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The Torchbearer's Quest
Cate McConnell's life is a mess.
All she wants is to belong. But when her best friend betrays and bullies her, she becomes the laughingstock of her middle school. To make matters worse, she discovers a mysterious crystal that catapults her from science class into an enchanted rainforest—and back—without warning.
Desperate to figure out what’s going on, Cate asks Davis, a grade-eight geology geek, for help. He delivers shocking news: the crystal is a sign she’s a torchbearer, someone with a mission to change the world.
She refuses to believe it, but the crystal has other plans and plunges her into a magical quest affecting the future of the planet.
Through one wild adventure after another, as she faces peril and stumbles upon new friends, will Cate step up and fulfill her quest, or risk a horrible, unthinkable fate?
A story about courage, friendship, and the power of self-belief.
327 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2023
6 people want to read
About the author
Christine Callahan-Oke
1 book4 followersChristine Callahan-Oke is a kid at heart. She’s quirky, loves nature, and has been spotted talking to trees. She looks for beauty and magic in the small moments of life and believes people are far more amazing than they realize. Christine lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two sons, and attempts to balance the household’s testosterone with her adorable cat, Bella. She's a contributing author to five books in the 365 Book Series. The Torchbearer’s Quest is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 31, 2024
Just finished reading this book. Although targeted for mid-teens, I, as an adult, thought it was a wonderful message to young people to always strive to be better with others and life in general. The descriptive nature of this writer's work reminds me very much of author James Lee Burke. Both place the reader right there, in that shack, in that room, in that garden, or in the case of The Torchbearer's Quest, in that forest. Well done Ms. Callahan-Oke.
February 20, 2024
“The Torchbearer’s Quest” is one of the most original and fascinating books I have been privileged to read.
It speaks to anyone (myself included) who has experienced being bullied during high school.
I was a little disappointed that Cate did nothing to stand up for herself against the bullies dousing her in swamp water. Perhaps many of us would have laughed this off-but Cate internalized this event to the point she felt deserving of this horrible treatment.
She was finally left alone, soaking wet, at which time she is gifted an odd stone by a mysterious fellow student. This stone is a central element in Cate’s story, as we find out soon enough.
The bullies keep up the harassment throughout the day-and it appears this will not be stopping any time soon.
It is only when Cate gets home after school that she gets a reprieve. Her mom is a gentle oasis for Cate’s troubled soul, also possessing a sort of ‘second sight’, somehow knowing what she is going through at school.
Despite everything happening to her, Cate is very resilient, possessing an inquisitive mind.
She is remarkably sophisticated for a twelve-year old while retaining a lot of her childhood qualities (e.g. her favorite snuggly teddy bear).
Cate’s childlike innocence and sensitivity work in her favor when she dreams of the ‘wizard-like’ man and then magic begins.
Things became a bit confusing for Cate when she enlisted Davis, a fellow student who was into geology, to take a look at her stone-only to have him tell her that she was ‘also’ a ‘Torchbearer’ who is an individual tasked with a mission to heal the world.
When the stone begins showing its power, things become very interesting.
Cate is mystified by the myriad clues put in front of her-the carnelian’s ‘lifelike’ behavior, and the appearance of the map.
The atmosphere is one of tense expectation with not a little anxiety thrown in.
When Cate is ‘transported’ to the new world, she actually handles the initial transition remarkably well-not freaking out at the sight of animal life in the jungle.
It is challenging to keep track of all the elements this Author puts together as skillfully as a chef preparing an exquisite meal.
Another part of the story demonstrates tolerance for same-sex marriage in such a gentle way that one would naturally accept Davis’ ‘moms’.
One important concept put forward is that ‘everything is connected’ and one’s action (such as throwing a rock into a stream) affects other things down the line. I believe this is very true for our world state.
I enjoyed this tale very, very much. I believe a sequel would be very appropriate.
___________________________________________
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of ‘The Torchbearer’s Quest’ for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It speaks to anyone (myself included) who has experienced being bullied during high school.
I was a little disappointed that Cate did nothing to stand up for herself against the bullies dousing her in swamp water. Perhaps many of us would have laughed this off-but Cate internalized this event to the point she felt deserving of this horrible treatment.
She was finally left alone, soaking wet, at which time she is gifted an odd stone by a mysterious fellow student. This stone is a central element in Cate’s story, as we find out soon enough.
The bullies keep up the harassment throughout the day-and it appears this will not be stopping any time soon.
It is only when Cate gets home after school that she gets a reprieve. Her mom is a gentle oasis for Cate’s troubled soul, also possessing a sort of ‘second sight’, somehow knowing what she is going through at school.
Despite everything happening to her, Cate is very resilient, possessing an inquisitive mind.
She is remarkably sophisticated for a twelve-year old while retaining a lot of her childhood qualities (e.g. her favorite snuggly teddy bear).
Cate’s childlike innocence and sensitivity work in her favor when she dreams of the ‘wizard-like’ man and then magic begins.
Things became a bit confusing for Cate when she enlisted Davis, a fellow student who was into geology, to take a look at her stone-only to have him tell her that she was ‘also’ a ‘Torchbearer’ who is an individual tasked with a mission to heal the world.
When the stone begins showing its power, things become very interesting.
Cate is mystified by the myriad clues put in front of her-the carnelian’s ‘lifelike’ behavior, and the appearance of the map.
The atmosphere is one of tense expectation with not a little anxiety thrown in.
When Cate is ‘transported’ to the new world, she actually handles the initial transition remarkably well-not freaking out at the sight of animal life in the jungle.
It is challenging to keep track of all the elements this Author puts together as skillfully as a chef preparing an exquisite meal.
Another part of the story demonstrates tolerance for same-sex marriage in such a gentle way that one would naturally accept Davis’ ‘moms’.
One important concept put forward is that ‘everything is connected’ and one’s action (such as throwing a rock into a stream) affects other things down the line. I believe this is very true for our world state.
I enjoyed this tale very, very much. I believe a sequel would be very appropriate.
___________________________________________
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of ‘The Torchbearer’s Quest’ for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2023
I read this to review for my Middle School students. I was surprised how drawn in I became by the story.
Wow! For the author’s first YA book it really took you on an emotional and storyline rollercoaster where you wondered what would happen to the main character, Cate. Cate thought Tyler was her best friend until he tried to be cool by humiliating her. When Cate recovers from the embarrassment of the event being videoed and shared around school, she discovers there is a different adventure waiting for her. I loved the characters that brought, depth, levity and curiosity to the plot. Davis, Aaru, Zahra, Hugh, Lilliput and a school nurse who doesn’t seem to age. YA readers will find this highly engaging, intriguing and enjoy working to dig deeper into the intentions of the author. There is a lot offered for many types of readers. I can see this being a huge hit and kids wanting to jump right into book 2 to uncover how Cate’s next part of the challenge begins. I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow! For the author’s first YA book it really took you on an emotional and storyline rollercoaster where you wondered what would happen to the main character, Cate. Cate thought Tyler was her best friend until he tried to be cool by humiliating her. When Cate recovers from the embarrassment of the event being videoed and shared around school, she discovers there is a different adventure waiting for her. I loved the characters that brought, depth, levity and curiosity to the plot. Davis, Aaru, Zahra, Hugh, Lilliput and a school nurse who doesn’t seem to age. YA readers will find this highly engaging, intriguing and enjoy working to dig deeper into the intentions of the author. There is a lot offered for many types of readers. I can see this being a huge hit and kids wanting to jump right into book 2 to uncover how Cate’s next part of the challenge begins. I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2023
Highly Recommend This Amazing, Enchanting Tale!
The Torchbearer's Quest is a heartwarming, heart-stopping page turner that takes you on a magical adventure that you won't want to end. You'll root for Cate who faces both betrayal and bullying at her middle school and the unpredictability of being thrust into the beauty and dangers of the Amazon jungle. In the rain forest and back at class she must undergo challenges to prove she is equipped for an important mission. Cate discovers unlikely friends and helpers on her journey, and the author, Christine Callahan-Oke, seamlessly weaves life lessons and sage advice meant to empower Cate into this well-written story. But is Cate up to the task? You'll have to find out for yourself, but first prepare for an incredible roller coaster ride with twists and turns that will grip and awe you.
The Torchbearer's Quest is a heartwarming, heart-stopping page turner that takes you on a magical adventure that you won't want to end. You'll root for Cate who faces both betrayal and bullying at her middle school and the unpredictability of being thrust into the beauty and dangers of the Amazon jungle. In the rain forest and back at class she must undergo challenges to prove she is equipped for an important mission. Cate discovers unlikely friends and helpers on her journey, and the author, Christine Callahan-Oke, seamlessly weaves life lessons and sage advice meant to empower Cate into this well-written story. But is Cate up to the task? You'll have to find out for yourself, but first prepare for an incredible roller coaster ride with twists and turns that will grip and awe you.
November 21, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me intrigued until the end. I cared about Cate from the start and found her to be a believable and realistic character. The “lessons” were delivered in a way that made sense to the story without hitting you over the head or being moralistic.
I’m interested to learn more about the characters of the Wellness nurse, Aaru, and Hugh.
it was an easy book to enjoy with important messages to convey and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
The book grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me intrigued until the end. I cared about Cate from the start and found her to be a believable and realistic character. The “lessons” were delivered in a way that made sense to the story without hitting you over the head or being moralistic.
I’m interested to learn more about the characters of the Wellness nurse, Aaru, and Hugh.
it was an easy book to enjoy with important messages to convey and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
November 27, 2023
This book was a fun read, full of twists and turns and important life lessons. At any age, we can all relate to the wisdom shared throughout Cate's adventure. I gave this four stars because there were many unanswered questions by the end of the book but I hope that these will be answered in a follow-up novel or series. There's so much more to uncover and it would be fun to continue the Torchbearer's quest with Cate and her friends. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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November 22, 2023Callahan-Oke has created a wonderful and engaging tale full of movement and colorful detail. And beyond that, it's a story about what it means to be a human moving through an often challenging and scary world. More than once I found myself tearing up as I savored the beautiful messages that lie at the heart of the story: Trust you gut, move forward despite the fear, and remember that you are not alone! A rich, fantastic story full of warmth, humor, and hope!
December 2, 2023
What a success for Christine’s first (and hopefully not last) novel about bravery and the rollercoaster that is adolescence. Her natural humour shows through and she captures the voice of youth perfectly. Sprinkled with real-world concerns, such as mental health and protecting what and who we love, The Torchbearer’s Quest has left me wanting to hear more of Christine’s ideas. Well done! Brava!
November 20, 2023
A fun, filled middle grade adventure outlining the power of individual resilience in the face of adversity whilst traversing a forest on an important quest to save the world.
November 21, 2023
This was a fantastic book. I really enjoyed the plot and how well the story was written. Fantastic job by the Author!
February 2, 2024
A touching adventure about and underdog who uncovers her innate power.
We see Cate grow as she goes from feeling ashamed and blaming herself for being bullied to finding her innate, intuitive gifts. Eventually, she comes to see that possessing intuition makes her wiser and more powerful than she could’ve imagined and enables her to quite-literally create a different reality for not only herself, but the collective. As the universe provides her with an opportunity to see she is a torchbearer – someone who is here to help make the world a better place – she undergoes a magical journey. Although some of the lessons along the way are gained through her time spent in an enchanted rainforest, and she thinks she might just be losing her mind when she visits this place, much of her wisdom is gained from the people who surround her in her everyday life.
Callahan-Oke weaves a story that depicts diversity and inclusion as well as spiritual concepts that young people can easily understand. I don’t have young people in my life, but if I did, this is the sort of book I would choose to connect with them and help them comprehend how everyone has a unique brand of magic.
We see Cate grow as she goes from feeling ashamed and blaming herself for being bullied to finding her innate, intuitive gifts. Eventually, she comes to see that possessing intuition makes her wiser and more powerful than she could’ve imagined and enables her to quite-literally create a different reality for not only herself, but the collective. As the universe provides her with an opportunity to see she is a torchbearer – someone who is here to help make the world a better place – she undergoes a magical journey. Although some of the lessons along the way are gained through her time spent in an enchanted rainforest, and she thinks she might just be losing her mind when she visits this place, much of her wisdom is gained from the people who surround her in her everyday life.
Callahan-Oke weaves a story that depicts diversity and inclusion as well as spiritual concepts that young people can easily understand. I don’t have young people in my life, but if I did, this is the sort of book I would choose to connect with them and help them comprehend how everyone has a unique brand of magic.
July 9, 2024
Congratulations to you, Christine, on your debut children's novel! Kid-lit is my favourite, so I was thrilled to read this aloud to my almost 9 year old, although would have enjoyed it as an adult myself. We enjoyed both the fantasy world creation as well as the present-day, real-world references like Minecraft and Discord.
The main character, Cait, felt relatable, and her growth in the story was both sweet and realistic. The topics of bullying, grief, and rocky friendships were sensitively handled, and the overall message of hope for the state of the earth left us looking forward to the next book!
There is depiction of significant degradation of the environment, and at one point, an animal is killed---so FYI for those very sensitive readers out there. It was shocking, but had the desired effect in terms of showcasing the environmental impact, I think.
I will be reccommending this to teachers and parents of grade 4+. Add it to your summer reading, now!
The main character, Cait, felt relatable, and her growth in the story was both sweet and realistic. The topics of bullying, grief, and rocky friendships were sensitively handled, and the overall message of hope for the state of the earth left us looking forward to the next book!
There is depiction of significant degradation of the environment, and at one point, an animal is killed---so FYI for those very sensitive readers out there. It was shocking, but had the desired effect in terms of showcasing the environmental impact, I think.
I will be reccommending this to teachers and parents of grade 4+. Add it to your summer reading, now!
November 20, 2023
I love how environmental education and cross-cultural communication concepts are woven into the story without feeling forced. If I had kids, this is the kind of book I would want them to read. It's the kind of book I wish I had written! The author incorporates some heavy themes, such as bullying, that we'd find in any generation. However, I appreciate how the adventure is relevant to kids today. We didn't have internet when I was growing up, and I only recently discovered Discord. It probably sounds silly, but at 52, I had a moment of feeling in the know when the main character used Discord to communicate with her friends. The story stands on its own and, at the same time, leaves you in anticipation for the next installment. Can't wait!
January 20, 2025
time author, Christine Callahan-Oke has created a unique world combining fantasy and the real world, one that I have not encountered in any of my previous fantasy readings.
She takes us on a journey with Cate and in the process explores the complexity of friendship, and our role in society.
Her sentence structure, her depth of story and the little extras provide a book that is worthwhile to spend time with, rather than driving through to the end.
I look forward to the next part of the series, to see where Cate and her friends take us.
It would be a great addition to a middle school library, or for a parent to read to their children as a night time story, reminiscent of how I read the first Harry Potter to my children.
She takes us on a journey with Cate and in the process explores the complexity of friendship, and our role in society.
Her sentence structure, her depth of story and the little extras provide a book that is worthwhile to spend time with, rather than driving through to the end.
I look forward to the next part of the series, to see where Cate and her friends take us.
It would be a great addition to a middle school library, or for a parent to read to their children as a night time story, reminiscent of how I read the first Harry Potter to my children.
February 8, 2024
As a retired middle school Language Arts teacher, I have read a middle school novel (or a thousand). Over those years, I have learned a couple things about what makes an interesting read in the eyes of a tween:
1. An interesting main character who faces a relatable challenge. Enter Cate, who is sort of a square peg=every middle schooler ever. ✅
2. A portal into a mysterious world to navigate ✅
3. Access to a special/hidden set of skills or powers✅
As the mother of a middle school kid who is facing bullying and feeling like an outcast this book hits on a whole separate level. Christine Callahan Oke knocked this one out of the park. 10/10
1. An interesting main character who faces a relatable challenge. Enter Cate, who is sort of a square peg=every middle schooler ever. ✅
2. A portal into a mysterious world to navigate ✅
3. Access to a special/hidden set of skills or powers✅
As the mother of a middle school kid who is facing bullying and feeling like an outcast this book hits on a whole separate level. Christine Callahan Oke knocked this one out of the park. 10/10
November 22, 2023
I absolutely LOVED the exciting adventure of Cate and couldn’t put the book down. The author surprises and delights the reader with the continuous unfolding of Cate’s journey of transformation. My favourite part of the book is how courageous and unstoppable this young 12 year old girl is in her search for understanding. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who are curious about personal growth.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews