The Calling

Merlin and Martha Series #1

by Tammy Young Coté

Thirteen-year-old Martha Zachary thinks her biggest challenge is on the basketball court, but when she meets a gray-haired man with twinkling blue eyes, she learns her greatest trials are yet to come. Merlin, the wizard of legend, tells her that he is on a mission from God; he must train her for her calling – to lead others in the final faceoff between good and evil. How can she add the wizard’s lessons to her busy life without losing her best friend, Anna, or alienating her basketball teammates? What’s more, can she really rise to the calling?
This inspirational and exciting story peaks in a locker-room showdown with a demon and his shadow army – right before the big game!

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2012

Reviews

[Tammy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I wrote it, I am biased. I loved writing this book!

[Cate's Book Nut Hut]

It been a long time since I read a book like this, and with it being the first in a series it signals the beginning of a great read for people of all ages.

There are two main protagonists in this novel, and both are extremely well written. The female lead is loyal and honest but, as with all girls her age she has her flaws and weaknesses. The way in which the Author portrays her over throughout the book makes her seem real and just a regular girl in less than ordinary circumstances; it’s the way in which she deals with this circumstances, comes to terms with new found abilities and fights to the end, that makes different from any other character in a book of this type that I have read. She deals with her situation in such a way that has the reader cheering her on; is she a complainer, not at all and this was what I so enjoyed about her. It’s been a long time since a character has appeared in a book that girls can relate to and, possibly for the young bookworm, wants to be as like as they can possibly be. It’s a great Author that can carry this energy that is put into one character over into their other main character, but this Author has pulled that off with ease. There is no skimping with development and personality of the male lead; he plays a full role in this novel that inspires and motivates his counterpart while, at the same time reaching out with these qualities to touch the reader. In these two protagonists that Author has created a world that will appeal to readers both male and female, they really are inspirational. Lesser characters are woven into the storyline with ease, and the reader is never left wondering who they were and what their role in the big scheme of things is.

Adventure, magic, the typical school showdowns, everything is included in this novel without making it feel like an overstuffed couch waiting to explode; there is just the right amount of detail to fit the size of the book. It’s almost as if the Author were creating a gourmet dish, and needed to make sure that all the ingredients were exact and added in the right order. The exactness in which this was achieved would mean if this book were a restaurant, it would probably receive a Michelin 5 star rating.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves magic and adventure, and those who are looking for something different, inspiring and non-offensive to read to their children and grandchildren. I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this series and, although not in the same genre; move over Nancy drew, I feel your place has been filled by someone new.

Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2013/11/05...


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

[Michael Caputo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice retelling of Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. I can see Jr High kids enjoying this because Merlin comes here rather than the character time traveling there. Fun light read.

[Michael Caputo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little read, my grand daughters will love it.

Picked up book 2 and book 3 is due out!