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Hidden Earth #1.1
Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Part 1 Two Altered Worlds
Part 1 of the trilogy is titled "Two Altered Worlds." Discover the dreams, the magic, the quest. Kids of all ages will love this inspirational epic fantasy adventure, suitable for the entire family. The three parts of Maycly found in the paperback are sold separately as Ebooks. Part 1 is an amazing start to an epic journey. Get attached almost immediately as the protagonist, Iona, is thrown into circumstances beyond her control. Just as you're getting acquainted with her, you'll find yourself being taken back in time on Maycly, where the stage is being set for their queen's hopeful arrival. Part 1 offers a great cliff hanger, leading you right into Part 2.
- GenresFantasy
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Janet Beasley
37 books14 followersJanet Beasley, best selling author of The Hidden Earth Series (a six novel series), is successfully carving her niche` in the inspirational epic fantasy genre for middle grades and YAs. Even the young at heart are enjoying the escape her writing style presents. Her debut novel, Maycly the Trilogy, raised to the top 3 on the Amazon Religious Fantasy charts, and landed ahead of the Hunger Games on yet another. By appearing at local and out-of-state events, book signings, and speaking engagements, audiences are now perking up when they hear this author’s name…and it’s not just for her fantasy novels. Janet works with her sister and full time illustrator, Dar Bagby, to create more than just stories. Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy expands by leaps and bounds with two companion books (a full color illustration book and a cook book), as well as an online memorabilia shop, and amazingly enough – gourmet dog treats. Janet is multi-talented when it comes to her creativity. She excels in multi-media presentations, event planning, has developed a training center and its curriculum for AV technicians, and produced – directed – and served as a theater technician. She has written fiction - non-fiction – stage plays - and an autobiography. She has crafted award winning poetry, been published in anthologies, and trade specific magazines. Janet enjoys the outdoors by kayaking and hiking with her husband, and photographing nature. She also loves animals (dogs are her favorite), spending time with her family, and baking cupcakes.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2012
3.5 I did like it, but I wondered the entire book:
Iona is a young woman in her 20's Married to Cole for 5 years & they live next door to her parents. Cole takes her parents somewhere and tells Iona he will be back in a little while. She seems almost paranoid, because she is dependent on others for help. She sufers from 3 chronic illnesses & is always in pain. She goes to sleep, and when she wakes up, she expects her husband to be home. He is not & she goes to her parents house very worried and finds it empty to.
A long time passes, she's run out of money & decides to leave. She is gifted with a puppy & loves it right away. Since the place she is going will not allow animals, she decides to take to the streets traveling. She takes a suitcase, the puppy & a few supplies.
On her journey she meets "The man behind the dumpster" who dances and twists around like a fairy tale leprechaun & gives her an apartment to live in. All she is required is to visit people with a purple flower painted on their door.
This is where it gets interesting. There is a "Book of Good & Evil" that she reads. It's fairly long and builds the creation of Maycly, explaining what the SUL is & the created species and their rolls in his world. It is slightly parallel to the bibles book of creation BUT characters & more than one moon and sun are different.
Iona is having a hard time believing in the SUL (which makes me think it's talking about God through the back door). I wasn't sure.
With this book, I was a little confused. When the book of good and evil read, I started trying to read into the book and try to figure out if there truly was a religious aspect to it since Iona had so much loss & suffering & started doubting the SUL. Then there are the fantasy characters that make you wonder.
So for my rating.
This was an excellently written book & I am sure the more the series progresses, the more questions will be answered. Since it was unclear because of the parallels & I couldn't tell what the point of the author really was. A religious lesson or pure fantasy I scored it as I did.
It's one of those books that end up some kind of classic that you pick apart in school or sunday school & discuss meaning. You need a study guide almost. BUT I am still not sure if it was meant to be that way or not.
