Customer Reviews

The Sword and the Flute (Matterhorn the Brave Series #1)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fantastic book!

I'm so pleased to find a writer who can explore thoughtful themes without erring in one of two common ways: by feeling compelled to hit the reader over the head with morals or principles or; perhaps even worse, by avoiding the conveyance of any morality or deeper meaning at all out of a desire not to offend or instruct.

Mike Hamel does a fine job of exploring delightful, alternate realities in ways that challenge kids to think, and better yet . . . to wrestle with issues of "could have beens" and "what ifs" and "if only I had been theres."

In my mind, that's a great writing gift. Very few authors can transport their readers to a land, and a time, that both entertains and instructs. Hamel does both exceedingly well.

Have you ever wondered what time travel might be like? How would you get there? What adventures would you have? Mike Hamel takes you on a time travel adventure that will keep you turning pages. Go with 12 year old Matthew Horn as he lands in Ireland of long ago and helps a leprechaun find his special flute. Matthew is given a special sword and makes new friends in unexpected places. Now that I have read book 1 of this series...I'd like to read about Matthew's other adventures and you will too.

When I picked up the first two books in this series, I was reading simply out of curiosity; I wasn't sure whether I'd really enjoy them or if I would just have some light-reading while riding the bike at the gym.

I was pleasantly surprised!

The intended audience for these books is probably for kids aged 8-12, or so, but I found them fun, creative, silly, and inventive. I enjoyed reading about these kids, who become time travelers in adult bodies!

I look forward to the coming books, and I definitely recommend these to parents or teachers who are looking for something new, fun, clever, safe, and exciting for their kids to read.

From an old shelf in the school library, called Mr. Rickets, twelve year old, Matt Horn, discovered an ancient book, "The Sword and the Flute." Puzzled, he focused on the empty pages of the book and a black dot the size of a period. As the dot grew in size and became a hole, Matt suddenly found himself "skittering across the floor of a dimly lit room about the size of the school gym." He had entered the Propylon in the First Realm. Here he was entrusted with the Sword of Truth and sent on a mission with his new friend Aaron to recover a stolen Flute. Entering a portal that took them back in time, the duo landed in Ireland to an adventure that included being chased by bounty hunters, mad farmers, and kidnappin' dwarfs. Before the adventure ended, Mike Horn, was knighted by Queen Bea, and became Matterhorn the Brave.

In this adventure series for preteens and teen readers, Mike Hamel has created a narrative that captures the young imagination. His subtle humor and unique descriptions bring a knowing smile, a chuckle, or loud guffaw. The reader is also challenged to honesty, courage, and consistence in doing their best in fulfilling their destiny for the Maker.

"The Sword and the Flute" is good for the individual reader, for family together times, or as a gift book for your child, or your grandchildren. It is and excellent suggestion for the school or church library. Exciting adventure reading.

The first time I read this book, I read it outloud to my son who was 8 or 10 years old. We did a lot of reading together. We've had the privilege of reading other works in the Matterhorn series too. Wonderful story line, with real, believable characters (not unlike my son!) in exciting time travel situations ... my son couldn't put the books down and has read them multiple times. Now, at the age of 16, as a 3 sport high school athlete, he's very excited about this new edited version of The Sword and the Flute and can't wait to begin reading the book all over again. I loved it too as a grown up, and the way Mike leads into the next story at the end of the first just keeps you wanting more. I highly recommend this book to both kids and adults!

Exciting, adventurous, and with a good message, this book deserves a spot on everyone's bookshelf!

Yes! Here we have a series of books designed for young readers (and old too!) that will keep them on the edge of their seats without scaring their pants off! The Matterhorn the Brave Series is full of mystery and danger but is family friendly and great for reading aloud like I did for my kids. We loved the characters - Matthew Horn (aka Matterhorn), Aaron the Baron, Queen Bea... come on, isn't that too cool :-) And in addition to being totally unique and inspired (Four young people are recruited to keep an eye on the portals of earth that connect all space and time), Mike Hamel is gifted in the art form of leaving the reader gasping for more! The chapters are just the right length to give lots of info and adventure, but not too long that my kids would start losing their focus and then all of a sudden - BAM! He drops the perfect cliffhanger to the chapter and you just have to read on to the next chapter - sheer genius! My kids were always saying... "Just one more chapter!?!"

We still have to get the rest of the series, but with such a great start, my kids are begging for more Matterhorn adventures!

Fantastic! The first in the Matterhorn the Brave series, The Sword and the Flute introduces us to Matthew Horn, a typical daydreaming 12-year old who imagines himself on many grand adventures. Matt loves to read and one day, finds an unusual book in his school library. As he leafs through the pages, a portal opens up and Matt finds himself traveling through time on a new adventure in medieval Ireland. Armed with the Sword of Truth and alongside his new friend, Aaron the Baron, Matterhorn must find a missing magical flute.

Matt and Aaron are normal boys who rise to the occasion and find strength and courage to accomplish the tasks set before them. Filled with adventure and danger, this is a terrific, fun book. I found it clever, well-written and exciting.

My 11-year old son is currently reading The Sword and The Flute and has decreed that we need to acquire the sequels as soon as possible! I agree wholeheartedly.

This is the story every daydreaming child longs to be a part of. Mike Hamel draws you into the reality he created until you feel as if you are with the characters, traveling around the world and through time. I know people who hate reading and are forced by teachers or parents to read a book, and end up choosing this one. Each one was so delighted with it that by the time they got to the end, they couldn't wait to start the next book in the series.