Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth [Paperback]

C.J. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

“Brynnfeld ... the home of first-year students attending the Academy of the Oracle. A place where they learn how to unleash the mysterious powers within them; a place where powers for good are developed. However, one must stay watchful! Evil is ever-present — awaiting those who venture away from the light. The Dark Lord’s domain is in the very shadows cast by the Academy walls. Edward Forrest walks on the very brink. Can he withstand the Dark Lord’s plan of destruction? But most important of all, can he pass the final test that awaits him in the mysterious passageways of The Great Labyrinth?”

Editorial Reviews

Review

...certainly an inspiring addition to every school, libarary...and home too, where a child lives. Extremely good read. -- Swamy, Blether, The Book Review site

...hard to put down. If a...reader loves Harry Potter, I can assure you they will love Forrest Tales. -- Jennifer LB Leese, Children's Book Review Columnist, Author, and Copyeditor

...wonderful children's fantasy...I wish they had around when I was a child. ...highly recommend this children's fantasy series. -- Chere Gruver, Member Reviewer's International Organization

From the Publisher

Written as a juvenile fantasy, this book is also enjoyed by adults of all ages. The story is gripping as the characters find mystery and adventure while attending the Academy of the Oracle. Each book in this fantasy series has a value theme designed to help young people as they face struggles in a troubled world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413710352
• ISBN-13: 978-1413710359
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,181,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good Fantasy!, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth (Paperback)

I wondered when someone would come up with a fantasy that takes us out of the world of the occult and gives us something to smile about. This story offers lots of adventure and excitement, but also addresses some real-life problems we all face. Highly recommend for kids of all ages! I can hardly wait to read the next in the series!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting Juvenile Fantasy, July 27, 2004

By 

S V SWAMY "swamy-reviews" (Hyderabad, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth (Paperback)

"The Secret of the Labyrinth" is the first of Forrest Tales, a series of adventures featuring Edward Forrest. Written as a juvenile fantasy, the book is an extremely good read for adults too. I couldn't put the book down except for brief intervals necessitated out of fatigue. I had to finish it in one day. The story is good, the style is mostly good and the characterisation is very good. Most of the time, author C.J.Lewis succeeds in painting a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.

The book is not only about powers of light and darkness, but also the story of courage, withstanding temptation, learning to forgive and ultimately learning to 'be in the light'. The last few chapters of the book are spiritually very uplifting. Whether the present generation children will resonate with the lessons presented by Lewis is a debatable point. But the book is certainly an inspiring addition to every school, library and I would add, every home too, where a child lives.

I found a few editorial glitches but they do not interfere with the enjoyment or understanding.

I compliment the author, C.J.Lewis for an excellent effort and look forward to more offerings from her pen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disguised by a slightly different tone, July 18, 2004

By 

Betsie's Literary Page (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth (Paperback)

July 16, 2004

Edward Forrest is a twelve-year-old boy; lives in a small dark house, has few possessions, barely gets anything to eat, and has holes in the ceiling of his bedroom. His two obnoxious sisters make his life even more miserable. A daily routine for Edwards is cooking, cleaning, turning on the heat, retrieving the newspaper, and going to school.

The boy has generational `Light' in his background, making it very likely that he will have the same abilities when he grows up. Olive knows this, and since she hates the idea that he may possess inherent "special powers", she practically ignores his existence. Olive raises Edward in such a way as to deny him any knowledge of his past or any parental love and compassion.

However, Edward receives supernatural assistance.

Using a map Edward searches for a buried treasure. After finding a uniquely engraved `coin', Edward is taken to a place called Southwyck. A village that appears to each nation in turn once a year, a time when guardians gather those chosen - a dimensional portal of sorts. Here he learns that the coin is his invitation to The Academy of the Oracle. He is totally dumbfounded with the news, but accepts, desperately wanting freedom of the physical clutches of his unhappy life and family.

Galan, his guardian immediately begins preparing Edward for the journey to the large compound called Brynnfeld. Edward boards a brightly painted, horse-drawn wagon quickly making new friends, and eager to see what awaits him in his entirely new, and soon to be, exciting life.

On arrival, The Empress Mother greets them, she introduces staff and the Lord of the Manor gives a welcome speech. Edward soon discovers that First-Year students will learn to unleash the mysterious powers within. That is until Edward joins a club called The Skobi

The Skobi however, have other plans sketched out for The Academy of Oracle and everyone in it. Edward wants out, but how?

The non-magical world is known as `Common World', and depicted as being "self-centered". Those within Brynnfeld, on the other hand, are depicted as being very generous, of being physically normal, and of living in harmony.

If all of this sounds too familiar, it's probably because it is. Readers will quickly find the numerous similarities to the HP series, such as the robes, uniforms, school, headmistress, groundskeeper, spiral staircase, great hall, etc. (There is even a `Malfoy" type). From start to finish I was able to spot 19 similarities that stuck out like a neon sign on a dark deserted highway. Is this coincidence or creativity? You be the judge.

Reviewed by Betsie