Fantasms [Hardcover]

Len Bailey (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

It's Danny Ray, "the best dang rodeo cowboy in Oklahoma," to the rescue once again. King Krystal of Elidor's beautiful daughter, Princess Amber, has been kidnapped by the evil Fantasms--monstrous beasts whose sole purpose is to rule the magical kingdom of Elidor and to spread sorrow and darkness throughout the land. But not if Danny Ray and his eccentric group of friends have anything to do with it! Imagine a world with seas of polished black and white marble squares sailed upon by immense chess pieces hundreds of feet high: rooks, bishops and queens powered by tiny furry Tantarrabobs and Zanoomies.  Imagine this is the battleground where Danny Ray, Tuk (a hellwain devil), KarooKachoo (a dragonfly princess), Prince Blues, the Sultana Sumferi Sar, Captain Quigglewigg, Hoodie Crow and the White Lady must rescue Princess Amber and save the kingdom of Elidor from eternal darkness. 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—After losing a bull-riding contest, Danny Ray, a young Oklahoma rodeo cowboy, returns through a magic door into the enchanted kingdom of Elidor. There he learns that Princess Amber, whom he had aided in Clabbernappers (Tor/Starscape, 2005), has been kidnapped by the horrible fantasms—powerful monsters able to transform into many shapes—and that unless she is rescued before the new moon, she will die. With the help of characters introduced in the first book and others he meets along the way, Danny Ray confronts the dreadful Ikkus-Sark, King of Fantasms. Unfortunately, there are too many sketchily rendered actors in this crowded, complex story, most introduced in clunky doggerel. The language shifts uneasily between flowery fantasy-speak and unadorned English. Those who have read the first book may enjoy this tale; otherwise, it deserves a pass.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library
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Review

"Action is paramount in the imaginatively told tale, which is filled with near misses and close calls that stack up before the satisfying ending. Bailey's rousing adventure... will appeal to young chess lovers and pirate fans alike."--Booklist on Clabbernappers

"This fast paced story is filled with battles, humor and a chilling scene or two...interesting and wonderfully written...Recommend this unique tale to fans of chess, pirate stories, nonstop action and fantastic characters."--School Library Journal on Clabbernappers
 
"A rousing adventure"--Chicago Tribune on Clabbernappers
 
"A fast, fun read with an honest, effective ending."--Publishers Weekly on Clabbernappers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Starscape; 1st edition (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765309823
• ISBN-13: 978-0765309822
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,515,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars this "is the best dang adventure ever" again, March 11, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fantasms (Hardcover)

The evil Fantasms have concocted a new scheme to cause havoc in the Kingdom of Elidor. No more direct assaults by these malevolent insurgents as they used to conduct before their recent setback caused by "the best dang rodeo cowboy in Oklahoma" that pain in their butts (that is if they had a butt) Danny Ray. Instead the evil-doers kidnap innocent beautiful Princess Amber. The diabolical plan is to freeze King Krystal into a state of inactive grief and fear for his daughter and beyond that his loyal subjects.

A simple abduction has left the Kingdom and its monarch so despondent that the depression spreading across Elidor makes the darkness of the Fantasms grow ever stronger. . However, Oklahoma Junior Division eleven years old rodeo cowboy Danny Ray and his close friends (Tuk the hellwain devil, Prince Blues, the Sultana Sumferi Sar, Captain Quigglewigg and the Clabbernappers, KarooKachoo the dragonfly princess, Hoodie Crow and the White Lady) take the bull by the horns (perhaps a chess piece or two) as they set sail on a chessboard of immense side to save Princess Amber and the kingdom of Elidor.

Middle school students will appreciate the adventures of confident Danny Ray and his wild assortment of teammates as they land in one precarious situation after another while trying to save the Princess. The story line never slows down as Danny Ray once again sets out to prove he is the man albeit preadolescent for the job. Len Bailey provides a wonderful young adult fantasy starring a youthful intrepid hero who as he once wisely said in CLABBERNAPPERS, this "is the best dang adventure ever" again.

Harriet Klausner