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Legend of The East Road

(The Roads of Luhonono #1)

Hamilton Hill (Goodreads Author)

4.62 · Rating details · 34 ratings · 25 reviews

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION
The amazing adventures of three would-be adventurers and their quest to find a mysterious princess.

THE LIVING
When engineers start to build roads in Luhonono, strange things begin to happen. Ancient spirit legends start speaking to thirteen year old Magdalene sending her and her two companions, Peter and Gimbo on a mysterious mission. They soon discover ...more

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Paperback, 368 pages

Published October 1st 2015 by Finerose Publishing

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· 34 ratings · 25 reviews

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Nov 30, 2015 K.J. Simmill rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Although this book itself is classed as Middle grade fiction (8-12 year old) I have no shame in saying as an adult of thirty something I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story follows the adventures of Magdalene, Peter, and Gimbo. What starts as a quest to spy on a princess becomes an engrossing, time-pressured mission to oppose the dark plans of an evil witch doctor known as Moja, who seeks to turn the Unseen into his own personal army of demons.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style, it is very ...more

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Nov 25, 2015 Vanessa Kings rated it it was amazing

On “The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of The East Road” by Hamilton Hill we are introduced to Magdalene, Peter and Gimbo, three tweens that go through many adventures together.
While they try to prevent an evil witchdoctor from casting a malicious spell, they will have to face magic beings and wild animals on their attempt to travel across Africa to find the four spirit legends that could help them fight against Moja.
This was a very entertaining story, full of surprises and with well developed, delig ...more

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Jun 15, 2018 litandcoffee rated it really liked it

The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of The East Road by Hamilton Hill is a book aimed at middle graders. Legend of the East Road tells the story of three friends - Mags, Gimbo and Peter as they take their journey through Africa, while trying to save their village from a wicked witch doctor. The author combined facts with fiction and gives the book a realistic take.

I’ve a read a few other books (general fiction) set in Africa, but ‘The East Road’, despite being a middle grade fiction scores better when The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of The East Road by Hamilton Hill is a book aimed at middle graders. Legend of the East Road tells the story of three friends - Mags, Gimbo and Peter as they take their journey through Africa, while trying to save their village from a wicked witch doctor. The author combined facts with fiction and gives the book a realistic take.

I’ve a read a few other books (general fiction) set in Africa, but ‘The East Road’, despite being a middle grade fiction scores better when it comes to vivid description of the African Continent. The portrayl of traditional parts of Africa which are still untouched by modernisation of technology, where the ancient traditions and beliefs are still largely a part of people’s every day life, is simply intriguing.

The author’s vivid details made me fall in love with the rich African landscape. Until now I’ve not thought much about Africa but now I want to visit the continent.
The story is less of magic and more of adventure: there are real animals, the age-old African myths and adrenaline-packed quests of three pre-teens.

The characterization is good. Right from the beginning, as a reader, you can connect with all the characters in the book. There are no awkward few pages of getting-to-know the people: they come and blend right in. The author has knack to breath life into his characters.

There’s one thing I would like to mention. As the book is aimed at middle graders, its length and the vivid details can make children wary early in the story. I just wish Mags, Peter and Gimbo were older and not pre-teens, their adventures accordingly and the book was aimed at young adults. That way the vivid descriptions which are one of the strongest part of the book would, in no way, halt the pace of the story.

When all is said and done, this book should be on shelves in all school libraries. It is educational, very informative and should be on to-read shelf of every child. This is a book I recommend to all parents: there couldn’t be a better way to teach children about Africa!

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Aug 13, 2016 Gloria Antypowich rated it it was amazing

The cover of this book captured my attention when I saw it on Twitter. I was also fascinated by the way the author was marketing it with a brilliant creation of appealing picture ads, so I decided to buy the paperback book—unusual for me because I usually only read on my Kindle. My intent was to read it and then give it to my 15 and 18-year-old grandchildren, who are avid readers.
There were many things about this book that I enjoyed. First off, I loved that it was set in Africa-not modern Africa The cover of this book captured my attention when I saw it on Twitter. I was also fascinated by the way the author was marketing it with a brilliant creation of appealing picture ads, so I decided to buy the paperback book—unusual for me because I usually only read on my Kindle. My intent was to read it and then give it to my 15 and 18-year-old grandchildren, who are avid readers.
There were many things about this book that I enjoyed. First off, I loved that it was set in Africa-not modern Africa that has been westernized, but in the outer areas when you could believe that ancient traditions and beliefs (witch doctors, etc) still are part of life. I loved the characters, who inspite of their varied backgrounds, became fast friends: Peter, who came from the outside world and had no idea about the customs and traditions of native Africa, Gimbo who is an African native and Magdalene who is a naturalized citizen.
Hill skillfully created a story line that makes the reader aware of the very real physical aspects of the country and it’s wildlife, as well as the myths and ancient traditions of the natives. Gimbo and Megs have fun introducing Peter to Africa, but both Gimbo and Peter question Megs ability to connect with invisible spirits. Peter is determined to become as in-tune with this new world as his new friends. I had to chuckle when they were looking for “the princess.” Also, I was captivated when the spirit as led Megs to the poachers and gave her guidance to protect the three friends from the evil witch doctor.

This was a “really cool” book from my point of view, and I am a senior. Unfortunately, my teenage grandchildren read more “popular” books—futuristic series with vampires and walkers – and they have not been drawn to read The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of The East Road. However, their mother, (my 52 yr old daughter), read it and thought it was very good. She believed that tweens would really enjoy it, as well as early teens who have not been introduced to more advanced reading from a young age.

I highly recommend this book, and when school opens in September, I am going to donate my paperback copy to our local elementary school. I know the children will really enjoy it.

...more

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Oct 07, 2015 Camille Chinn rated it it was amazing

The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of The East Road by Hamilton Hill is a great book aimed at young adults. This book can resonate with anyone over the age of 9. The Roads of Luhonono Follows three friends,Gimbo, Mags, and Peter as they chronicle their journey through Africa,while trying to save their village from an evil witch doctor. Author Hamilton Hill, used fiction and non-fiction in his description of events, characters and locations giving this book a realistic take while breathing life into h ...more

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Dec 07, 2015 Ankit Saxena rated it liked it

Shelves: mine, giveaway, 2016, friendship, mystery-thriller

I got this novel in giveaway and it took a lot for me and Author to let it reach to me safely.

Though, This Book was really a good to read novel.

I really enjoyed it. In starting it seems to me as the one which need more focus because of the Names and terms used in it, but with more and more pages that issue went away and I started feeling familiar with the story. Mr. Hill had done a good job for us to read and enjoy. The story is drafted so well and keeps the thrill and suspense for hat will happ ...more

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Oct 10, 2016 Trista Borgwardt rated it really liked it

This book was fantastic and I didn't even know it was graded for middle grade fiction until I started writing this review.

Peter arrives in the village where Magdalene and Gimbo live and they immediately start adventuring together. They start out by spying on the princess, which is where the story takes its first twist. These three fast become best friends and its not long before Magdalene reveals her secrets to Peter who thinks she is a little loony.

The story keeps a steady pace and introduces ...more

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Oct 04, 2015 Jim Flannigan rated it it was amazing

I was invested in Gimbo and Peter’s friendship from the start. And, Mags is a delight. I used to dream of going on African safari’s as a child, and this book gave me the opportunity, in a way, to do so. It is filled with magic, and spirits- both good and evil. It tells of Baobab, Mopani and Jackleberry trees- clay balls and billy-tins. The dream sequences are mystical, and I really couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. My favorite part involved Gimbo telling Peter what to do when he ...more

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Oct 11, 2015 Mark rated it it was amazing

I actually originally downloaded this book for my niece who loves action adventures, but I ended up reading this one myself. I loved the story line and I thought that the book was really interesting. This is quite the adventure story that takes place in Africa. I loved the setting and I thought that the author did a great job with making it seem very vivid and I felt as though I was right there in the middle of the scenery. The book follows 3 characters along on their adventure. Magadelene, Gimb ...more

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Oct 10, 2015 John rated it it was amazing

The début novel by Hamilton Hill is a rousing paranormal adventure that truly has no comparisons. It’s filled with magic but there are no wands, broomsticks or Disney-like animals. What there is, are adrenaline filled rituals, real animals and ancient African beliefs that you won’t find in any other book. When Gimbo asked Peter “Have you ever seen a Princess take a bath?” Mr Hill had me, and he kept me enthralled right up to the final page. This story is perfect for teens, younger readers and ad ...more

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Oct 17, 2015 Champika Wickramasinghe rated it it was amazing

My son loved reading. So, I want to give a book to read him. My son really enjoyed this and I read some as well. The characters work really well together. Wow,Gimbo's character is one to be admired while he has a strong belief of the many mystical tales and happening in his village he questions the many events that further enable him to understand his surroundings. Very nice and attractive. It has great writing and you won't want to put it down until you've reached the end. The author has a good ...more

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Oct 05, 2015 Jana Woerner rated it it was amazing

Hamilton Hill did a great job with this book. The book follows three friends (Magdalene, Gumbo, and Peter) on their adventures to save their village from the evil witchdoctor. Hill pulled me into the book from the very beginning with his descriptions and story line. In addition, his writing style made this book a real page turner. Time flew by while I was reading this and I finished the book within a couple of days.

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Jun 11, 2016 Victoria Zigler rated it really liked it

This book was a really good read. The characters are fascinating, and so are the myths and legends woven in to the story. The plot felt a bit slow at times, but the author's interesting writing style helped to make those slower moments easier to deal with.

*NOTE: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my opinion of the book, nor the contents of this review. ...more

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Oct 08, 2015 Kat rated it it was amazing

My son loved it! Aimed at young adults it is set in a village in Africa full of spirits and a trio against the evil Witchdoctor! My son loves the unique setting and he's learned a few things as well. If your child likes the paranormal, fantasy adventure, then this is the book for you! A great bedtime read. ...more

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Oct 15, 2015 JamieClark rated it it was amazing

When I first started this book, it grabbed me. I loved this story about three friends going on a magical journey. At times I wasn’t sure how things would play out because there were so many challenges facing Magdalene and her friends. I couldn't set it down until I finished! I may have to read it again...or a couple times.
...more

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Oct 05, 2015 Jason rated it it was amazing

The Roads of Luhonono is a great and unique idea for a book. It has great writing and you won't want to put it down until you've reached the end. Telling the story of three friends going on a magical journey isn't anything new in literature, but Hill Hamilton tells the story so well that it seems like a completely new idea. Definitely worth a buy! ...more

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Jun 17, 2018 Loren Lockner rated it it was amazing

A fascinating African tale that will enchant readers young and old!
I was immediately taken with the novel ‘The East Road’, as it was set in Southern Africa during the era when Zimbabwe was still called Rhodesia. Having lived in South Africa for 10 years, I relish the ‘feel’ of African-based novels. And, as a teacher, I instinctively seek out novels geared towards the young at heart. In brief, without giving too much away, the plot surrounds three friends on a quest: Peter, the newbie to Africa, ...more

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May 07, 2018 Lauren Wallace rated it it was amazing

Shelves: goodreads-giveaway-won

"It was hard to imagine life in Africa."(27)

I would like to thank Hamilton Hill for providing me a copy of this book!

I found this book great for early readers! It was filled with action and drama that kept attentions and me me read on. It was filled with different cultures with a fun way of learning.

This book was a quick read, as I read it in a couple of hours.

I would recommend it to anyone 6+! ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Kurt Springs rated it liked it

This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.

