Quest for the Golden Bird

by Samuel DenHartog

In "Quest for the Golden Bird," the first enthralling installment of Samuel DenHartog's "A Grimm Imagination" series, a classic fairy tale is reborn with a captivating twist. Journey into a realm where a mystical tree in a royal garden bears the most extraordinary golden apples, coveted across the kingdom and beyond. When these apples start to mysteriously disappear, the quest for the elusive Golden Bird unfolds – a creature of legend, whose very existence is as enigmatic as its whereabouts.

Follow the youngest of three sons, a thoughtful and courageous soul, as he embarks on a perilous journey that transcends mere adventure. Through enchanted forests, past cunning foxes, and into the heart of forgotten castles, his path is riddled with magic, danger, and intrigue. Unlike his brothers, who succumb to the allure of temptation, our hero confronts not only the physical challenges of his quest but also the deeper moral dilemmas it presents. It’s a story that weaves together the fibers of loyalty, bravery, and the unyielding pursuit of truth.

"Quest for the Golden Bird" is a tale of transformation and discovery that resonates as much with the complexities of modern life as it does with timeless themes. DenHartog's masterful storytelling beckons you into a world where fairy tales are not just for children, but a gateway to understanding the deeper truths of our existence. Prepare to be enchanted by a story that leaves you questioning the nature of desire, the cost of ambition, and the true meaning of treasure.

Genres: Fantasy

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Samuel DenHartog is a versatile and imaginative author whose works span a wide array of genres, including mythology, fables, fairy tales, fantasy, romance, mystery, science fiction, and children's books. His stories captivate readers of all ages, blending wonder with rich, timeless narratives.

What sets Samuel apart is his ability to breathe new life into ancient tales while preserving their core essence. Whether it's mythology, folklore, or fairy tales from various cultures, by carefully balancing tradition with modern touches, he creates stories that resonate with contemporary audiences, making historical and mythical narratives feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Off the page, Samuel is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding his creative horizons and engaging with innovative ideas. His journey is a continual pursuit of knowledge and creativity, bridging the worlds of tradition and imagination.

Reviews

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here are a few words that ChatGPT commonly inserts into fiction that it "writes", particularly this kind of wispy fairy tale or any material for children:
ethereal
"a testament to"
tapestry
"a mix of" (then lists two things)
unwavering
unyielding
mystery
wonder
bond
resolve
wisdom
eyes

Here is the frequency of these words in this book. You decide for yourself how many instances of each is appropriate for a 100 page book.
ethereal: 15
"a testament to": 11
tapestry: 18
"a mix of" (then lists two things): 18
unwavering: 3
unyielding: 4
mystery: 20
wonder: 16
bond: 4
resolve: 20
wisdom: 50
eyes: 93

Of course this isn't the only way to tell a book is written by generative A.I. and the creators of such, you know, people who publish books "written" by A.I. but don't tell you it's written by A.I. because they want to trick you into paying money for something they put zero effort into, thinking you're a sucker, have evolved the scam by adjusting the A.I. prompts to exclude too many instances of words like these. Fortunately, the writing produced by A.I. is otherwise still soulless, vapid, repetitive, devoid of actual meaning, and easily recognized as such once you've started to identify its ilk.

[Mignon Willis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I predicted the jealous brothera from the beginning I knew they were going to do something. The test were interesting. Okay book if you want a quixk read but if your in a reading slump this wont help get you out of it. I had to force myself to finish it.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would have been good if a writer had done it. I will avoid anything by this guy from now on.

AI ruined a lot of it. There's too much repetitive lines, words, and even paragraphs. Also, it has many unresolved points.

Who is the shadow figure you see twice, since fox is supposedly stuck in fox form?

Golden bird thing didn't seem resolved at all. He just sees it and leaves it, but how does that save the apples?

What was the purpose of a golden horse?

Nothing made sense about the princess' curse, her family, or its breaking.

Why were his brothers, in last chapter and a half, suddenly horrible people, though they accomplished nothing good or bad?

When did it mention that gardener family was related to king in any family way?

And, does the fox/prince even have a kingdom anymore?

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story (possible spoilers in review)

This is a good read and the author has a good imagination: I gave 4 stars because the story has some holes in it and some proofreading could have made it smoother. The biggest issue for me is when the second brother 'awakes' twice in the same morning and there are 2 different ways he wakes and thinks, could have been found and fixed in a good proofread. I also have so many questions about the gold apples being stolen and his quest for the Golden bird. Why were the apples being stolen? If the thief came every night why did he have to go on a quest to find the thief? Wouldn't they want to find a way to stop the thief instead of going on a journey? Did the thief stop while Cassius was on his quest? The journey was a good one for personal growth but I fail to see how he is a hero to his country, after all, the problem was the stolen apples and he didn't solve that problem or if he did it never said how. He left the thief free so how was the major problem in the story resolved by the 'hero'? The journey and ending are good and entertaining if one looks at what he learned and not on the solution of the original problem of the stolen golden apples. It's actually frustrating to me that it's not addressed after he returns from his quest.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Quest for the Golden Bird breathes fresh life into the fairy tale tradition with a richly woven adventure full of magic, mystery, and moral depth. Samuel DenHartog crafts a timeless tale that’s both enchanting and thought-provoking, perfect for readers who love a classic hero’s journey with a meaningful twist.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book of fantasy and fable. A young boy goes on a quest for the King and stumbles upon many distractions. He faced multiple challenges along way and found the strength to get through it. I loved all the characters and storyline. It was a whimsical and very entertaining. I highly recommend it.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a German American, who has read multiple versions of Grimm Fairy Tales in German and English, plus adaptations by numerous authors this story and series is confusing and difficult to read. The plot is lost in repetition and overly descriptive awkward passages. Plus inconsistencies - the story needs editing. Maybe an introductory character list would help.

[Colleen Dammeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice story

A lovely little story without much stress or no angst. The author did mix up the names of the kings which was a bit confusing and never seemed to resolve the original issue of the golden bird stealing the apples.

[Roberta Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravery and wisdom are very fine things to have.

I really liked the wisdom that this book has it takes bravery to become wise with the balance of the world, every thing in it has a need for balance to keep the balance you need to be brave and use your wisdom to keep it.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won it in a giveaway. Short story. Quick read.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

💫3.5 stars💫