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The Ghosts of Chimera
The Ghosts of Chimera is a psychological fantasy about a troubled 13-year-old boy who is drawn into another world in a search for the ghost of his younger brother.
There he learns of an ancient menace called the Scavenger, a creature that uses the powers of wishful thinking and denial against humans. The Scavenger is threatening to destroy its world Chimera, a place where human dreams take on physical reality, a place so interlinked with the human world that the destruction of Chimera will mean the end of humans as well. Caleb’s quest to find his brother broadens as he becomes entangled in a struggle against the Scavenger.
However, as Caleb moves through Chimera, worrying signs accumulate that Chimera may not exist at all, but may be the product of his own mind, and his own attempt to deny a terrible truth he does not want to face.
His journey through Chimera forces Caleb to confront the dangers of an alien world and, finally, the most perilous landscape of all: the secrets that lie, deeply hidden, within himself.
There he learns of an ancient menace called the Scavenger, a creature that uses the powers of wishful thinking and denial against humans. The Scavenger is threatening to destroy its world Chimera, a place where human dreams take on physical reality, a place so interlinked with the human world that the destruction of Chimera will mean the end of humans as well. Caleb’s quest to find his brother broadens as he becomes entangled in a struggle against the Scavenger.
However, as Caleb moves through Chimera, worrying signs accumulate that Chimera may not exist at all, but may be the product of his own mind, and his own attempt to deny a terrible truth he does not want to face.
His journey through Chimera forces Caleb to confront the dangers of an alien world and, finally, the most perilous landscape of all: the secrets that lie, deeply hidden, within himself.
696 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
18 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Henderson
10 books14 followersI am a fantasy and science fiction author living in South Florida. I have the imagination of a ten year old, which is why I write fantasy novels, but I have the knowledge of an adult who loves to read, which allows me to write science fiction.
My inner ten year old and I have written three novels, numerous short stories, and a lot of blog posts. My book of short stories called “Becoming the Story” represents my first foray into science fiction, but I still enjoy the infinite freedom of fantasy.
My newest published novel is titled “The Ghosts of Chimera,” a psychological fantasy about a troubled 13 year old boy who is drawn into another world in a search for the ghost of his younger brother.
Another novel I published this year is “Paw.” It is the story is about a female slave, a member of an intelligent cat species, who struggles to survive and escape the hardships of a desert mining camp. It is the first of a three-part series called “The Bastis Archives” and I am currently working on the sequel.
My other published novel, “Thief of Hades,” is based on the Greek myth of the underworld ferryman Charon. Charon is an unsung hero in Greek mythology, but to his credit, a moon of Pluto got named after him. If he was important enough to be a moon, I thought he should have his own novel. Beyond fiction I have also written an e-book on rediscovering creativity in writing called “A Trail of Crumbs to Creative Freedom..”
As for my “real life,” I moved to Florida from South Carolina over four years ago, and have been absorbing the environment as inspiration for my fiction. I also have a cat with a soft belly and tufted ears who rules my life but, little does she know, a mutiny is coming soon.
Follow my blog, and I will tell you how it goes.
My inner ten year old and I have written three novels, numerous short stories, and a lot of blog posts. My book of short stories called “Becoming the Story” represents my first foray into science fiction, but I still enjoy the infinite freedom of fantasy.
My newest published novel is titled “The Ghosts of Chimera,” a psychological fantasy about a troubled 13 year old boy who is drawn into another world in a search for the ghost of his younger brother.
Another novel I published this year is “Paw.” It is the story is about a female slave, a member of an intelligent cat species, who struggles to survive and escape the hardships of a desert mining camp. It is the first of a three-part series called “The Bastis Archives” and I am currently working on the sequel.
My other published novel, “Thief of Hades,” is based on the Greek myth of the underworld ferryman Charon. Charon is an unsung hero in Greek mythology, but to his credit, a moon of Pluto got named after him. If he was important enough to be a moon, I thought he should have his own novel. Beyond fiction I have also written an e-book on rediscovering creativity in writing called “A Trail of Crumbs to Creative Freedom..”
As for my “real life,” I moved to Florida from South Carolina over four years ago, and have been absorbing the environment as inspiration for my fiction. I also have a cat with a soft belly and tufted ears who rules my life but, little does she know, a mutiny is coming soon.
Follow my blog, and I will tell you how it goes.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 24, 2020
Prepare yourself to enter a psychological labyrinth that straddles the boundaries of reality and fantasy. In "The Ghosts of Chimera" the talented author L.E. Henderson adeptly unfurls a world where dreams can manifest themselves before your eyes and things that seem normal can suddenly reveal their paranormality; where questing for a ghost can lead you into a parallel universe; and where the oftentimes unseen forces at work in our world can be revealed. ~ But - as is always the case with this author's books - to pigeonhole it into one genre is to commit an error. This book is fantasy, yes, but it is also expertly interwoven with humor, science, and (most surprisingly) horror. I am not talking about gory obnoxious horror, but rather the kind that as you're reading it a chill slowly builds within your spine and races outward to your entire body. Sometimes the meeting point between dimensions can be quite disturbing. And whereas for me the scientific is present in the logical interplay between the fantastical phenomena (be them worldly or otherworldly), the humor arises in the relationship and interactions between Caleb and his otherworldly companions. ~ All in all these elements make Henderson's Ghosts of Chimera a fascinating, multifarious, and entertaining read, which leaves one wondering what of the fantasy is actually reality.
March 11, 2018
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you like the movie Inside Out, you’ll like this book. Maybe Inside Out mixed with a little Alice in Wonderland.
If you like adventures for younger readers written with enough zest and imagination and human tragedy to appeal to adults, like Harry Potter, the Golden Compass, Redwall, and the Hunger Games, you’ll like this book.
When I first picked it up, I thought it would be a quick (it wasn’t), lighthearted (it wasn’t), whimsical (it was), and potentially interesting (it was) read. I was surprised by how mature and touching a story with a big furry monster on the cover could be.
It doesn’t have many reviews, and I think part of that is that the target audience for this book is a little confusing. Don’t underestimate it or dismiss it as a childish story. It is a book about children and monsters under the bed, but it’s also about death, illness, loss, mental health, and sacrifice.
If you’re put off by its length, as I might have been had I noticed it when I requested the book, don’t be. It’s not a slog. In fact, I read half of it in a single evening because I was so engrossed.
My one nitpick-y thing about this book is the author’s use of italics, and…that’s it. That’s my one complaint. Overall, I think it’s a fantastic book that deserves more attention.
If you like the movie Inside Out, you’ll like this book. Maybe Inside Out mixed with a little Alice in Wonderland.
If you like adventures for younger readers written with enough zest and imagination and human tragedy to appeal to adults, like Harry Potter, the Golden Compass, Redwall, and the Hunger Games, you’ll like this book.
When I first picked it up, I thought it would be a quick (it wasn’t), lighthearted (it wasn’t), whimsical (it was), and potentially interesting (it was) read. I was surprised by how mature and touching a story with a big furry monster on the cover could be.
It doesn’t have many reviews, and I think part of that is that the target audience for this book is a little confusing. Don’t underestimate it or dismiss it as a childish story. It is a book about children and monsters under the bed, but it’s also about death, illness, loss, mental health, and sacrifice.
If you’re put off by its length, as I might have been had I noticed it when I requested the book, don’t be. It’s not a slog. In fact, I read half of it in a single evening because I was so engrossed.
My one nitpick-y thing about this book is the author’s use of italics, and…that’s it. That’s my one complaint. Overall, I think it’s a fantastic book that deserves more attention.
May 6, 2018
I won this book from Goodreads for an honest review.
I found this to be a fresh and intriguing book. It had a very dark and complex story that really pulls you in and keeps you engaged throughout. The characters are well described and have a very real feel to them. I highly recommend this story for those looking for something a bit different and a bit dark.
I found this to be a fresh and intriguing book. It had a very dark and complex story that really pulls you in and keeps you engaged throughout. The characters are well described and have a very real feel to them. I highly recommend this story for those looking for something a bit different and a bit dark.
September 29, 2018
Good Fantasy
While it took me a while to read this book, I was happy with the pace of the writing and the story being told.
While it took me a while to read this book, I was happy with the pace of the writing and the story being told.
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February 28, 2018I have been given a copy of this book to read and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it. The book is a long read but worth it. There is so much world building and awesomeness that this could have been a series.
The writing and imagery is awesome. I can definitely recommend this book.
The writing and imagery is awesome. I can definitely recommend this book.
November 15, 2018
This book surprised me.
This book surprised me.It read like a children's book, but it dealt with serious subject matter. Very imaginative characters and cool world building. In places reminding me of Stephen King. I recommend this book highly
This book surprised me.It read like a children's book, but it dealt with serious subject matter. Very imaginative characters and cool world building. In places reminding me of Stephen King. I recommend this book highly
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews