The Tales of Tanglewood: The Lon Dubh Whistle [Kindle Edition]

Scott Michael Kessman (Author)

Book Description

Within the pages of the book, readers will discover Colin, a child who is fully aware of the hidden world of myth and wonder hiding within the woods just beyond his home, long kept secret by old magic. Only the fey magic which runs through his veins has enabled Colin to find what others cannot; the Tanglewood, the 'wood within the woods.

Full of odd characters and fey beings, the Tanglewood is a world of magnificent folklore come to life. As Colin begins to explore the Tanglewood, he will find friendship with the ferrish Ailfrid, the elfin girl Deidre, and Doc Muffingrow, a wise druid.

Colin will also find that there is much magic in himself, as well as dangerous enemies who will not let him find solace in the wood so easily. Ailil, King of the Sprites and ruler of The Below, has laid claim to his spirit, and Colin will need the help of his friends and quite a bit of magic to save himself.

The Tanglewood is a place like no other, and Colin is a boy like no other. Throughout his adventures, he will uncover the secret of the fey blood within him, and help dispel the poisonous corruption and hidden dangers that threaten the inhabitants of the wood and the Tanglewood itself.

Tales of Tanglewood: The Lon Dubh Whistle melds together influences of Celtic and Irish mythology with modern-day folklore, and is a fantasy novel to be enjoyed and cherished by all ages. It proudly stands apart from the mass of copycat fantasy fiction and mundane adventure stories currently flooding the market.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In a world filled with strife and hardship it is a stroke of luck when a book appears to take one away from it all. The Tales of Tanglewood: The Lon Dubh Whistle is just such a story. This is a chronicle of a young boy named Colin and the seemingly unexceptional forest beyond his parent's yard. Colin felt the woods to be special, and often dreamed of the magic that was busy in the trees in the form of wood nymphs, elves and other creatures. One warm summer night, upon awakening from a recurrent charmed dream, he followed his instincts outside into the woods. After pushing through the trees for some time he came to an archway, and then to a clearing, where before his eyes, cast in the glow of firelight was...well, here the adventure takes off for young Colin in The 'Wood. Colin is initiated into the grove with characters like the be-horned Ailfrid, Colin's fairy guide; Doc Muffingrow, the druid and muffin-baker extraordinaire; and Deidre, the strong-willed elfin runner. But all is not right and peaceful in The 'Wood. And as Colin always suspected, he is not a simple Kynney Deiney; or member of the human race, but in fact possesses Blood of the Fey, or fairy spirit. What ensues is an engaging adventure of transformation and rebirth all through the world of the supernatural, rife with the creatures of one's wildest imagination; brownies, sprites and pixies abounding. This book is a delight for all ages. The Tales of Tanglewood is fundamentally charming, from its enchanting characters to its deft anthropomorphizing of the natural world. Whereas some fairy fables devolve into sentimentality, this tale is utterly entrancing. Written in clean, capable prose, the story moves without a hitch to the final pages, which hint at more Tanglewood tales to come. The reader should be so fortunate. --Rachel Bravmann, reviewer for BUST Magazine, Seattle Magazine

About the Author

Scott Michael Kessman currently resides in Long Island, New York, where he lives happily with his beautiful wife and two annoying cats. He has always been a writer, since the days of early childhood, when he was first able to put his dreams into words. Scott has toiled as a graphic artist for many years, seeing fit to labor away at a multitude of short stories and longer story ideas, with the idea in mind that he would one day publish a collection. It was not until recently that he began work on The Tales of Tanglewood, and everything has changed. The Tales of Tanglewood is not just a story. It is the culmination of many years worth of dreams. It is a wish upon a star, glowing brightly in the midnight sky. It is a childhood fantasy of wonder and magic brought to life. Partially inspired by his love for fantasy and folklore, and also the love for his wife, whose ideas contributed much to the story, Scott hopes that anyone who reads it can feel the same magic he felt when writing it. He loves the woods. He loves Ireland. He writes. He draws. He cooks. He loves his wife. He enjoys the little things in life. Strip the world of contemporary shopping malls and mind-dulling technology, and you will find the world a magical place to be.

Product Details

• File Size: 684 KB
• Print Length: 183 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0980178010
• Publisher: Helm Publishing; One edition (December 1, 2007)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001SASERC
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,514 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique, Enchanting Fantasy: You'll be Hooked! December 5, 2007

By Ashley Sinatra

Format:Paperback

Within the first few lines of this book, the narrator teases you a bit with this magical world that he has abandoned in pursuit for the technological world. However, in his old age, he decides to go to the magical woods again. This magical woods, called Tanglewood, was in need of his help. For this older man was a writer from the heart. This is just what Tanglewood needed - someone to pen the stories of its past. The stories start off with a boy named Colin. Colin finds himself lured into Tanglewood and soon discovers that he has fey, fairy, blood within him. He shortly finds himself in trouble with some pixies and must embark on a journey for his freedom.

This story is beautifully written. The story is interesting and unique. Truly a great read. The book is also beautifully formatted. It would not surprise me if this book became a cherished tale like that of Eragon. My favorite line of the book says that if you cannot find magic in the world, you must find magic in yourself. So, whatever you do today, go find that magic within you.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical read... January 6, 2008

By Folklore Fan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Tales of Tanglewood" brought me the same type of enjoyment that I had when I was first introduced to Harry Potter. But it's definitely very different from that. It sets the stage for a great series of unique adventures that someone of any age can enjoy. Who hasn't imagined temporarily disappearing from the real world for a new adventure in a beautifully mysterious and magical land with wonderfully interesting people (or creatures) to mingle with along the way? I'm a fan of this new series and author! It's a nice escape to day dream about.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PetRead March 24, 2013

By PetRead

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

(This review is also posted on Goodreads.) Colin follows a path that led to Tanglewood, a charmed world where creatures of magic live. He is captured by the mischievous pixies and there is only one thing he can do to be free from their dangerous magical hold-- steal the Lon Dubh whistle from the brownies and bring it to the Pixie King Ailil. The whistle is a sacred artifact that was once shared harmoniously by the brownies, pixies and sprites before they fought a great battle against each other. The Lost Fey is responsible for bringing in bad energies that caused this war many years ago, and now Colin, a Lost Fey himself, has the power or the antidote to set things right in Tanglewood again. With his fey friends Ailfrid and Deidre, Colin plots to bring peace and harmony back among the creatures.

This is such a beautiful fairy tale for the young and old. It kindles a hope that maybe somehow and somewhere, there is an enchanted world, especially for people who see the beauty and magic in nature. It's a pleasurable read, and I finished with a sigh and a big satisfied smile.

More About the Author

Scott Michael Kessman currently resides in North Carolina, where he lives happily with his beautiful wife and two annoying cats. He has always been a writer, since the days of early childhood, when he was first able to put his dreams into words.

Scott has toiled as a graphic artist for many years, seeing fit to labor away at a multitude of short stories and longer story ideas, with the idea in mind that he would one day publish a collection. It was not until recently that he began work on The Tales of Tanglewood, and everything has changed.

The Tales of Tanglewood is not just a story. It is the culmination of many years worth of dreams. It is a wish upon a star, glowing brightly in the midnight sky. It is a childhood fantasy of wonder and magic brought to life. Partially inspired by his love for fantasy and folklore, and also the love for his wife, whose ideas contributed much to the story, Scott hopes that anyone who reads it can feel the same magic he felt when writing it.

He loves the woods. He loves Ireland. He writes. He draws. He cooks. He loves his wife. He enjoys the little things in life. Strip the world of contemporary shopping malls and mind-dulling technology, and you will find the world a magical place to be.