Customer Reviews

Search for the Flaming Chalice

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the perspective of a high school English teacher, this book can be read on many different levels - different levels of ability, intellect, and age. The journey of the three martens is filled with classic, thoughtful situations of power, conflict, and belonging. Situations are painted with crisp, vivid images where the three different and distinct personalities of the martens can play themselves out. Every reader will be able to relate to some element of this brilliant book. This text can be used as a fantastic teaching too; allusions (Shelly, Shakespeare, Dante, Beowulf), teamwork, respect, responsibility, and decision-making. This book will be fully recommended by all who read it

"Search for the Flaming Chalice" by Robert Shaw Kesler is adelightful adventure story. I read it aloud to my nine-year old whodescribed it as "suspenseful and funny." This book features three clever, courageous martens in an ever-surprising plot. The evocative descriptions, punchy dialogue, and tension-relieving humor make for a wonderful chapter book. This fresh take on adventure and magic is highly recommended.

"Search for the Flaming Chalice" transports its readers into the magical, marten-filled world of Toveria where sorcerers battle for power and enchanted gems, murderous sewn-together monsters, and angry spirits dominate everyday encounters. I thought the book was a charming story with enough mystery, action, and silliness to captivate younger readers. As an older reader, I enjoyed the humor and the many camouflaged literary references. In today's environment where children are besieged with frenetic, cross-marketed trash such as Pokemon and Power Rangers, parents can take heart that "Search for the Flaming Chalice" gently teaches children the importance of friendship, family, courage, persistence, and teamwork while entertaining them.

I have a seven year old and a fifteen year old, and we all love it! My son kept saying, "wow, Mom, this would be a GREAT video game!" I appreciated the "stretching" references - at several points in the story, the kids would ask "what's that, Mom?" or "why are you laughing so hard, Mom?" and then we'd go look things up. I've read it twice since the kids and I read it, and each time I find something new to make me chuckle. Great book!!

"Search For the Flaming Chalice" was an exciting adventure that will definately be loved by all ages. I can't wait to read it to my two year old someday. There are some very important values to be learned by these witty martens...teamwork, friendship, and faith are just a few. You won't be disappointed by this book of adventure, mystery, good versus evil, and humor!

It is a fun book, good for people of all ages. The plot is creative and well thought out. I really enjoyed reading the book!!!

This book has all the best of the best qualities of Tolkien, but for the nine and ten year old crowd! As a middle school teacher, I highly recommend this book to all parents for fun summer and/or leisure reading. Read it aloud with your children, you'll want to read it over and over and over and over

IT WAS WELL THOUGHT UP, AND IT HAD A GREAT PLOT. THE CHARACTERS WERE VERY INTERESTING AND VERY WELL DEVELOPED. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS THAT ONCE YOU START, YOU JUST CAN'T PUT IT DOWN. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE

Search for the Flaming Chalice
By Robert Shaw Kesler
Paperback: 153 pages
Publisher: Thatcher Forest (1998)
Rated: 4 stars of 5 possible

Search for the Flaming Chalice is an anthropomorphic tale of three martins - Carmen, Alger, and Gilbert - on a quest to find the flaming chalice, which will enable them to unleash the power of the purple stone they carry. The humor, magic and adventure combine to create a delightful and sometimes suspenseful tale that will appeal to fantasy fans, both young and old. The more experienced reader will recognize literary allusions to Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," Shelley's Frankenstein, Rossetti's "Goblin Market," Dante's Inferno, and more embedded within the story. Themes in the novel include friendship, family, courage, persistence, teamwork, and more, which makes the novel not only entertaining for younger readers but also a teaching tool for those a little older.

The main villain of the piece is Attila, an evil sorcerer. I found him a bit weak in characterization, almost a joke at some points and perhaps too easily defeated as well... yet this didn't detract too much from my over-all enjoyment of the story, as too strong a villain would not be appropriate for a children's story.

That said, I hereby give this highly enjoyable tale a strong 4 star rating for being both entertaining and educational. I recommend this book to readers age 8 and up.

This review has been simultaneously published on Amazon.com, Dragonviews, and LibraryThing.