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The Quest Search for a Lost Brother
After losing his father at a very young age, Eli is forced to assume his father's responsibilities. Part of those responsibilities is to take care of his little brother Blankie.
Blankie adores and idolizes his brother and follows him around everywhere. Eli thinks his brother is more of a nuisance. When Eli's cruel words cut too deep, and Blankie goes missing, Eli is determined to bring his brother back home.
With no other option, Eli, in the company of his three friends, Jeremiah, Zuri, and Iddah, embark on one of the most trying, dangerous, and unpredictable journeys of their lives.
Although the four friends knew the forest was a dangerous place to be, not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for what they would find inside. Duels to the death and dangerous mythical animals are just the tip of the iceberg.
Enemies lurk in the brush, reigning over the forest, determined to make Eli's mission a dead man's task.
With their search and rescue now a fight for their lives, it'll take a miracle for this group of friends to succeed, but Eli knows they have no other choice.
Blankie's life depends on it, and maybe a few other secrets too.
Blankie adores and idolizes his brother and follows him around everywhere. Eli thinks his brother is more of a nuisance. When Eli's cruel words cut too deep, and Blankie goes missing, Eli is determined to bring his brother back home.
With no other option, Eli, in the company of his three friends, Jeremiah, Zuri, and Iddah, embark on one of the most trying, dangerous, and unpredictable journeys of their lives.
Although the four friends knew the forest was a dangerous place to be, not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for what they would find inside. Duels to the death and dangerous mythical animals are just the tip of the iceberg.
Enemies lurk in the brush, reigning over the forest, determined to make Eli's mission a dead man's task.
With their search and rescue now a fight for their lives, it'll take a miracle for this group of friends to succeed, but Eli knows they have no other choice.
Blankie's life depends on it, and maybe a few other secrets too.
297 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2020
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Mbori
2 books15 followersFrom an early age, Dorothy Mbori discovered the magic that books and storytelling could weave into her life. Her insatiable love for reading often landed her in hot water at school, where she would find herself lost in novels while the teacher's voice faded into the background. It was at the tender age of eight that the spark of writing ignited within her, setting the stage for a lifelong passion.
Dorothy's debut novel, 'The Quest: Search for a Lost Brother,' has a unique origin story. What began as a delightful tale shared with her son—a whimsical 10-page picture book featuring him and his friends chasing after squirrels—soon blossomed into a captivating narrative that has captured the hearts of readers. As weeks went by, the simple story transformed, revealing layers of depth and adventure, ultimately becoming the work it is today.
Now residing in Maryland with her beloved family, Dorothy balances her writing journey with her love for pop culture. When she’s not crafting her next story, you'll find her immersed in the epic worlds of Star Wars and Marvel movies, sharing laughter and excitement with her son. Dorothy’s creativity flows into every aspect of her life, from her reading choices to her eclectic taste in music, making her a vibrant storyteller dedicated to inspiring both young and old through her words.
Dorothy's debut novel, 'The Quest: Search for a Lost Brother,' has a unique origin story. What began as a delightful tale shared with her son—a whimsical 10-page picture book featuring him and his friends chasing after squirrels—soon blossomed into a captivating narrative that has captured the hearts of readers. As weeks went by, the simple story transformed, revealing layers of depth and adventure, ultimately becoming the work it is today.
Now residing in Maryland with her beloved family, Dorothy balances her writing journey with her love for pop culture. When she’s not crafting her next story, you'll find her immersed in the epic worlds of Star Wars and Marvel movies, sharing laughter and excitement with her son. Dorothy’s creativity flows into every aspect of her life, from her reading choices to her eclectic taste in music, making her a vibrant storyteller dedicated to inspiring both young and old through her words.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 21, 2020
An interesting fantasy book for youthful grown-ups
Everything seemed to be in order in the village of Dorvale. The people were hardworking. They taught the younger generations the necessary lessons they would need in life.
The quietness of the village was disturbed one day. Blankie walked into the forest and disappeared into its dark abyss. Everyone was scared of that forest, which made the reader wonder. When the grownups decide that the event was taboo and the village should continue its life without mentioning it, things started to get strange. Eli feels guilty for his little brother’s disappearance, and he can’t understand why his mom can be so calm and cold about it. Although for her, this is the second family member lost to the forest. Well, we start getting it. That was not an ordinary forest. Behind the magic curtain that was protecting the quiet small village, there was an unknown world. Despite the danger that was presumable hidden on the other side, Eli and his three friends decided that they will give their everything to bring Alexander, aka Blankie, back.
While the blurb gives us pretty much the idea of what the book is about, the story is full of surprises. The dangers come and go at every step. Eli is the leader in all the plans of survival and reaching their goal, but his friends are a great help, as often they need to fight for life and death. Thanks to all the obstacles and the newly revealed information, the story makes an entertaining read.
The description of places and events is beautiful. I would have loved a few more details about the group of four friends, such as age and physical appearance, or maybe I overlooked them. However, the author portrayed well their character and all their emotions.
All in all, this is a sweet story based on friendship, brotherhood, courage, and so much more. Here’s a quote I liked very much: “Don’t hold me by the evils of my past. They don’t define me but hold me by the good of my present, son. I know you don’t trust me right now, but I will prove to you that I’m worthy of being your father.”
I believe that with this debut novel Mbori made the first step on the path of a successful writing career.
Everything seemed to be in order in the village of Dorvale. The people were hardworking. They taught the younger generations the necessary lessons they would need in life.
The quietness of the village was disturbed one day. Blankie walked into the forest and disappeared into its dark abyss. Everyone was scared of that forest, which made the reader wonder. When the grownups decide that the event was taboo and the village should continue its life without mentioning it, things started to get strange. Eli feels guilty for his little brother’s disappearance, and he can’t understand why his mom can be so calm and cold about it. Although for her, this is the second family member lost to the forest. Well, we start getting it. That was not an ordinary forest. Behind the magic curtain that was protecting the quiet small village, there was an unknown world. Despite the danger that was presumable hidden on the other side, Eli and his three friends decided that they will give their everything to bring Alexander, aka Blankie, back.
While the blurb gives us pretty much the idea of what the book is about, the story is full of surprises. The dangers come and go at every step. Eli is the leader in all the plans of survival and reaching their goal, but his friends are a great help, as often they need to fight for life and death. Thanks to all the obstacles and the newly revealed information, the story makes an entertaining read.
The description of places and events is beautiful. I would have loved a few more details about the group of four friends, such as age and physical appearance, or maybe I overlooked them. However, the author portrayed well their character and all their emotions.
All in all, this is a sweet story based on friendship, brotherhood, courage, and so much more. Here’s a quote I liked very much: “Don’t hold me by the evils of my past. They don’t define me but hold me by the good of my present, son. I know you don’t trust me right now, but I will prove to you that I’m worthy of being your father.”
I believe that with this debut novel Mbori made the first step on the path of a successful writing career.
November 26, 2020
Tolkien in his 'THE LORD OF THE RINGS' says - "For where am I to go? And by what shall I steer? What is to be my quest? Why did I come on this Quest? Little did I know where the chief peril lay!"
I am reminded of these famous lines when I read Dorothy Mbori's debut novel "The Quest: Search for a Lost Brother"! It is indeed an impressive fantasy story. Its cover-art and blurb kindled my interests.
Fatherless Eli always enjoys his association with his three dearest teen friends Zuri, Iddah and Jeremiah. He considers his younger brother Blankie as a nuisance; but for Blankie, Eli is a hero. In a prank, together with friends, Eli offends Blankie instigating his disappearance. Now they feel guilty and hence take on the responsibility to restore him to Eli's mother. It becomes their chief mission. For that, they have to undertake an adventurous quest -- an activity-filled shocking journey, through a dangerous forest and are forced to pass through intriguing territories. That's on the surface. Underneath, though, there are startling revelations - Eli and his friends don't know what's in store for them, surprises after surprises coming and then, alas, it's there hitting them straight on their face!
Never having ventured far from their village, the friends discover things they would have never dreamt of. They realize their hidden unconventional abilities, new individualistic skill-sets when they face new challenges in various forms. The friends face their battle of life and death while trying to save the life of Blankie as they cross each barrier. They encounter formidable mythical animals -- and worse than that -- unpredictable human enemies! The friends get trapped, confront risks at every corner and do feel insecure. But like Tolkien says in his novel - 'they harden their hearts unflinchingly... the road must be trod.'
The nightmarish deathly ordeals await them which pose threats to their objective. What are those painful trials? Who are the villains? What lifestyle changes happen in their desperate quest? How they resolve every new challenge and succeed in each step to realize their daring mission is the storyline. Indeed, their commitment to their objective keeps the story pleasant, as it rests on the slender shoulders of Eli and his friends. Now, it's for the readers to unravel some unpredictable twists and secrets!
Dorothy has captured our imagination with the main theme - to restore the lost brother, come what may. She has never compromised it throughout the course maintaining the chief purpose. The book is simple, clean and lean but has an effective storyline without any major plot holes. It has entertainment value and beautiful depictions for the readers to easily construct the story in their minds with straightforward narratives. It has a smooth flow, good pace, picturized scene settings, intriguing events and some touches of humour - "The smell itself is enough to kill an army."
Dorothy has etched rock-solid characters, carving their individuality. She has brilliantly portrayed the natural emotions and the determination among the friends to discharge the responsibility. The depictions of understanding among friends, their quarrels, pranks, moral support when one needs the other during the battle are superbly captured. The team's conflicts during their plans and their team-spirit have been well-conveyed -- "he was sure they could win this fight if they kept their heads straight and worked together as a team." Dorothy has added liveliness by creating mythical creatures. She has rendered a visual treat through supporting characters -- Smytie -- the saviour, Marguerite -- the healer, etc., Some characters turn out to be not what they seem and that's where you get glued to the story! There are intriguing twists, unfathomable politics as the narrative slowly unwinds the mental challenges overriding the physical strains of the friends and betrayals -- "They help you and treat you so well only to come back and betray you."
I did find certain illogical, unconvincing and unclear descriptions due to which the story was not self-explanatory in some places. I found that the editing needs to be worked on. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, as I had some unanswered questions. But, these are trivial.
I did feel part of the story as I was wholly drawn in, as the plot gradually unfolded. It was worth investing my time as I wanted Eli and his friends to succeed. As a writer, I found the story was quite engaging. I consider the book is appropriate for all age groups, not just for YA, because the story is a notch above normal fantasy stories in the marketplace. Dorothy has done meticulous homework.
Personally, amid the flood of fantasy novels, I liked the book as it captivated me and gave me a good break from my priorities and other routines; most importantly it gave me some happy moments as I accompanied Eli on his perilous journey when Dorothy describes: a) Eli's firmness in planning to face the challenges -- "When we are out of danger, then you can feel free to compete and argue about who is the better fighter, but for now, this is the plan"; b) Eli in simplistic terms -- "Eli had never considered himself a lucky person. He never thought he was the unluckiest person, either."; c) Eli's practicality -- "Eli had a lot of faith in people. He believed that there is always a reason behind every decision that people make. Good or bad, there’s always a reason why people are driven to act the way they do." I look forward to the author unfolding some more secrets in book Two.
In essence -- I didn't feel like it's a debut novel -- commendable maiden effort by Dorothy to give a quality read is amply visible, and hence it appeals to me to give a 4-star rating. For those readers looking for relaxation -- indulge in your exclusive fantasy world through this book; with one word - Enjoy!
I am reminded of these famous lines when I read Dorothy Mbori's debut novel "The Quest: Search for a Lost Brother"! It is indeed an impressive fantasy story. Its cover-art and blurb kindled my interests.
Fatherless Eli always enjoys his association with his three dearest teen friends Zuri, Iddah and Jeremiah. He considers his younger brother Blankie as a nuisance; but for Blankie, Eli is a hero. In a prank, together with friends, Eli offends Blankie instigating his disappearance. Now they feel guilty and hence take on the responsibility to restore him to Eli's mother. It becomes their chief mission. For that, they have to undertake an adventurous quest -- an activity-filled shocking journey, through a dangerous forest and are forced to pass through intriguing territories. That's on the surface. Underneath, though, there are startling revelations - Eli and his friends don't know what's in store for them, surprises after surprises coming and then, alas, it's there hitting them straight on their face!
Never having ventured far from their village, the friends discover things they would have never dreamt of. They realize their hidden unconventional abilities, new individualistic skill-sets when they face new challenges in various forms. The friends face their battle of life and death while trying to save the life of Blankie as they cross each barrier. They encounter formidable mythical animals -- and worse than that -- unpredictable human enemies! The friends get trapped, confront risks at every corner and do feel insecure. But like Tolkien says in his novel - 'they harden their hearts unflinchingly... the road must be trod.'
The nightmarish deathly ordeals await them which pose threats to their objective. What are those painful trials? Who are the villains? What lifestyle changes happen in their desperate quest? How they resolve every new challenge and succeed in each step to realize their daring mission is the storyline. Indeed, their commitment to their objective keeps the story pleasant, as it rests on the slender shoulders of Eli and his friends. Now, it's for the readers to unravel some unpredictable twists and secrets!
Dorothy has captured our imagination with the main theme - to restore the lost brother, come what may. She has never compromised it throughout the course maintaining the chief purpose. The book is simple, clean and lean but has an effective storyline without any major plot holes. It has entertainment value and beautiful depictions for the readers to easily construct the story in their minds with straightforward narratives. It has a smooth flow, good pace, picturized scene settings, intriguing events and some touches of humour - "The smell itself is enough to kill an army."
Dorothy has etched rock-solid characters, carving their individuality. She has brilliantly portrayed the natural emotions and the determination among the friends to discharge the responsibility. The depictions of understanding among friends, their quarrels, pranks, moral support when one needs the other during the battle are superbly captured. The team's conflicts during their plans and their team-spirit have been well-conveyed -- "he was sure they could win this fight if they kept their heads straight and worked together as a team." Dorothy has added liveliness by creating mythical creatures. She has rendered a visual treat through supporting characters -- Smytie -- the saviour, Marguerite -- the healer, etc., Some characters turn out to be not what they seem and that's where you get glued to the story! There are intriguing twists, unfathomable politics as the narrative slowly unwinds the mental challenges overriding the physical strains of the friends and betrayals -- "They help you and treat you so well only to come back and betray you."
I did find certain illogical, unconvincing and unclear descriptions due to which the story was not self-explanatory in some places. I found that the editing needs to be worked on. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, as I had some unanswered questions. But, these are trivial.
I did feel part of the story as I was wholly drawn in, as the plot gradually unfolded. It was worth investing my time as I wanted Eli and his friends to succeed. As a writer, I found the story was quite engaging. I consider the book is appropriate for all age groups, not just for YA, because the story is a notch above normal fantasy stories in the marketplace. Dorothy has done meticulous homework.
Personally, amid the flood of fantasy novels, I liked the book as it captivated me and gave me a good break from my priorities and other routines; most importantly it gave me some happy moments as I accompanied Eli on his perilous journey when Dorothy describes: a) Eli's firmness in planning to face the challenges -- "When we are out of danger, then you can feel free to compete and argue about who is the better fighter, but for now, this is the plan"; b) Eli in simplistic terms -- "Eli had never considered himself a lucky person. He never thought he was the unluckiest person, either."; c) Eli's practicality -- "Eli had a lot of faith in people. He believed that there is always a reason behind every decision that people make. Good or bad, there’s always a reason why people are driven to act the way they do." I look forward to the author unfolding some more secrets in book Two.
In essence -- I didn't feel like it's a debut novel -- commendable maiden effort by Dorothy to give a quality read is amply visible, and hence it appeals to me to give a 4-star rating. For those readers looking for relaxation -- indulge in your exclusive fantasy world through this book; with one word - Enjoy!
July 21, 2021
Part One of a Fantasy Quest For Young Readers With A Focus On Betrayal
Eli and his brother Alexander (who everyone, to his understandable upset, calls Blankie) live in the peaceful village of Dorvale on the edge of a forest. Eli and his best friend Jeremiah make friends with two girls, Iddah and Zuri. Then one day having teased Blankie mercilessly, Eli finds his little brother about to step through a portal into the forest they have all been told never to enter. Blankie vanishes and Eli and his three friends go in search of him.
