into his bucket the thought would go. When the bunny had reached a ripe old age he gathered all the thoughts together and placed them carefully into a large silver cauldron heated by the fires of life. Using a straw broom, he stirred them thoroughly, and as he was stirring he listened carefully. Much to his surprise he heard the ocean singing a wordless song of incomparable beauty. The bunny closed his eyes and said, “Ah, it was all worth it.”The Blue Monk stood up. “We will sing for you now, Edmund. It is the ocean’s wordless song of incomparable beauty. It is the song of the universe, the song of your past, the song of your future, the song of life.”Edmund’s eyes were still closed when he heard the first Blue Monk sing.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
328 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2015
56 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Tom Hoffman
26 books37 followersA veteran author of thrilling young adult and middle grade adventure stories, Tom Hoffman received a B.S. in psychology from Georgetown University and a B.A from the now-defunct Oregon College of Art. He has lived in Alaska with his wife Alexis since 1973. They have two adult children and four amazing grandchildren. Tom has been a graphic designer and artist for over 35 years. Redirecting his imagination from art to writing, he wrote his first novel, The Eleventh Ring, at age 63.
The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse adventures are multi-leveled stories and have been compared to classics such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and Neverending Story. The books were written for his grandchildren to first enjoy as thrilling adventure tales; then as adults to discover the underlying themes of ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, quantum physics, and spirituality. A common theme is the idea that there is no magic, only science we don't understand. The books were written to provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see all life as a single force, all life equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!
Visit me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Hoffman-...
The Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy and the Orville Wellington Mouse adventures are multi-leveled stories and have been compared to classics such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, and Neverending Story. The books were written for his grandchildren to first enjoy as thrilling adventure tales; then as adults to discover the underlying themes of ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, quantum physics, and spirituality. A common theme is the idea that there is no magic, only science we don't understand. The books were written to provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see all life as a single force, all life equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!
Visit me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Hoffman-...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 24, 2015
The Eleventh Ring
The Thirteenth Monk
Who wouldn’t love Bartholomew? He is kind, gentle and unassuming. He engages the reader at the beginning of his adventures, and holds them in place throughout the entire experience of both of his books. The stories are laced with wisdom that the reader would be wise to contemplate.
There are two ways to enjoy and absorb these stories and the precious characters Tom has skillfully woven through each episode. You can read the books quickly from beginning to end, but you might not really understand the messages, or you can read to a point, take a break and think about the tid-bits of wisdom that sparkle and shine throughout.
A homogenous blend of Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland, these stories are well worth the effort to really read them. They speak to any age and any level of enlightenment.
I sincerely hope there is a third book of adventures in the series.
Sharon D. Anderson, Visionary Fiction Author
The Thirteenth Monk
Who wouldn’t love Bartholomew? He is kind, gentle and unassuming. He engages the reader at the beginning of his adventures, and holds them in place throughout the entire experience of both of his books. The stories are laced with wisdom that the reader would be wise to contemplate.
There are two ways to enjoy and absorb these stories and the precious characters Tom has skillfully woven through each episode. You can read the books quickly from beginning to end, but you might not really understand the messages, or you can read to a point, take a break and think about the tid-bits of wisdom that sparkle and shine throughout.
A homogenous blend of Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland, these stories are well worth the effort to really read them. They speak to any age and any level of enlightenment.
I sincerely hope there is a third book of adventures in the series.
Sharon D. Anderson, Visionary Fiction Author
July 14, 2017
"The Thirteenth Monk" is the second sequel in Tom Hoffman’s Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy.
In this book, the lovable Bartholomew is gaining quite a reputation as a “shaper.” Others are in awe of him for having confronted the Grymmorian King Oberon and passed safely through the Valley of Pterosaurs. But there is something missing from Bartholomew’s life. When he learns what it is, he begins a mystical transformation that will fuel his next adventure. On their return to the Valley of Pterosaurs to find Professor Bruno Rabbit’s house, Bartholomew, Oliver T. Rabbit and Edmund are pulled into the strange, dark world of Nirrum. There they must find a lost key and defeat the villain, Wyrme of Deth, or be trapped in Nirrum forever.
Like the first book in the series, “The Eleventh Ring,” this one is beautifully written and edited. Tom Hoffman’s metaphysical adventure is made delightful through a zany cast of characters and sparkling dialogue. In fiction, it is rare to see the masterful blending of action with mystical and scientific themes. Perhaps Tom gives us a signpost when he writes: “Many events must unfold in their proper order before you will understand the truth that lies beneath his actions,” the Cavern of Silence tells Bartholomew, concerning his friend Edmund. The novel’s tone is playful, crisp, clean, tongue-in-cheek. No sexual innuendo, no graphic violence, no pessimism. I recommend it, as well as Tom’s other books, to fluent readers of all ages, intrepid readers with inquiring minds! Stay tuned: I’m on my way now to read the third book of the trilogy, “The Seventh Medallion.”
Grateful thanks to Tom Hoffman for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, the lovable Bartholomew is gaining quite a reputation as a “shaper.” Others are in awe of him for having confronted the Grymmorian King Oberon and passed safely through the Valley of Pterosaurs. But there is something missing from Bartholomew’s life. When he learns what it is, he begins a mystical transformation that will fuel his next adventure. On their return to the Valley of Pterosaurs to find Professor Bruno Rabbit’s house, Bartholomew, Oliver T. Rabbit and Edmund are pulled into the strange, dark world of Nirrum. There they must find a lost key and defeat the villain, Wyrme of Deth, or be trapped in Nirrum forever.
