The Chimera & The Grail Tree

The Chronicles of Noe #1

by Corlis C Fraga

Thirteen-year-old Enelope Noe is a Chimera of legend. It makes no difference that she doesn’t resemble the three-headed monster most people expect. Enee is a Chimera—a Chimera on a mission to steal a priceless Grail Stone for a chance at a better life for her family. But as Enee approaches her goal, she gains a power unheard of among Chimeras. Or is it? Suddenly, the world is not what Enee has been led to believe. A history of forgotten horrors unravels the truth behind this newfound gift, casting doubt on everything Enee has been told about who she is. But if Enee accepts these abilities for her family’s sake, can she bear the cost of uncovering a destiny far greater than anyone thought possible?

296 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2025

About the author

Corlis C Fraga lives amid the old magic of Connecticut’s wetlands. Even as her eclectic resume has evolved—whether earning a master’s degree in the Rare Book and Digital Humanities, preserving Tibetan sacred texts as a bindery operator, or nurturing plants in a heritage greenhouse—her mission remains the same as the child raised to run where the wild things are: to be a storyteller who inspires others to believe in the power of limitless wonder.

Reviews

[Country Mama]

The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and the Grail Tree by Corlis C Fraga is a young adult fantasy novel about our FMC who is Enelope Noe, a Chimera who is 2301 of her family line of Chimeras. Enee doesn't resemble any of the other Chimera's in her family, with one head and some peach fuzz. She has some Chimera traits but not a huge amount. The book opens with Enee climbing up the Grail Tree and she makes a mark as she has done before only this time instead of sap, there is black goop that oozes out. However she tries to climb down the tree and falls and she breaks her arm and is taken to Dr. Sable the healer. I loved the story of Enee who feels that she just can not measure up to her mom and the others Chimera's in her family. That was an interesting part of story as it shares a message for kids. It is okay to be someone different from your parents, you are. Just be you! I also loved how the author put a great friendship between Pemprin and Enee into this story. “Friendships don't last...A Chimera's friendship does.” My absolute favorite line in this book. It is a great book overall and I have to say a well written YA fantasy for kids of all ages. I highly recommend this one! I hope there will be others in a series but if not this was a great stand alone book also!

[Sara Hill]

I didn't want it to end.

A good read with a beautiful story, and strong hearted characters. I look forward to the next book in this series!!

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm)]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📖 love YA fantasy
💨 are looking for a quick read
🧒🏼 have young readers at home
❤️ enjoy stories about friendship

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Thirteen-year-old Enelope Noe is a Chimera of legend. It makes no difference that she doesn’t resemble the three-headed monster most people expect. Enee is a Chimera—a Chimera on a mission to steal a priceless Grail Stone for a chance at a better life for her family. But as Enee approaches her goal, she gains a power unheard of among Chimeras. Or is it? Suddenly, the world is not what Enee has been led to believe. A history of forgotten horrors unravels the truth behind this newfound gift, casting doubt on everything Enee has been told about who she is. But if Enee accepts these abilities for her family’s sake, can she bear the cost of uncovering a destiny far greater than anyone thought possible?

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a great YA fantasy book about friendship and feeling like you’re too different to fit in. Enee doesn’t feel like a real Chimera because she doesn’t really look like any of her family members, and I think this book does a great job of highlighting how we don’t need to look the same to feel like we belong. This is a great lesson in every aspect of life, not just family! I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

[Sarah P Blanchard]

Enelope (Enee) is a thirteen-year-old chimera who can't seem to stay out of trouble as she struggles to learn how to wield her new-found magic without breaking everything she touches. Accompanied everywhere by her familiar (the forest-oblin Arc), and nearly everywhere by her best friend Pemprin, a by-the-book High Mage in training, Enee sets out to find (steal?) a priceless Grail Stone that may give her disgraced family a better life. Impulsive, sympathetic, and steadfastly loyal to friends and family, Enee does her best to simultaneously fit in and rise above the complicated magical world of the Mundus as she learns way more about herself, her family, and the darkest secrets of the world she's bound to.

This is a lovely, funny, compassionate coming-of-age story with vivid characters in a sharply drawn world of mythical creatures and dark and dangerous magic. A great read for lovers of YA fantasy!

[Aemilia Lester]

This is a beautiful written story, full of magic, mystery, friendship, and destiny. I was impressed with the Incredibly diverse community of mystical and legendary creatures. The author seamlessly integrates fantasy and whimsy with the relatable bits of the real world. While reading it I found myself laughing, sometimes almost crying, and often thinking “just one more chapter.” I can’t wait to read the rest of the chronicles.