The Hunt for Xanadu

Kelsey Porter #1

by Elyse Salpeter

Twenty-two year old Kelsey Porter has dedicated her life to avenging the death of her parents, murdered in their quest to find the mystical land of Xanadu. Before she can locate the murderers, she has to discover their motives for the brutal crime and finds herself at the epicenter of a Buddhist mystery as old as time. With the help of her companion, Detective Desmond Gisborne, she hunts the killers across the globe and discovers a darkness in her spiritual past that tests the very limits of her soul. Soon she realizes that it is not she who is doing the hunting, but the one being hunted. Kelsey must find a way to survive, while ancient demons attempt to destroy her.

Genres: Fantasy, Philosophy, Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2013

About the author

Elyse Salpeter is an author who loves mixing "the real with the fantastic" in her books. She likes nothing better than taking different scenarios and creating worlds where things just aren't what they appear to be.

Her 6-book supernatural thriller series, beginning with THE HUNT FOR XANADU are about a brilliant and fearless young woman named Kelsey Porter, whose life is steeped in Buddhist spiritual mysteries and she is constantly discovering the world around her is not what she believed it to be.

Her YA paranormal suspense series, FLYING TO THE LIGHT and FLYING TO THE FIRE are about a young deaf boy who knows what happens to you when you die and now people are after him for the answers.

Horror novel, THE MANNEQUINS, is about a film crew that enters an abandoned mansion and disappear, while her short story horror collection, RICKET ROW, is filled with little creepy tales, guaranteed to keep you up at night.

The WORLD OF KAROV and THE RUBY AMULET, take us to a fantasy world where twins, good and evil, and magic are all intertwined.

Lastly, her sci-fi worlds, with a dystopian novel called THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT about a virus that has attacked the world and a short story collect called TITANIUM FLOW which is rife with alien worlds, genetic testing, trans-galaxy romance, and robots!

When she's not writing, she’s training for sprint triathlons, eating shock food with her Gastronaut Club and delving into all the newest and greatest social media apps. Needless to say, her kids can’t believe she’s on TikTok!

Please come on over and learn more about her at her webpage at www.elysesalpeter.com or her blog at www.elysesalpeter.wordpress.com

If you would like to join her mailing list, please do so here: http://www.elysesalpeter.com/contact-...

Reviews

[M.E. Lorde · Rating 5 out of 5]

'This novel is gripping! It's full of action, heroism and the pursuit of truth. Kelsey, the main character, grabbed my attention right from the beginning. Each character was distinct and three dimensional and they were connected in a way that forced me to keep turning pages. The writing was smooth and the plot line full of suspense. Kelsey is a strong heroine and determined. She is wonderfully appealing, dark side and all and charming as well. You feel like you're there with her, following her throughout the pages. There were great surprises and wow, I loved them all! If you like excitement, action, suspense, surprises, and quests, you will love this novel. It even has romance. This author has a new fan in me. I'll be looking for more of this books series and any other of Elyse Salpeter's books. Outstanding story!'

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Hunt for Xanadu" by Elyse Salpeter is a fast paced thriller in which a young woman, Kelsey, pursues the killers of her parents.
Her parents were murdered while trying to find the mythical land of Xanadu and the story's fantasy elements owe much to mythology rather than vampires and werewolves.
Accompanied by Detective and love interest Desmond her quest for revenge turns into something more profound. The personal development of a young woman with a horrid past, confronted with Buddhist beliefs and ancient demons makes for some great reading. I loved the character depth while the action part of the story also never lets you go.
The book is well written with a good storyline, strong narrative and interesting characters.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The search for the mythical land of Xanadu, a place of eternal peace, eternal abundance, and eternal bliss has been riddled by death, deceit and devastation and pain. Kelsey Porter knows firsthand how much pain and loss her parents’ search has cost. As a ten-year-old, she watched on as her parents were brutally murdered and she was brutalized and beaten and left for dead, all for the secrets to a land that shouldn’t exist. Twelve years later, she is on a mission of revenge and finds herself caught up in ancient Buddhist beliefs, mysteries and practices, including entering the dreaming minds of those prepared to accept and believe.

Along with an unlikely cohort, Detective Desmond Gisborne, Kelsey soon discovers she is not only the hunter, but the prey, as well. Evil turns up everywhere, and even the truths Kelsey discovers can be painful, If not unbelievable. Kelsey discovers a spiritual past, or several of them that have ended in pain. A land and language she was thought to have made up as a child are real, part of another plane buried deep in ancient Buddhism. Are the monks she once considered friends even using her for their own purposes? Has she been a pawn to everyone? Is the truth of this legend worth dying for?

Mystery, myth and mayhem abound in Elyse Salpeter’s The Hunt for Xanadu. Nevermind that there are paranormal or fantasy elements, this is fabulous reading, so dark, tense and intense, that the most dyed-in-the-wool mystery, thriller reader will see the need for these genre-crossing elements. For those who love a good paranormal read, sans shifters or blood-suckers or aliens, Ms. Salpeter has you covered. Her writing is strong, her scenes life-like and her characters are truly cut from a unique cloth.

If you are looking for something that will stand up to any in its genre for gripping story-telling, brilliant pacing and characters that bolt off the pages, all while you attempt to figure out the outcome, The Hunt for Xanadu could be “the one.” I’d hate for you to miss it.

I received this copy from Elyse Salpeter in exchange for my honest review.

Series - The Kelsey Porter Series - Book 1
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Elyse Salpeter
ISBN-13: 9781494423957
ISBN-10: 1494423952
Genre: Suspense \ Thriller
Print Length: 275 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Monica T. Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu is a gripping, fast-paced story, right from the opening scene. The characters are refreshing and don't act predictable. The main character, Kelsey Porter, is a fascinating mix of skilled hero and vulnerable young woman. Events throw her together with Detective Desmond Gisborne, but because they share a common goal does not mean these two are happy to work together. The elements of Buddhism woven with fantasy created a unique story set in modern day that stayed with me after I put it down for the night. Multiple story threads came together in a wonderful web that took the characters around the globe and by the end had me breathless. Just don't plan on stopping in the middle of the last chapter! It's a doozy!

Can't wait for the sequel to see what Kelsey's up to next!

[Karin]

Stayed up till 1:30am the other night to finish! Paid for it the next day at work, but OH WELL! It's a good story well told.. I'm not so into the supernatrual element, but it didn't feel forced here. I'll be curious to see how it's used (or not) in future Kelsey Porters. I cared about the characters, which is always my test for books and movies!

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come along on the hunt for Xanadu

An engaging fantasy with an original plot and premise. The characters are well developed and I'd like to continue to read about them. Settings and background material were well researched and I learned new things while enjoying the read, which is always a plus for me. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

[Matt Rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If young Bruce Wayne of Batman lore was born female, Kelsey Porter might just be her name. In the Hunt for Xanadu, we are introduced to Kelsey Porter, an athletically and intellectually gifted yet emotionally scarred young woman that you can’t help but be drawn to from the minute you are introduced. The further into the story you read the more attached and the more you root for Kelsey to avenge her parent’s deaths and confront the demons of her childhood in this intriguing fantasy tale based both in the modern day world and in Buddhist legend.

Creating characters that readers care about is one of the strengths of Ms. Salpeter’s writing and this book is no different. The Hunt for Xanadu contains mature themes which may be unsettling for some readers of Elyse’s previous YA novels. However, these topics are dealt with sensitively and are pivotal to shaping Kelsey’s persona, drive, desire and form the basis of her relationships with other characters.

Enter a world grounded in grim reality and ancient mythology and enjoy the Hunt for Xanadu!

[Elyse Salpeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu by Elyse Salpeter is a remarkable novel, a fascinating and fantastical journey in time and space, and one of the most gripping novels I’ve read in a long time. It flies along at the pace of a thriller, with plenty of murder and mayhem along the way. But behind the thrill-ride is a spiritual story, an archetypal tale of mystery and darkness, riddled with fascinating and esoteric concepts in Tibetan Buddhism. Vivid characters, a truly appealing protagonist, unexpected twists, and crisp writing complete this unforgettable book. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

--Douglas Preston, #1 bestselling author and co-creator, with Lincoln Child, of the Pendergast series

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu is about a young woman whose past is hidden in shadows and myth, although it is set in today's modern world.

