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Beyond the Shimmering
SHE’LL FIGHT FOR HER FAMILY
Thirteen-year-old Trisha Banymor has little reason to worry about the Fey. It’s been more than six centuries since their dreaded Queen swept across the land in her campaign to destroy humankind. Now, the Fey are rarely seen. Most live apart from the rest of the world, locked behind the magical barrier known as the Shimmering.
But after Trisha’s mother, aunt, and younger cousin all fall ill with a sudden and inexplicable sickness, an unexpected messenger arrives to announce that Trisha is the only one who can save them. To do so, she’ll need to step through a magical portal and into the world beyond the Shimmering—the lands of the Fey.
Faced with the truth of an unexpected heritage, Trisha must find the courage to face herself and fight for her family. Accompanied by her best friend and her loyal protector, Trisha undertakes a dangerous quest filled with magical wonders, new allies, and a fearsome enemy bent on destroying everything she loves.
Thirteen-year-old Trisha Banymor has little reason to worry about the Fey. It’s been more than six centuries since their dreaded Queen swept across the land in her campaign to destroy humankind. Now, the Fey are rarely seen. Most live apart from the rest of the world, locked behind the magical barrier known as the Shimmering.
But after Trisha’s mother, aunt, and younger cousin all fall ill with a sudden and inexplicable sickness, an unexpected messenger arrives to announce that Trisha is the only one who can save them. To do so, she’ll need to step through a magical portal and into the world beyond the Shimmering—the lands of the Fey.
Faced with the truth of an unexpected heritage, Trisha must find the courage to face herself and fight for her family. Accompanied by her best friend and her loyal protector, Trisha undertakes a dangerous quest filled with magical wonders, new allies, and a fearsome enemy bent on destroying everything she loves.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2020
About the author
Deck Matthews
13 books46 followersDeck Matthews is a pseudonym for one particular Matthew Ward. He is a life-long reader who fell in love with writing and fantasy in middle school. He remains an avid reader, a casual gamer and a dabbler in the visual arts. He has worked as a designer and currently spends his days neck-deep in code as a front-end web developer.
He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his wife, two daughters and one little fluff ball of a dog named Wicket.
He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada with his wife, two daughters and one little fluff ball of a dog named Wicket.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 11, 2021
This is my favorite Deck Matthews story so far. I adored the heart of friendship and familial love that tied the story together. The setting was well thought out, full of wonders, and perfect for the story. Plus, there's a talking raccoon, which is one of my favorite things. This is a great story for any middle grade or older reader of fantasy. I can't wait to read more by this author--and especially to have more adventures with Trisha and friends.
July 28, 2021
I don't often like epic fantasy. Turns out epic fantasy for a younger audience is TONS more fun!
This book has it all: magic, trolls, portals, dryads, good vs evil, surprise magical grandparents, secret passages, talking animals, a quest with a ticking clock, and best of all an amazing friendship at the center of it all. Trisha and Lynn were easily the best thing about this book. They go through SO MUCH together and are willing to fight for each other to the end.
This book has it all: magic, trolls, portals, dryads, good vs evil, surprise magical grandparents, secret passages, talking animals, a quest with a ticking clock, and best of all an amazing friendship at the center of it all. Trisha and Lynn were easily the best thing about this book. They go through SO MUCH together and are willing to fight for each other to the end.
December 17, 2020
Portal of Tears reminds me of why I started reading fantasy… the quests, the magic, the frightening monsters. And don’t forget the complex protagonist and unexpected hero… many times the same character. Combine these elements with inventive details (riding a turtle shell at the bottom of the ocean, what!?!?) and I declare Portal of Tears an excellent weekend read. It’s particularly impressive because this is the week before finals for me!
Young Trisha is quite adept at magic and her of strong Soulblaze, the inner-well she can pull her power from, This is proven at the Hearth Day ceremony, which young people participate in. But she is untested and a sudden illness in those close to her send her through the shimmer to the land of the Fey. Centuries have passed since the great war between the humans and the ones beyond the veil, one that pushed the Shimmering far from the concerns of the humans. Now there is an enemy… an enemy that will be revealed.
Readers may ask what makes this one middle grade or YA… I was thinking about it while reading. There is a bit less grim than in his other works and several of the main characters are teens coming of age. I’d say while that audience will definitely be interested, this over-40 dude totally enjoyed it because it took me back to those quest-filled epics of my youth. But I have to tell you that Matthews’s great writing is there: his attention to details and that wild imagination that will put new twists on every page.
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
Young Trisha is quite adept at magic and her of strong Soulblaze, the inner-well she can pull her power from, This is proven at the Hearth Day ceremony, which young people participate in. But she is untested and a sudden illness in those close to her send her through the shimmer to the land of the Fey. Centuries have passed since the great war between the humans and the ones beyond the veil, one that pushed the Shimmering far from the concerns of the humans. Now there is an enemy… an enemy that will be revealed.
Readers may ask what makes this one middle grade or YA… I was thinking about it while reading. There is a bit less grim than in his other works and several of the main characters are teens coming of age. I’d say while that audience will definitely be interested, this over-40 dude totally enjoyed it because it took me back to those quest-filled epics of my youth. But I have to tell you that Matthews’s great writing is there: his attention to details and that wild imagination that will put new twists on every page.
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
April 12, 2024
I loved this book. Filled with so much adventure and my favourite thing.... FANTASY!! It is a great book and I really recommend it for ages 8+.
April 12, 2021
What a fun adventure story!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews