The Quest for Calinore

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Author(s)
Publisher Name
Independently Published
Age Range
9+
Release Date
September 10, 2024
ISBN13
979-8337997384
ISBN10 or ASIN
   
When twelve-year-old Dylan Edwards is given a magic amulet and a journal for his birthday, his ordinary life is transformed into a dangerous mission to rescue his relatives in another realm. By communicating with the soul of a murdered king trapped in a journal, Dylan receives important clues that will help him defeat an evil sorceress and a corrupt dictator who have placed a curse on his royal ancestors.

Each day, Dylan attends school and leads the normal life of a seventh-grade student, but at night, when he drifts off to sleep, his amulet transports him to the kingdom of Calinore, where his quest awaits him. There, he befriends an old witch with failing powers, a sparrow who works as a spy, a kind-hearted baker, and the pet dragon of a former prince. He also encounters a group of mice whose shocking secret forces him to take immediate action on their behalf.

Join Dylan and his newfound companions as they embark upon a perilous journey filled with dangers and unexpected challenges that threaten their survival at every turn.

Editor review

1 review
Ending a family curse
(Updated: June 06, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
What worked:
I like to consider a book’s hook at the beginning and this book's opening is a little different. Dylan’s twelfth birthday is the age when many characters discover something special about their lives, and he knows what to expect this year. However, while walking to the ice cream shop, he is compelled to change his course and enter an old, dismal-looking shop. Later, his father is drawn to the same shop where he finds an old wooden chest containing an amulet and a small journal with blank pages. While exploring the chest, his birthday present, Dylan experiences the same migraine headache and chest pains that have debilitated his father since he was twelve. To add to the mystery, Dylan and his father are the only ones who can see the strange pitchfork symbol on the forehead of the cranky, old woman living as a house guest. Readers will get a sense of where the plot is headed but the hook will make them curious to read more.
Dylan has visions of a king being killed in a dungeon and discovers they can communicate with each other using the blank journal. Dylan learns he can end the family curse by stopping the evil reign of Mordrid and a sorcerer named Drucilla. The author emphasizes their cruelty by describing Mordrid’s love of torturing and how his lead guard Maggotbreath inflicts ruthless violence on his prisoners. Drucilla secretly plots to get rid of King Mordrid as her evil magic is an overwhelming force. Dylan’s quest is to recover two mystical items, a hidden scepter and Drucilla’s wand, and restore King Paul to the throne.
The supporting cast is a unique blend of characters and personalities. Dylan is aided by an aging witch whose abilities have seen better days and readers won’t know what to expect when she casts spells. The rightful king of Calinore is killed in a prison cell and his soul is now trapped inside the journal with a pirate called Greybeard. King Paul provides helpful advice and motivation for Dylan while Greybeard’s soul is cranky, angry, and has little patience for Dylan. King Paul’s wife and their son have been changed into talking mice and a former assistant to Drucilla now acts as a spying sparrow for the queen. King Mordrid’s prison guards are inept, bumbling buffoons but the head jailer, Maggotbreath, is as malevolent as they come.
What didn’t work as well:
The story shifts settings to focus on various characters but some of these are unnecessary. It’s most important to follow Dylan, Mordrid, and Drucilla as they have the most interesting, conflicting subplots. The end of the book may not be as satisfying as readers would like.
The final verdict:
Young readers will enjoy Dylan’s quest into a magical world of witches, pirates, and even a dragon. There’s a nice blend of drama, humor, and suspense as Dylan tries to end the family curse. I suggest you give this book a shot.
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