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The Out-of-this-World Adventures of Tim Hunter #1
The Mirror of Doom
Librarian's Note: An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here
Where Snow White's fairytale ends, Tim Hunter's begins.
Fairytale? Scratch that. Make it nightmare instead!
When 12-year-old Tim Hunter steals his sister Kat's diary, he thinks its his chance to get enough dirt on her to last a lifetime. But, he doesn't count on his older brother Ron helping Kat chase him through his grandma's old Victorian home -- although, frankly, he should have. And he doesn't plan on trespassing on the forbidden third floor -- and getting locked into a dark, creepy room with scary old Uncle Edgar.
But what he really doesn't expect is the large golden object covered by a sheet in the corner.
A mirror. A magic mirror that once belonged to the Brothers Grimm.
A gateway to another world.
Thanks to a dirty trick and a shove by Uncle Edgar, Tim and his siblings find themselves on the other side of the mirror in a medieval land of castles, kings, and dangerous creatures.
Cool? Yeah, Tim thinks so, at first. But a run-in with a prince named Gavril and his not-so-merry-men changes his mind -- and fast. It turns out there's a prophecy about three strangers from a distant land who will defeat the evil Queen Morissa, take back the land of Tryton, and restore the throne to King Gunther.
And guess who King Gunther thinks those three "deliverers" are. You got it... Tim, Ron and Kat. When given a choice between fulfilling the prophecy and rotting in a dungeon (until they're executed, that is), the three siblings are told that all they have to do is steal the queen's mirror -- and bring it back to the king.
Sounds simple, right? But nothing is as it seems. And as he has to face enemy soldiers, horrible creatures called "galrogs" (who eat kids like Tim for lunch), and even a fire-breathing dragon, Tim has to wonder...
Can a kid with zero sword fighting skills -- and the athletic ability of a slug -- defeat a wicked, powerful queen and make it home alive?
Where Snow White's fairytale ends, Tim Hunter's begins.
Fairytale? Scratch that. Make it nightmare instead!
When 12-year-old Tim Hunter steals his sister Kat's diary, he thinks its his chance to get enough dirt on her to last a lifetime. But, he doesn't count on his older brother Ron helping Kat chase him through his grandma's old Victorian home -- although, frankly, he should have. And he doesn't plan on trespassing on the forbidden third floor -- and getting locked into a dark, creepy room with scary old Uncle Edgar.
But what he really doesn't expect is the large golden object covered by a sheet in the corner.
A mirror. A magic mirror that once belonged to the Brothers Grimm.
A gateway to another world.
Thanks to a dirty trick and a shove by Uncle Edgar, Tim and his siblings find themselves on the other side of the mirror in a medieval land of castles, kings, and dangerous creatures.
Cool? Yeah, Tim thinks so, at first. But a run-in with a prince named Gavril and his not-so-merry-men changes his mind -- and fast. It turns out there's a prophecy about three strangers from a distant land who will defeat the evil Queen Morissa, take back the land of Tryton, and restore the throne to King Gunther.
And guess who King Gunther thinks those three "deliverers" are. You got it... Tim, Ron and Kat. When given a choice between fulfilling the prophecy and rotting in a dungeon (until they're executed, that is), the three siblings are told that all they have to do is steal the queen's mirror -- and bring it back to the king.
Sounds simple, right? But nothing is as it seems. And as he has to face enemy soldiers, horrible creatures called "galrogs" (who eat kids like Tim for lunch), and even a fire-breathing dragon, Tim has to wonder...
Can a kid with zero sword fighting skills -- and the athletic ability of a slug -- defeat a wicked, powerful queen and make it home alive?
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Baxter
1 book81 followersBailey Baxter is the pen name of a quite successful copywriter who writes online "junk" mail for financial publishing companies. She's been writing stories since childhood. In fact, when she was 12, Bailey wrote and illustrated tiny books that she stapled together and passed to her friend during class. (She was never caught.)
Bailey grew up in a small, cow-town in Connecticut called Ellington, but she currently lives in Asheville, NC with a mischievous Shih-tzu named Lucy. Fortunately, Asheville is weird - and proud of it - so it gives her plenty of inspiration and plot ideas for new books.
Her first book - The Mirror of Doom - was inspired by a certain pesky brother named "Jimmy" and the childhood desire to find a wardrobe to a place like Narnia.
Bailey grew up in a small, cow-town in Connecticut called Ellington, but she currently lives in Asheville, NC with a mischievous Shih-tzu named Lucy. Fortunately, Asheville is weird - and proud of it - so it gives her plenty of inspiration and plot ideas for new books.
Her first book - The Mirror of Doom - was inspired by a certain pesky brother named "Jimmy" and the childhood desire to find a wardrobe to a place like Narnia.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 6, 2017
'The Mirror off Doom' is a fun adventure story for children and teens. I'm looking forward to #2 in Tim Hunter series to see what happens next! I won Bailey Baxter's book through Goodreads Giveaways.
August 28, 2016
When twelve-year-old Tim Hunter steals his sister Kat’s diary, he gets a lot more than he’d bargained for. His older siblings, Ron and Kat, chase Tim through his grandmother’s Connecticut home – a place where they had all lived since their stepfather, Erick, had mysteriously disappeared two months earlier. Before he realizes it, Tim discovers that he is on the forbidden third floor of the house, locked inside a room with his scary Uncle Edgar. As Tim tries to escape, Edgar distracts him by unveiling a mirror which had once belonged to the Brothers Grimm. From an inscription in the gold frame, Tim learns that the mirror is magical and is a gateway to another world. Tim, Ron and Kat soon find themselves on the other side of the mirror in a medieval land of castles and dangerous beasts. They might have thought of it as a fun adventure, were it not for a prophecy which tells of three strangers from a faraway land who would defeat the evil Queen Morissa, returning King Gunther and Prince Gavril to the throne and thus restoring order to the land of Tryton. When given only two choices – fulfil the prophecy or be executed – the three siblings are told of the simple task ahead of them of stealing the queen’s mirror, but what they find instead is a truth which is too shocking to believe.
Without a doubt, The Mirror of Doom is the most delightful children’s story I have read in some time, with three squabbling children, none of whom possess an ounce of responsibility, suddenly realizing that they have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive. Bailey Baxter’s tale of typical teens was written in a realistic fashion up until the fantasy realm takes over, when they are magically transported to another world. Tim’s humorous narration of the story gave me cause to chuckle in many instances, as he told things from a twelve-year old’s point of view, inclusive of his personal analysis of each of the other characters in the story, holding nothing back. All three of the children are initially shown as quite self-absorbed and selfish, but their emotional growth and respect for one another is evident as they face each challenge head-on. I noticed that The Mirror of Doom has been left open at the end to allow for the possibility of a sequel. I very much look forward to reading that too. Bailey Baxter is a writer with great talent and has a flair for telling stories of intrigue to readers of all ages. I recommend The Mirror of Doom to all readers who enjoy fun, action, sci-fi, fantasy, and a major dose of comedy in their magical adventures.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
Without a doubt, The Mirror of Doom is the most delightful children’s story I have read in some time, with three squabbling children, none of whom possess an ounce of responsibility, suddenly realizing that they have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive. Bailey Baxter’s tale of typical teens was written in a realistic fashion up until the fantasy realm takes over, when they are magically transported to another world. Tim’s humorous narration of the story gave me cause to chuckle in many instances, as he told things from a twelve-year old’s point of view, inclusive of his personal analysis of each of the other characters in the story, holding nothing back. All three of the children are initially shown as quite self-absorbed and selfish, but their emotional growth and respect for one another is evident as they face each challenge head-on. I noticed that The Mirror of Doom has been left open at the end to allow for the possibility of a sequel. I very much look forward to reading that too. Bailey Baxter is a writer with great talent and has a flair for telling stories of intrigue to readers of all ages. I recommend The Mirror of Doom to all readers who enjoy fun, action, sci-fi, fantasy, and a major dose of comedy in their magical adventures.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
December 29, 2016
What a brilliant and adventurous read for young readers! I loved the excitement, challenges and lessons learned.