I love the fantasy element of this story, where the imagination strives to bring the reader into realms that feel real. The writing style is excellent and the characters were realistic and believable. I would have preferred to have seen more of the fantasy world, but still it was a great plot brought alive by those characters.

Oozing with talent, this author brings forth yet another exciting story.

Recommended.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the goodreads first reads program. I didn't want to put it down! A great story that was well written. It is definitely one that I will recommend.

[Michael Thal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu: A YA Thriller

We’ve all heard of the mythical city of Xanadu appearing in literature and movies. It’s an exotic utopia first described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a nineteenth century English poet, in his poem, “Kubla Khan,” published in 1816. Author Elyse Salpeter has embraced the myth and expanded the concept of Xanadu to a higher plane in her first book in the Kelsey Porter Series. The Hunt for Xanadu includes vigilante justice, is a paranormal thriller, mystery, is peppered with Buddhist folklore, and is a love story all rolled up into one fantastic novel.

Kelsey Porter was victim to a heinous crime when she was a child of ten. Terrorists killed her parents, raped and beat Kelsey until the child was near death. Only due to the help of the Buddhist monks at the Bodhidharma Monastery near her parents’ home in Tibet was she able to survive. Mr. and Mrs. Goldman, her godparents, took custody of the child and successfully nursed Kelsey back to health.

Now a young adult, Kelsey knows who is responsible for her parents’ death and her beating—Raul Salazar, leader of the Columbia drug operation in the United States. Salazar is obsessed in finding Xanadu and robbing the mythical city of its riches, and Kelsey is fixated on revenging her parents’ murder.

With a descriptive writing style, an exciting plot, and interesting characters, Salpeter keeps her audience engaged from first page to last doing an amazing job of research, especially in Buddhist rites, rituals, and mythology.

As a student of Chinese History and Asian Philosophy, I found The Hunt for Xanadu unforgettable, and look forward reading Book #2 in the Kelsey Porter Series, The Quest of the Empty Tomb.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

promise unfulfilled

⭐️ - awful, probably DNF
⭐️⭐️- didn’t like but not terrible, actually finished it
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - it was ok, passed the time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good story, good writing, entertaining, just not great
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - great, could not put it down, excellent writing and story

The story started with great promise but devolved into a convoluted Buddhist tale. I zipped through the last chapters, skimming more than reading, just to finish the book. Not sorry I read it, but I have no desire to read the next book in this series.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say, I was trying to organize my books on my Kindle and opened this one to get a sense of what it was all about. Oftentimes I collect the books that I hear are free and many first books in series are. Bottom line is I forgot the organization part and read this in a day! What an exciting ride it was - and now I'm going to have to get book#2. Loved loved loved the characters!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really like the characters, don't see why I'd want to read another of these books. I have to give the author high marks for originality, though. I began the book thinking the quirky, but not deep, characters and the amount of action made it better for an action movie. Then it got weird and much more interesting.

[shawn murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu by Elyse Salpeter. This is the second book I have read by Salpeter and she delivered another great Thriller. This is the first of the Kelsey Porter series and I will be sure to revisit.

[David Beeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Elyse Salpeter’s young adult novels (the World of Karov series) so I wanted to try her adult novel, The Hunt for Xanadu.

There is, let’s say at once, a great deal in common between both series (The Hunt for Xanadu is the first in a planned “Kelsey Porter” series). Both take us into a realm of supernatural events and beings, though with Kelsey Porter we’re no longer in a completely new, invented world, but in the world of Buddhist teaching and tradition. Salpeter builds an elegant structure in which her characters in the real world that we know either parallel or, indeed, embody beings from Buddhist mythology, good or evil.

Indeed, there is a highly intelligent use of Buddhist thinking in the character of Kelsey. She is almost superhumanly talented as befits someone who, unbeknown to herself, is an avatar of a creature from the realm of evil, struggling to attain the good. In her current life, the resistance exercised against her by the forces of evil does her the most devastating personal damage, at a human level: the destruction of loved ones and terrible personal injury. In her entirely human response of seeking vengeance for what she has suffered, however, she makes the evil worse, threatening as a result far more than merely herself, and making the task before her all the greater.

The evil that pursues her emerges in this book in the form of Colombian drug lords, operating both within the United States and in Colombia, where we travel for part of the action. The good, which Kelsey must protect but which is also protecting her, is represented by Buddhist monks from Tibet, to whose country we also move for the climax of the novel. Salpeter brings them alive and knots them neatly into the story line, to make it more compelling through its use of exotic locations and dramatic situations.

Again in the background of the work, is the reference already in the title itself to the world of Coleridge’s poem, Xanadu. Xanadu, in Salpeter’s world, isn’t merely a palace of the Mongol Emperors of China, but a key world in the Buddhist cosmogony. She also frequently refers to Mount Abora, and seems to place it in Tibet, which works well in her narrative where those mountains loom large and not just in the physical sense. I was left a little dubious, though, because it seems to me that the “damsel with a dulcimer” of Coleridge’s poem, who was “singing of Mount Abora” was more likely to be thinking of a place in what we now call Ethiopia (Abyssinia in his time: “it was an Abyssinian maid...”)

As well as this use of pre-existing mythological material, rather than completely invented events and worlds, Salpeter marks the transition from young adult to adult by her characters actually having sex. So, alongside the violence which any reader must expect in a work involving drug barons, we also have a fair does of love including physical sex, including a scene set in a cat house, which would have been out of place in a book addressed to a younger audience (not that I think adolescents are at all reluctant to think about sex, or even always strangers to it).

Love as well as death, Eros alongside Thanatos: Salpeter does indeed give us the entire mix of the mythological and real-life concerns of humanity.

Overall, the Hunt for Xanadu was highly entertaining, and I enjoyed reading it. However, I do think a word of criticism needs to be made, and one of the potential five stars lost, if only because the demands of adult readership have to be stricter than those for young adulthood.

There are too many lapses in language itself, insignificant in themselves but contriving to make the book less smooth to read. For instance: “...live fish, caught that very morning from the large lakes and rivers that ran throughout the town and residing mountains”. I’m not sure the rivers really did run throughout the town, unless it was perpetually flooded, as it certainly would be if the lakes did too; and I don’t understand the notion of mountains residing. Did Salpeter mean “surrounding”?

It seems important to me not to throw up sentences like these, as they puzzle the reader and halt the flow, but it's even vital to avoid simple shortcuts with character construction. Kelsey is all but superhuman, and where she fails to be, she can count on the nearly insuperable powers of her nearest collaborators, they too exceptionally gifted. She can physically overcome and even kill far stronger men, her intelligence is second to none, even her linguistic skills are unrivalled – she speaks flawless Mandarin, for instance. I’d like to have seen more limitations on her powers, if only to make her struggle a little more, and to make it easier to understand why she occasionally fails.

Nevertheless, these are issues that can be addressed, and deserve to be addressed, if Salpeter builds further novels on foundations as good as those she has laid down in the Hunt for Xanadu.

[David V. Mammina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wild Ride

In what could be interpreted as a modern anime, the Hunt for Xanadu is packed with thrills, stints of self-discovery, and a huge climax that surprised me. Full of Buddhist themes and narrative twists that work well to move the story, this book is a wild ride.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Kelsey Porter: a beautiful, strong, and intelligent young woman but alas, troubled. Stemming from a horrific childhood event, Kelsey has dreams and visions of what she believes is a pseudo world; one which she created to help her cope with trauma. It all seems so tangible to her and exploring this "world" is a fascinating backdrop throughout the narrative.

On the surface we have a mission, and that mission would be to avenge the death of her parents. Along with her foster brother and an elite team, she embarks on this quest to recover ancient Buddhist artifacts and settle the score with those who have so grievously wronged her. In the course of completing this undertaking much and more is revealed about her past than she would ever have bargained for.