Iona is a young woman in her 20's Married to Cole for 5 years & they live next door to her parents. Cole takes her parents somewhere and tells Iona he will be back in a little while. She seems almost paranoid, because she is dependent on others for help. She sufers from 3 chronic illnesses & is always in pain. She goes to sleep, and when she wakes up, she expects her husband to be home. He is not & she goes to her parents house very worried and finds it empty to.
A long time passes, she's run out of money & decides to leave. She is gifted with a puppy & loves it right away. Since the place she is going will not allow animals, she decides to take to the streets traveling. She takes a suitcase, the puppy & a few supplies.
On her journey she meets "The man behind the dumpster" who dances and twists around like a fairy tale leprechaun & gives her an apartment to live in. All she is required is to visit people with a purple flower painted on their door.
This is where it gets interesting. There is a "Book of Good & Evil" that she reads. It's fairly long and builds the creation of Maycly, explaining what the SUL is & the created species and their rolls in his world. It is slightly parallel to the bibles book of creation BUT characters & more than one moon and sun are different.
Iona is having a hard time believing in the SUL (which makes me think it's talking about God through the back door). I wasn't sure.
With this book, I was a little confused. When the book of good and evil read, I started trying to read into the book and try to figure out if there truly was a religious aspect to it since Iona had so much loss & suffering & started doubting the SUL. Then there are the fantasy characters that make you wonder.
So for my rating.
This was an excellently written book & I am sure the more the series progresses, the more questions will be answered. Since it was unclear because of the parallels & I couldn't tell what the point of the author really was. A religious lesson or pure fantasy I scored it as I did.
It's one of those books that end up some kind of classic that you pick apart in school or sunday school & discuss meaning. You need a study guide almost. BUT I am still not sure if it was meant to be that way or not.
May 21, 2012
The novel started with a tragedy. 20-year old Iona, who is happily married to Cole, a loving husband and lives near her parents' house. She is also suffering from various ailments and Cole takes care of her in all possible ways. One bad day, Cole and her parents doesn't return back from their doesn't return home after their travel. After searching the hospitals, police stations and neighborhood for days, Iona is left alone with her ailments..and yeah, debts. After some months, Iona's home is going to be taken for debts and she is homeless. At that time, she is gifted with a cute puppy, which is left at her doorstep.
Iona leaves home and wanders away with the puppy. She sleeps in the streets and eats from the garbage. Yeah, I know..not a story that you gives you the happy feelings right? But, don't worry..Iona's sufferings ends here. When she reaches another village, she is given home and job by a stranger who calls himself - "The Man Behind the Dumpster" or "Dumpster Man". She soon is thrown into a series of activities, that is not in any way in her control. Will Iona live up to her expectations? Will she trust the God of Maycly - SUL? Will she be able to save the land of God? Will she ever find and rejoin with her parents and her husband? I know you hope she does..join the club!
There is a separate story of Maycly - the land of all good things. It explains the creation of the universe, Earth and Maycly. The Creator is called SUL! It was really exciting to read about the theory of creation of the Universe. This book is more suitable to middle grade/children.
The author has amazing imagination and she really has a good talent in writing. This series will be remembered by children as the one that they enjoyed. (But, I really doubt whether the same goes for adults..)
An interesting attempt on pure fantasy!
Iona leaves home and wanders away with the puppy. She sleeps in the streets and eats from the garbage. Yeah, I know..not a story that you gives you the happy feelings right? But, don't worry..Iona's sufferings ends here. When she reaches another village, she is given home and job by a stranger who calls himself - "The Man Behind the Dumpster" or "Dumpster Man". She soon is thrown into a series of activities, that is not in any way in her control. Will Iona live up to her expectations? Will she trust the God of Maycly - SUL? Will she be able to save the land of God? Will she ever find and rejoin with her parents and her husband? I know you hope she does..join the club!
There is a separate story of Maycly - the land of all good things. It explains the creation of the universe, Earth and Maycly. The Creator is called SUL! It was really exciting to read about the theory of creation of the Universe. This book is more suitable to middle grade/children.
The author has amazing imagination and she really has a good talent in writing. This series will be remembered by children as the one that they enjoyed. (But, I really doubt whether the same goes for adults..)
An interesting attempt on pure fantasy!
February 14, 2013
I am enthralled by this wonderful new world. Reminiscent of the character journeys of both Star Wars and Wizard of Oz, I am looking forward to the complete epic of Hidden Earth.
Maycly Part 1 is a fabulous beginning, arming the reader with the history of Maycly and introducing the reader to Iona. Iona has suffered some great tragedies, yet still manages to maintain a childlike innocence. She struggles with her faith and only truly begins her adventure when she opens her heart up to the Grand Wizard, SUL (a metaphorical reference to God).
While this book is only the beginning of Iona's story, it introduces us to an imaginative ensemble of characters and creatures. The stage is set for the classic battle of Good vs Evil.
Having had the opportunity to meet the author, it is easy to see her spirit captured in these pages. The author's personal story is a great inspiration and her passion fuels the world of Maycly!
Maycly Part 1 is a fabulous beginning, arming the reader with the history of Maycly and introducing the reader to Iona. Iona has suffered some great tragedies, yet still manages to maintain a childlike innocence. She struggles with her faith and only truly begins her adventure when she opens her heart up to the Grand Wizard, SUL (a metaphorical reference to God).
While this book is only the beginning of Iona's story, it introduces us to an imaginative ensemble of characters and creatures. The stage is set for the classic battle of Good vs Evil.
Having had the opportunity to meet the author, it is easy to see her spirit captured in these pages. The author's personal story is a great inspiration and her passion fuels the world of Maycly!
May 13, 2017
I have had the Maycly trilogy on my KIndle for PC for quite some time now and have finally had the time to read it. It is obviously targeted to younger readers however I have found some problems with it.
Too many large sudden info dumps that jerked me out of the story and tempted me to just skip over them. These info dumps should have been scattered throughout the story in small doses instead of such large ones. These large dumps tempted me to just skip over them.
Earth could have been left completely out of it and that to me would have caused the story to be easier to read.
My biggest problem is with the antagonist. A good antagonist should make you hate them but at the very beginning of the story it is revealed that SUL caused him to be evil on purpose just to show the inhabitants what evil was. I felt sorry for him instead of mad. SUL himself was more of the bad guy really because of this.
Too much was revealed in the beginning so when I was into the story it wasn't as deeply as I would have liked because of the reveals that pretty much spoiled the story for me.
Having said that however, to a younger audience who might need to be led around I reckon it works.
Too many large sudden info dumps that jerked me out of the story and tempted me to just skip over them. These info dumps should have been scattered throughout the story in small doses instead of such large ones. These large dumps tempted me to just skip over them.
Earth could have been left completely out of it and that to me would have caused the story to be easier to read.
My biggest problem is with the antagonist. A good antagonist should make you hate them but at the very beginning of the story it is revealed that SUL caused him to be evil on purpose just to show the inhabitants what evil was. I felt sorry for him instead of mad. SUL himself was more of the bad guy really because of this.
Too much was revealed in the beginning so when I was into the story it wasn't as deeply as I would have liked because of the reveals that pretty much spoiled the story for me.
Having said that however, to a younger audience who might need to be led around I reckon it works.
July 3, 2014
There are some lovely touches of description in Janet Beasley’s allegorical Hidden Earth, volume 1 of the Maycly trilogy. Echoes of Tolkein and C.S. Lewis abound—of Lewis Carroll too— with strangely named, child-centered creatures on a separate earth, bound to ours by angelic and demonic terrors, while a real-world woman deals with real-world issues of depression, chronic health issues, and desertion.
The mythology of this earth’s creation is filled with detail, told with weighty, sometimes lyrical prose, rich with Biblical allusion and mythical echoes. Of Maycly itself, the creator, SUL, sings “...eternal land of enchantment. You shall be My ever-after world. You shall represent the center of all My creation.”
