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The Disenchanted Wizard
Della's enthusiasm for soccer, and for the famous player, Xanadu Whitworth, is knocked sideways when her younger cousin and next-door-neighbor, Harold, brings his latest map over to show her. The map has strange drawings on it, and within minutes she and her cousin are shocked at what happens with one of them. Worse, when Della's father sees the map, he plainly recognises it from his past, and goes into a panic. Shortly afterwards he rushes out of the house to find someone who can help. But who is this person who can help, and what exactly can they do?
Before the evening is out, Della and Harold˗˗accompanied by the puzzling Mr Crinch˗˗will be thrust not only into a different world, but into a series of terrifying situations. They will have to face the wizard, Evan Hoyle, once known by the nickname, The Dog, and must stop him not only from attacking Xanadu's soccer team, but from taking over the city.
Non-stop action and a strong focus on the child protagonists are combined to create a satisfying fantasy for readers (probably girls) of about 9 to 12. (KidsBooksNZ)
Before the evening is out, Della and Harold˗˗accompanied by the puzzling Mr Crinch˗˗will be thrust not only into a different world, but into a series of terrifying situations. They will have to face the wizard, Evan Hoyle, once known by the nickname, The Dog, and must stop him not only from attacking Xanadu's soccer team, but from taking over the city.
Non-stop action and a strong focus on the child protagonists are combined to create a satisfying fantasy for readers (probably girls) of about 9 to 12. (KidsBooksNZ)
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Published March 10, 2017
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About the author
Mike Crowl
8 books46 followersThe fourth children's book in the Grimhilderness series - The Counterfeit Queen- has now been published (July 2023) on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats.
The Counterfeit Queen reintroduces the two main characters from Grimhilda! now both a couple of years older. Polly turns out to be far more than a rag doll that became a real live girl, and within days of knowing this she has to try and take back her throne in a land she's never heard of. Toby manages to go along for the ride and gets himself into considerable danger - again.
I've been writing for most of my life. I began publishing on a casual basis back in the 1990s with various magazines and newspapers, and soon was writing a weekly column for a local newspaper. This column survived for five years, until one day I wrote something that apparently offended the new editor. At that point I received a letter (this was back in snail mail days) in which I was summarily dismissed from the job.
In 2012 along with a friend I wrote the script for a family musical called Grimhilda! , as well as composing the music. This was presented in the Mayfair Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand, the city where I've mostly lived since 1948. This production was successful in terms of audience enjoyment - if not quite so much in terms of financial rewards. Subsequently I decided to turn the musical's script into a book; this was published as an ebook under the title Grimhilda! - a fantasy for children and their parents, in January 2014.
A few months later I completed a non-fiction title, one that I'd considered writing for some time. This related to my not-so-happy experiences after undergoing a prostate biopsy. It's called Diary of a Prostate Wimp.
Finally in 2014 I finished a sequel to Grimhilda!, The Mumbersons and The Blood Secret . This was published on the 8th November, 2014.
The Counterfeit Queen reintroduces the two main characters from Grimhilda! now both a couple of years older. Polly turns out to be far more than a rag doll that became a real live girl, and within days of knowing this she has to try and take back her throne in a land she's never heard of. Toby manages to go along for the ride and gets himself into considerable danger - again.
I've been writing for most of my life. I began publishing on a casual basis back in the 1990s with various magazines and newspapers, and soon was writing a weekly column for a local newspaper. This column survived for five years, until one day I wrote something that apparently offended the new editor. At that point I received a letter (this was back in snail mail days) in which I was summarily dismissed from the job.
In 2012 along with a friend I wrote the script for a family musical called Grimhilda! , as well as composing the music. This was presented in the Mayfair Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand, the city where I've mostly lived since 1948. This production was successful in terms of audience enjoyment - if not quite so much in terms of financial rewards. Subsequently I decided to turn the musical's script into a book; this was published as an ebook under the title Grimhilda! - a fantasy for children and their parents, in January 2014.
A few months later I completed a non-fiction title, one that I'd considered writing for some time. This related to my not-so-happy experiences after undergoing a prostate biopsy. It's called Diary of a Prostate Wimp.
Finally in 2014 I finished a sequel to Grimhilda!, The Mumbersons and The Blood Secret . This was published on the 8th November, 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2017
The third children’s book in the Grimhilderness series is The Disenchanted Wizard. I, unfortunately, have not read the first two books and my review is purely based on the third book alone. I did, however, notice that the author has mentioned that the third book is a stand alone and will then be put together with the first two books after the fourth is written. My recommendation, having read the third book would be to not read book fourth until the first three have been read.
The Disenchanted is a story written about a girl named Della. She loves soccer and her favorite team player is, Xanadu Whitworth. She is very close to her cousin Harold who happens to bring a very mysterious antique map to show her. The map turns out to possess some kind of magic that traps them and takes them into a completely different world.
Della’s father has seen the map before and knows of its powers so when he sees the map, he instantly shows a reaction to it and pursues to find a person that knows more and, can help. The children and Mr. Crinch then have to find a way to stop a bad wizard named, Evan Hoyle from taking over the city.
This children’s book has everything suitable to engage and intrigue the young mind. It is full of action, thriller, educational and positive messages, as well as the fun and, exciting adventure one normally looks for in a tale.
The plot and of course the characters were very well aligned together, eliminating any loopholes or questionable events. The paragraphs and the layout of the work were in good standing and the pace of the story was not fast or slow enough to challenge the young mind. I believe this book will be a great addition to the series and I look forward to reading more from this author.
The Disenchanted is a story written about a girl named Della. She loves soccer and her favorite team player is, Xanadu Whitworth. She is very close to her cousin Harold who happens to bring a very mysterious antique map to show her. The map turns out to possess some kind of magic that traps them and takes them into a completely different world.
Della’s father has seen the map before and knows of its powers so when he sees the map, he instantly shows a reaction to it and pursues to find a person that knows more and, can help. The children and Mr. Crinch then have to find a way to stop a bad wizard named, Evan Hoyle from taking over the city.
This children’s book has everything suitable to engage and intrigue the young mind. It is full of action, thriller, educational and positive messages, as well as the fun and, exciting adventure one normally looks for in a tale.
The plot and of course the characters were very well aligned together, eliminating any loopholes or questionable events. The paragraphs and the layout of the work were in good standing and the pace of the story was not fast or slow enough to challenge the young mind. I believe this book will be a great addition to the series and I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 25, 2017
Here's a great quote from this story: "Libraries are always safe. Unless you read the books." And - having just read this exciting and action packed fantasy - I can add, "And unless you end up trapped inside a magical map!" Della and her cousin Harold see strange things on the antique map, and when they show Della's father he turns pale and rushes out of the house. Della and Harold follow him and become involved in a nightmarish plot to take over the minds of the city's residents. A succession of dangerous pursuits and escapes ends with an awesome finale at the local football stadium. It's a suspenseful read for fantasy fans aged about 9 to 12. (Lorraine Orman, reviewer for the KidsBooksNZ blog)
March 24, 2017
First comment? Loved it! This is a page-turner, and I couldn't put it down, and for once, I didn't turn to the end first. I read it from start to finish.
What did I like best? the fantasy: the idea of 'folding', to be put into The Map, to enter a different country. Clever stuff here. And what could you do once in The Map? Well, read on.....
I loved the descriptions of the 'folding' experience, of 'shapes' hurtling round, and the soccer match.
I loved the language: 'Vertical and horizontal dimensions/to both of these you pay attention.' What fun! And think of this: 'Fold in, Spiral out' - a picturesque view of movements. And I also enjoyed the combination of magic and technology - an ancient map and phone?
I won't go on - read it for yourselves. And it doesn't matter what age you are - there's a chbild in all of us and this appeals immensely to the child in me.
Thanks, Mike!
What did I like best? the fantasy: the idea of 'folding', to be put into The Map, to enter a different country. Clever stuff here. And what could you do once in The Map? Well, read on.....
I loved the descriptions of the 'folding' experience, of 'shapes' hurtling round, and the soccer match.
I loved the language: 'Vertical and horizontal dimensions/to both of these you pay attention.' What fun! And think of this: 'Fold in, Spiral out' - a picturesque view of movements. And I also enjoyed the combination of magic and technology - an ancient map and phone?
I won't go on - read it for yourselves. And it doesn't matter what age you are - there's a chbild in all of us and this appeals immensely to the child in me.
Thanks, Mike!
June 5, 2017
This was an enjoyable read about a gutsy young girl, her curious brother and their mission to save their father when he becomes trapped in a map. I enjoyed the idea of magically transporting into a map; it gave me a Jumanji vibe.
One thing I really liked about the story was the way the young and old teamed up to complete their mission. Mr Crinch was probably my favourite character and I particularly liked the way he'd fall asleep at random intervals (reminds me of someone I know)! I also like Della; she was brave and resourceful, always a good combo for a main character.
I felt that the beginning was a little slow, but after the first few chapters things really sped up and I was eager to find out what happened next. At times, the pace of the story seemed a bit haphazard, but there was always some intriguing new element to each chapter so this overruled that aspect. All in all, an enjoyable fantasy story which children are sure to enjoy!
One thing I really liked about the story was the way the young and old teamed up to complete their mission. Mr Crinch was probably my favourite character and I particularly liked the way he'd fall asleep at random intervals (reminds me of someone I know)! I also like Della; she was brave and resourceful, always a good combo for a main character.
I felt that the beginning was a little slow, but after the first few chapters things really sped up and I was eager to find out what happened next. At times, the pace of the story seemed a bit haphazard, but there was always some intriguing new element to each chapter so this overruled that aspect. All in all, an enjoyable fantasy story which children are sure to enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews