What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dream Traveler's Quest #3
The Garden and the Serpent
Millions have taken the journey into the Dekker universe. Now that universe opens its doors to young readers.
What if you could find a way to enter another reality full of wild and life changing adventure? And what if every time you fell asleep you woke up in that other reality? Welcome to the world of Theo Dunnery, a twelve year-old boy who feels alone and full of fear when he stumbles on an ancient book that draws him into another world.
In that world, he learns he must complete a quest to find the Five Seals of Truth if he is to conquer his fears. Facing great odds and many enemies, Theo sets off on the adventure of a lifetime to discover who he really is as the son of Elyon, and overcome the darkness that has haunted him for so long.
Join Theo on The Dream Traveler's Quest, one story told in four chapter books. Read all four and discover the truth for yourself.
123 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
8 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Ted Dekker
191 books9,990 followersTed Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil. Ted lives in Austin with his wife LeeAnn and their four children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 25, 2019
The saga continues. It amazes me how Dekker brings the deep spiritual truths down to the level where a child can understand them.
April 3, 2020
The Dream Traveler’s Quest is a four-book series written by Kara and Ted Dekker that pairs with Ted Dekker’s Beyond the Circle duology that released around the same time. Written for ages 7-12, The Dream Traveler’s Quest follows Theo Dunnery, who stumbles upon an ancient Book of History that sucks him into another world. Here, Theo learns to overcome his loneliness and fear through the Five Seals: five statements of truth that Ted Dekker developed in his non-fiction work, The Way of Love. But the journey won’t be easy, evil bats and school bullies will conspire to stop Theo from discovering his identity as the son of Elyon.
The Garden and the Serpent, the third book in this series, picks up about a week after book two. And just like Theo introduced Annelee to Other Earth in The Curse of Shadowman, the two find a third friend—Danny—to join them this time. (If you’re continuing to play the Name Game at home, Daniel is the name of Ted’s son-in-law, Rachelle’s husband.)
The third seal is all about finding the light amid darkness, so when Danny—who is blind in Real Earth—suddenly has sight in Other Earth, it’s a genuinely heartwarming construct that plays into the theme of the book. Unfortunately Kara and Ted Dekker never really do anything more with it, making Danny’s blindness more of a schtick than a character trait.
The two travel with Stokes to the Land of the Mystics where they meet Justin (aka Elyon or the boy.) And it’s in this realm that they are shown how to find the third seal. In the weakest plot construct of the four books, the rest of the book plays out like a video game.
“Through this door you will find a world—a temple, if you will. In that temple, you’ll encounter three rooms on three different levels…Completing one challenge will reveal the door to the next room.”
“Sounds like a video game.”
It’s a completely contrived plot that isn’t that well-constructed and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Both boys are confronted with their deepest fears, but learn to put on the glasses of the Kingdom which enable them to see past their fears and feel confident in their identity as a child of Elyon. Again, it’s a powerful theme—the plot just doesn’t really do it justice.
The Garden and the Serpent seems particularly disconnected from any overarching storyline in Other Earth. It’s almost as if Theo and Danny are in Other Earth to participate in some sort of controlled test or competition or game show. Shadowman appears as the main villain, but within this construct, it’s unclear if he’s “part of the game” or outside of it.
Like the books before it, the thematic elements are okay—though it’s difficult to simplify Dekker’s complex theology into a children’s book—but the literary level is just lacking. While this book doesn’t have as many inconsistencies with the established universe in the Circle, that’s because it’s pretty well disconnected from the Circle. I guess that means my takeaway is that the less you think of these books as taking place within the universe of the Circle, the better they become.
The Garden and the Serpent, the third book in this series, picks up about a week after book two. And just like Theo introduced Annelee to Other Earth in The Curse of Shadowman, the two find a third friend—Danny—to join them this time. (If you’re continuing to play the Name Game at home, Daniel is the name of Ted’s son-in-law, Rachelle’s husband.)
The third seal is all about finding the light amid darkness, so when Danny—who is blind in Real Earth—suddenly has sight in Other Earth, it’s a genuinely heartwarming construct that plays into the theme of the book. Unfortunately Kara and Ted Dekker never really do anything more with it, making Danny’s blindness more of a schtick than a character trait.
The two travel with Stokes to the Land of the Mystics where they meet Justin (aka Elyon or the boy.) And it’s in this realm that they are shown how to find the third seal. In the weakest plot construct of the four books, the rest of the book plays out like a video game.
“Through this door you will find a world—a temple, if you will. In that temple, you’ll encounter three rooms on three different levels…Completing one challenge will reveal the door to the next room.”
“Sounds like a video game.”
It’s a completely contrived plot that isn’t that well-constructed and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Both boys are confronted with their deepest fears, but learn to put on the glasses of the Kingdom which enable them to see past their fears and feel confident in their identity as a child of Elyon. Again, it’s a powerful theme—the plot just doesn’t really do it justice.
The Garden and the Serpent seems particularly disconnected from any overarching storyline in Other Earth. It’s almost as if Theo and Danny are in Other Earth to participate in some sort of controlled test or competition or game show. Shadowman appears as the main villain, but within this construct, it’s unclear if he’s “part of the game” or outside of it.
Like the books before it, the thematic elements are okay—though it’s difficult to simplify Dekker’s complex theology into a children’s book—but the literary level is just lacking. While this book doesn’t have as many inconsistencies with the established universe in the Circle, that’s because it’s pretty well disconnected from the Circle. I guess that means my takeaway is that the less you think of these books as taking place within the universe of the Circle, the better they become.
April 16, 2022
In The Garden and the Serpent Theo learns who it is that needs to accompany him for his third trip to ‘Other Earth’. And so we meet Danny, a boy at Theo’s school who he sometimes hangs out with, and who has been blind from birth. In Elyon’s world, Danny can see! And seeing the world afresh through his eyes is a great pleasure to read. While Annelee must watch over their bodies here in this world, Danny and Theo go on a quest, resembling a real-life video game, to discover the third seal.
Sometimes I found the dialogue in this book (and a little in all The Dream Traveler’s Quest books, to be a little contrived and therefore unrealistic. And on top of this, Dekker often explains too much to me in the narrative. It’s like the story itself unfolding is not enough, I have to get told by the author what is happening, which breaks the immersion a little bit. But apart from this, the story is definitely very imaginative, as I cannot guess what will happen next! Again, a very easy book to get through, nice short chapters and fast paced.
I found this story a little harder to believe – the events didn’t happen all that organically, they seemed manufactured. Sensing this in a fiction story is like seeing the strings when a magician is floating in the air. But having said this, I still enjoyed it and want to know how it all concludes in the final book!
Sometimes I found the dialogue in this book (and a little in all The Dream Traveler’s Quest books, to be a little contrived and therefore unrealistic. And on top of this, Dekker often explains too much to me in the narrative. It’s like the story itself unfolding is not enough, I have to get told by the author what is happening, which breaks the immersion a little bit. But apart from this, the story is definitely very imaginative, as I cannot guess what will happen next! Again, a very easy book to get through, nice short chapters and fast paced.
I found this story a little harder to believe – the events didn’t happen all that organically, they seemed manufactured. Sensing this in a fiction story is like seeing the strings when a magician is floating in the air. But having said this, I still enjoyed it and want to know how it all concludes in the final book!
January 9, 2023
I read this series to my children as a read aloud for our homeschool. This book is definitely geared to younger ages, and so the story is simple and predictable for adults. However, I liked the imaginative qualities of the story, and the way he utilized an Old Testament name for God ("El Elyon" - the Most High God) as the name for God in the story.
My biggest criticism of the entire series is the books are overwrought with typos! Grammar, spelling - you name it, and it occurs. I abhor that. If I am giving my children something to read that will foster their intellectual and spiritual growth, can it at least be written well? Where was the editor of this atrocity? Additionally, the predictability of the story made it hard for me to enjoy (even as a read aloud for children). I've read other reviews where readers defend Dekker's typos/errors by cheering the sheer number of books he churns out in a year, but my position is if you can't write it well, perhaps you should slow down and invest in an editor who can help you produce quality books that are well-written.
That said, my children enjoyed the characters, creatures, and journey they went on in this series. I especially enjoyed the conversations and questions that came about as a result of the content of the books.
My biggest criticism of the entire series is the books are overwrought with typos! Grammar, spelling - you name it, and it occurs. I abhor that. If I am giving my children something to read that will foster their intellectual and spiritual growth, can it at least be written well? Where was the editor of this atrocity? Additionally, the predictability of the story made it hard for me to enjoy (even as a read aloud for children). I've read other reviews where readers defend Dekker's typos/errors by cheering the sheer number of books he churns out in a year, but my position is if you can't write it well, perhaps you should slow down and invest in an editor who can help you produce quality books that are well-written.
That said, my children enjoyed the characters, creatures, and journey they went on in this series. I especially enjoyed the conversations and questions that came about as a result of the content of the books.
September 9, 2023
A series I believe that I picked up from a free library while surprisingly having all the books in my grasp that I know of. Unfortunately they cannot be read out of serial order nor as a standalone since each book relies on the seal(s) and events from the previous books to move forward
The Garden and the Serpent to me was the only book in the series that hit the right balance of story and lessons for me while that was maybe since the lessons weren't as much a quest as they were a group of unfolding scenarios that although still a fight aren't as drawn out as the reader will find normally in these books. Furthermore Elyon/Justin had a much heavier role in the story while the older reader will quickly pick-up the garden reference to the Garden of Eden.
The book does have some basic sketch illustrations occasionally spread throughout although the most fascinating illustrations to me were the Roush holding onto the chapter numbers of each chapter start.
All in all it was rather an okay read but one that I probably would have enjoyed much more as a child if I hadn't already read series like The Chronicles of Narnia or other books like The Pilgrim's Progress instead.
The Garden and the Serpent to me was the only book in the series that hit the right balance of story and lessons for me while that was maybe since the lessons weren't as much a quest as they were a group of unfolding scenarios that although still a fight aren't as drawn out as the reader will find normally in these books. Furthermore Elyon/Justin had a much heavier role in the story while the older reader will quickly pick-up the garden reference to the Garden of Eden.
The book does have some basic sketch illustrations occasionally spread throughout although the most fascinating illustrations to me were the Roush holding onto the chapter numbers of each chapter start.
All in all it was rather an okay read but one that I probably would have enjoyed much more as a child if I hadn't already read series like The Chronicles of Narnia or other books like The Pilgrim's Progress instead.
June 1, 2023
Book #3 in The Dream Traveler's Quest.
Theo and Anne both have the two seals. Anne didn't go with Theo on his first quest but got the first seal along with the second seal after she helped learn the lesson.
Now, a new adventure is needed, and this time Theo has to take his fellow classmate Danny. Theo and Danny are not really friends. Danny is blind from birth and really has no friends. But Theo doesn't have any friends either, except now for Anne.
Theo and Anne convince Danny to go the secret room in the library and Danny and Theo are transported to the other Earth, while Anne watches the boys in the library. (they actually are shown sleeping, which means they are not in their earthly bodies but traveling in the other Earth).
When Danny wakes up in the other Earth, he is able to see!!! He is fascinated by the objects, colors, etc. and asks Theo all these questions about what everything is... something Theo actually takes for granted.
Another wonderful lesson to learn in this story where Danny takes the lead and actually helps Theo through the next adventure. Especially during the times where there is complete darkness, something that Danny is very familiar with and Theo is terrified of. They help each other on this quest and gain the third seal and a very important lesson.
Loved this one.
Theo and Anne both have the two seals. Anne didn't go with Theo on his first quest but got the first seal along with the second seal after she helped learn the lesson.
Now, a new adventure is needed, and this time Theo has to take his fellow classmate Danny. Theo and Danny are not really friends. Danny is blind from birth and really has no friends. But Theo doesn't have any friends either, except now for Anne.
