Customer Reviews

Return to Allapatria

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Readers who can't get enough of Harry Potter's escapades are sure to be irresistibly drawn to this story about the adventures of a most reluctant hero who becomes involved in a fight between the forces of good and evil in the imaginary kingdom of "Allapatria."

Young Daniel is just an ordinary twelve year old English lad looking forward to improving the scores for his favorite video game during his summer vacation. He is more than slightly annoyed when Barnaby, his not-so-cool next door neighbor, continually tries to become his best friend and interrupts his video game causing Daniel to lose his highest score. At the same time, strange happenings centering around the fish tank in Daniel's bedroom eventually culminate in transporting both boys to Allapatria. There they learn that Daniel has been chosen as Defender for the forces of Good in the next epic battle and that Barnaby is to be his Second.

Daniel resists mightily until he learns that the two worlds are inextricably linked and that events in Allapatria somehow have an effect upon his own world. As more intriguing events continue to unfold, Daniel begins to prepare for the big battle by being tutored in sword fighting and horseback riding.

The novel is a carefully plotted and suspenseful story with characters that possess considerable depth. The population of Allapatria includes DeFardian elves, creatures called "Grips" who are very much like trolls, a "tipsy" pixie, and a royal prince. Playful and humorous scenes balance the seriousness of the good vs. evil theme. The well-paced action and superb dialogue will surely keep young readers engrossed from the beginning of the story to its end, and most will eagerly await the sequel and a return to Allapatria.