This book was entirely entertaining and well-constructed. Ample action, a good selection of interesting characters, and a little mysticism/fantasy thrown in for good measure. I was particularly enthralled with the conclusion as I did not see a few things coming, which is always a treat! Excellent, all around.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Salpeter, whose previous works ("The Children of Demilee" series and "Flying To The Light") are wonderful examples of YA Fantasy, has outdone herself again with this Mystery/Contemporary Fantasy novel combining elements of a worlds spanning adventure with Buddhist mythology, while managing to mix in just enough romance to keep her characters distracted!
Kelsey Porter begins her life as an orphan with a horrible past and comes to the realization that maybe being human isn't such a bad thing... when you know the alternative. Luckily for her, she has her brother, Ari, and the potential love of her life, Detective Desmond Gisborne , to keep her grounded. Her life begins in tragedy and the book takes us on a breakneck ride through a voyage of self-discovery to her eventual reconciliation with her true nature.
If you're a fan of mysteries with a touch of fantasy mixed in, adding just a dollop of romance...
Get this book!

[Chrissie Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about The Hunt for Xanadu, other than I absolutely loved it!
It's a fast paced thriller that centres on Kelsey Porter and how she deals with the traumatic murder of her parents. That incident see's her teaming up with Detective Desmond Gisborne on a quest to track down the murders; a quest that takes them from New York to Columbia and then on to Tibet.

I couldn't put the book down, and I loved the fast pace plot intermingled with the settings and the descriptions of Buddhism, and the mythical legend of Xanadu. The characters were really well written, and whilst reading I thought "Kelsey is like Lara Croft, no wait, she's like a female Indiana Jones" - finally I realised that she wasn't either - she is actually much more, she is Kelsey Porter an incredibly strong, brave and defiant woman, with a lot more to come!

This book shows what an excellent writer Ms. Salpeter is and I will definitely be reading more of her work

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started the book I wasn't sure exactly what type of novel I had but as I read, I quickly realized, it had something for everyone and it was GOOD! Ms Salpeter involved me and I was assaulted with a thriller, an adventure, some fantasy and well-written Tibetan religion. She didn't skimp on anything including the roller coaster ride through the book right up to the finale. I loved the book and it definitely showed an indication that a 2nd book might be in the making. I certainly hope so because I am thoroughly enamored with kick-ass Kelsey and the rest of the cast. They say you only regret that which you haven't done - don't let this book slip by you.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunt for Xanadu is about a young woman whose past is hidden in shadows and myth, although it is set in today's modern world.

I love the fantasy element of this story, where the imagination strives to bring the reader into realms that feel real. The writing style is excellent and the characters were realistic and believable. I would have preferred to have seen more of the fantasy world, but still it was a great plot brought alive by those characters.

Oozing with talent, this author brings forth yet another exciting story.

Recommended.

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read constantly and I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting authors and thanks to a link in a twitter feed I found Elyse Salpeter...and I'm very thankful.
What a fantastic book intertwining history, adventure and fantasy with a wonderful heroine Kelsey out to avenge the brutal murders of her parents who were searching for the mystical land of Xanadu. Lots of great twists and turns and great action pieces.Well done Elyse I am now moving onto book 2 and I hope you are well into writing book 3 keep up the great work.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always read the Goodreads reviews before deciding on what to read next. This book was a great, fast-paced thriller in an exotic setting but I didn't see it as supernatural or fantasy. Tibetan Buddhism is an integral part of the plot with tidbits of Tibetan folklore thrown in as an added bonus. I guess any religion can be described as supernatural or fantasy if it isn't what you personally believe. (I've always been interested in Tibetan culture because we were living in India when the Dalai Lama was forced out by the Chinese in 1959.)

[Lisa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xanadu is a rip-roaring-hold-on-to-the-seat-of-your-pants travel mystery. Salpeter takes you around the world to various locals painting scenery with bold strokes that spark the imagination, and her wordsmithing talent shines as ancient mysteries are interwoven with the present and the past. I can't wait to read the next Kelsey Porter book!

[michelle coltrane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

This is one of those rare instances where they probably need to make a movie to appreciate this book more poo. Unfortunately the descriptions were hard for me to imagine and found myself glazing over certain areas of the book. This seems like a movie that turned into a book

[Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great action packed story. A novel with a believable cast of characters and an exciting female lead. It compelled me to read my way into the adventure. Highly recommend this read you're going to enjoy it.

[Jason Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Lots of action. I thought it would reflect more on Buddhist concept and teachings but there was more action/fighting than anything

[Callie Theamericaneskimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that mixes buddishm, fantasy and is an enjoyable read