"...the metaphysical adventures of Bartholomew Rabbit...""...an irresistible and intriguing adventure...""...a fine work of Visionary Fiction...""...The Alchemist meets The Hobbit, but with rabbits..."" 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."Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy has 55 ratings on Goodreads and Amazon / 4.51 starsThe 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 Seventh MedallionA Quintarian Science Guild survey ship makes a terrifying discovery on Thaumatar, home planet of the original World Door builders. Thunder sees a mysterious flickering white mouse on the Island of Blue Monks while Bartholomew and his trusted companions Edmund the Rabbiton and Oliver travel to the lost city of Cathne in search of Madam Beffy’s missing father. With help from Captain Mudgeon of the Quintarian Naval Armada and a six foot tall alien grasshopper name Hoppy, Clara, Thunder, and Lightning must find the six silver medallions hidden beneath shadowy Tenebra Military Prison on Betshannk Island. Together, Bartholomew and his entire crew of stalwart adventuring companions must solve the riddle of the impossibly powerful and deadly Black Sphere before it brings an end to their universe.
A 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!
"The Seventh Medallion" is Tom Hoffman's third sequel in the Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy.
As in the first and second books, Bartholomew is accompanied by an undeniably charming cast of creatures. This time, he embarks on a treacherous journey to the forgotten land of Cathne to rescue a missing treasure hunter. But there is the matter of finding the World Door first. And once they are through the door, there is the problem of ending up on a very small island in a very big sea. One thing after another comes up to subvert Bartholomew’s original plan. Eventually he becomes embroiled in a plot to solve an even greater problem, that of a gargantuan Black Sphere that threatens to destroy the universe.
Bartholomew has become philosophical enough by now to understand that all events are “connected,” and reality is no more solid than a dream.
“If this is a dream, and I’m quite certain it is, the laws of physics and motion do not apply.”
As in the two previous books, Bartholomew’s wiser cohorts tutor him in the shamanic arts. In fits and starts, he has begun to master levitation, reading minds, shaping objects out of his imagination and passing through solid things like trees.
Tom Hoffman succeeds beautifully at taking science fiction beyond established conventions. Who would have thought to blend shamanism with quantum physics? While this book is a part of a trilogy, I feel this one stands on its own, even for those who are not familiar with shamanic arts or quantum theories. While hinting at deeper meanings, it is a playful story, well-written and edited, funny, irreverent, and entertaining. And, holy, prescient grasshoppers, he’s just released another book: Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Clockwork Glowbirds (Orville Wellington Mouse Book 1)!!!
Grateful thanks to Tom Hoffman for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Five star Review By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite " ...an exhilarating and rollicking adventure tale that chronicles the obstacles, perils and challenges the two sets of questers face. One group is involved in a rescue adventure, while the other is racing against time to save the universe from destruction, and the two stories merge together beautifully. The author lovingly crafts his characters and the worlds they inhabit, and the progress each character makes throughout the trilogy is inspirational and moving. I had a marvelous time reading The Seventh Medallion. It's most highly recommended." Five star review from Readers' Favorite "Having read Tom Hoffman's first book from the Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy, I was reminded how fascinating this series is. Hoffman provides a wonderfully constructed arc in the plot, be it character development or the balance between humor, adventure or idealistic viewpoint, all delivered with flawless prose as expected. On the whole, another irresistible read from the series." Five stars from Readers' Favorite "I was alternately reminded of Star Wars and Star Trek as well as tales from Norse, Greek, and Indian mythology. There is a very metaphysical side to The Seventh Medallion, but it doesn't get in the way of the sheer fun and adventure of Bartholomew, Edward the Rabbiton, Hoppy the grasshopper, Thunder, Lightning, Clara, Oliver T. Rabbit, and a host of other colorful and delightful characters as they set out to save the people they care about and the entire universe as well. The Seventh Medallion is a wonderful and magical tale which will delight generations of readers for years to come. Tom Hoffman has created a classic."
This is the third novel in the series about sentient rabbits, robot rabbits, giant spiders, tech and the possible end of the entire universe.
There are two teams of adventures in this novel. One has Clara, Thunder. Lightning and the mother of one of the a characters. Their task? Prevent the ending of the universe. They find a piece of ancient tech, a black sphere, that slowly enlarges in size. It absorbs life and eventually, if not stopped, will totally destroy the universe they are all in. The solution? Get it into something called the void.
The second team consists of Edmund, Bartholomew, Oliver and Renata. Their task? Find the missing husband of the woman who makes he eclairs that Oliver likes so much. To do that they have to journey into something that is sort of like a series of subway stations that lead to other places. They have to keep moving forward as their return is blocked.
Bartholomew continues to develop in his mental abilities. All the characters, including his, are well done.