Atallan Rising: Book One of the Rhinehart Chronicles

by Seth Madaris, Brian D'Herde

Living what he thought was a normal teenage life, self-proclaimed fantasy nerd Geoffrey Rhinehart is unexpectedly thrust into a perilous medieval world. There, he teams up with a beautiful princess on the run and her loyal stable boy as they embark on a daring quest to find the lost king. Along the way, they encounter eccentric characters, forge new friendships, and face unimaginable dangers—all while being relentlessly pursued by a deadly adversary. Their journey leads them to the mysterious and foreboding land of Tartatallus, where the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. Can Geoffrey rise to the challenge and help restore order, or will the escalating battles and growing stakes prove too much for him to handle? Swinging a sword in a video game was one thing; this is something else entirely.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2025

About the author

Seth is obsessed with all things fantastical—so much so that it’s practically his trademark. His ever-growing collection of coffee mugs serves as proof. A lover of reading, writing, and daydreaming, he’s constantly amazed by the boundless creativity in the world. Wherever his family is, you’ll find him there—playing volleyball, surfing, singing, laughing, diving into lore-filled conversations, and cherishing every moment he can spend with them.

Reviews

[Jessica Putz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Reminded me of books like Eragon or Impossible Creatures. Would be a great book to introduce young teens to high fantasy.

[Daniel Fansler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the type of book I would have read growing up

The world of Atallan is fun, humorous, dangerous, and exciting. The story is strong and well written and the characters (even the evil ones) are all so strong that you cant help being intrigued by them. This is the type of fantasy I would have read growing up and what I still enjoy today as an adult. If you ever read the Pendragon series, this book is right up your alley. Can't wait to read the second one!

If there was one complaint I had, I wish it was longer.

[Ashley Mindykowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was soooo great. My son loved it. I loved it. It's the perfect book to get your kids into fantasy. It's got so many elements to it from action, to the adventure, to all of the feels, and sooo many emotions. There is some good humor as well. This is well worth the read and will leave you wanting to read the next one.

[A. R. Kingon-Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read, Geoffrey is a character you can't help yourself but love. An intriguing world is set up and the plot flows in a good pace.

It reminds me of Narnia in many ways, great read!

[jet · Rating 5 out of 5]

not to sound like stormare but this was a fabulously fun & fast (& borderline facetious?) fantasy fiction⚔️

[Alex Peachey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atallan Rising is the kind of book the 8th grade version of myself would have loved.
It’s a wonderful portal fantasy with a 14 year-old main character who a lot of creative-minded kids can identify with.
Geoffrey learns to become more sure of himself and prepares for what is likely going to be a fun series.

[Jarred Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this unique and engaging fantasy adventure! Readers of fantasy and those new to the genre can each find something in this book to connect with. There are characters you will grow to love, there are twists you do not see coming. You will close the book and find yourself, days later, thinking about this expansive and fascinating world that the author has created. Highly recommend!

[Alinar Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome adventure!

Exciting, intense, intriguing, and packed with action.
The characters are bright and unique... Geoffrey's internal dialog is simply hilarious!
I highly recommend it for both young and adult readers! ☺️

[Wesley Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story, I felt like I was a kid again who just discovered fantasy novels. Feels good to get that feeling back.

[A.C. Toy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super quality indie read!!

I really enjoyed this story, that was like a small taste of fantasy. 🥄

What would you do if one minute you were on a plane ✈️ headed for vacation, and the next you were transported to a fantasy world like one you've written stories about?

I have to about I was so upset when I got to the end and the second book wasn't released already. 🤣 This first story takes you right to the edge of danger then makes you wait for the next book. 📖

I loved the humor of mixing the two worlds but also the realism.. how would we actually feel on a battlefield? Would we be able to stab another human in the name of war? Could we get used to less hygiene awareness? 🤣

Overall really enjoyed and can't wait to see what is next!

[Sean Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, enjoyable read

The story was fun and took me on a nice adventure through an interesting world. The characters were all enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to reading the next entry in the series.

This book gave me the same vibes I'd get from fantasy adventure books when I was a kid, and I really loved that about it.

[J Peartree · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you read something that instantly transports you to when you are young and your imagination knows no bounds? This is exactly how I felt reading Atallan Rising. It is a nice easy read, exciting and emotional and I can't wait for what comes next.

[Amy Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing at ANY Age

What would you do if you were a teenage fantasy nerd who wrote stories as a way to escape the harshness of high school, only to find yourself suddenly thrown into one? That’s exactly what happens to Geoffrey Rhinehart.

Joined by an actual princess—who’s literally running for her life—and her longtime friend and stable boy, they set off on a quest to find the king. Besides being chased by a deadly adversary, they also encounter numerous other dangers along the way. However, they also receive help (and make a few new friends) in some unexpected places.

Seth Madaris really knocked it out of the park with this one. It may be geared towards upper middle grade, but I read it with my eight year old grandson, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. My grandson said—and I quote—“Seth is a dialogue genius”. I have never heard him laugh so much throughout a book. Full disclosure, there were a couple of emotional moments, as well. But even though those moments made him sad, he enjoyed them as much as he did the funny ones.

My grandson has always loved to read. But this is the first time he has shown interest in anything other than books about dinosaur facts. With Atallan Rising, he was always asking for “one more chapter” and he can’t wait to start Atallan Beyond. I highly recommend this book for children and adults alike. This is truly a book you can read and enjoy as a family!

[A.D. Lombardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Unknown: Magic, Courage, and Heart
Atallan Rising is a fast-paced portal fantasy that follows Geoffrey Rhinehart—a self-declared fantasy nerd who’s suddenly whisked into a medieval world he thought only existed in his imagination. He teams up with a resourceful princess, and together they’re swept into a high-stakes adventure full of lost royalty, danger, and a reluctant hero’s journey.

What makes this story stand out isn’t just the magic or swordplay—it’s Geoffrey’s heart. In a world that owes him nothing, he chooses to fight for complete strangers, risking everything not because he has to, but because of who he’s becoming. In the face of uncertainty, he learns that courage isn’t about knowing what to do—it’s doing the right thing anyway.

Madaris delivers a charming fish-out-of-water story filled with heart, humor, and strong character chemistry. The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the twists kept me turning pages. I really enjoyed this unique fantasy adventure.

It’s a breezy, fun read—perfect for anyone seeking a quick escape with just enough magic, swordplay, and camaraderie.

Family-friendly. Recommended for: Middle Grade, Young Adult, and adult fans of light, adventure-driven fantasy—especially those who enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter.

[Cat Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atallan Rising is a portal fantasy about a teenager, Geoffrey, who has his head lost in the clouds. Quite literally. Upon being forcefully thrust from our world into a parallel world, he has a whole new set of problems to deal with then getting detention for daydreaming. He gets to meet a princess and her best friend, and the three of them embark upon a quest to save the king, and in turn the country, from the evil wizard Nicolai.
For the entire entire book I was on the edge of my seat. I loved how every time I recognized a trope or something cliche, two paragraphs later Geoffrey called it out. I even thought I was clever with figuring out Stormare’s speech patterns, then boom two paragraphs later, Geoffrey contemplates the same thought I just had. By the end, I was thinking, “4th wall? What’s that?”
This book was exactly the type of book I loved as a kid. I was brought back to late nights staying up reading, which I’ve stopped doing since “growing up”. It reminded me why I used to read so much, to escape my reality, and it just might be the secret sauce that’s going to turn me back into a reader.

[Ashton Treadaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book, where we get to see what would really happen if a normal kid who loves fantasy got dropped into an epic fantasy world with danger and adventure around every corner. One of the best parts of the book is all of the fantasy and pop culture references that the main character makes, and it provides easter eggs for other fantasy readers (like myself). The plot revolves around the main trio of our main character, a princess, and a stable boy, going on quest to find the lost king in order to take bake his kingdom from an evil sorcerer. However, they don't make it very far into the quest in book one. This is a story that will be told over the course of a few books, so just go in knowing that this book is setting up the story, but you won't get the full resolution just yet. If you like the world, then at least you can jump straight into book 2 which I haven't read yet, but based on where the story ended, it has so much potential.

[Anna Burdg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atallan Rising is a great fantasy intro book for kids and teens! The fantastical world that the main character Geoffrey finds himself in is interesting, yet not so fantastical that it is confusing. It definitely has LOTR vibes, but at a much more accessible level. The language is clean and the fighting is not gory, which makes it great for any age. I will definitely encourage my older elementary age son who loves reading all genres to read it! Although the main character is a teenage boy, I appreciate that there is a strong female protagonist as well. I'm most looking forward to the role she plays in the next installments in this series and finding out if they can in fact save the Kingdom!

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Chronicles of Narnia, here come Geoffrey. An awkward teen who keeps to himself and escapes into Fantasy books, Geoffrey finds himself transported to a land similar to those he reads and writes about. He is immediately thrusted into danger. He must help a princess find her lost father. With no battle skills he pushes forward to help his new friends. This book has memorable characters and high stakes. It’s appropriate for young readers (no cursing) but also fun for adults (like me) Seth Madaris has created an imaginative tale filled with humor and heart. Highly recommend to any lovers of the Fantasy genre.

[Susan Vanderlaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun ride and I love that it’s a family friendly read. Geoffrey is just a young teen boy who wants to fit in but his mind is always in a different world, one he loves to write about and dream about(in class). Imagine his surprise when he goes on a trip with his parents and finds himself quite literally in a different world. This is such a well written fantasy and I can’t wait for my kiddos to be old enough to understand and share this story with them. I’m excited to continue the journey in book two!

[L.L. Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its imaginative world-building and striking cover art, Atallan Rising delivers an action-packed adventure young fantasy fans will appreciate. It follows ninth grader, Geoffrey Rhinehart, princess Kahlima, and stable boy, Jereb. There's a lot of action to keep young readers hooked, especially those who appreciate high-staked quests. Definitely a lively read for anyone who enjoys swordplay, daring adventures and battles. It's a fun addition to the fantasy genre!

[Rachel Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atallan Rising is a wonderful middle-grade fantasy book! It is the perfect book for family and young ones! Its packed full of coming of age, found family, adventure, and challenge. It's a very easy read and very engaging. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are looking to gift it to your kids or need something light to read!

[Colton Critchlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this one

Great, fun story that is engaging and entertaining. It has tons of little Easter egg references sprinkled throughout too. 1000% worth the read!

[Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brian Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a masterwork of edutainment.

Geoffrey is a 14 year old boy going to school, dealing with bullies, a neglectful family, and a mind that won't stop dreaming. He dreams of stories and writing and sees castles in the clouds. Eventually, as these stories go, he finds himself in the fantasy world of Atallan.

What I found to be incredible, unique, and fun about this portal fantasy was that Geoffery isn't your typical hero. He doesn't save the day with swords and magic... but by knowing how fantasy plots work. This is a cheeky, nearly-fourth-wall-breaking bit that constantly had me laughing. This made the book self-aware, calling out story cliches and tropes, as well as pointing out foreshadowing, in an incredibly entertaining way that is perfect for teens looking to become authors.

While this story was typically light-hearted and fun, not taking itself too seriously, it still nearly moved me to tears, at times.

The journey of this story was better than the climax and payoffs. However, this story had a clear progression arc and accomplishes a goal. So, while the ending didn't move me as much as earlier parts, I cannot drop this book to four stars; it is just too great all the way though. I am excitedly planning for when I'll read the next book, 'Atallan Beyond', and will be looking forward to the rest of the series.