Severe weather patterns - storms, floods and strong winds - are sweeping across planet Earth. Against this backdrop, three high school students, known and tormented for their strange abilities, fight their own battles against school bullies. The discovery of a strange key by their leader Chris Reynolds plunges all three through a portal into a sister world, Cathora, in another dimension. In this world their behaviours, that labelled them as misfits on Earth, turn out to be the seeds of extraordinary powers. They soon meet Batarr, the Guardian of the portal; he tells them they are not normal children, but are part of a group of six entities called Mytar who are periodically seeded throughout the dimensions to fight planetary invasions across these portals. Cathora has been invaded by an alien army, led by a creature known only as Zelnoff. Zelnoff’s next target is Earth. The Mytar alone have the power to stop him if the other Mytar on Earth can be found. There ensues many struggles and battles as Chris, Susie and Joe seek to evade Zelnoff’s forces long enough for their powers to develop so they can detect the remaining Mytar back on Earth.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Robert Cole was born and grew up in Sydney, Australia. After achieving a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the Australian National University he travelled extensively and returned to Sydney to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology. Following a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Sydney University, he worked in a number of biotech companies and has numerous scientific publications.
Robert has always had an interest in writing speculative fiction, particularly with themes related to social and political issues. Recently he has published an Apocalyptic novel called "Nuclear Midnight," that reached number one on Amazon UK. His other areas of interest lie in children and teenage fiction, generated while raising three children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this children's book. It's perfect for ages of eight to eighty. Good against evil just like the world we live, and what we can accomplish if we work together.
I received a copy of The Last Portal from Netgalley for Review Consideration. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
Chris, Joe and Susie seem to be the outcast at school, being bullied but what they are soon going to discover is that they are meant to do something great. They get sucked through a portal to Cathora where they learn they are Mytar and their destiny is to protect all planets from The evil Zentor. They learn that they each have a unique ability.
At first I didn’t think I would like this book, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. The story kept me wanting to read more. I’m a slow reader but this book kept me so interested that I read through it really Quick.
Although, this is a very well written story that takes three oddball kids into a new world where they become very important with new powers that they didn’t know they had where millions of creatures depend on them to save not only their world but the world the children come from as well. What drags off of the star pedestal for me is the pacing. It just felt very rushed at times, as it is only 170 pages. The story was quick and easy to read.
The story itself was fun and definitely kept my attention with many twists and strange occurrences. It wrapped up in a satisfying way, and left room for a sequel without leaving you hanging.
Overall, This was an enjoyable and fun read. I’d recommend this story for those about 8 and up who enjoy science fiction & fantasy.
A tale of three friends, Chris , Joe , and Susie,who get sucked into a portal and into another parallel world, of strange people and creatures. A world torn apart by an evil man seeking to use the portal for evil purposes. When first arriving they are in awe of the beauty and color of this strange land. This book is full of adventure, and kept me feeling like it was a life and death situation. The 3 children are the Mytar who have psychic abilities that develop when they get to this world, but will only be revealed once they have been in this land for a while. I enjoyed this story, but can't say too much because I wouldn't wish to spoil it for anyone. I will say it's well worth picking up, and even tho it's a series, it is a good story in it's own right, but you would have to read on to get the complete tale.
This is a story about three friends who never fit in. They are sucked into a portal into another dimension where their kind is highly valued. They meet Batarr, the Guardian of the portal, who informs them that they are not simply children but are six entities called Mytar. They are dispersed through the dimensions to protect against planetary invasions across the portals.
A creature known as Zelnoff is now leading an army whose next target is Earth. Only the Mytar are powerful enough to stop him, but they need to all be together to do so. Chris, Susie and Joe will have to evade Zelnoff’s forces until their powers develop enough to detect the remaining Mytar so they can defeat Zelnoff. Will they be able to do this? Can they find the others and protect Earth?
A story about three young misfits that discover they are a whole lot more. Enjoyed the journey of the characters Chris, Joe and Susie. I liked the creativity of the author to take normal issues we all can relate to and taking the characters above and beyond what they thought they could do to be so much more. Learning to explore their own power within. I have already bought the next book in the three book series to keep enjoying the journey. I recommend this book to everyone to enjoy.
At first I didn't think I would like this book, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. The story kept me wanting to read more. I'm a slow reader but this book kept me so interested that it was hard for me to put it down. You will be overcome with shock at some of the "twists" in the story at least I was! I've suggested this book to some friends and grandchildren who like the same types of books I like. Well enough here I off to book 2 of The Mytar.
I've had this book in my library for quite some time because even though the premise seemed super interesting, I just never felt like starting to read it. I guess my "sixth sense" was kicking in there! The writing is choppy and juvenile. Many ideas are repeated over and over (ie "we're just kids!" ) for no meaningful reason. I stopped at 89%. I kept holding out hope that the plot and writing would improve. It didn't.
I loved this fantastical journey to the other dimension, and the characters where portrayed well what happens when you find yourself in another world, it would be hard to digest and even harder and they see you as your saviors. Especially if you are only kids. I loved the plot twist in the end and look even forward to read the next adventure book.
Very well written story that takes three oddball kids into a new world where they become very important with new powers that they didn't know they had where millions of creatures depend on them to save not only their world but the world the children come from as well. Good overcomes evil and they live to fight another day.
The descriptions of the battles had me right there with the kids fighing along and rooting for them to win the battles. When they were discovering the underground world, I was right there with them feeling the wonder and awe of what they found.
Another book with many twists and turns but I really liked it. I can't help but think what happens with the bully at school when the kids return home. Will Chris and Joe stand up to him?
Never liked the annoying main characters. They stated off fighting and bickering and stayed that way. It never was funny or enjoyable it was just annoying.
Title: The Last Portal Author: Robert Cole Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing ISBN: 9781311348531 Buy Link: http://www.robertcole.com.au/books Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel Blurb: The Mytar 1 Severe weather patterns - storms, floods and strong winds - are sweeping across planet Earth. Against this backdrop, three high school students, known and tormented for their strange abilities, fight their own battles against school bullies. The discovery of a strange key by their leader Chris Reynolds plunges all three through a portal into a sister world, Cathora, in another dimension. In this world their behaviours, that labelled them as misfits on Earth, turn out to be the seeds of extraordinary powers. They soon meet Batarr, the Guardian of the portal; he tells them they are not normal children, but are part of a group of six entities called Mytar who are periodically seeded throughout the dimensions to fight planetary invasions across these portals. Cathora has been invaded by an alien army, led by a creature known only as Zelnoff. Zelnoff’s next target is Earth. The Mytar alone have the power to stop him if the other Mytar on Earth can be found. There ensues many struggles and battles as Chris, Susie and Joe seek to evade Zelnoff’s forces long enough for their powers to develop so they can detect the remaining Mytar back on Earth.
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Chris, Susie and Joe were considered the misfits of their school, but they didn't care because they had each other. They stood up for each other even when the bullies enjoyed tormenting them. That was until the day they were forced through a portal that took them into another world changing their lives forever. Cathora was a world in cataclysm where they were in struggle against the alien Runoff and the only thing standing in his was were the Mytar, of who they were the first three the guardians were able to bring to Cathora. Things may not be what they seem placing Chris, Susie, and Joe in danger not knowing who to trust. The older Mytar had already been killed leaving three teens without powers or knowledge of how to even save themselves.
This was a fast paced and intricate story that held me riveted until the very end and this is just the start of what looks to be an incredible series. I for one will be waiting to learn what is next in store for Chris, Susie, Joe and the rest of the yet unknown Mytar.
The Last Portal opens following Chris as he goes through his day. He's beaten up by the school bully, misses the school bus, gets detention, and hangs out with his other "strange" best friends.
His life changes when he finds a mysterious key in the grass, and then he and his friends try to determine how it works.
As the story moves on, the use of the key is figured out, and the reasons for many odd events early in the book become clear.
I found the main characters surprisingly resilient as they were dropped into unexpected situations, with fewer doubts and less fear than I would have expected.
The story itself was fun and definitely kept my attention with many twists and strange occurrences. It wrapped up in a satisfying way, and left room for a sequel without leaving you hanging.
Overall I'd recommend this story for those about 8 and up who enjoy science fiction / fantasy stories.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I was very impressed. I read this book in just a few hours as it was very fast paced and full of action. I noticed the age limit on this book is 10-17…well I am an adult in my early 40’s and I loved this book! Three friends who didn’t fit in at school are sucked into a portal and land in another dimension. In this dimension these kids are highly valued and needed for far more than they ever dreamed or could have imagined. The book is action packed and really a great read for any age. I highly recommend this book and I give it 4****. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because there were several places where words were left out. Other than that I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one, which I just ordered.
I read this as an adult rather than young adult and enjoyed it. That said it's definitely geared towards the younger audience and I would have no issues with my 10 year old son reading it. The story was quick and easy to read. Three best friends are thrown through the portal into another world where they soon learn the fate of that world, and Earth, rests in their fate. It was fun learning about the 3 friends developing their skills and reading about how they use them. There is plenty of action and enough twists to keep the reader engaged. I recommend as a fun, easy book to read.
Even for a middle grade novel, this book was a bit too juvenile. The world building is great, but huge chunks of unnecessary exposition cause the story to drag, and much of the dialogue feels uncomfortably forced. The idea of three awkward teenagers falling through a portal and conveniently being the "chosen ones" who are supposed to save the multiple universes at risk has potential (though it feels a bit overdone at this point), but most of their victories seem achieved by accident rather than through the use of the skills they each supposedly possess.
Chris, Joe and Susie seem to be the outcast at school, being bullied but what they are soon going to discover is that they are meant to do something great. They get sucked through a portal to Cathora where they learn they are Mytarr and their destiny is to protect all planets from The evil Zentor. They learn that they each have a unique ability. Shocking revelations and unlikely betrayals. This story keeps you wondering about your true allies. Great read. Full video review on YouTube channel Adventures-IN-Print. https://youtu.be/9cFKlSOwrGg
I started off really liking this fantasy! Then IT happened. And I couldn't get over it ... My thoughts keep going back to two kids hurling hailstones at one another in a hail-ball kind of fight ... Seriously? What kind of parents are they? It's been storming all day. The mom is upset they came home soaking wet. But go play in the few minutes between storms?
And when a tree on fire crashes through the living room window, they wanna put the fire out instead of seeking sheltor elsewhere ...
Really enjoyed reading this book. Started reading it Thursday evening and couldn't put it down. The characters are easily related to and theIreland back story was well written. The storyline and twists kept me guessing all the way through the story and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Three friends, sucked through a portal to a world where no one is as they seem. Even the kids. They all have special powers and are the only hope for keeping evil away from earth! This was an enjoyable and fun read.
Enjoyed this book. The storyline is placed in a strange other world that bring a crazy fun read to this book. The characters have special gifts that makes them all misfits that YR will love.