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Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, Book 1: Phases of the Moon
There’s a story in the story
Like a wheel within the wheel
Spiraling forever
Through the world we see and feel.
There’s a tale within the fable
Like a gear within the gear
Marking time forever
Until the secret is revealed . . .
In every age, across time and space, there have been Folktellers. These are the select few who have been chosen to collect and share the stories that must be told.
Aaron is an average midwestern teen – or so he thinks. When his grandfather disappears under strange circumstances, Aaron’s ordinary existence changes forever. He will soon discover a mysterious world where stories are powerful and dangerous, where deadly enemies and dark forces lurk just out of sight.
Accompanied by his friend Jake and an odd girl from another dimension, Aaron must save his grandfather from the gathering darkness, and the shadowy creatures that thrive within.
In time, Aaron will learn that whoever holds the story, wields the power, and that the choices he makes will change the destiny of the entire universe.
Like a wheel within the wheel
Spiraling forever
Through the world we see and feel.
There’s a tale within the fable
Like a gear within the gear
Marking time forever
Until the secret is revealed . . .
In every age, across time and space, there have been Folktellers. These are the select few who have been chosen to collect and share the stories that must be told.
Aaron is an average midwestern teen – or so he thinks. When his grandfather disappears under strange circumstances, Aaron’s ordinary existence changes forever. He will soon discover a mysterious world where stories are powerful and dangerous, where deadly enemies and dark forces lurk just out of sight.
Accompanied by his friend Jake and an odd girl from another dimension, Aaron must save his grandfather from the gathering darkness, and the shadowy creatures that thrive within.
In time, Aaron will learn that whoever holds the story, wields the power, and that the choices he makes will change the destiny of the entire universe.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2018
6 people want to read
About the author
Josef Bastian
35 books1 followerJosef Bastian is Midwest author and poet whose sense of humor, depth of spirit and reflective imagination resonate within his poetry and prose. Josef currently has more than a dozen books in print that focus on the power of storytelling for people of all ages.
His current projects include the Nain Rouge Trilogy – A Crimson Three, that resurrects a 300-year folk legend from Detroit. Josef has also launched Folkteller Publishing, a storytelling company that targets regional folk tales and legends from around the world.
Folkteller’s goal is to create a new entertainment universe that lifts these global stories out of obscurity and into our culture, meant for a modern audience. This new genre combines literature, visual media and entertainment into a universe Bastian has dubbed “Cryptofolk” or “hidden stories.”
His current projects include the Nain Rouge Trilogy – A Crimson Three, that resurrects a 300-year folk legend from Detroit. Josef has also launched Folkteller Publishing, a storytelling company that targets regional folk tales and legends from around the world.
Folkteller’s goal is to create a new entertainment universe that lifts these global stories out of obscurity and into our culture, meant for a modern audience. This new genre combines literature, visual media and entertainment into a universe Bastian has dubbed “Cryptofolk” or “hidden stories.”
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 14, 2022
Welcome to the Folktellers Universe... There's a story in the story, like a wheel within the wheel, spiraling forever, through the world we see and feel. There's a tale within the fable, like a gear within the gear, marking time forever, until the secret is revealed. In every age, across time and space, there have been Folktellers. These are the select few who have been chosen to collect and share the stories that must be told. Aaron is an average midwestern teen; or so he thinks. When his grandfather disappears under strange circumstances, Aaron's ordinary existence changes forever. He will soon discover a mysterious world where stories are powerful and dangerous, and dark, deadly enemies lurk just out of sight. Accompanied by his friend Jake and an odd girl from another dimension, Aaron must save his grandfather from the gathering darkness, and the shadowy creatures that thrive within.In time, Aaron will learn that whoever holds the story wields the power, and that the choices he makes will change the destiny of the entire universe.
Bastian’s novel is a fantastic concept; what’s not to love about time travelling teenagers out to save the world. With fantastic characters such as: the courageous and enigmatic Aaron, his loyal and oftentimes critical BF Jake and his quirky, mysterious grandfather who not only keeps Aaron on his toes but also the reader. Throw in a bit of romantic spice when Aaron and Jake bump into difficulties and have to bring Wendy (a hot girl from an alternate dimension) home for her own safety and some villainous Shadow People, this story definitely keeps you guessing what’s around the next corner.
However, the story’s execution wasn’t perfect; I just felt like the plot was convoluted in places and then lacking in depth in others which left me frustrated at times.
Nevertheless, this is the first book in a trilogy and it isn’t going to stop me from checking out what Aaron and the gang get up to in their future adventures.
Bastian’s novel is a fantastic concept; what’s not to love about time travelling teenagers out to save the world. With fantastic characters such as: the courageous and enigmatic Aaron, his loyal and oftentimes critical BF Jake and his quirky, mysterious grandfather who not only keeps Aaron on his toes but also the reader. Throw in a bit of romantic spice when Aaron and Jake bump into difficulties and have to bring Wendy (a hot girl from an alternate dimension) home for her own safety and some villainous Shadow People, this story definitely keeps you guessing what’s around the next corner.
However, the story’s execution wasn’t perfect; I just felt like the plot was convoluted in places and then lacking in depth in others which left me frustrated at times.
Nevertheless, this is the first book in a trilogy and it isn’t going to stop me from checking out what Aaron and the gang get up to in their future adventures.
February 25, 2019
Anyone who follows the news these days knows that it’s not just the story you tell, but even the way you tell that story that makes a difference. Because whomever holds the story holds the power. Our choices - and the tales we tell about those choices - can change the course of our lives. In Aaron’s case, they could change the whole universe.
YA is such an excellent genre because it has the potential to be written and read on multiple levels. Josef Bastian’s Phases of the Moon, the first in the seven part middle grade series, Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, is definitely one of those books that earns renewed consideration at different stages of life.
Aaron Anderson thinks he’s average. His days consist of going to school, hanging out with his best friend Jake, and spending time listening to his Pap tell stories. But one day after school, Pap mysteriously goes missing, and Aaron and Jake are drawn into a strange new universe to find him. On their adventure, they encounter a lot of danger, a new ally (Wendy), and a discovery: Aaron is meant to become a Folkteller just like his Grandfather.
A Folkteller? True to folklore’s real tradition, in Phases of the Moon, Folktellers collect and share stories that need to be told; They pass on lessons about morality and culture through entertainment. In Bastian’s Tellerian Universe, they are accompanied by Travelers, those who can travel easily through time, space and dimension, and Guardians, or protectors, as there are also Shadow People who desperately want to undo the Folktellers and their stories. Phases of the Moon focuses on Folktellers, and specifically how a new apprentice Folkteller comes into his job.
Bastian includes a lot of regional myths and legends, many with global significance, resurrecting them for a young audience. He combines elements of popular traditional fantasy with relatable characters and backdrop to create a fresh story that has actual deep significance in readers’ lives.
Young readers will love the series because the characters go through what so many normal teenagers do: “Middleitis” or depression from feeling average, young love, responsibility, and even fear (and all of that is before the danger of the characters’ destiny comes in to play!). Older readers will appreciate the subtle teaching and overarching theme of stories as life lessons.
Because Phases of the Moon and the entire Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook series is exceptionally written, fast-paced, exciting, and thought-provoking, it is a tale for the storyteller — and listener — in all of us.
YA is such an excellent genre because it has the potential to be written and read on multiple levels. Josef Bastian’s Phases of the Moon, the first in the seven part middle grade series, Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, is definitely one of those books that earns renewed consideration at different stages of life.
Aaron Anderson thinks he’s average. His days consist of going to school, hanging out with his best friend Jake, and spending time listening to his Pap tell stories. But one day after school, Pap mysteriously goes missing, and Aaron and Jake are drawn into a strange new universe to find him. On their adventure, they encounter a lot of danger, a new ally (Wendy), and a discovery: Aaron is meant to become a Folkteller just like his Grandfather.
A Folkteller? True to folklore’s real tradition, in Phases of the Moon, Folktellers collect and share stories that need to be told; They pass on lessons about morality and culture through entertainment. In Bastian’s Tellerian Universe, they are accompanied by Travelers, those who can travel easily through time, space and dimension, and Guardians, or protectors, as there are also Shadow People who desperately want to undo the Folktellers and their stories. Phases of the Moon focuses on Folktellers, and specifically how a new apprentice Folkteller comes into his job.
Bastian includes a lot of regional myths and legends, many with global significance, resurrecting them for a young audience. He combines elements of popular traditional fantasy with relatable characters and backdrop to create a fresh story that has actual deep significance in readers’ lives.
Young readers will love the series because the characters go through what so many normal teenagers do: “Middleitis” or depression from feeling average, young love, responsibility, and even fear (and all of that is before the danger of the characters’ destiny comes in to play!). Older readers will appreciate the subtle teaching and overarching theme of stories as life lessons.
Because Phases of the Moon and the entire Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook series is exceptionally written, fast-paced, exciting, and thought-provoking, it is a tale for the storyteller — and listener — in all of us.
March 10, 2022
Rating: 2.5/5
If you like any of the following five things in a book, you should consider picking this one up:
1. Familial powers
2. The power of stories
3. Multiverse
4. Powerful shadows
5. Chosen one trope
I found the ideas behind this book to be incredibly inventive, but not all of it came together in the way I wanted by the ending. Personally, the pacing was entirely too quick (even for a book for young readers) and, although I appreciated it being a quick read, I thought more could have been done to flesh out the story. It almost seemed as if the de-escalation of the plot following the climax took up more page time than the meat of the book itself. I also didn't care much about the characters. I would be most interested to hear more about Wendy's journey later on in the series. The ending definitely left an opening for the author to pursue such a story.
That said, it was a fairly enjoyable read and I would be open to see where the series goes in the future.
If you like any of the following five things in a book, you should consider picking this one up:
1. Familial powers
2. The power of stories
3. Multiverse
4. Powerful shadows
5. Chosen one trope
I found the ideas behind this book to be incredibly inventive, but not all of it came together in the way I wanted by the ending. Personally, the pacing was entirely too quick (even for a book for young readers) and, although I appreciated it being a quick read, I thought more could have been done to flesh out the story. It almost seemed as if the de-escalation of the plot following the climax took up more page time than the meat of the book itself. I also didn't care much about the characters. I would be most interested to hear more about Wendy's journey later on in the series. The ending definitely left an opening for the author to pursue such a story.
That said, it was a fairly enjoyable read and I would be open to see where the series goes in the future.
April 21, 2022
This book has a fast pace, and is a quick read. There's adventure, mystery, and character development.
I was drawn in within the first 10 pages or so, even though I'm an adult so am far out of the target demographic for this story. It held my attention throughout, and I was entertained by the journey that unfolded for Aaron and his sidekicks.
The writing style is very straightforward, being a middle-grade book, and this is one that would be best enjoyed by those in that age range; I think readers around the ages of 10-11 would really appreciate this book. I will definitely recommend it when asked for book suggestions for this age range.
I read an advanced copy, and there's minor clean-up that's needed in the storytelling to really bring it together, but all in all, I can see this being a good start to an intriguing series.
I was drawn in within the first 10 pages or so, even though I'm an adult so am far out of the target demographic for this story. It held my attention throughout, and I was entertained by the journey that unfolded for Aaron and his sidekicks.
The writing style is very straightforward, being a middle-grade book, and this is one that would be best enjoyed by those in that age range; I think readers around the ages of 10-11 would really appreciate this book. I will definitely recommend it when asked for book suggestions for this age range.
I read an advanced copy, and there's minor clean-up that's needed in the storytelling to really bring it together, but all in all, I can see this being a good start to an intriguing series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews