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Esteban's Quest
MAGICAL MADNESS
A fireball launches itself from the Arizona desert leaving behind three camels, a magical jukebox, and a five-year-old girl who only speaks Italian. Soon, the nearby town of La Sentencia is reeling from a series of disasters. The copper mine, which supports the town, shuts down leaving most of the population unemployed. Massive sandstorms batter the place. And then Devlin Lucero shows up. He seduces a pretty substitute teacher and then uses her to spread greed, anger, and vengeance everywhere.
In the face of all these trials, Esteban Dorantes decides to retrace the steps of his great, great grandfather, who once led a quest to find the Seven Cities of Gold. Aided by the camels, the wisdom of the little girl, and the spirit of the magical jukebox, he hopes to locate a great treasure and bring it back to save La Sentencia. Esteban is accompanied by Ceci Moreno, his old high school sweetheart, the only person in town who doesn't think he's a madman. But Ceci is still in love Gabriel Romo, another dreamer, who somehow feels he can bargain with that devil Lucero to save the mine and the town.
Wacky, scary and spectacular, Esteban's Quest blends science fiction, Aztec lore, classic horror, and offbeat humor into an unforgettable tale of love, destiny, magic, and redemption.
A fireball launches itself from the Arizona desert leaving behind three camels, a magical jukebox, and a five-year-old girl who only speaks Italian. Soon, the nearby town of La Sentencia is reeling from a series of disasters. The copper mine, which supports the town, shuts down leaving most of the population unemployed. Massive sandstorms batter the place. And then Devlin Lucero shows up. He seduces a pretty substitute teacher and then uses her to spread greed, anger, and vengeance everywhere.
In the face of all these trials, Esteban Dorantes decides to retrace the steps of his great, great grandfather, who once led a quest to find the Seven Cities of Gold. Aided by the camels, the wisdom of the little girl, and the spirit of the magical jukebox, he hopes to locate a great treasure and bring it back to save La Sentencia. Esteban is accompanied by Ceci Moreno, his old high school sweetheart, the only person in town who doesn't think he's a madman. But Ceci is still in love Gabriel Romo, another dreamer, who somehow feels he can bargain with that devil Lucero to save the mine and the town.
Wacky, scary and spectacular, Esteban's Quest blends science fiction, Aztec lore, classic horror, and offbeat humor into an unforgettable tale of love, destiny, magic, and redemption.
330 pages, ebook
Published July 20, 2016
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Nick Iuppa
31 books142 followers Nick Iuppa is also known as Nicholas Victor.
Always wanted to work in the movies. College got me an internship at MGM, and I worked on TV specials with Dr. Seuss and Chuck Jones (creator of the Road Runner). Became good friends with both of them. Later wrote for the Wonderful World of Disney. Went to Paramount Pictures where I designed internet entertainment and built Hollywood-style training simulations for the military. But the movie business made it hard to express my own personal creativity. (Too many decision makers). So, I started writing novels so that I could control everything. My first sci-fi novel was about a high tech simulation that was invaded by vampires. Wrote others inspired by Stephen King's deep, creepy characters. Now I work with a writing partner, John Pesqueira, and things are much simpler, only one person to argue with. I love developing characters and letting them tell me where the story is supposed to go. These days, my one of my favorite people is Babcia, the five-hundred-year-old witch who is the power behind all the goings on in 1960's Hollywood animation storytelling and in Zakopane Poland... gateway to Rapunzel's Tower where Adolph Hitler once spent a horrific night. Check it out along with my latest blog posts at www.nickiuppa.com
Always wanted to work in the movies. College got me an internship at MGM, and I worked on TV specials with Dr. Seuss and Chuck Jones (creator of the Road Runner). Became good friends with both of them. Later wrote for the Wonderful World of Disney. Went to Paramount Pictures where I designed internet entertainment and built Hollywood-style training simulations for the military. But the movie business made it hard to express my own personal creativity. (Too many decision makers). So, I started writing novels so that I could control everything. My first sci-fi novel was about a high tech simulation that was invaded by vampires. Wrote others inspired by Stephen King's deep, creepy characters. Now I work with a writing partner, John Pesqueira, and things are much simpler, only one person to argue with. I love developing characters and letting them tell me where the story is supposed to go. These days, my one of my favorite people is Babcia, the five-hundred-year-old witch who is the power behind all the goings on in 1960's Hollywood animation storytelling and in Zakopane Poland... gateway to Rapunzel's Tower where Adolph Hitler once spent a horrific night. Check it out along with my latest blog posts at www.nickiuppa.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 19, 2021
Very well done.
This was so good! The authors out did themselves. I think I've discovered I enjoy books about some epic quest. This one was full of very engaging characters. There were one or two that were some of the most evil characters I've come across in awhile. I had a lot of fun reading this. The sci fi and horror elements were well written. All the action was part of what makes it so much fun. I look forward to reading more from these authors. They do such a great job!
This was so good! The authors out did themselves. I think I've discovered I enjoy books about some epic quest. This one was full of very engaging characters. There were one or two that were some of the most evil characters I've come across in awhile. I had a lot of fun reading this. The sci fi and horror elements were well written. All the action was part of what makes it so much fun. I look forward to reading more from these authors. They do such a great job!
August 6, 2016
This is an epic tale. I thought I’d have trouble keeping track of the large cast of characters, but the writers do a good job of reminding us who everyone is. The close knit town of La Sentencia is dealing with more than its share of problems. A massive storm hits the area leaving behind a magical jukebox, a trio of camels, and a mysterious little girl who seems to know things no one else knows. Then the copper mine which employs most of the residents shuts down. This devastates the town and pits people against each other. Esteban wants to do something. The ghost of his great, great… grandfather encourages him to continue his quest for the Seven Cities of Gold. Esteban has visions of saving the town by returning with the treasures he can discover. He sets off with one of the camels and his childhood sweetheart, Ceci, who loves his friend, Gabe. Together they encounter obstacles, danger, and ethereal assistance and are unaware that once you enter the Seven Cities, you can never leave. Meanwhile, the residents of La Sentencia are struggling to survive the fallout from the mine closure and the evil that has invaded the town. The tension and danger build in this epic story about a crazy quest and those left behind. You come to care about these characters. So much is packed into this page turner.
August 31, 2016
Amazing story loved it as I know I would great book from the two wonderful authors Nick Luppa, & John Pesqueira. This book I would be so delighted to recommend to my friends. The characters are a lively bunch and they all come to gether in one hell of a story you will love this book as much as I did. My sincere thanks to the wonderful authors Nick Luppa, John Pesqueira for allowing me the privilege and pleasure of reding this wonderful book so to all happy reading and keep smiling from wee me. xx ☺♥
August 22, 2016
What a wonderful book! This book has it all for me. A great adventure and great characters and a wonderful ride! They was soo much in this book! What a epic tale. I enjoyed every minute of it. There are so many great characters but I did not have a hard time getting to know and love each one in my own way. I don't think there was much left out of this adventure. * I received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review*
August 1, 2016
I love stories of quests: the Holy Grail, Jason and the Golden Fleece, the quests of King Arthur's knights. I love all the unusual creatures like the Cyclops, the Medusa, Cerberus that populate these quests and grab my attention and capture my imagination. I love the obstacles and trials that quest seekers must overcome to succeed.
I was expecting more of this in ESTEBAN'S QUEST, but it took to ~ 80% for this "good stuff' to happen : flesh-eating serpents, whirlwinds, thunderbirds, the weeping woman who murdered her children. It was this last part, once Esteban and Ceci were coming close to the Seven Cities , that made the book come alive and work for me.
I could have done without the entire rest of the story: the collapse of the town because of evil men with greedy intentions which simply did not interest me but.... the 7 Cities of Gold did, and it is here that I wish the main concentration of the book had been. Would love to know more about the culture, the Star People sounded interesting, the Great Emperor Acalon, the life of the maiden princesses, the artifact that makes electricity , etc.
I know that magical realism is not my genre, but I certainly do respect the author's writing talent.
Good job, Nick!
I was expecting more of this in ESTEBAN'S QUEST, but it took to ~ 80% for this "good stuff' to happen : flesh-eating serpents, whirlwinds, thunderbirds, the weeping woman who murdered her children. It was this last part, once Esteban and Ceci were coming close to the Seven Cities , that made the book come alive and work for me.
I could have done without the entire rest of the story: the collapse of the town because of evil men with greedy intentions which simply did not interest me but.... the 7 Cities of Gold did, and it is here that I wish the main concentration of the book had been. Would love to know more about the culture, the Star People sounded interesting, the Great Emperor Acalon, the life of the maiden princesses, the artifact that makes electricity , etc.
I know that magical realism is not my genre, but I certainly do respect the author's writing talent.
Good job, Nick!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews