BOOK REVIEW: Hamelin Stoop: The Eagle, The Cave and the Footbridge (Book 1) by Robert B. Sloan

Publication Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: 12 Gates Publishing
Format: ebook
Pages: 323 pages
Genre:  YA/ Sci Fi/ Fantasy
Buy: Kindle | Paperback | 

Synopsis:

Afraid of being caught by trackers from another world, a young mother abandons her baby boy in a tomato box inside the screened porch of a children's home. The staff at the orphanage name him Hamelin Stoop, but he grows up longing to learn his real name, find his parents, and thus discover his true identity. Life is not easy for Hamelin. He belongs to everyone, though in some ways to no one fully. And the people he is closest to leave him one by one. A letter from an older friend advises Hamelin to "keep waiting and keep hoping." Bitter experiences force Hamelin to wait, but he has to learn how to hope. When the children's home forgets his eighth birthday, he sneaks away at night. He soon discovers that he isn't just running away -- he is being summoned by the Ancient One. Guided by the Great Eagle through a mysterious cave, Hamelin must pass a dangerous test of courage before he can find his parents. Hamelin's failures, fears, and hopes become part of a larger story, a story of a great struggle between worlds and kingdoms where the old myths of magic, evil contracts, and enslaved children turn out to be real.

Review: 

This is a well written fantasy story. Hamelin is left by his parents on the steps of a childrens home to save his life. While his parents are taken back to the other realm Hamelin is raised in this time in West Texas.  As he grows up he starts to encounter strange things and at one point is taken to meet his destiny but he isn't ready to move beyond his fear. With the help of his friends from the childrens home he is able to piece together more of his past and discover what might have happened to his parents.  This story really fleshed out the characters in this series and I felt really invested in Hamelin and his success. The magical mysteries aren't fully revealed to us in this story but I'm hoping we learn more in future books.  This is a good start to a new series.  I can't wait to read about what awaits Hamelin in the other realm and whether he missed his opportunity to change things when he tried to get there the first time.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fantasy and who may have liked the Narnia series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

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