Friday 14 December 2018

Wondrous by Travis. M. Riddle

Book Title: Wondrous
Author: Travis M. Riddle
Genre: Middle-Grade, Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: E-book copy provided by the author

Amazon UK, Goodreads

Plot Summary: Miles went to sleep tucked tightly in bed in his Austin apartment and woke up in the middle of a damp, dark forest in the kingdom of Rompu, a land being torn apart by a civil war between its king and queen.
Miles has few companions in this vast kingdom, which is filled with fantastical animals and flora yet sprinkled with familiar items like digital clocks and vinyl records. As he searches for a way to return home, he discovers that certain memories trigger magical abilities: he can shoot fireballs from his palms, heal with nothing but a touch, and more. But as he struggles to make sense of this new world, his thoughts are punctuated by painful memories of his sick grandmother, quarreling parents, and an icy school therapist.
When Miles learns that a monstrous entity flying through the countryside and killing for sport was summoned from a portal to another realm, he believes this creature is the key to learning how to open another rift and return home. Tracking down this beast and mastering his newfound magical abilities may be the only way for Miles to help save Rompu and get back to his family in Texas.
Thank you, Travis M. Riddle, for providing me with a review copy of this book. Also a big thank you goes to Esme over at the Weatherwaxreport for setting up TBRindr.

What did I think?

Wondrous is a wondrous little book with a peculiar and interesting young protagonist, Miles.

Nine-year-old Miles has just gone to bed when suddenly he finds himself in the middle of the woods in the kingdom of Rompu.

The author is extremely skilled at developing a very relatable young boy who worries about germs (which killed his grandmother in Texas) and suffers because of his parents' failing relationship.

The writing is straightforward and appropriate for any young reader.

The world building is imaginative and the story entertaining, though there were some slow moments. Travis M. Riddle weaves two stories together that mirror each other. One is the unfolding action in the fantasy world and the other memories from Miles' life in Texas.

I thought the way coming to terms with some unpleasant things he experienced in the real world helped him succeed in the fantasy world, while at the same time his experience in the fantasy world helped him come to terms with his life in Texas made the book a very interesting read.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys portal fantasy and a classic coming of age story with a very young protagonist.

2 comments:

  1. I really like the sound of this one. It sounds really sweet and calm, with a brilliant protagonist that is very realistic, and great fantasy elements too. So happy you enjoyed it, and hope you enjoy your next read too x

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  2. This sounds like equal parts whimsical and emotional. Glad you enjoyed it, Olivia!

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