Synopsis:

When engineers begin to build roads in Luhonono in Africa, strange things are set in motion. Everything in Luhonono is not as it seems. The building of a crossroad at a junction at the ancient Baobab tree has caused and upheaval, weakening the barrier between the real world and the spirit world. The evil witchdoctor, Moja, intends to take advantage of the situation. By turning the spirit mirror upside down, Moja will release on an army ...more

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Jul 01, 2018 Bernetta Frazier rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

THE EAST ROAD: THE ROADS OF LUHONONO

The East Road” by Hamilton Hill is a story filled with mystery, magic, and spells. This story is about three adventurous tweens traveling the East Road in Africa on a hunt to find a princess filled with unknown consequences.

I love Hamilton Hill’s style. He actually thought about the readers throughout this story. He actually introduces each character by giving background information about their beliefs, weaponry, tribe, traits and even nicknames. So when you THE EAST ROAD: THE ROADS OF LUHONONO

The East Road” by Hamilton Hill is a story filled with mystery, magic, and spells. This story is about three adventurous tweens traveling the East Road in Africa on a hunt to find a princess filled with unknown consequences.

I love Hamilton Hill’s style. He actually thought about the readers throughout this story. He actually introduces each character by giving background information about their beliefs, weaponry, tribe, traits and even nicknames. So when you read the story, it feels like you know each individual personally and understands their purpose.

The story takes place in Africa where three 13-year-old strangers met and became friends. These tweens, Gimbo, Magdalene and Peter are from different areas with different background and different beliefs but constant hanging out and enjoying each other’s company turn their acquaintanceship into a beautiful friendship.

This friendship leads them on a journey or “spy mission” to find the princess. Strange things started happening along the way. Engineers started building roads and making changes to the land but the spirits were not pleased with the changes that were taking place.

These changes created an imbalance between the dead and the living realm allowing evil to lurk around. What a perfect opportunity for the evil witch doctor, Moja, and his demons to take over Luhonono. Moja was known to play dirty after all he’s evil. The teens knew they could not win this battle on their own and needed help from a greater power against the spells.

As the teens set out for their mission, they got focused and got stronger and some unrevealed powers like seeing the unseen in plain sight. There are many references to African traditions, rituals and their meaning like the Marula trees, mirror-gates, animal legends and spiritual recharging.

The book cover grabs your attention but once you pick the book up and read the first page, you are hooked. Genius idea Mr. Hill, way to bait us in. If that wasn’t enough, for those of us that aren’t familiar with the African language, he put a words sound list at the end of the book to help is out with pronunciation.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was one of those books that once you start reading it you can’t put it down. Hamilton Hill did a great job with this book as it is full of surprises. I don’t vouch for many books, but I guarantee that this one will definitely keep your attention until the very last page.

I recommend this book to parents and children of all ages. I would love to see filmmakers adapt this story into a short film, movie or even a tv series.
...more

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Apr 15, 2016 TheCosyDragon rated it it was ok

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Peter has just entered the world of Luhonono. Magdalene and Gimbo are waiting for him there, ready to start adventures in an unseen world. Setting out to find a princess and instead finding evil makes this novel roll forward.

This novel was slow. Very, very slow. The first half of the novel happened, and nothing had happened. The princess they set This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

Peter has just entered the world of Luhonono. Magdalene and Gimbo are waiting for him there, ready to start adventures in an unseen world. Setting out to find a princess and instead finding evil makes this novel roll forward.

This novel was slow. Very, very slow. The first half of the novel happened, and nothing had happened. The princess they set out to see isn’t all that exciting. I thought she might be in peril! And additionally, 2/3 explorers already knew who she was.

I felt overwhelmed at all the detail, often I just wanted the story to happen more quickly! I couldn’t have cared less whether it was Peter or Gimbo who had the fastest eyes – their rivalry didn’t seem real. The relationships did develop, but it was in an awkward manner.

This novel was written by someone who had a real love of African culture and traditions, but wasn’t able to merge it seamlessly into an exciting read. There was so much potential here, but it just didn’t make it in. Chopping out some more dialogue or trimming down the perspectives would make this novel stronger.

For example, a simple discussion of a cubby house is stretched out over multiple pages to include a snake sighting (Chapter 6). I think a simple paragraph with the mysticism of the place would have done a far better job of setting the scene, and there was no need for all the internal dialogue by Mags.

The ending was a disappointment. Just as the pace picked up and things became slightly more enthralling, very quickly they were over and the sorcerer was dealt with. I did finally feel vaguely like reading it at that point, so that meant I could give it 2 stars (I finished it after all).

I’ve seen various things that have proclaimed this a ‘young adult novel’ or the back of the book which says it is ‘middle grade fiction’. Middle grade fiction is what this is. I’m not sure there were any deeper themes explored. However, I’m not sure if it common to middle grade fiction to start talking about the attraction that boys have for girls. Please correct me if I am incorrect – this isn’t usually my genre of choice.

All I’ve seen elsewhere are overwhelmingly positive 5 star reviews, and it seems strange that I can only give this one 2 stars. It’s not the fault of the intended audience, I loved the Dragon of the Month Club. Did I somehow not read the same novel that they did?
...more

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Jun 24, 2016 Rabid Readers Reviews rated it it was amazing

The Roads of Luhonono is a story that takes middle grade children out of their world and time into a culturally rich story set in Africa in the early part of the last century. The children in the story believe in magic and have a sense of wonder that is age appropriate and, more important, convincing to the reader. When the white tribe starts building roads, the villagers become concerned for their safety. Magdalene discovers that their concerns are legitimate when the ancient spirits speak to h ...more

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Oct 12, 2015 L. Fromage rated it liked it

Shelves: first-read

Esta historia sigue las aventuras de tres chicos, Peter, Magdalene y Gimbo. y lo que empieza como un viaje para espiar a una princesa acaba convirtiéndose en un misión para impedir que Moja use sus habilidades para convertir a los Unseen en su ejército personal de demonios.
El problema de la novela es que es muy lenta, es más de la mitad del libro no pasa realmente mucho.

description

Esto queda justificado en el hecho de que es el primer libro y está introduciendo al lector en un mundo nuevo con muchos términ ...more

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Jun 26, 2018 Tai Manivong rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Interesting read

The East Road is an interesting story about a journey to stop a witchdoctor from unleashing a great evil from the mirror world. I enjoyed the banter from friends Peter and Gimbo and the vast amount of knowledge about Africa that is incorporated into the story. Not only does the author use antithetic African language throughout the book, there is also an abundance of imagery from the baobab trees to the Mopani worms. You can truly step into another world.

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Everything Other ...: March 2017: Legend of the East Road	2	3	Mar 14, 2017 05:54PM
TMB Book Reviews: Legend of the East Road by Hamilton Hill	1	2	Oct 17, 2016 08:12PM
Making Connections: 4492. - LEGEND OF THE EAST ROAD (The Roads of Luhonono #1) by Hamilton Hill	2	11	Aug 03, 2016 03:52PM
David Estes Fans ...: R&R#132 The Roads of Luhonono: Book 1 - 'Legend of the East Road' by Hamilton Hill	8	20	Jun 15, 2016 06:04PM
Making Connections: A COVER STORY	1	7	Nov 25, 2015 12:55AM
Beta Reader Group: A COVER STORY	1	29	Nov 25, 2015 12:49AM
Bisky's Twitterli...: A COVER STORY	1	8	Nov 25, 2015 12:41AM

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About Hamilton Hill

Hamilton Hill

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I'm an independent West Australian writer, philanthropist and fundraiser for good causes.

An ardent traveller I've visited over 453 cities in 51 countries and lived in 17 of those cities in 5 different countries.

I specialise in writing novels set in the places that I've been and about the things that I've has seen. All of my writings, including The Roads Of Luhonono, are fiction based on fact.
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