The Jumper Chronicles: The Quest for Merlin's Map
Author
W. C. Peever
Publisher
Savant Books & Publications LLC
3 Review Copies Left
Six thousand years ago the Norse Gods were forced to leave their creations on Earth to fight an epic civil war. They charged the Druids of Britton with the protection of the human race while they were away, imbuing them with all of their abilities. The Gods never returned, and their abilities were passed down through the ages. Twelve year old Charlie Burrows is one of the most powerful of these descendants; he just does not realize it. That is, until today. The fate of humanity and the life of the father he never knew lie in the balance as he and his new friends struggle to discover the truth about the object the Merlin hid in both space and time.
From the Author to his reviewers, when asked to summarize his work:
I think it would be best to let Charlie describe the book better, after all he is the main character.
“Hi, my name is Charlie Burrows. I am twelve years old and am currently running for my life, I really don’t even have time to talk to you, so I need to make it brief. Eight months ago I discovered that I was a descendant of the ancient Druids of England. Big deal right? That’s what I thought too until my best friend (also a descendant) Bailey stared to be able to hurl huge boulders in the air using her mind, and I was able to jump into alternative dimensions. Ya…we have x-men like abilities that our parents never told us about! Thanks so much mom. You would think they could have at least been honest with us when we asked them to check for monsters under the bed. ‘Yes dear, that is just an escaped troll from the fourth kingdom, animal control is on their way.” To be fair my father who disappeared when I was two is the one who should have told me, but like I said he disappeared. So I was transported, well kidnapped really to this huge castle in Scotland where they train freaks like me to be part of the Order…which is too hard to explain right now, because I have the entire Vanari (Bad guys) army trying to find me before I can decode this ancient map that Merlin (my great great…really great grandfather, left behind. So to cap it off, it has been a rough year of dealing with my new abilities, trying to pass algebra, finding a father I never remember meeting and trying to keep humanity alive. Ok that splintering wood sound is the front door of the castle, I have to run. If you want to learn more about me, than read this book, but you’re probably better off not knowing, because I have not had a solid night sleep since I learned that monsters under the bed are actually real.
Reviews
As a reader and reviewer, I do like to check out what others have to say about the book we have read. Now, while there may be a few grammatical errors in The Jumper Chronicles, I personally will not hold that as a huge strike against the content of the book. No one person is perfect and that goes for technology as well, but I do expect a story to flow in a way that will hold my interest. The Jumper Chronicles did indeed; hold my interest and it was a fast read. Granted, I am in my thirties and I am a mother, but this is a book I would love to read with my six-year old son soon. There is some action, but not as much violence that I would be overly concerned with for this young adult science fiction/ fantasy tale. Now, many of us admirers of Science Fiction /Fantasy typically enjoy the lore of mythology. I have seen many authors use lore, myths and the Gods to create their own worlds for the basis of their tale. I for one do not have an issue with it as there are many deities in mythology and in current religions to inspire and create with. I also appreciate it when the author makes it clear up front that those are the intentions as it was done in this novel.
There are some similarities with the Harry Potter series that many will notice, especially the ‘die-hards’ of the series like me. During the explanations of the space time parallels, I had visions of The Doctor (character) from Doctor Who. While there are those feelings of familiarity, with the ‘three best friends’ and ‘headmaster’ of a ‘special school’; for me, that was the extent of it. There was also a brief Sword in the Stone reference for a moment; however the story shifted gears, going with a different approach with the Merlin story.
I think many young adult readers can identify with the storyline in one way or another. Fantasies aside all of us do face some type of adversity in our life, and I feel that some of those were captured in this novel. I am not sure how fast this story would be wrapped up, as it has many options to explore in what was presented, but I would enjoy going along for the ride to discover what happens.
Reviewed on 11/27/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Ann Hauer