This is not a typical children's fantasy story, apart from everything else the theme of repeated betrayal is not one often used. In this book, you really do not know who to trust! It has the classic episodic kind of structure a fantasy 'road trip' tends to have, but those adventures are well done and often very surprising - I did mention betrayals, didn't I?
The main character Eli and his friend Jeremiah are very well fleshed out as characters and their relationship is well presented. Indeed it is those two who 'make' the book with their courage and loyalty. Although by marked contrast, the two girls remain almost complete cyphers throughout the book.
However, there is no getting around the fact that the book is not well edited. Repetition of words and entire phrases - we are told what someone thinks and then they say it, using identical words most often. It seemed very odd having references to Christmas and purgatory in a book that had no sense of any religion let alone Christianity. Misuse of words here and there concerned me as I find that a particular issue in a children's book since they are learning them. It would also help if it was mentioned in the title that this is clearly part one of a series as the story is left profoundly unresolved and a reader needs to know that before venturing into a book IMO. Fortunately, children tend to be very uncritical readers and I suspect the target audience for this book will not allow these flaws to get in the way of their enjoyment of the story.
And I enjoyed the story, hence my rating despite the flaws in the writing, and I think most young readers who are old enough to read alone and mature enough to handle the theme of repeated betrayal, would enjoy it too.
Eli and his brother Alexander (who everyone, to his understandable upset, calls Blankie) live in the peaceful village of Dorvale on the edge of a forest. Eli and his best friend Jeremiah make friends with two girls, Iddah and Zuri. Then one day having teased Blankie mercilessly, Eli finds his little brother about to step through a portal into the forest they have all been told never to enter. Blankie vanishes and Eli and his three friends go in search of him.
This is not a typical children's fantasy story, apart from everything else the theme of repeated betrayal is not one often used. In this book, you really do not know who to trust! It has the classic episodic kind of structure a fantasy 'road trip' tends to have, but those adventures are well done and often very surprising - I did mention betrayals, didn't I?
The main character Eli and his friend Jeremiah are very well fleshed out as characters and their relationship is well presented. Indeed it is those two who 'make' the book with their courage and loyalty. Although by marked contrast, the two girls remain almost complete cyphers throughout the book.
However, there is no getting around the fact that the book is not well edited. Repetition of words and entire phrases - we are told what someone thinks and then they say it, using identical words most often. It seemed very odd having references to Christmas and purgatory in a book that had no sense of any religion let alone Christianity. Misuse of words here and there concerned me as I find that a particular issue in a children's book since they are learning them. It would also help if it was mentioned in the title that this is clearly part one of a series as the story is left profoundly unresolved and a reader needs to know that before venturing into a book IMO. Fortunately, children tend to be very uncritical readers and I suspect the target audience for this book will not allow these flaws to get in the way of their enjoyment of the story.
And I enjoyed the story, hence my rating despite the flaws in the writing, and I think most young readers who are old enough to read alone and mature enough to handle the theme of repeated betrayal, would enjoy it too.
December 2, 2020
This is an enjoyable novel for young readers, focusing on an older brother’s quest to find his younger sibling after inadvertently chasing him away. It is easy to imagine kids, especially boys, investing in this adventure, influenced by classic mythology. The emotions are genuine, and there are true stakes in the story, while never crossing the line into anything inappropriate for children.
December 22, 2020
This magical, fantasy adventure follows a tale of four friends on an adventure to rescue Eli's little brother. It's a captivating take filled with magic, fantastic creatures, and set in a unique world filled with whimsy and wonder. This book is perfect for any middle schooler (though not limited to a younger audience) who loves fantasy.
November 28, 2020
Magically entertaining to youth
Eli and three friends escape spellbound Dorvale to search for Eli's younger brother who left searching for his father. Deep in the forbidden forest they encounter monsters, magicians, herbalists where, encounter by encounter, they learn the secret history of their village and Eli's family. They discover an evil plot to destroy their town and it's people and the chase is on. Perfect for middle grade and older.
Eli and three friends escape spellbound Dorvale to search for Eli's younger brother who left searching for his father. Deep in the forbidden forest they encounter monsters, magicians, herbalists where, encounter by encounter, they learn the secret history of their village and Eli's family. They discover an evil plot to destroy their town and it's people and the chase is on. Perfect for middle grade and older.
March 29, 2021
I love reading many fiction genres, but high fantasy has always been my favorite. Anything that even resembles The Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia for younger audiences, is a sure bet for my fave list of books. I like the title The Quest, which, while overused, does spell fantasy and more than hints at an adventure, although the subtitle seems a bit flat. The cover is dynamite.
I might as well get what I didn’t like about this novel off my chest first. Rarely have I read a published book that screams for a good copyedit. There are far too many easily fixable grammatical and punctuation errors, which irritated me even while I was enjoying the story. Verb tense errors, sudden POV switches –grrr! With fantasy, an author can get away with a lot, but some of the plot's implausibilities really do stretch this license too far. So, this novel requires two edits—basic proofreading and in-depth content—for it to shake its indie feel and read like a professionally written and edited book, as it should, instead of the draft before the final draft. Simultaneously, fixing some of the visual font issues (at least in the e-book version) would also improve readability.
So, what did I like about the story? A lot. Adventure, suspense, imagery—all the elements that make a gripping fantasy novel are here. The author successfully creates creatures, scenes and happenings that are exclusive to her special fantasy realm. The prologue is a good start, creating a scene that begs for answers to the questions it raises. I found the first chapter’s characterizations a bit stilted and the storyline a little too predictable. But as soon as the four protagonists entered the forbidding forest, I was hooked. As is true of all great fantasy stories, the author cleverly fashions a fantastic world with its own unique peoples and creatures, rules, challenges, codes of conduct—all of which keep the unwitting main characters on edge, and the reader along with them, as it is impossible to know what to expect next. I enjoyed the way the author fairly regularly introduced twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. There is plenty of adventure and close calls in this book. The dialogue is fairly good but may not always be appropriate to the time and setting. I’m personally not big on long-winded descriptions, especially in children’s fiction, and felt the author included just enough but not too much of it. I appreciated that the language was “clean” for young readers. Some scenes weren’t intense enough, though, such a rescue that was so easy, it should have been done years earlier.
This story should appeal to both sexes. Although the main character, Eli, is male, two of his closest friends and members of the core four are female. The girls are cheated out of participating in the big rescue at the end, but they play key roles that make them indispensable assets to the quest throughout the adventure.
I think the target audience (middle-grade readers), who will not be as bothered by the typos as I was, will enjoy this book. And there are many enduring themes that are valuable for young people to be reintroduced to: the possible unintended effects of bullying, the pre-eminence of familial love, the importance of not jumping to conclusions, the risks and rewards of close friendship, the pain involved in destroying even an enemy, the fatal consequences of self-centeredness and jealousy, fighting for the good against unspeakable evil, the unimaginable heartache of being different and so on.
The ending is a bit anticlimactic. Obviously, a sequel is in the plans, because the situation is no better and possibly worse for the principal character, Eli, than it was when he launched his quest. Much is left unresolved. Readers who prefer a complete and satisfying story may not be pleased with the “to be continued” feel of the “finale.”
All in all, for me, this story is a gem in the rough. With some polishing, it really will shine. It has all of the key elements of fantastic fantasy fiction but definitely begs for more editing to be the best it can be.
Hopefully, the sequel will tie up those dangling loose ends. But I wouldn’t count on it. Fantasy series are often divided into threes. I was torn between four and five stars for this book, but I chose five because, with just a little more work, it should be a wonderful series for young readers who enjoy fantasy.
I might as well get what I didn’t like about this novel off my chest first. Rarely have I read a published book that screams for a good copyedit. There are far too many easily fixable grammatical and punctuation errors, which irritated me even while I was enjoying the story. Verb tense errors, sudden POV switches –grrr! With fantasy, an author can get away with a lot, but some of the plot's implausibilities really do stretch this license too far. So, this novel requires two edits—basic proofreading and in-depth content—for it to shake its indie feel and read like a professionally written and edited book, as it should, instead of the draft before the final draft. Simultaneously, fixing some of the visual font issues (at least in the e-book version) would also improve readability.
So, what did I like about the story? A lot. Adventure, suspense, imagery—all the elements that make a gripping fantasy novel are here. The author successfully creates creatures, scenes and happenings that are exclusive to her special fantasy realm. The prologue is a good start, creating a scene that begs for answers to the questions it raises. I found the first chapter’s characterizations a bit stilted and the storyline a little too predictable. But as soon as the four protagonists entered the forbidding forest, I was hooked. As is true of all great fantasy stories, the author cleverly fashions a fantastic world with its own unique peoples and creatures, rules, challenges, codes of conduct—all of which keep the unwitting main characters on edge, and the reader along with them, as it is impossible to know what to expect next. I enjoyed the way the author fairly regularly introduced twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. There is plenty of adventure and close calls in this book. The dialogue is fairly good but may not always be appropriate to the time and setting. I’m personally not big on long-winded descriptions, especially in children’s fiction, and felt the author included just enough but not too much of it. I appreciated that the language was “clean” for young readers. Some scenes weren’t intense enough, though, such a rescue that was so easy, it should have been done years earlier.
This story should appeal to both sexes. Although the main character, Eli, is male, two of his closest friends and members of the core four are female. The girls are cheated out of participating in the big rescue at the end, but they play key roles that make them indispensable assets to the quest throughout the adventure.
I think the target audience (middle-grade readers), who will not be as bothered by the typos as I was, will enjoy this book. And there are many enduring themes that are valuable for young people to be reintroduced to: the possible unintended effects of bullying, the pre-eminence of familial love, the importance of not jumping to conclusions, the risks and rewards of close friendship, the pain involved in destroying even an enemy, the fatal consequences of self-centeredness and jealousy, fighting for the good against unspeakable evil, the unimaginable heartache of being different and so on.
The ending is a bit anticlimactic. Obviously, a sequel is in the plans, because the situation is no better and possibly worse for the principal character, Eli, than it was when he launched his quest. Much is left unresolved. Readers who prefer a complete and satisfying story may not be pleased with the “to be continued” feel of the “finale.”
All in all, for me, this story is a gem in the rough. With some polishing, it really will shine. It has all of the key elements of fantastic fantasy fiction but definitely begs for more editing to be the best it can be.
Hopefully, the sequel will tie up those dangling loose ends. But I wouldn’t count on it. Fantasy series are often divided into threes. I was torn between four and five stars for this book, but I chose five because, with just a little more work, it should be a wonderful series for young readers who enjoy fantasy.