Like the first book in the series, “The Eleventh Ring,” this one is beautifully written and edited. Tom Hoffman’s metaphysical adventure is made delightful through a zany cast of characters and sparkling dialogue. In fiction, it is rare to see the masterful blending of action with mystical and scientific themes. Perhaps Tom gives us a signpost when he writes: “Many events must unfold in their proper order before you will understand the truth that lies beneath his actions,” the Cavern of Silence tells Bartholomew, concerning his friend Edmund. The novel’s tone is playful, crisp, clean, tongue-in-cheek. No sexual innuendo, no graphic violence, no pessimism. I recommend it, as well as Tom’s other books, to fluent readers of all ages, intrepid readers with inquiring minds! Stay tuned: I’m on my way now to read the third book of the trilogy, “The Seventh Medallion.”
Grateful thanks to Tom Hoffman for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2015
Brilliant second in a series book that features Edmund the Rabbiton solving a problem most robotic rabbits don't experience: fear.
The author explores some pretty deep ideas with his furry and not so furry characters. LOVE this.
The author explores some pretty deep ideas with his furry and not so furry characters. LOVE this.
June 30, 2015
The Thirteenth Monk
Five stars! Unique, charming, humorous, whimsy, lovely, and gently philisophical. Not since Watership Down have rabbits come alive as heroes and villains. A retro-world of the nineteenth century more' juxtaposed over a multidimensional, time jumping tale of adventure. If the idea of reincarnation doesn't dissuade you from reading a delightful old time adventure story this series hits the nail on the head. Don't expect gratuitous bloodletting, violence and sex. There is much more than enough of that written and plastered across multiple medias today and snowballing through our society. But if you want to chuckle, scratch your head and think a time or two about what reality is and what's truly important this series will entertain you! Will this make a great animated movie? YES, YES, YES!
Five stars! Unique, charming, humorous, whimsy, lovely, and gently philisophical. Not since Watership Down have rabbits come alive as heroes and villains. A retro-world of the nineteenth century more' juxtaposed over a multidimensional, time jumping tale of adventure. If the idea of reincarnation doesn't dissuade you from reading a delightful old time adventure story this series hits the nail on the head. Don't expect gratuitous bloodletting, violence and sex. There is much more than enough of that written and plastered across multiple medias today and snowballing through our society. But if you want to chuckle, scratch your head and think a time or two about what reality is and what's truly important this series will entertain you! Will this make a great animated movie? YES, YES, YES!
December 9, 2016
This series is filled with fascinating beings and almost fairy-like events, a combination of Beatrix Potter, Alice in Wonderland and books on metaphysics. This is the second book in the series.
Bartholomew and Clara Rabbit have moved back to Lepus Hollow. Edmund the Rabbiton takes center stage in this book. Oliver has worked on a new invention and they go to see the Valley of Pterosaurs. They go to another world and things start going bad.
There's more interaction with the blue monks. Edmund has to face his greatest fear (ants, but this time absolutely huge ones!) and they have to find the 7th key. There's also something very similar to astral projection, an underground city, a giant something that tears apart their flying device and a battle that took place long ago.
There's also some metaphysical statements which I like which include:
All living creatures are many, but one.
There is a deep purpose in all things and in all forms, and we are meant to be shaped by both our forms and our experiences.
There's even an insult which I particularly liked when they refer to something nasty:
...look like they got marinated for ten years in ugly sauce.
The series, including this book, is just delightful and that's the best word I can figure to describe it.
Bartholomew and Clara Rabbit have moved back to Lepus Hollow. Edmund the Rabbiton takes center stage in this book. Oliver has worked on a new invention and they go to see the Valley of Pterosaurs. They go to another world and things start going bad.
There's more interaction with the blue monks. Edmund has to face his greatest fear (ants, but this time absolutely huge ones!) and they have to find the 7th key. There's also something very similar to astral projection, an underground city, a giant something that tears apart their flying device and a battle that took place long ago.
There's also some metaphysical statements which I like which include:
All living creatures are many, but one.
There is a deep purpose in all things and in all forms, and we are meant to be shaped by both our forms and our experiences.
There's even an insult which I particularly liked when they refer to something nasty:
...look like they got marinated for ten years in ugly sauce.
The series, including this book, is just delightful and that's the best word I can figure to describe it.
December 15, 2015
Five Stars - Readers' Favorite Review by Micaela Alpert
"I absolutely loved The Thirteenth Monk. It was a great read, and I didn't want it to end. I hope that Hoffman writes a sequel. Hoffman did a great job making sure everything was thorough and comprehensible. The plot was one of the best that I have ever read, and I am thinking of buying this book for myself to read over and over again. I would also like to share this book with family and friends, and I hope other readers will do so too. I definitely recommend this to all those YA readers out there who love adventure stories. Also recommended for those who like fantasy and a tad of mystery."
"I absolutely loved The Thirteenth Monk. It was a great read, and I didn't want it to end. I hope that Hoffman writes a sequel. Hoffman did a great job making sure everything was thorough and comprehensible. The plot was one of the best that I have ever read, and I am thinking of buying this book for myself to read over and over again. I would also like to share this book with family and friends, and I hope other readers will do so too. I definitely recommend this to all those YA readers out there who love adventure stories. Also recommended for those who like fantasy and a tad of mystery."
March 9, 2016
This may be a really good book but somehow right now I'm not in a place to, cute as they are, form any emotional attachment to anthropomorphic rabbits and rats as protagonists. Strange, because I thoroughly enjoyed the Redwall books. Maybe some other time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews