Synopsis
This book is the first in a trilogy about magic in the modern world. It mixes mythology and wild action sequences with sharp and often humorous dialogue. Not just lighthearted, it also deals with anxiety, bereavement and the dysfunctionality of modern family life.
The main characters are Sam and Ethan, two 13 year old boys who live in a small seaside town on Cornwall's South Coast. They meet for the first time and are thrown headlong into a magical adventure that most certainly does not involve a ring, fauns or wands.
Swearing happens but most of the bad words have been bleeped out. Feel free to fill in the blanks, or turn it into a family guessing game. If you ever bump into me , I'll tell you what they are (provided that you sign a disclaimer first).
When Sam and Ethan stepped through the Hedge, better known as the village eyesore, they didn’t realize the old man watching them would soon become their greatest ally—and change the course of their lives irrevocably. Neither would they understand the fierce battle they were soon to become a part of. Welcome to a day in the life of modern mages.
Set in modern times with a bit of a magical twist, An Opening Door plucks a pair of young men from their otherwise small spheres and places the weight of the entire world in their hands. Given only minimal direction and a stern command that the Guard Stones must be protected, Ethan and Sam must face whatever it is weakening the barrier between Earth and Myrrl.
Sam will learn that the struggles he faces with a demanding stepmother pale in comparison to a fight with creatures he’s never faced or even seen before. And while Ethan may be used to the odd way his mother behaves, maybe she’s on to more of what’s going on in the world than he’d like to admit.
An Opening Door hardly qualifies as your typical magic story. There aren’t pages of explanation or even a bunch of crazy names and terms to remember. But that’s what makes it so easy to read and come back to if you only have a few minutes to read a chapter or two. Now, grammar-focused readers may find it difficult to overlook the rough-draft nature of the piece. However, this reader found those quirks to be similar to the way in which someone would tell a story in person, out loud.
If you’re looking for an easy read and a fascinating series to get into, look no further than An Opening Door. Learn what mages are, who Golem is, and what exactly a Scooby face is in this lighthearted yet thoughtful beginning to what promises to be an exciting series. This reader will be looking for the second installment, so catch up and find out what happens to Sam, Ethan, their families—and the fate of the world as we know it.
I am and always have been an avid reader. I love recommending a good book, no matter what the genre. I believe reading is a way to continue learning about life and the world around us.