March 1, 2021
The premise of the story is intriguing: A young boy disappears through a portal in the forest; his older brother and three of his brother’s friends follow, determined to save the youngster. Naturally, a cast of monsters, beasts, and evil characters are equally as determined to see the kids don’t succeed.
There is a lot to enjoy about the story. The four kids have a strong bond, something I found endearing. Family is important, and becomes even more important as the story progresses. The imagination of the author shines with vivid descriptions of the landscape, the beasts, and the battles. There are touching moments when the moral compass of the main character, Eli, has him sympathizing with and apologizing to the beast he has to kill in order to survive, and when he looks past a gruesome visage to the person underneath. Setback after setback, the kids stick together and never give up on their quest.
It was a bit frustrating to find the story ended without a nicely wrapped up conclusion. I saw no mention in the title or in the book’s description that it was part of a series, so felt a bit cheated. I’d recommend making note of the fact that it’s book one, or first in a series, to avoid frustrating other readers.
I do a lot of reading and it’s rare to find any book devoid of typos. No matter the author, no matter the publisher, the errors are there. For the most part, I overlook them, understanding no one is perfect; mistakes happen. This book had a few more than I could overlook, however. Some missing words, some capital letters in the middle of sentences, some punctuation errors. Depending upon a reader’s mindset, it might be enough to cause a reader to put down the book, and that would be a shame. Hopefully, with another proofreading pass, some of these errors can be corrected.
Overall, this was a fun story, one I can see parents reading to their kids before bed, a few chapters at a time to let the anticipation build.
There is a lot to enjoy about the story. The four kids have a strong bond, something I found endearing. Family is important, and becomes even more important as the story progresses. The imagination of the author shines with vivid descriptions of the landscape, the beasts, and the battles. There are touching moments when the moral compass of the main character, Eli, has him sympathizing with and apologizing to the beast he has to kill in order to survive, and when he looks past a gruesome visage to the person underneath. Setback after setback, the kids stick together and never give up on their quest.
It was a bit frustrating to find the story ended without a nicely wrapped up conclusion. I saw no mention in the title or in the book’s description that it was part of a series, so felt a bit cheated. I’d recommend making note of the fact that it’s book one, or first in a series, to avoid frustrating other readers.
I do a lot of reading and it’s rare to find any book devoid of typos. No matter the author, no matter the publisher, the errors are there. For the most part, I overlook them, understanding no one is perfect; mistakes happen. This book had a few more than I could overlook, however. Some missing words, some capital letters in the middle of sentences, some punctuation errors. Depending upon a reader’s mindset, it might be enough to cause a reader to put down the book, and that would be a shame. Hopefully, with another proofreading pass, some of these errors can be corrected.
Overall, this was a fun story, one I can see parents reading to their kids before bed, a few chapters at a time to let the anticipation build.
July 19, 2021
The first thing I noticed about this book was the beautiful cover; very attractive and appealing for young readers. The Quest is a great title that invokes the promise of a fun adventure ride . . . which it is! Eli lost his father and now his brother is missing in the endless forest. Eli and his three brave friends leave their enchanting home of Dorvale to risk everything on their ‘quest’ to bring ‘Blankie’ home alive. All the elements of a great fantasy story challenge our heroes; fantastical creatures, strange and magical experiences, odd individuals and deeds, to keep readers turning pages. A fantastical thrill ride that leaves you wanting more. I liked the lessons of tolerance, friendship and the fight between good and evil that is the key in the fantasy realm. My only criticism is that this story would benefit from a professional edit. Many easily fixable errors.
November 24, 2020
The book reads like extended bedtime story: episodic, with a strong dose of folklore. It has some dramatic points, but the plot was too scattered to hold my attention in any riveting way. It's more of a take-your-time, read a little before bed, kind of book. The writing style is passive and a little dry, without rhythm or lyrical interest. The author tends to state, and occasionally restate, the obvious. But as it's targeted towards younger readers, this may well be to its benefit.
The story suffers a little from an overabundance of characters. Most are not quite defined or distinguishable enough from one another to make them individually memorable, at least not until much later in the book. Nonetheless I liked how the core party made such a companionable group. There were explorations of friendship and positive emotional lessons. Again, good for kids.
Some of the climax was predictable but I enjoyed watching it unfold anyway. My biggest complaint is the story does not resolve. It drops a "wait for the sequel" bombs that drops on you without warning in the last chapter. I always feel like cheated when that happens to me: like I paid for a full book and only got half of one.
All in all, this book merits a comfortable middle-of-the-road score. Nothing about it is earth shattering, but nothing is done poorly either. I would absolutely recommend it for middle-school age children.
The story suffers a little from an overabundance of characters. Most are not quite defined or distinguishable enough from one another to make them individually memorable, at least not until much later in the book. Nonetheless I liked how the core party made such a companionable group. There were explorations of friendship and positive emotional lessons. Again, good for kids.
Some of the climax was predictable but I enjoyed watching it unfold anyway. My biggest complaint is the story does not resolve. It drops a "wait for the sequel" bombs that drops on you without warning in the last chapter. I always feel like cheated when that happens to me: like I paid for a full book and only got half of one.
All in all, this book merits a comfortable middle-of-the-road score. Nothing about it is earth shattering, but nothing is done poorly either. I would absolutely recommend it for middle-school age children.
December 9, 2020
This was an enjoyable read. Even though I'm older than the intended audience, I enjoyed the storyline, but felt it was written very age appropriately.
The character dynamics between the main four were well done and high stakes around every turn kept me turning pages. The betrayals were emotional.
This is a good book to curl up with for some light reading.
My only critique is I felt I didn't receive a full resolution at the end. Not enough closure to everything that happened. But, I guess that's why sequels exist. I do recommend this book, and will probably read more from this author.
The character dynamics between the main four were well done and high stakes around every turn kept me turning pages. The betrayals were emotional.
This is a good book to curl up with for some light reading.
My only critique is I felt I didn't receive a full resolution at the end. Not enough closure to everything that happened. But, I guess that's why sequels exist. I do recommend this book, and will probably read more from this author.
January 5, 2021
Enjoyed it
Imaginative, creative, action-packed. A good read for kids especially boys.
I liked the leader of the group, Eli. His courage and determination to find and rescue his brother stand out ,so too is the strong bond of friendship among the children, including two girls. The description of the places and events was well done and the children’s actions and emotions were believable.
One quote to take away is from Eli’s father…” Don’t hold me by the evils of my past, they don’t define me. But hold me by the good of my present, son…
On the negative side, the book could do with a good edit. There were typos and grammatical errors and overuse of certain words and phrases. I felt cheated at the end because the author does not consider that the reader paid for a complete book and drops the “wait for the sequel” bomb abruptly.
Imaginative, creative, action-packed. A good read for kids especially boys.
I liked the leader of the group, Eli. His courage and determination to find and rescue his brother stand out ,so too is the strong bond of friendship among the children, including two girls. The description of the places and events was well done and the children’s actions and emotions were believable.
One quote to take away is from Eli’s father…” Don’t hold me by the evils of my past, they don’t define me. But hold me by the good of my present, son…
On the negative side, the book could do with a good edit. There were typos and grammatical errors and overuse of certain words and phrases. I felt cheated at the end because the author does not consider that the reader paid for a complete book and drops the “wait for the sequel” bomb abruptly.
March 23, 2021
This adventure was one that started quick and continued to be action-packed to the end. Seeing as Eli and his friends clearly have more in store for them, I’d like to say the action even continued through the ending too. I truly enjoyed Mbori’s writing style, as I felt I was sucked into Eli’s world and fighting alongside him and his friends. Overall, it was a fun read and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys action. Once my little guys are big enough to read themselves, I will definitely be putting a copy of The Quest in front of them for them to enjoy!
October 16, 2023
A combination of fantasy and adventure, The Quest tells the story of four friends who venture into a forest that is considered to be dangerous. They had heard the tales of monsters and goblins and witches with magic spells that turned people into rocks and mushrooms. Despite all the stories, they go into the forest to search for Blankie, Eli’s younger brother who stepped into the forest to show that he was brave. He didn't like the unsavory comments of Jeremiah who taunted him that he was too little for any kind of adventure. How devastating teasing could be for growing children is noteworthy.
The book is packed with interesting action, it keeps you invested with new imaginative situations and hair-raising challenges. Though it has been written in a simple style, with many cliches, the agony, the confusion and the helplessness of Eli has been brilliantly captured. The courage and determination of the youngsters is awe-inspiring, their bonding amazing and their cooperation exceptional. Marguerite and Smytie add a special charm to the story. But Mbori has some more stunning revelations!
Will they find Blankie? Will they come out of the treacherous forest unscarred? Who is going to betray? Keep wondering, as you turn the pages of this book. I liked it and look forward to reading the sequel.
The book is packed with interesting action, it keeps you invested with new imaginative situations and hair-raising challenges. Though it has been written in a simple style, with many cliches, the agony, the confusion and the helplessness of Eli has been brilliantly captured. The courage and determination of the youngsters is awe-inspiring, their bonding amazing and their cooperation exceptional. Marguerite and Smytie add a special charm to the story. But Mbori has some more stunning revelations!
Will they find Blankie? Will they come out of the treacherous forest unscarred? Who is going to betray? Keep wondering, as you turn the pages of this book. I liked it and look forward to reading the sequel.
October 8, 2023
Wonderfully executed. The prose is colorful and the story progresses nicely through each sequence, shepherding the reader expertly. The story touches on loss and resilience, love, family, fighting for those we hold dear.
The kids band together to find little Blankie, who the adults in the story seem unconcerned about. In fact, they are fearful that Blankie’s fate will befall the others. That saving Blankie invites worse disaster. But the children are determined to bring Blankie back, and they set out.
I really enjoyed the friendship and bonds between these kids. I appreciated that their journey took them into a world that grew larger and more complex the longer they were there. There’s a confidence to the writing and an almost musical quality to the pacing—just very reliable, rhythmic. I like that we stayed with Eli throughout—he’s a great kid to travel with—as he faces challenges and threats. His goodness, trust, and compassion shines.
The prose is simple enough a ten-year-old could read it, but the length is more suited to a fourteen-year-old. And it’s such an enjoyable book that older adults, even old adults, will enjoy it. There’s a Narnia-like feel imbuing the whole thing.
I whole-heartedly recommend this endearing tale.
The kids band together to find little Blankie, who the adults in the story seem unconcerned about. In fact, they are fearful that Blankie’s fate will befall the others. That saving Blankie invites worse disaster. But the children are determined to bring Blankie back, and they set out.
I really enjoyed the friendship and bonds between these kids. I appreciated that their journey took them into a world that grew larger and more complex the longer they were there. There’s a confidence to the writing and an almost musical quality to the pacing—just very reliable, rhythmic. I like that we stayed with Eli throughout—he’s a great kid to travel with—as he faces challenges and threats. His goodness, trust, and compassion shines.