Theo and Anne convince Danny to go the secret room in the library and Danny and Theo are transported to the other Earth, while Anne watches the boys in the library. (they actually are shown sleeping, which means they are not in their earthly bodies but traveling in the other Earth).
When Danny wakes up in the other Earth, he is able to see!!! He is fascinated by the objects, colors, etc. and asks Theo all these questions about what everything is... something Theo actually takes for granted.
Another wonderful lesson to learn in this story where Danny takes the lead and actually helps Theo through the next adventure. Especially during the times where there is complete darkness, something that Danny is very familiar with and Theo is terrified of. They help each other on this quest and gain the third seal and a very important lesson.
Loved this one.
January 20, 2022
The third installment in The Dream Traveler’s Quest is a must read as the stakes are higher than ever and evil is determined to win!
Theo has achieved the first to Seals of Truth and now must figure out what his next quest will be and how he is going to accomplish it with the help of his school friend that is blind. Once they get to “Other Earth,” Denny has his eyesight restored and can use his other senses that are heightened from years of being blind and together they work to find the third Seal of Truth.
This third book got a little darker but not so much that it was inappropriate for younger readers. Theo is learning lots of valuable lessons about life but also about love and how much God loves us even when we can’t see it. The way Theo and Denny worked together was a great lesson for kids. These books are a great start to the Dekker universe as they get older and can read more advanced books. I recommend these to young readers looking for adventure and fun reads.
Theo has achieved the first to Seals of Truth and now must figure out what his next quest will be and how he is going to accomplish it with the help of his school friend that is blind. Once they get to “Other Earth,” Denny has his eyesight restored and can use his other senses that are heightened from years of being blind and together they work to find the third Seal of Truth.
This third book got a little darker but not so much that it was inappropriate for younger readers. Theo is learning lots of valuable lessons about life but also about love and how much God loves us even when we can’t see it. The way Theo and Denny worked together was a great lesson for kids. These books are a great start to the Dekker universe as they get older and can read more advanced books. I recommend these to young readers looking for adventure and fun reads.
May 30, 2023
I preview read this before giving it to my children. The story is follows a familiar plot, but is made simple for a younger audience. This book is enjoyable for me as an adult and I know my kids will love it as well. The story is reminiscent of Lion Witch and the Wardrobe, combined with Harry Potter.
June 4, 2025
(Does GoodReads not have Curse of the Shadow Man?…) BEST BOOK IN THE SERIES! It’s my fave book, it has my fave character, and it I love the three tests they go through and how they overcome them. Dekker does a great job of writing spiritual content in a way younger readers can understand.
5 / 5 :D
5 / 5 :D
February 29, 2020
Another great, and fast, read. The world that the Dekker’s created swallows you and brings you home as you search for the third seal. Everything is not as it seems and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t entirely predictable.
November 29, 2025
This is a clean Middle Grade fantasy series, about a boy discovering who he was meant to be through a book that takes him to another world.
See my full review at "https://cooperhite.com/book-reviews/"
See my full review at "https://cooperhite.com/book-reviews/"
May 14, 2020
Fear is a liar! When you let fear blind you, you’re not seeing through the Kingdom’s eyes. Remember who God is and who you are!
June 21, 2021
Amazing again... this is a wonderful series!
January 25, 2022
fast paced
March 9, 2022
My 8.5 year old is really enjoying this series as I read it aloud. Lots of action and adventure and love the biblical truths in it. Could be scary for younger kids.
June 24, 2023
early chapter book
January 8, 2025
This was different from the first 2, but I enjoyed it about the same. I think my son will really like this series, but I will finish #4 just so I can say I read the whole series.
January 23, 2025
Amazing writer, amazing book!
February 24, 2025
He confuses me as an author
June 15, 2025
Great book, but it was my least favorite of the series so far.
Overall, though, this series is really wonderful, especially for kids who are curious and want to explore and ask questions about their faith. The way that the Dekkers weave Biblical themes into the story is beautiful.
For book 3, specifically, I did get a little confused on the theme of being blind to the light. I think I get it now, but it took me a bit to wrap my head around it. And I'm definitely older than the intended audience for this book. Maybe this was just a me problem, but it did cause me to enjoy this one a little less than the first two.
I definitely recommend this book series to elementary (and maybe middle school) kids! (Honestly, even us teens and adults can find some helpful stuff, too!)
Content: Some minor scary elements that parents may want to keep in mind if their kids are sensitive.
Overall, though, this series is really wonderful, especially for kids who are curious and want to explore and ask questions about their faith. The way that the Dekkers weave Biblical themes into the story is beautiful.
For book 3, specifically, I did get a little confused on the theme of being blind to the light. I think I get it now, but it took me a bit to wrap my head around it. And I'm definitely older than the intended audience for this book. Maybe this was just a me problem, but it did cause me to enjoy this one a little less than the first two.
I definitely recommend this book series to elementary (and maybe middle school) kids! (Honestly, even us teens and adults can find some helpful stuff, too!)
Content: Some minor scary elements that parents may want to keep in mind if their kids are sensitive.
Read
August 4, 2025This one was so fun! I wonder if it scared my niece. (Maybe it scared me.)
October 29, 2025
Kinda don’t like this book. The snakes part was horrible and scary for me . It gives me nightmares just reading that . But after that part was over I did like the book . But the ending is beautiful
July 6, 2019
This third installment of the series is my favorite, so far. I picked this series up with the idea that my boy may have an interest in reading it when he gets a bit older.
What I read tonight to finish this book hit me in a way that I didn’t expect. In a good way. Saying this feels like a betrayal to my logical self that says that my feelings about something are suspect at best and are open to manipulation. At the same time, reading what Dekker is saying in this book rings true to my logical mind.
Growing up with a mandate to read only Christian material, Dekker’s Circle books feel like they fall outside of that realm because of the strong depictions of evil and they way characters are susceptible to it and don’t easily overcome the evil with the strength of God in their lives. That is a trope that doesn’t seem genuine, but I understand that Christians want to encourage others without saying anything that might say that sinning is okay. Theo in this book feels like the world’s most scared person and at first I thought of him as being realistic. Today, I believe that Dekker emphasizes the fear in order to create a space where it is safe for us to admit our fear. I walk away thinking that until we truly admit our fears and our inability to overcome them, we are blind to our need for God and the light of truth that he uses to set us free. Not just once, but as many times as we need.
What I read tonight to finish this book hit me in a way that I didn’t expect. In a good way. Saying this feels like a betrayal to my logical self that says that my feelings about something are suspect at best and are open to manipulation. At the same time, reading what Dekker is saying in this book rings true to my logical mind.
Growing up with a mandate to read only Christian material, Dekker’s Circle books feel like they fall outside of that realm because of the strong depictions of evil and they way characters are susceptible to it and don’t easily overcome the evil with the strength of God in their lives. That is a trope that doesn’t seem genuine, but I understand that Christians want to encourage others without saying anything that might say that sinning is okay. Theo in this book feels like the world’s most scared person and at first I thought of him as being realistic. Today, I believe that Dekker emphasizes the fear in order to create a space where it is safe for us to admit our fear. I walk away thinking that until we truly admit our fears and our inability to overcome them, we are blind to our need for God and the light of truth that he uses to set us free. Not just once, but as many times as we need.
September 19, 2024
Kids said "Best book ever. You have to read it!"
This series has a lot of action and great story telling.
Just like Millie Maven, it has some watered down theology and lots of self love and looking inside oneself. I wish they presented stronger doctrine and a gospel message.
Overall, it's better than most things out there for this age range and it offers some great principles and a good story.
This series has a lot of action and great story telling.
Just like Millie Maven, it has some watered down theology and lots of self love and looking inside oneself. I wish they presented stronger doctrine and a gospel message.
Overall, it's better than most things out there for this age range and it offers some great principles and a good story.
May 1, 2019
Another fun edition in this series. I liked how this quest was kind of like a video game. Danny was a fun new addition to the quest. The ending has me excited to read the last book!!!
May 7, 2019
Kids will love this story--an exciting read for upper elementary age to keep their interest and teach them about God.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews