Travels to Fahdamin-Ra [Hardcover]

Chaz A Young (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2008

The lives of fourteen and twelve year old Celestine and Joel Bridges change forever when they uncover a family secret. They are descendants of "Creators" who were given a world to rule with superhuman powers. The siblings travel to the world of Fahdamin-Ra and use their newfound abilities. Making friends among the three tribes, the Harun, the Masamba, and the Jabulani, they joyfully use their powers to cure, fly, and create animals. However, their fun soon turns to serious work when the Fahdamins are threatened by the evil Shadow Men, who have unusual abilities of their own. Can they triumph over this group of brutal men, or will they be expelled from Fahdamin-Ra forever?

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Eloquent Books (November 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606933701
• ISBN-13: 978-1606933701
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,832,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Though she has always had a fascination with Africa and Nigeria in particular, Chaz Young was born and raised in Maine, though she has lived in California, Virgina, and Puerto Rico. She married Arnold, a black man, and they have two children, Callista and Toliver.

Chaz wrote her book, "Travels to Fahdamin-Ra" for her children because they wanted a fantasy adventure story where brown kids were the heroes. She got the idea from her husband, who has little marks behind his earlobes and he joked that if he went to the right village in Africa, they would make him Chief of their tribe. Chaz gave the main characters of Celestine,Joel, and their father, Raymond Bridges marks like that so when they went to Fahdamin-Ra, it showed that they were Creators with supernatural abilities. Needless to say, the Bridges family is based on the Young family, who gives Chaz lots of feedback on her characters.

"Travels to Fahdamin-Ra" was originally released as a hardcover, but should be out soon as a softcover and an e-book. "Across the Savannah" is the second book in the Fahdamin-Ra series, and "The Voyage North", the next one after that, will be released this fall.

Chaz supports "Working Villages, International," by donating part of the proceeds from her book sales to help with the Ruzizi Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoroughly Enjoyable Fantasy Tale, December 13, 2009

By 

Apex Reviews (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Travels to Fahdamin-Ra (Hardcover)

When fourteen- and twelve-year-old Celestine and Joel discover a mysterious stone necklace one day, they are suddenly transported to the fantasy world of Fahdamin-Ra. Shortly after their arrival, the teens learn that they and their family are actually the famed "Creators" of legend, the original progenitors who gave life to the fabled place. Not only that, they also have superhuman powers in the mystical realm, enabling them to fly, heal, and even read minds. Despite the apparent idyllic conditions, though, the Creators soon learn of the existence of the sinister Shadow Men, ruled by the avaricious Sun Lord, who craves the power of the magical necklace for himself. As the Shadow Men extend their pernicious grip over the land of Fahdamin, the Creators are forced into a climactic showdown - the ultimate result of which will determine the very fate of their beloved fantasy land...

An imaginative, well-crafted tale, Travels To Fahdamin-Ra is an enjoyable, entertaining read. Through compelling characters and savvy storytelling, author Chaz Young relates a moving story lauding the concepts of tolerance, understanding, and compassion for your fellow man, themes that we would all be wise to embrace - especially in these contemporary times. Moreover, her skillful use of the elements of action and suspense further bolster her tale, leading the reader on a page-turning thrill-ride that culminates in quite the satisfying climactic conclusion.

Upbeat and engaging, Travels To Fahdamin-Ra is a pleasant addition to the world of fantasy fiction, one that begs a sequel that readers can only hope is just as gratifying.


Chelsea Perry
Apex Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read, December 9, 2009

By 

Mary A. McAvoy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Travels to Fahdamin-Ra (Hardcover)

Chaz Young is a top-notch story teller. Her Fahdamin-Ra fantasy/adventure series is filled with upbeat energy and kaleidoscope action. Her characters are vivid and engaging as she moves them forward through scenes of suspense, humor, and human warmth in an imaginary world of varied cultures and personalities. Her page-turning stories leave the reader anxious for the next episode in the lives of her central figures - teenage brother and sister, Joel and Celestine. Messages of tolerance, kindness, and "taking the high road" permeate the story while the teens (and their family and friends) seem utterly contemporary. Chaz cleverly includes animals as key characters in her stories, and her brilliant artwork showcases these remarkable creatures on her book covers.

Mary McAvoy
Author, Love's Compass

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Fantasy Story!, October 17, 2009

By 

Children's Book Reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Travels to Fahdamin-Ra (Hardcover)

Travels to Fahdamin-Ra is a well developed and creative story that keeps the readers interest right to the very end. The suspense and the intensity of the story forces the reader into wanting to know every detail of what is going on so they can imagine themselves in the same world as the characters, wanting to do their good work. Celestine and Joel discover a secret stone necklace that was passed down from generation to generation. Though no family member knows exactly what it does, the curiosities of the children soon uncover the mystery. While reading a verse found with the necklace they are transported to a world that is quite different from their own where they discover many interesting things about what the necklace is and who they are. They go back and forth between the worlds to get their father and mother so they can also see the wondrous place.

Upon talking with many people from the Harun tribe, they soon discover that they are almost like royalty. There was a prophecy many years ago, where a man and his two children would come and bring peace throughout the land. Celestine, Joel and their Father, are known as, "Creators" who supposedly created the world of Fahdamin-Ra. As the trio explore they soon come upon information that talks of past "Creators" and what they could do and what they believed. They learn that they have superhuman powers where they can heal the sick, fly, talk with animals, read minds, and so on. Determined to do what is right, they use their powers wisely, making lots of friends and in the process healing some of the problems between the tribes creating a peace that we wish our world could learn from. And yet with this new found friendship comes a problem that all the tribes seem to have--Shadow Men. These Shadow Men are run by the Sun Lord, who wants the power of the stone for himself. Because of his greed he hurts, deceives, and kills the people of Fahdamin-Ra, damaging everything in his path regardless of the consequences. This story is thick with compassion, understanding, friendship and love, and the knowledge that all things do not have to end in war and distrust. With a little bit of compromise and with the determination and strength to face the things we most fear, we can solve any problem. The ending also leads the reader into believing that there might be another adventure to Fahdamin-Ra coming soon, I hope I am correct. Overall, this story was well written and I hope that many people enjoy it as much as I have.