The prose is simple enough a ten-year-old could read it, but the length is more suited to a fourteen-year-old. And it’s such an enjoyable book that older adults, even old adults, will enjoy it. There’s a Narnia-like feel imbuing the whole thing.
I whole-heartedly recommend this endearing tale.
August 2, 2021
The Quest: Search for a Lost Brother is a fantasy adventure about a boy named Eli who is trying to find his younger brother, Blankie. Eli sets off on his adventure with his three best friends, and together they face various challenges and foes.
I thought this book had some interesting twists and turns, particularly toward the end. I liked that Mbori often took the time to explore what Eli was thinking and feeling, and I appreciated her unique world-building and thoughtful descriptions of characters and locations. I also really like the book's cover design.
This book could have used more editing, though. There are a few typos and repetitions, and the point-of-view is mostly a limited third-person POV but sometimes slips into omniscient third-person POV in a way that didn't work for me. Also, although Eli shows a lot of grit and determination, whenever a big problem needed solving, secondary adult characters would often come up with the solution. I would have liked to see Eli and his friends solve more problems themselves.
In general, though, I feel this fantasy story would appeal to middle-grade readers who like imaginative stories about friendship and exploration.
I thought this book had some interesting twists and turns, particularly toward the end. I liked that Mbori often took the time to explore what Eli was thinking and feeling, and I appreciated her unique world-building and thoughtful descriptions of characters and locations. I also really like the book's cover design.
This book could have used more editing, though. There are a few typos and repetitions, and the point-of-view is mostly a limited third-person POV but sometimes slips into omniscient third-person POV in a way that didn't work for me. Also, although Eli shows a lot of grit and determination, whenever a big problem needed solving, secondary adult characters would often come up with the solution. I would have liked to see Eli and his friends solve more problems themselves.
In general, though, I feel this fantasy story would appeal to middle-grade readers who like imaginative stories about friendship and exploration.
June 6, 2022
The Quest is a YA fantasy novel. The story follows Eli and his friends as they search for Eli’s younger brother who goes missing in the forest. The story reminded me a little of Wildwoods though the writing style was very different. At its essence, I felt it was a story about friendship and expectations and trust. I enjoyed the twists and turns and thought the plot overall was strong. The characters developed well as the story unfolded, though I’d liked to have seen more of an arc in Blankie, but I understand that he’s younger and perhaps the author is thinking about fleshing this out in the second book. I don’t agree with other reviews that said the story ended abruptly, I thought it wrapped up enough and leaves the reader eager to dive into the next part which a good story should. An enjoyable read and with some good life lessons mixed in that will benefit younger readers.
August 16, 2021
First of all, let's talk about that amazing cover - it's a great representation of how good the book will be.
Was it too long? Probably. Does it have some errors that can be easily corrected? Yes. But was it a good book? Definitely.
Dorothy Mbori's debut novel, The Quest Search for a Lost Brother, is an emotional ride. A story about brotherhood and family.
As someone who has siblings, this book hit me hard and brought me to my younger days. For me, this is a book that kids and adults would like to read in during their free time.
I am looking forward to reading more, and I just hope that the errors in this book would be corrected in the continuation of this story.
A good debut!
Tiger and Tim
Was it too long? Probably. Does it have some errors that can be easily corrected? Yes. But was it a good book? Definitely.
Dorothy Mbori's debut novel, The Quest Search for a Lost Brother, is an emotional ride. A story about brotherhood and family.
As someone who has siblings, this book hit me hard and brought me to my younger days. For me, this is a book that kids and adults would like to read in during their free time.
I am looking forward to reading more, and I just hope that the errors in this book would be corrected in the continuation of this story.
A good debut!
Tiger and Tim
April 3, 2021
The story is about Eli- who along with his friends embarks on a journey to search for his younger brother when his brother - Blankie goes missing.
I'll start with what was good about the book:
The fantasy elements, the emotion and the bond amongst the characters. Easy writing.
The bad:
Too many grammatical errors. Though targeted at younger kids, the writing is a little too convoluted. No distinguishable characters.
Having said that, the story was really good. It had all the elements of a children's fantasy book and with the ending, the author has set up the story for a sequel really well.
You can certainly pick this book for your kid.
All the best to the author.
I'll start with what was good about the book:
The fantasy elements, the emotion and the bond amongst the characters. Easy writing.
The bad:
Too many grammatical errors. Though targeted at younger kids, the writing is a little too convoluted. No distinguishable characters.
Having said that, the story was really good. It had all the elements of a children's fantasy book and with the ending, the author has set up the story for a sequel really well.
You can certainly pick this book for your kid.
All the best to the author.
August 12, 2022
Eli must go into the forest to rescue his little brother. Thankfully his friends are coming along to help.
A good story full of adventure and excitement with twists at every turn. The descriptions were well done, and it was easy to immerse myself in the world.
There was a lot of repeated wording and information, which made the reading a little boring at times. I also found it difficult to really connect to any of the characters, although I am not the intended target. The ending also felt unresolved as it's a lead into the next book.
I still enjoyed this book and the adventure that Eli and his friends went on.
A good story full of adventure and excitement with twists at every turn. The descriptions were well done, and it was easy to immerse myself in the world.
There was a lot of repeated wording and information, which made the reading a little boring at times. I also found it difficult to really connect to any of the characters, although I am not the intended target. The ending also felt unresolved as it's a lead into the next book.
I still enjoyed this book and the adventure that Eli and his friends went on.
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