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The Maidstone Chronicles #2
Beyond the Hollowtangle
Will and Morgan travel back through the Gateway to the Fourwinds to help stop a deadly elixir from entering our world.
After the mysterious disappearance of the Dark Queen, a new commander rises to lead the vast gnome armies against the humans. And he makes the Dark Queen look merciful.
Little does the commander know, a renowned general has a plan to use ancient magic to strengthen the human army and unite the Fourwinds. Will and Morgan contribute their unique gifts to help their friends in the battle, but even their best efforts could either save the Fourwinds or thrust the kingdom into utter chaos.
If they fail, the Gateway to our world will be defenseless.
Beyond the Hollowtangle is the second book in the Maidstone Chronicles, an action-packed fantasy series. If you like magical, epic adventures mixed with meaningful friendships, budding romance, and a dash of humor, you'll enjoy this exciting sequel by Shane Trusz and Darryl Frayne.
Buy a copy today and continue the journey with Will and Morgan...Beyond the Hollowtangle.
After the mysterious disappearance of the Dark Queen, a new commander rises to lead the vast gnome armies against the humans. And he makes the Dark Queen look merciful.
Little does the commander know, a renowned general has a plan to use ancient magic to strengthen the human army and unite the Fourwinds. Will and Morgan contribute their unique gifts to help their friends in the battle, but even their best efforts could either save the Fourwinds or thrust the kingdom into utter chaos.
If they fail, the Gateway to our world will be defenseless.
Beyond the Hollowtangle is the second book in the Maidstone Chronicles, an action-packed fantasy series. If you like magical, epic adventures mixed with meaningful friendships, budding romance, and a dash of humor, you'll enjoy this exciting sequel by Shane Trusz and Darryl Frayne.
Buy a copy today and continue the journey with Will and Morgan...Beyond the Hollowtangle.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
48 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Shane Trusz
5 books47 followersFor as long as I can remember, I've had the soul of a gypsy. Having lived in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Haiti, I seem most comfortable when there's change brewing on the horizon.
My adventure into the world of writing began just as my life was coming to an end, or at least it seemed that way for a time. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Recurrent Idiopathic Pericarditis. Overnight, I went from a typical teenager with great parents, growing up in Cochrane- snowboarding, mountain biking, and playing any sport with a ball- to being laid up in bed for weeks at a time in terrible pain. Living in the deep north, we were 8 hours away from an MRI machine and for a while, things didn't look so good as doctors struggled to figure out what was happening, and why. The pericarditis would come back a few times a year throughout my teenage years and for a while, I lost my way. I remember being rushed via air ambulance to Toronto and my Ante Linda had sent along a book for me, The Sword of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. I wasn't a reader back then, and when I finally succumbed to the boredom (imagine being in a bed for weeks in a world before the Internet), I finally cracked the cover and my world was forever changed.
Life doesn't always end up the way we think it should, but isn't that part of the ride? Hard lessons are sometimes necessary to prepare us for the next big adventure as we journey towards leaving this world a little better off than when we arrived.
After finishing the original Shannara Trilogy, I started writing. I can't remember when exactly I started, but I do remember having a plethora of ideas as I tended to do a lot of daydreaming, especially in school. I spent years writing books that will never see the light of day as I cut my teeth learning this new craft. To this day, if I don't get my ideas down on paper regularly, I feel out-of-sorts.
My greatest challenge as a writer stemmed from the fact that I loved to write massive stories, and conversely, struggled to no end with the countless tiny details of flushing out something great. Shortly after moving back to Canada from Haiti, I reconnected with an old friend, Darryl Frayne. I knew Darryl was just about the complete opposite of me, in that he loves to mine the gems found beneath the extra words that don't belong on the page. He works down in the weeds, pruning and clipping and shredding and planting and changing the paths as required to develop great story. The magic that unfolded was...well, I suppose you can be the judge.
In the in-betweens, I married my high school crush back in 1998. Joy has added all manner of color to my life and to this day, makes life an absolute thrill ride. When our son came along in 2004, well, I love viewing the world through his animated features and cannot wait to see how he is going to leave the world better off than when he arrived.
My adventure into the world of writing began just as my life was coming to an end, or at least it seemed that way for a time. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Recurrent Idiopathic Pericarditis. Overnight, I went from a typical teenager with great parents, growing up in Cochrane- snowboarding, mountain biking, and playing any sport with a ball- to being laid up in bed for weeks at a time in terrible pain. Living in the deep north, we were 8 hours away from an MRI machine and for a while, things didn't look so good as doctors struggled to figure out what was happening, and why. The pericarditis would come back a few times a year throughout my teenage years and for a while, I lost my way. I remember being rushed via air ambulance to Toronto and my Ante Linda had sent along a book for me, The Sword of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. I wasn't a reader back then, and when I finally succumbed to the boredom (imagine being in a bed for weeks in a world before the Internet), I finally cracked the cover and my world was forever changed.
Life doesn't always end up the way we think it should, but isn't that part of the ride? Hard lessons are sometimes necessary to prepare us for the next big adventure as we journey towards leaving this world a little better off than when we arrived.
After finishing the original Shannara Trilogy, I started writing. I can't remember when exactly I started, but I do remember having a plethora of ideas as I tended to do a lot of daydreaming, especially in school. I spent years writing books that will never see the light of day as I cut my teeth learning this new craft. To this day, if I don't get my ideas down on paper regularly, I feel out-of-sorts.
My greatest challenge as a writer stemmed from the fact that I loved to write massive stories, and conversely, struggled to no end with the countless tiny details of flushing out something great. Shortly after moving back to Canada from Haiti, I reconnected with an old friend, Darryl Frayne. I knew Darryl was just about the complete opposite of me, in that he loves to mine the gems found beneath the extra words that don't belong on the page. He works down in the weeds, pruning and clipping and shredding and planting and changing the paths as required to develop great story. The magic that unfolded was...well, I suppose you can be the judge.
In the in-betweens, I married my high school crush back in 1998. Joy has added all manner of color to my life and to this day, makes life an absolute thrill ride. When our son came along in 2004, well, I love viewing the world through his animated features and cannot wait to see how he is going to leave the world better off than when he arrived.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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December 7, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/7/2019)! 🎁
May 26, 2020
I received this book for free from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, booksirens and publishers!
I feel like simultaneously everything and nothing happened in this book. It jumped around a lot, but that definitely helped keep things interesting since the main battle was mostly in one place.
I was worried Will's storyline would stay boring, but I ended up liking it. The different queens and factions are all a little hard to keep track of, but the dynamics of different species is pretty interesting. I would like some more backstory/info on dragons.
Morgan seemed like more of a present character than the end of the last book, and I liked the inclusion of Julie. A couple of characters only briefly showed up who I wanted to see more of, but hopefully that will happen in three next one.
I liked that the battle seemed pretty realistic (magic etc. aside), in that it wasn't all done in a couple hours and there was death and carnage. I still didn't see much to convince me of Morgan and Rowe, but I do feel like I got a much better idea of Rowe's character.
I don't really follow the whole magic system in this world. It kind of seems like it works as needed for the plot, or maybe there are just so many types. I remember a brief explanation in the first book, but we didn't really get to know any magical characters for better explanation. There are dragons, druids, humans with straight up magic, healing magic, alchemy?/potions, and more. Don't get me wrong, I love me some variety. Just would like a bit of background at times.
Overall, an enjoyable book with an ending that left me definitely wanting the next!
I feel like simultaneously everything and nothing happened in this book. It jumped around a lot, but that definitely helped keep things interesting since the main battle was mostly in one place.
I was worried Will's storyline would stay boring, but I ended up liking it. The different queens and factions are all a little hard to keep track of, but the dynamics of different species is pretty interesting. I would like some more backstory/info on dragons.
Morgan seemed like more of a present character than the end of the last book, and I liked the inclusion of Julie. A couple of characters only briefly showed up who I wanted to see more of, but hopefully that will happen in three next one.
I liked that the battle seemed pretty realistic (magic etc. aside), in that it wasn't all done in a couple hours and there was death and carnage. I still didn't see much to convince me of Morgan and Rowe, but I do feel like I got a much better idea of Rowe's character.
I don't really follow the whole magic system in this world. It kind of seems like it works as needed for the plot, or maybe there are just so many types. I remember a brief explanation in the first book, but we didn't really get to know any magical characters for better explanation. There are dragons, druids, humans with straight up magic, healing magic, alchemy?/potions, and more. Don't get me wrong, I love me some variety. Just would like a bit of background at times.
Overall, an enjoyable book with an ending that left me definitely wanting the next!
October 6, 2019
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I like that Rowe of the Nest has a taste of the modern world and realises that the world he lives in was so strange for Will and Morgan. Especially when Rowe of the Nest has a taste of a hot shower and the cars. But when they come back to the Fourwinds, nothing goes as planned.
But then the most unlikely thing happens, and Will got separated from his companions and Will’s and Morgan’s world is in grave danger. To stop this, they must join forces to try to defeat the dark against all odds.
When I read through this story it had a lot of elements that seems to base on the movie Lord of the rings, I had to smile when Will calls his shotgun, my precious. Also, different plots the story reminded me of the scenes when orcs where standing before the gates of Helmsdeep in LOTR. Even though it gave the same feeling, when the war begins against the South Crow Gate, it depicts a different story.
There are good plot twists in the story that will surprise you, but not all of them are happy endings. Again, the world of Fourwinds is described beautifully and you feel at home, like you are traveling with them through the lands. This story is adventures and lot of action going on, and some romance here and there.
Will the Dark success in spreading the Black? And if they do is there a way to stop it? The story ends with a big cliff-hanger and only to wonder to what happens next is to read the next book.
I like that Rowe of the Nest has a taste of the modern world and realises that the world he lives in was so strange for Will and Morgan. Especially when Rowe of the Nest has a taste of a hot shower and the cars. But when they come back to the Fourwinds, nothing goes as planned.
But then the most unlikely thing happens, and Will got separated from his companions and Will’s and Morgan’s world is in grave danger. To stop this, they must join forces to try to defeat the dark against all odds.
When I read through this story it had a lot of elements that seems to base on the movie Lord of the rings, I had to smile when Will calls his shotgun, my precious. Also, different plots the story reminded me of the scenes when orcs where standing before the gates of Helmsdeep in LOTR. Even though it gave the same feeling, when the war begins against the South Crow Gate, it depicts a different story.
There are good plot twists in the story that will surprise you, but not all of them are happy endings. Again, the world of Fourwinds is described beautifully and you feel at home, like you are traveling with them through the lands. This story is adventures and lot of action going on, and some romance here and there.
Will the Dark success in spreading the Black? And if they do is there a way to stop it? The story ends with a big cliff-hanger and only to wonder to what happens next is to read the next book.
January 22, 2020
Okay, so I really, really enjoyed the first book in this series and was so very excited to start the second one. It started off right where the last book left off and the action continued at a pretty steady pace for awhile.
Somewhere around halfway through the book, I started to feel it drag just a bit. Which is the only reason I have given this 3 and not 4 stars. I love this world that the author has built and will read the next installation to this series the second I can get my hands on it, but this was definitely a middle book for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Somewhere around halfway through the book, I started to feel it drag just a bit. Which is the only reason I have given this 3 and not 4 stars. I love this world that the author has built and will read the next installation to this series the second I can get my hands on it, but this was definitely a middle book for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2019
At the end of the first one, I couldn't wait to read this one. I purchased it within 3 minutes of finshing the first of the series "Across the Fourwinds" and downloaded the Kindle Unlimited Version to have it right away. The progression is A+ and it was barely like reading at all, it was easy to get surrounded by their surroundings, and to actually feel in a way of what the main characters feel, the author uses real emotions and common language to express the feelings which is amazing.
I can't wait to find out what comes next!
I can't wait to find out what comes next!
February 21, 2019
Great read!
I found this book hard to put down. Like the first in this series, I invented opportunities to sit and read. The characters are believable and the action is nonstop! I liked the explanation of stepping forward in time with the explanation of why the future was as the characters found it understandable. Everything makes sense and I appreciate that. This series is extremely well written and will draw the reader in the story from the start.
I found this book hard to put down. Like the first in this series, I invented opportunities to sit and read. The characters are believable and the action is nonstop! I liked the explanation of stepping forward in time with the explanation of why the future was as the characters found it understandable. Everything makes sense and I appreciate that. This series is extremely well written and will draw the reader in the story from the start.
December 15, 2019
Low 3 stars
I struggled to get into this. It's book 2 and clearly book 1 is needed to make sense of it. The ending also was a bit more less resolved than I'd have liked. But primarily I just never got into it because I didn't know enough.
I struggled to get into this. It's book 2 and clearly book 1 is needed to make sense of it. The ending also was a bit more less resolved than I'd have liked. But primarily I just never got into it because I didn't know enough.
December 17, 2022
I have really enjoyed this series, the main characters are like friends and I want them to succeed. But, WOW, they can get into some serious situations. And, the world building allows me to visualize the worlds. I am looking forward to book 3 and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
April 1, 2019
Amazing characters and storyline. It was really easy to get lost in the story. This second book was just as superb as the first one and can’t wait for another book.
March 2, 2020
I am looking forward to reading the 3rd installment to see what happens next.
October 28, 2021
An Adventure Tale
Wow! What an adventure! It’s all here, Good, Evil, Danger, Well Written Characters, and a plot that backs them up! Give it a go!
Wow! What an adventure! It’s all here, Good, Evil, Danger, Well Written Characters, and a plot that backs them up! Give it a go!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews