The Magic Lands

by Mark Hockley

When two teenage boys, Tom Lewis and Jack Barton, climb the gigantic oak at the bottom of Tom's garden they embark on a journey that takes them toward adulthood, a change embracing both enlightenment and loss. Finding themselves in a dangerous, alien realm, where dreams and reality seem to interweave and deception is at the heart of everything, they come under the malevolent influence of a creature known as the White Wolf. What had began as a childish adventure is in fact something far darker and deeper, for the Wolf is playing a momentous game, an arcane puzzle that must be resolved. The boys walk a dark road of treachery and pain, love and lust, sacrifice and redemption. Friendship and loyalty are put to the test and corruption comes in many guises. Finally, truth can only be revealed through pain and forfeit. It is a journey into the heart of darkness where nothing and no-one are what they seem and the rules are the logic of a dream.

Genres: Fantasy

329 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2014

Reviews

[Anietta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A land with rules based on magic, dreams and imagination, means nearly anything can happen. The environment, people and creatures there, are not what they seem on first glance . . or even on the second. It's decently paced, but even during the odd lull, the author keeps up a rich description and emotive narration that kept me reading.