BOOK OF LIGHT

Underworld Chronicles #2

by Rachel Tetley

Jake Summers has had a year to get used to the fact that he is the Guardian of the Underworld. But there have been some strange things happening recently. Tsunamis, earthquakes and flash floods and someone or something seems to be watching him. Is it a coincidence, or is a dark force at work? And could the book of light be the only hope to stop it? Join Jake and his friends on a perilous journey through the Underworld, to find the book which has been lost for hundreds of years.
Can he find it? And can it save them before it's too late? One thing is for certain, an ancient evil will stop at nothing to get there first.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Rachel Tetley lives with her five children on the top of a wooded Devon hill overlooking the sea. When she is not writing, she is riding her horse Smudge, playing her piano or experimenting to invent the worlds best recipe for Chocolate Brownies. She loves to do anything as long as it's exciting and has to be doing something all of the time. In fact the idea for her first book Guardian of the Underworld, was created whilst she was sleeping!

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Book of Light, and I expect any young teen would too. Jake learnt in a previous book that his family is established as guardians of an entrance to the underworld, where goblins and various creatures live. I didn't read that book so I had to pick up the story as I went. Jake has to go on a long quest through the other world and he brings two friends, Will and Arianna, who keep his spirits up and ask him about the underworld as they go. A goblin menace is around so a competent, if not very friendly, guard called Ferdinand is sent to support the team. But abruptly Jake gets separated and life is much harder alone.

The descriptions of the environments are vivid and make the tale much more exciting. Some fun and interesting elements include magical rivers, each with an effect on anyone who touches it or drinks from it. Travellers do well to note which river is which. As the travel includes swimming and rafting, Jake and pals can't help being affected. Another new element is a herd of intelligent and extremely fast horses, who don't mind being ridden in a good cause and make the journey go swiftly. Any horse lovers will enjoy this aspect.

Some parts of the tale get scary, like being hunted through a forest, or facing an enemy in a battle arena. But it wouldn't be a real quest if it was too easy, and others besides Jake want to get their hands on the magical Book of Light. I am pleased that a book is shown to have power in the tale, rather than a weapon or symbol of kingship like a crown. The survival skills described are also useful. While the pace is fast, the author seems to expect that readers will be following her tale over a few sessions of reading; she has a brief recap every now and then as Jake goes over how he arrived in the current situation and makes his plans. So I think this is ideal for young adults from nine to mid-teens and probably for a lot of older readers too.

[Alexander Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Gabriel on January 24, 2016
Verified Purchase
The Book of Light is a very well described adventure, that captures the essence of faith, and dedication in the face of adversity. Few(none) can claim as clear, and glamorous a calling as the young Jake Summers, but we can all relate to his plight. Jake faces many magical oddities, and terrors along his journey. His friends support him even when it spells almost certain failure. Tasked with the seemingly unfathomable task of maintaining balance in the wonderfully reimagined Underworld, Jake and his entourage conquer the odds with blind faith, intestinal fortitude, and sometimes blind luck.
The landscape of the Underworld is fantastically wondrous, and begs to be explored, while also issuing a promise of death to any who dare to brave the wilds. Cities made of crystal, magical springs of mental transformation, and mythical creatures that are neither benevolent, or malevolent are just the surface of the depth of this epic novella.
The battles, and violence of the story is descriptive enough to be relatable, yet not so that the younger audience who would relate most to Jake and his friends facing the overwhelming tasks of life, would be discouraged from the moral of responsibility that this saga emphasizes.
Over all this story reads fluidly, and touches the readers imagination, and emotion. 5 out of 5.

Alexander Gabriel

[J.B. Trepagnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Underworld Chronicles. I was a big fan of the Narnia books growing up and read them again in my teens and through adulthood. I got into the Percy Jackson series a few years after it came out. This series reminds me quite a bit of the Narnia books in that a human gets whisked into a magical world and has adventures.

The protagonist, Jake, and his friends, Arianna and Will are all very likable. Even their sidekick on the journey who was supposed to get on their nerves made me smile. There are dragons, magical horses, and knights in the story, but they all serve a purpose. Every time a new beast or magical creature is introduced, it fits the story perfectly.

[Steven Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic fantasy adventure. The story of a young boy, Jake, who is a Guardian and more. Jake sets out on a mission of great importance with his friends and an annoying guide, into a world of fantasy creatures hidden just beneath our own. Jake learns about his own inner strength as he is beset with challenges and obstacles, loss and suffering. Some of the action is not for the feint of heart, but certainly not too much for young readers as author Rachel Tetley keeps her audience in mind. Great job Rachel, I'm glad I got to read this.

[Maulesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting read full of dragons, demons and wonderful creatures. I did not like the fact that throughout the book, Jake and the villain didn't even come face to face. Overall, this book was OK. I didn't like it very much, but would definitely read the next part if it is released soon.

Thank you Rachel Tetley for this exciting series.

[Eric Martindale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading Rachel Tetley’s Book of Light, I had forgotten how much fun a good fantasy novel can be. Indeed, Tetley’s book is fantasy, but it is wonderfully colored by themes of drama, adventure, and romance. And if you think that Book of Light is suitable for children only, I will contend that Tetley can charm readers of all ages.

This story opens in the real world, and we quickly begin to get a picture of Jake, a likeable boy who has inherited the responsibility for guarding the Underworld. As the story builds, the author smartly “reaches back” to the previous novel in this series so that the reader never misses a beat. (Having not read the previous novels in the series, I had been concerned that I would be missing some important details.) We also get a glimpse of the fantastical with Jake’s pet Goblin Bruce, an interesting device that builds a bridge from the real world to the Underworld. The first chapter continues on to both set the stage for a fantastical adventure, but recalls important details from the previous novels, usually through Jake’s reflection.

By contrast, Chapter 2 is set in the Underworld, and a fantastical journey begins. Complete with castles and mythical creatures, the reader is taken to a Narnia-like wonderland, where Lucifer is building a powerful Army. Jake, along with friends Arianna and Will, must now find the Book of Light in order to stop him. As this rather epic fantasy continues, the reader is introduced to some of the most incredible creatures. Dragons, spiders, and furry forest denizen creatures thrill the reader all along the way.

Overall, Book of Light is filled with excitement; however, it isn’t so scary that it would frighten children. There is a positivity to the story, and the reader generally feels safe behind Jake and his friends. Book of Light isn’t the story that will give you nightmares, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This really is a fantastic story, and I highly recommend it for adults and children of all ages.

[Chantal Gadoury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Next Great Rising Series!


*I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.* I came to the book completely excited for something that was close to Harry Potter and Narnia was per what was described to me. At first, I was a little nervous that I wouldn't understand what was going on - being that this is the second book in the series - but to my surprise and delight - I never felt that way again for the entirety of the book.
This is definitely the next great and fantastic series following Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket and the Chronicles of Narnia. Jake Summers is the main character; Jake and his friends (Arianna and Will) travel to the Underworld on an exciting adventure.
Everything about this book was fantastically developed. Everything about the characters made me feel I knew everything about them. Jake and Will and Arianna soon felt almost as if they were my own friends, and I was on the back of a dragon soaring in the sky with them. I was impressed by the style of Rachel Tetley's writing, and just how everything was believable in her created world. I never felt like "Wait, why did this appear?" or "That can't be happening." One becomes completely immersed in Jake's world from start to finish.

This was a great read, and I know I'll be recommending this to my friends and family. If you were a fan of Harry and his adventures, Narnia and the Pevensie children, or even Percy Jackson, you'll love this series. I would not be surprised to find this on the shelves of a bookstore - and to see this as a trailer as our next blockbuster hit. It's far from being "the same as those stories" - it's original, fun and fresh, but it also follows those great novels and stands on it's own.

I highly recommend this series! Jake, Will and Arianna (and Bruce) are all waiting for you to join them!

[Joe Prentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic journey for young readers.

The Book of Light is the second book in an excellent series written for kids nine to twelve years old. One of the first things that impressed me was the fact that I was starting my journey by reading the second novel in the series, yet I had no problem getting involved in the plot without wondering what had happened in the first book. Jake Summers is the main character, and he and his friends carry the reader on an exciting journey into the underworld -- a place where magical forces are at work. The story includes a collection of interesting characters and enough magic to satisfy any lover of the fantasy genre. Good fantasy stories for this age group teach all of the things that are important to young readers, as well as a lesson in morals. Dystopian stories written mostly for adults are often devoid of any of these positive qualities and engage negative feelings such as anger and a desire for revenge. Rachel Tetley manages to keep the action going without evoking the wrong emotions in the mind of the reader. You are going to enjoy this story with its dangers and adventures, and you will cheer the group along as they face difficult task in their quest to defeat the forces of evil. The writing is as clever as Harry Potter, and the challenges are as difficult as anything Harry faced. I recommend this book for any young reader who enjoys good fiction, and I hope there will be many more in this series for the next generation.

[A.J. Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always a bit hesitant picking up a series when I haven't read the first book. Some authors don't write in a manner that's welcoming for new readers, and more or less, force them to pick up the previous installments. However, that wasn't the case with Book of Light, which is book two in The Underworld Chronicles by Rachel Tetley. Even though its been a year since Jame Summers became the Guardian of the Underworld, the second book is as good as any spot for new readers to follow Jake and his friends on their adventures. There's enough recapping of events to let new readers know what transpired in Book one.

Coming to the protagonist, Jake is likeable, considering this is a young children's book, in the same vein as Narnia and Harry Potter, etc. Along with Jake, there's Arianna, Will, and other creatures the kids have become friends with. The book isn't long and that helps keeping the pace of story fast and exciting. The author takes care in developing her world, both the real world and the underworld. It's clear that she thought about what she wanted to write before publishing her work for the world to read. One of the things I liked was the little dragon image at the beginning of each chapter.

Book of Light: The Underworld Chronicles by Rachel Tetley is an enjoyable read for the young and I look forward to seeing this fantasy series develop.

Note: Same review as been posted on Amazon US.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has scored in one of the hardest things to do--writing a compelling sequel to a great work of children's literature.

I liked the descriptive language when she lays out a tapestry of sights, smell, and feelings, for example a forest scene or describing some animals so natural that I can imagine touching them.

My favourite part was when the gang boards horses who seem to have superpowers. These horses can talk, solve difficult dilemmas, and race up to two hundred kilometres per hour! This was a new and delightful concept to me, and cleverly adds dialogue to horseback riding scenes which might otherwise have been mundane. It also is a insightful way of allowing the heroes to travel great distances in the age of medieval times, which can be a drawback otherwise.

I said in an earlier review, a long time ago, for the first book of this series, that I thought Mrs Mower was a character to watch. Well, you won't be disappointed, as she's back with a roar. And beware, she's not who you think she is.

I'm hard pressed to think of how this author can continue this series, as she's certainly drawn upon a lot of powerful storytelling already, but I wouldn't be surprised if she can convincingly pull off a third book.

[Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent story, this is a quick and easy read that follows up on the first book in the series and shows the story of the guardian of the underworld, a young man named Jake. Much like the stories of Narnia, he goes into the underworld as an outsider and has many journeys as the story progresses. He is tasked with the unenviable job of saving the city, and along the way he gains a number of friends who help him on this journey.

And it is quite a journey. It is fun and fantastical, with attacks from spiders, dragons, and many other creatures that will keep young readers on the proverbial edge of their seat as they read. I must confess, once I started reading this tale I couldn't stop until I had finished it because it flows so well together and is excellent.

Highly recommended, and a natural pick for anyone who read the first book in the series! If you are a fan of the Narnia stories and want an action packed story that is hopeful and filled with light humour, than this is the novel for you!

[J.N. Colon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story of adventure and magic! This was a fantastic and thrilling second installment in the Underworld Chronicles. Jake Summers is now the guardian of the Underworld, a mighty position for such a young boy. But with the help of friends—human and enchanted creatures—he’s able to take on the important task at hand. Lucifer has been building an army and Jake must find a very special book to stop him, righting the balance between light and dark.

The Book of Light is perfect for all ages. It’s easy enough for younger audiences while still appealing and exciting for older crowds. Each scene leaps off the page, pulling you into the fantastical Underworld full of magical characters and honorable quests. The world comes alive and captivates your imagination with every descriptive detail.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Jake, Arianna, Will, and the rest of their friends in the Underworld.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Light, by Rachel Tetley, is the second book in The Underworld Chronicles series and a worthy sequel to The Guardian. Here, Jake, now 12, and his friends Arianna and Will, are faced with a deadly danger that will soon affect the whole world. It’s up to Jake to find the Book of Light and use it to change the course of events.

But the friends face many difficulties along the way.

In the end, Jake must find the confidence in himself to take the step into the void.

The chapter head dragon illustrations by the author lend a vintage fantasy air. More would be even better.

The Book of Light is a first-rate fantasy adventure suitable for teens and young adults. Actually, I’m neither one but I enjoyed the book immensely. Highly recommended.

[Maggy Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this. The story flows really well and the world created was brilliant!