As the story progresses, complex names begin to resound with an odd familiarity. Carbreyghal might be Gabriel, and his watching offers intriguing imagery. Readers wanting to know what a mandibleron gryphon looks like might turn the pages eagerly for another illustration. And the Irish accents of the chukkons will amuse, while fantasy torture darkens the mood.
In all, Hidden Earth offers an intriguing allegory of the Fall, wrapped up with lots of side stories, all promising to come together in the end. The end won’t come until the trilogy’s done, but there are plenty of bedtime tales to slow the evening hours in this first volume.
Disclosure: I bought this when it was free and I offer my honest review.
The mythology of this earth’s creation is filled with detail, told with weighty, sometimes lyrical prose, rich with Biblical allusion and mythical echoes. Of Maycly itself, the creator, SUL, sings “...eternal land of enchantment. You shall be My ever-after world. You shall represent the center of all My creation.”
As the story progresses, complex names begin to resound with an odd familiarity. Carbreyghal might be Gabriel, and his watching offers intriguing imagery. Readers wanting to know what a mandibleron gryphon looks like might turn the pages eagerly for another illustration. And the Irish accents of the chukkons will amuse, while fantasy torture darkens the mood.
In all, Hidden Earth offers an intriguing allegory of the Fall, wrapped up with lots of side stories, all promising to come together in the end. The end won’t come until the trilogy’s done, but there are plenty of bedtime tales to slow the evening hours in this first volume.
Disclosure: I bought this when it was free and I offer my honest review.
July 7, 2012
I love fantasy novels and was feeling broke as usual so I was hesitating about buying the paperback version of this one. I was delighted when the author broke her long tale into smaller ebooks and began reading right away.
The tale of a sickly woman who loses her family and her home began to depress me and feel much to much like what I was seeing in the world around me and I opened another book.
Finally my curiosity got the better of me and I returned to Maycly. I'm glad I did, parts are long and parallel the biblical creation a bit much but the majority is well written and fascinating to read. I still like the main character and her dog better than the fantasy world but she is so well drawn and interesting that it is no wonder she appeals.
This seems more than a children's book and I have not read the next sections. Yet. I am not sure how the story will end but I am sure the writer has poured her heart into her creation.
The tale of a sickly woman who loses her family and her home began to depress me and feel much to much like what I was seeing in the world around me and I opened another book.
Finally my curiosity got the better of me and I returned to Maycly. I'm glad I did, parts are long and parallel the biblical creation a bit much but the majority is well written and fascinating to read. I still like the main character and her dog better than the fantasy world but she is so well drawn and interesting that it is no wonder she appeals.
This seems more than a children's book and I have not read the next sections. Yet. I am not sure how the story will end but I am sure the writer has poured her heart into her creation.
August 8, 2012
I’ve found this book very lovely. Reading the first part, the explanation of The Book of Good and Evil for me was like a fantasy version of the bible. And I couldn’t see the connection between Iona and the rest of the story. Iona’s story was one thing, and the story for Maycly was something very different, I couldn’t connect the two stories. The second part was a great epic battle. Amazing fantasy creatures, good and evil, fighting for Maycly. The third part I liked the most. I’ve found the answers of all my questions about this story. Here I saw the connection between Iona and Maycly. I think that this book overall is little bit too long for small children, but that’s my opinion. The plot of the story was great. I loved the illustrations of the characters in the book. They were so adorable. Reading this fairytale story was like going back to the childhood, where every girl is a beautiful princess and the handsome prince is waiting for her.
March 30, 2012
I already read the paperback AND LOVED IT, so I decided to download Part 1 to my PC...the illustrations are in color--WOO-HOO!--but they are really small (it will be great to see them full size in the companion book that's supposed to come out soon.) I can't believe anyone would NOT want to buy Parts 2 and 3 as well. The end of Part 1 leaves you hanging by a thread, and you absolutely MUST "hear the other shoe drop." The author's style is so easy to read, even the dialog spoken by the chukkons rolls off your tongue without a struggle.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews