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Clifton Chase Adventures #1

Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light

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Clifton Chase is the latest target for bully Ryan Rivales. But after he finds a mysterious arrow in his closet, he takes Ryan's bet to see who can hit the target. Ryan nails the bull's-eye, but Clifton's piece of junk arrow sails out of sight and when he finally finds it, something isn't right. Somehow, Clifton has been magically transported back to 1485 England, where he meets two princes bullied by their tyrant uncle who locked them in prison to steal their throne. Only after Clifton learns the true meaning of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice can he help the princes escape and find the courage to face his own bully. Befriended by a dwarf, a mythical bird called Simurgh, and a cast of comical characters, Clifton's fantasy adventure through medieval times is perfect for boys and girls of all ages, and the young at heart. For those who like fantasy kids books like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.

294 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

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303 people want to read

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Jaimie M. Engle

9 books4 followers

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5 stars
38 (67%)
4 stars
15 (26%)
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1 (1%)
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1 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for S.A. Krishnan.
Author 31 books231 followers
November 26, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable book

Clifton Chase's adventures as he finds an old arrow was beautifully brought out. The old arrow sends him on an adventure involving time travel and kings and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The story had a mix of adventure and was fast paced and delightful. 
Though the book is meant for children, I enjoyed the book just as much.
Profile Image for Ryan Gish.
1 review
July 23, 2013
Clifton is an exceptional read from debut novelist Jaimie Engle. I lean more toward adult fiction, but Clifton had me hooked from beginning to end. Mingling fantasy with history, Jaimie is able to weave an excellent tale of good versus evil, and she also succeeds in perfectly depicting the trials every boy faces just by growing up. I strongly recommend this for young readers, but adults will be pleasantly surprised with Jaimie Engle's storytelling.
Profile Image for Jan farnworth.
1,655 reviews149 followers
January 22, 2014
This is a great adventure story that will be very well liked by young children around 8-10 years old. Clifton is a very likable character who gets to have a grand adventure in the year 1485. I liked how easy it was to fall into the adventure and discover all about how things are different in the past from the present day. A fun read that can be used in a classroom setting or just as a fun adventure to read with your children.
Profile Image for Debbie Johnson.
3 reviews
July 7, 2013
Page turner from beginning to end! Clifton is such a realistic, like able character that I want to spend more time with him. I want to go along for his next adventure, which hopefully is soon!
Profile Image for K (Karen).
384 reviews
July 20, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book, especially since some of the action takes place where I live! The author builds a bridge between current day and the past in an intriguing and entertaining way. While this is a middle-age read (in both its intended age group and one of its settings), I enjoyed learning how Clifton would resolve the issues raised. A fun read!
Profile Image for Escape Into Reading.
980 reviews43 followers
May 17, 2017
I was setting up to review Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light and my 11-year-old happened to wander over and was looking over my shoulder. She was very excited after reading the blurb and begged me to buy the book for her once I was done reading it. I asked her what made her want to read it and she said “Mom, just read the blurb. A bullied boy gets transported back in time and help other bullied boys. Sounds like something I would love to read.”

I would have to agree with her about that. Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light was a book that I loved reading. Wonderfully written, I was taken on a journey of self-discovery and courage and Clifton realizes his worth and gets the courage to do what is right.

I will admit that Clifton was a little bratty in the beginning of the book. To be honest, I thought his first interactions with Ryan were more about jealousy than being bullied and he started to annoy me….big time. But the more I read, the more I started to understand that Ryan was being a bully and my annoyance with Clifton started to fade. By the time I got to the part of the book where Clifton’s parents were making him write an apology letter to the coach and Ryan, my annoyance faded and I felt bad for him.

I thought that the historical fantasy part of the book was fantastic. From the minute Clifton landed in 1485 England and met Dane, I was entranced. There were dwarves, dragons, sea monsters, mermaids, a magical arrow and a magical bird who has a human face. Add in that it takes place in 1485 England with real historical people, places, and events and I couldn’t get enough of it.

I did have a small complaint about the modern language that Clifton used with talking to Prince Edward, Prince Richard, and Lady Elizabeth. But, then I thought about it a bit and how was he supposed to talk. He was a visitor sent back in time….how was he supposed to talk? So my little complaint ended shortly after I had that thought.

The growth of Clifton in the book was great. He went from being an insecure little boy who didn’t know how to deal with a bully to a confident young man who had the wisdom to know when to walk away from his bully. While the transformation was gradual, it really showed at the end of the book with the choices that Clifton made both in his life in Melbourne, Florida and in 1485 England.

Speaking of the end of the book, I really liked it and I also liked that the author chose to leave it with the possibility that there could be a book 2. Which I hope there is because I can’t wait to see what adventures Clifton will go on next.

How many stars will I give Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light: 4

Why: This is a book that I would feel very comfortable letting both my 9-year-old and 11-year-old read. It has a great plot line with relatable characters.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Tween

Why: mild violence but otherwise a very clean book. I will add a trigger warning because of the bullying scenes.

**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
Profile Image for ѦѺ™.
447 reviews
September 1, 2013
“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.” - George Eliot


Clifton Chase's bet with Ryan Rivales goes awry. the old arrow he found in his closet failed to hit its mark. it did not help that Ava Harrington witnessed Clifton's humiliation. when he tracks down the arrow, Clifton suddenly finds himself transported to the 15th century!
author Jaimie M. Engle's debut novel sparkles with adventure, thrills and humor. there is never a dull moment from the first chapter to the last. it is well-written and easy to read. the skillful combination of medieval historical facts and fantasy elements make this book an enjoyable reading fare for both children and adults.
it is a book that not only teaches some lessons about life in general but it can also inspire children to be more aware of the world and the people around them. it can also awaken their sense of adventure, spark their interest in history and remind adults of their childhood and what it was like once to wonder and believe as well.
overall, i love this book because it made me recall the lost yet happy days of my youth and the magic i once felt every time i got lost in a story that brought me to places and characters where anything and everything was possible!


Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy for review. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Profile Image for Cheshire Cat.
22 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2013
The plot is interesting, and I think a 8-10 year old could read it. My son was intrigued and I enjoyed the storyline in short doses. The story part of the book is 295 pages long, the only pictures inside are at the top of chapter. There are no blank pages.

The book seems like it would be an easy book to just sit down and read from cover to cover. Other than names the vocabulary is not difficult and has a nice variety. I think the book has a good re-readability.

I think most children would enjoy this book. to read at http://wp.me/p3I9Zq-w
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,227 reviews12 followers
July 18, 2013
Loved this book! I couldn't put it down - read it in one day! When I first started it I wasn't sure about it since there was a lot of archery terms I did not know, but I just skipped over them and figured them out as I went. I look forward to reading more books from this author. (I was given this book in exchange for an honest review)
1 review1 follower
July 22, 2013
It was very easy to relate to Clifton Chase. I am looking forward to more adventures. It was also pretty cool to see some of the places I grew up in being written about. I think the best part of the writing was that each character felt like they had there own voice. I could hear them in my head plain as day.
Profile Image for Renae.
13 reviews
September 10, 2013
My son read this book and he throughly enjoyed it. It is full of adventure, history, and imagination. Everything an 8 year old boy could want! He is actually reading through it for the second time already, even though it hasn't been that long since the first read.

It can be really difficult to get boys interested in books, but this one does a great job of grabbing the reader right off the bat.
Profile Image for J.J. Tuite.
52 reviews11 followers
October 22, 2013
If you have children or are a child at heart, I definitely recommend this book! This was written so well you will feel like you are actually there watching everything happen!
Profile Image for gj indieBRAG.
1,790 reviews95 followers
September 8, 2015
We are proud to announce that CLIFTON CHASE AND THE ARROW OF LIGHT by Jaimie M. Engle is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
Profile Image for N. Quackenbush.
Author 17 books15 followers
September 17, 2020
Still loving this story!

Update!

Just finished!!! I loved this book. It’s so magical as empowering for kids and adults!! I love all the Britsh elements and lore that make this story multi-dimensional. What a great story!!! It reads with the sophistication of Ken Follet’s epic historical fictions but perfect for fans of a younger, cleaner take. Well written and now I can’t wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Chris.
Author 40 books27 followers
March 15, 2018
Clifton Chase is an average seventh grader with a greater than average talent with a bow, and the latest target for bully Ryan Rivales. When Clifton finds a dusty old wooden arrow in the back of his closet, he takes Ryan's bet to see who can hit a bullseye, the old junk arrow against a brand new compound bow.

Ryan nails the bullseye, but the junk arrow flies far wide of the target, sailing out of sight into the sandy dunes. When Clifton finds the arrow, he is shocked to find that it's glowing. When he picks it up, it transports him back in time to 1485 England, right in the thick of the War of the Roses.

Brought back to rescue Prince Edward and Prince Richard from their evil uncle King Richard III, Clifton is aided by a host of mythological creatures and historical figures, and hunted by powerful enemies seeking control of the powerful Arrow of Light he carries. Clifton must learn the true meaning of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice to activate the Arrow of Light and face the evil king in the past, and his own bully in the future.

Content:
Drug Content:
G - Some guards at a tower are all rather drunk. Nothing you wouldn't see in Sleeping Beauty.

Violence:
G - Even in battle scenes, there's not a lot of blood, but several characters are killed. Someone is eaten by a Sea Monster.

Language:
G - squeaky clean.

Adult Content:
G - This is Middle Grade fiction. The only adult thing that happens here is some preteen angst and a brief kiss.

Christian content:
This is a clean MG fantasy, and isn't saturated with any overt references to God. Several times the main character prays for help, and multiple characters rely on God to aid in their time of need. Self Sacrifice and protecting the weak are strong themes, righting injustices and dealing with bullies are central to this work also.

Final analysis:
This was a wonderful delve into the past, well-spiced with mythical creatures like dragons, sea monsters, mermaids, giants, and dwarfs. Just the right mix of fantasy, history, and life lessons to make for an enthralling book every MG boy would enjoy. Several characters were deeply drawn, and the issue of bullying is dealt with well. Fast paced, high stakes, gripping, humorous, Five Stars!
*I received an electronic copy for an honest review.
Profile Image for ↜ƈɦǟռ☂ɛℓℓɛ↝.
1,296 reviews140 followers
August 3, 2013
★★★★Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light by Jamie M. Engle


I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Clifton Chase is a seventh grader who finds an old arrow in the closet. He tricks some people into believing it is an antique, but figures it's just junk. And sure enough when he has a bet with another student, the arrow don't fly straight.
When he goes to retrieve it, he is transported to another place and another time. That's when his adventure begins.

This was a fun book. Clifton is a likable kid, with his own relatable issues. My 9 yo liked it, and I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Thanks to the author for this wonderful little adventure.
1 review
September 17, 2013
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on my blog.

My 8 year old daughter and I read this book together and we both loved it. Engle's writing whisked us away into an adventurous fantasy tale and left us both wanting more! My daughter insists that it should be made into a movie because the plot is "just perfect" for it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I am thrilled that my daughter loves this type of adventurous story.
Profile Image for Veronica.
52 reviews
December 29, 2016
Good story. Well written. Unfortunately, I am 17 and did not enjoy it as much as I would have had I been younger. About 10ish.

Funny characters. My favorite character is Dan and liv.

I would recommend it to schools and to younger people under 17 and 16 and 15.

has a Wonderful ending...worth the read.
Profile Image for R.K. Emery.
1,208 reviews56 followers
April 29, 2020
I love the imagination Jaimie Engle has brought to this book. It's such a wonderfully bright and fun world and I absolutely loved Clifton Chase. The fact that this is just the beginning of his journeys makes me so happy!

Great writing, fun and full of so much excitement and mysterious moments. I think it's great for young readers to get lost in!

Profile Image for C. Gonzales.
1,114 reviews55 followers
June 29, 2020
Full of magic, this story will keep you entertained from start to finish. Perfect for middle school kids - and parents who enjoy reading youth fiction.

I think this is a great book! I can definitely recommended this to almost anyone! Good job to Jaimie Engle for bringing us characters and a plot that is easy to get lost in.
Profile Image for Scott Stevens.
Author 8 books73 followers
October 18, 2018
This isn't just a book for kids as it has great lessons for adults in it as well. Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light will pull you right into a world filled with sea creatures and fire-breathing dragons.

The main character is easy to relate to and the things he gets involved with are believable and they take place in a good mixture of past and present. Great book!
Profile Image for Samantha Turley.
855 reviews35 followers
May 1, 2020
Jaimie Engle did an incredible job of vividly taking you into Clifton Chase’s world.
She truly is a wordsmith. An excellent adventure to take with any child.
This is the kind of book that truly will make reading enjoyable for any kid.
1,110 reviews41 followers
November 25, 2020
For some reason, Clifton was chosen out of all the other middle schoolers to a land of magical creatures and two princes. Clifton returned the arrow and went back home to a normal life, but he had to go back when he found out the princes were locked in Droffilc tower by the King. Enlisting the help of the magical creatures and the princess, Clifton hoped to help the princes and find out why the Arrow of Light had chosen him.

Geared toward middle-grade readers, this portal fantasy sends Clifton from a Florida schoolyard archery contest between rivals to meeting the dwarf Dane and his wife Liv in York, England. King Richard III is who they’re all afraid of, the first clue that Clifton was sent back to the past until he finds out he’s in 1485. The princes are Edward and Richard, and their sister is Elizabeth Tudor. Those are all historical figures, and the boys were locked in the Tower of London and never seen again. Just being in the past means that Clifton has the opportunity to change history.

Clifton is hardly the perfect hero, as he and Ryan were picking on each other and got into a fight in gym class. He refuses the call to adventure, and would rather stay home where he is relatively comfortable than to fight a potential war. Understandable, but if he does that, we don’t have a book to read. He has to learn the meaning of loyalty, friendship, and duty, and it’s definitely a hard lesson to learn. There are fight scenes, from helping the princes break out of the tower to being with the merpeople to being in the midst of battle against King Richard III. Any ordinary boy would fear it, and rightfully so. But he rises to the challenge in the story and ultimately learns that fighting for its own sake isn’t worth it. Defending others and restoring justice are much worthier goals to follow.
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
869 reviews78 followers
January 26, 2022
Fantastical interesting story!

What a grand story in Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light by Jaimie Engle. I haven't read work from this author before, and I enjoyed this story. This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very real, and fit within this fantastical story. Clifton Chase was chosen, and he doesn't take that lightly, even though he's in middle school. Packed with mystic, magic and new worlds and it takes the reader on a superb adventure. This story takes the reader through time along with Clifton Chase, and it's a fun, but majestically filled adventure. This author has a great imagination. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! It's fun, and entertaining, and there are parts that bring the story to life. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters, and other beings. I can't wait to read more of Clifton Chase and his arrow of light adventures. Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more titles by this author.
Profile Image for Steve Altier.
Author 10 books324 followers
October 1, 2020
The author builds a bridge between the present-day and the past intriguingly and entertainingly. While this is a middle-age read, I enjoyed learning how Clifton would resolve the issues he faced. The growth of Clifton in the book was remarkable. He went from being an insecure little boy who didn’t know how to deal with a bully to a confident young man who had the wisdom to know when to walk away. While the transformation was gradual, it showed at the end of the book with the choices that Clifton made. Speaking of the end of the book, I‘m excited to learn that book two is coming out shortly: a fun, exciting read for all ages.
Profile Image for Jennifer Kohlstrom.
160 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2021
This is aimed for ages 8 -12 but just about anyone can read it. It was a delightful read with a few twists and turns that kept me turning pages. This honestly reminded me of Narnia and The Neverending Story and I absolutely loved it! I'm looking forward to the sequel!!
Profile Image for Leslie Santamaria.
34 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2015
Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light is an exciting middle grade adventure with all the elements of a classic hero's journey. It mixes medieval history with fantasy and features a likable modern-day boy facing everyday challenges, including a bully, who is chosen by a mysterious arrow for a critical quest. Will he save the day, learn anything along the way, and bring home the elixir? It's worth reading to find out! The writing is good, especially the actions scenes and dialogue. I highly recommend this for boys and girls 8 and up.
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