I thought the author created a great selection of characters, all of which would make a greatcoats for a young reader's mind to really latch on to. It was great to see as these character developed and watch the ever-changing dynamic between the brothers and sisters. I liked that it stuck true to family interactions and had a blend of admiration/love and moments where they felt they despised one another. I think that, plus the prince's 'connections' with the others was great for giving the different feels of family ties and a link to fairy tales.
I loved the little joke about Snow White, the Brothers Grimm and their visit to the area. It really stuck with me. It think little jokes like that, which were dotted throughout the book, really made for a fun read, even as an adult.
In all honesty, I am not afraid, at all, to admit that I whole-heartedly love this book and would read it again, and/or read more in a series of similar books. I loved the whole story and the very well-written work the author put into its creation. I highly recommend reading this and passing it along to a young reader you know, as well.
** I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought the author created a great selection of characters, all of which would make a greatcoats for a young reader's mind to really latch on to. It was great to see as these character developed and watch the ever-changing dynamic between the brothers and sisters. I liked that it stuck true to family interactions and had a blend of admiration/love and moments where they felt they despised one another. I think that, plus the prince's 'connections' with the others was great for giving the different feels of family ties and a link to fairy tales.
I loved the little joke about Snow White, the Brothers Grimm and their visit to the area. It really stuck with me. It think little jokes like that, which were dotted throughout the book, really made for a fun read, even as an adult.
In all honesty, I am not afraid, at all, to admit that I whole-heartedly love this book and would read it again, and/or read more in a series of similar books. I loved the whole story and the very well-written work the author put into its creation. I highly recommend reading this and passing it along to a young reader you know, as well.
** I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 5, 2016
It feels weird to review my own book. Of course I'm going to give it five stars! What author wouldn't give her own book five stars?!
Okay, weirdness aside, you probably want to know more about my book. My description here on Goodreads already goes into a lot of detail about what happens in "The Mirror of Doom," so I don't want to rehash all that. Here's what I want to ask you instead...
...Do you ever daydream about going to another world?
As a kid, I always did - especially when I was stuck at my grandparents' house and forced to be on "good behavior." I wanted to find a door in a wardrobe - or a magic mirror - to take me to an exciting place where there were dragons to fight, castles to explore, and adventures to be had.
If you like that kind of stuff, you'll like (make that LOVE) "The Mirror of Doom." When Tim Hunter gets pushed through a magic mirror, he's thrown into a world of intrigue and danger. (Seriously, it's a miracle that he makes it to the end of the book alive!)
But don't take my word for it. I'm the author, and I'm a little bit biased. So here's what you should do...
Go to MirrorofDoom.com and download the free preview. Once you get a taste of "The Mirror of Doom," you're going to want to read more.
Yeah, you can trust me on that one.
Okay, weirdness aside, you probably want to know more about my book. My description here on Goodreads already goes into a lot of detail about what happens in "The Mirror of Doom," so I don't want to rehash all that. Here's what I want to ask you instead...
...Do you ever daydream about going to another world?
As a kid, I always did - especially when I was stuck at my grandparents' house and forced to be on "good behavior." I wanted to find a door in a wardrobe - or a magic mirror - to take me to an exciting place where there were dragons to fight, castles to explore, and adventures to be had.
If you like that kind of stuff, you'll like (make that LOVE) "The Mirror of Doom." When Tim Hunter gets pushed through a magic mirror, he's thrown into a world of intrigue and danger. (Seriously, it's a miracle that he makes it to the end of the book alive!)
But don't take my word for it. I'm the author, and I'm a little bit biased. So here's what you should do...
Go to MirrorofDoom.com and download the free preview. Once you get a taste of "The Mirror of Doom," you're going to want to read more.
Yeah, you can trust me on that one.
October 3, 2016
As the Illustrator for this book, I've had the privilege of reading it through many different drafts and enjoying the transformation of the story-line, characters, and writing style. The end result is something spectacular that I'm very proud to play a small part in. The illustrations changed along with the narration... originally the story was told in third person and the drawings were highly detailed pen and inks reminiscent of Chris Riddell's work. Once the voice was changed to first-person, it seemed to me that something à la the juvenile mind of Tim(my) would be more appropriate, and hence, the cartoony style of drawings along with the cheeky comments.
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did – it's fun, sassy, and moves at a quick pace, while taking just enough time to let you get to know the characters and fall in love with them! I'm biting at the chomp to read the sequel, and already pestering Bailey Baxter for any details she can spare!
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did – it's fun, sassy, and moves at a quick pace, while taking just enough time to let you get to know the characters and fall in love with them! I'm biting at the chomp to read the sequel, and already pestering Bailey Baxter for any details she can spare!
September 11, 2016
Wholesome, Family Friendly, Contemporary Fairy Tale for Young Readers
Originally I was going to title this review, “An Accessible Narnia” because of its obvious parallels to that novel. But by the time I finished the book I realized this tale, being much easier to read than the C.S. Lewis tome, is quite different - and while there are similarities, they are superficial and share much more in common with traditional fairy tales.
I purchased Mirror Of Doom for an eight-year-old family friend who happens to read at a much higher level, and is quite fond of children’s adventure and fantasy literature. I also picked up a copy for myself (I’m much older than 8) on Kindle. I read the book over a holiday weekend and wanted to share with other readers what I found.
I would categorize this work as a contemporary fairy tale fantasy adventure.
All the elements of fairy tale fantasies are present, such as a magic mirror that transports the characters to a magical and distant land populated by Kings, evil Queens, ambitious Princes, dwarves, wicked creatures called Galrogs and even a real fire-breathing dragon!
That’s right … there’s a DRAGON!
The story is told through the eyes of Timmy (scratch that … make that TIM) Hunter, a scrawny, scrappy young boy who passes through a magic mirror from his present day existence, entering a fantasy world of medieval proportions, complete with the fantastic creatures and characters mentioned above.
He’s immediately followed by his annoying (to Tim) older sister Kat and their older, star athlete brother Ron. They learn their only way back through the mirror to home is to commit a worthy act of bravery.
Soon, they are off on a mission, meeting up with Prince Gavril, a no-nonsense leader and son of the ousted King of Tryton. Along the way they pick up a friend of the Prince’s, Beriman a worldly dwarf, and experienced soldier-type with considerable sword-fighting skills.
Beriman is blessed with the one of the most dramatic moments and memorable quotes in the book: “Dwarves never surrender!”
There’s a lot to like about Mirror Of Doom. It’s written in a whimsical, fun style, punctuated by comical moments, mostly having to do with the interaction between the siblings and the sometimes “fish out of water” moments because of the stark differences between home and this new reality.
I also liked the fast pace of the novel … not a lot of drawn-out exposition. Everything you need to know to follow the story is revealed either in conversation or within context of the events unfolding.
There are Easter eggs in this story too … such as conventional fairy tale tie-ins between this story and several Brother’s Grimm tales. You’ll see what I mean when you read it, but I thought those tie-in references really added a dimension to the story - wholly original.
I won’t spoil the story by revealing any more detail.
If you’re a fan of children’s lit, fairy tales, Narnia or even Tolkien-esque adventures, you’ll love this book, it’s wholesome, family friendly entertainment you can give to a young reader with absolute confidence they’ll enjoy the story without fear of corruption by bad language or extreme graphic content.
Mirror Of Doom is a fun, fast, and thoroughly enjoyable read. Hope you like it as much as I did.
John Keever
Originally I was going to title this review, “An Accessible Narnia” because of its obvious parallels to that novel. But by the time I finished the book I realized this tale, being much easier to read than the C.S. Lewis tome, is quite different - and while there are similarities, they are superficial and share much more in common with traditional fairy tales.
I purchased Mirror Of Doom for an eight-year-old family friend who happens to read at a much higher level, and is quite fond of children’s adventure and fantasy literature. I also picked up a copy for myself (I’m much older than 8) on Kindle. I read the book over a holiday weekend and wanted to share with other readers what I found.
I would categorize this work as a contemporary fairy tale fantasy adventure.
All the elements of fairy tale fantasies are present, such as a magic mirror that transports the characters to a magical and distant land populated by Kings, evil Queens, ambitious Princes, dwarves, wicked creatures called Galrogs and even a real fire-breathing dragon!
That’s right … there’s a DRAGON!
The story is told through the eyes of Timmy (scratch that … make that TIM) Hunter, a scrawny, scrappy young boy who passes through a magic mirror from his present day existence, entering a fantasy world of medieval proportions, complete with the fantastic creatures and characters mentioned above.
He’s immediately followed by his annoying (to Tim) older sister Kat and their older, star athlete brother Ron. They learn their only way back through the mirror to home is to commit a worthy act of bravery.
Soon, they are off on a mission, meeting up with Prince Gavril, a no-nonsense leader and son of the ousted King of Tryton. Along the way they pick up a friend of the Prince’s, Beriman a worldly dwarf, and experienced soldier-type with considerable sword-fighting skills.
Beriman is blessed with the one of the most dramatic moments and memorable quotes in the book: “Dwarves never surrender!”
There’s a lot to like about Mirror Of Doom. It’s written in a whimsical, fun style, punctuated by comical moments, mostly having to do with the interaction between the siblings and the sometimes “fish out of water” moments because of the stark differences between home and this new reality.
I also liked the fast pace of the novel … not a lot of drawn-out exposition. Everything you need to know to follow the story is revealed either in conversation or within context of the events unfolding.
There are Easter eggs in this story too … such as conventional fairy tale tie-ins between this story and several Brother’s Grimm tales. You’ll see what I mean when you read it, but I thought those tie-in references really added a dimension to the story - wholly original.
I won’t spoil the story by revealing any more detail.
If you’re a fan of children’s lit, fairy tales, Narnia or even Tolkien-esque adventures, you’ll love this book, it’s wholesome, family friendly entertainment you can give to a young reader with absolute confidence they’ll enjoy the story without fear of corruption by bad language or extreme graphic content.
Mirror Of Doom is a fun, fast, and thoroughly enjoyable read. Hope you like it as much as I did.
John Keever
August 28, 2016
WOW! I couldn't put it down. As soon as Tim(my) stepped (or was he pushed?) through the mirror, I was hooked. The plot moves at a quick pace and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Baxter has developed characters that are true to their age and situation in life. The illustrations are fabulous and stays true to the diary theme the author has created. The Mirror of Doom will be the first read aloud in my fifth grade classroom this year. This is a must read for any fantasy loving middle schooler or adult who still remembers what it was like to be a kid!
October 11, 2016
This is an all out fantasy adventure book. Throughout the book you stay locked into the main character, which is a middle-school kid named Timmy. It kind of plays off of a well known fairy tale, but Bailey Baxter puts a completely new twist on the story. The book is full of action and sibling squabbling. There's an interesting mix of characters through out the book. If your looking for a book that's very different from anything else this is a good book to check out.
September 8, 2016
Great book!! Older kids and teens will love this fast-paced story about a boy lost in magical world. Tim is a typical 12 year old that ends up in a world full of dragons, dwarves, evil queens, and scary adventures! I could not put it down!
May 15, 2018
I was surprised by this book. It felt at first like an addictive kind of escape -- a good summer read with characters that seem kind stock at first. But as I delved into it, there were twists and turns and moments revealed between the characters that promised something deeper. By the end, I wanted to see how they grew and evolved even more. The ending is a great cliff hanger while also giving me a sense that the book is intent on going deeper as it promises in the last few chapters. Now that I am hooked, I want to follow this thread and see where it takes us!
October 4, 2016
I picked up this book for ME, not a child because I like reading kids' books. You don't have to worry about the "heat" level or so many other things that plague adult books. This was a great read, but leaves you with a cliffhanger--not in a bad sort of way like many series. The story that the author set out to tell is complete, but she entices you to hurry up and buy the next in the series. Alas, it is not available yet.
I come from a family of many children, so the author has sibling relationships pegged--both the fighting and concern. It's the attitude, "I can call you names and pick on you, but let anyone else outside the family try, and watch us band together."
An enjoyable read. Thumbs up to the author.
I come from a family of many children, so the author has sibling relationships pegged--both the fighting and concern. It's the attitude, "I can call you names and pick on you, but let anyone else outside the family try, and watch us band together."
An enjoyable read. Thumbs up to the author.
September 26, 2016
A really fun read! Bailey does a great job of trapping sibling rivalries and the arguments that go with them. But as they go on their quest they learn how to get a long (mostly) and show concern for each other. The commentary from Tim Hunter all through the book is most entertaining. The ending certainly makes me eager to see what will be in the 2nd book!
November 2, 2016
I don't often read children's books, but I really enjoyed this book. The plot kept me interested. It was a quick read and by the time I finished it I wanted to know more. I love books that can keep your attention that make you want more and The Mirror of Doom delivers. I would definitely recommend this book.
January 9, 2017
Awesome!!!
Greater adventures I really enjoyed this read from cover to cover. Great laughs and adventure sibling rivalry and lotsa fun. Cudos
Greater adventures I really enjoyed this read from cover to cover. Great laughs and adventure sibling rivalry and lotsa fun. Cudos
December 7, 2018
This book was written for younger teens,but I enjoyed reading it. many conflicts throughout the story and the ending left me wanting for more. Timmy stole his sister's diary and instead of giving it back to her, he fled up to the third floor,where they did not belong. Uncle Edgar was in the room,but Timmy did not know it. He scared the daylights out of Timmy,who dropped the diary into the mirror(the Mirror of Doom). read the story to get the full affect. Thank you Bailey Baxter for such a wonderful story. Now on to the next part.
July 4, 2019
I just finished The Mirror of Doom. It was a fun, entertaining read geared toward preteen readers.
The story is essentially a buddy, road trip story, except the main character is a 12-year-old boy (Tim, not Timmy!) and his buddies are his annoying older brother and sister (especially annoying sister, from Tim's perspective). Oh yeah, and the road trip is actually a magical step back into medieval time that is filled with fun adventures and exciting obstacles.
I enjoyed Tim's point of view and the writing style. The end-of-chapter cliff-hangers and illustrations were nice bonuses.
If your son or daughter is looking for a fun, fast-paced story that includes several "how will they possibly get out of this situation?" moments, I'd recommend this book.
The story is essentially a buddy, road trip story, except the main character is a 12-year-old boy (Tim, not Timmy!) and his buddies are his annoying older brother and sister (especially annoying sister, from Tim's perspective). Oh yeah, and the road trip is actually a magical step back into medieval time that is filled with fun adventures and exciting obstacles.
I enjoyed Tim's point of view and the writing style. The end-of-chapter cliff-hangers and illustrations were nice bonuses.
If your son or daughter is looking for a fun, fast-paced story that includes several "how will they possibly get out of this situation?" moments, I'd recommend this book.
November 8, 2017
I was going to give this three stars. I found it entertaining and for the most part I enjoyed the characters. But then I got to the end and it was a huge cliff hanger with nothing resolved. What!? I guess the author didnt trust that her writing, characters and world building were good enough for readers to continue the read the series unless there was a big cliff hanger and the story wasn't finished? I will not recommend to my children like I was planning.
September 16, 2016
This book was the best and funnest childrens/ teens book I can ever remember reading, but adults will also enjoy it just as much. It was full of adventure and action, and was an addictive book with lots of humor and heart. It had many moments that made me laugh out loud. The characters are very easy to relate to, especially the main character Tim as it's told through his eyes. Though the characters start out arguing they develop throughout the adventure which makes them even more likeable. The twist ending was very unexpected for me, and made me even more anxious to read the next book when it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews