The Quest for the Luminae

The Underground of Aetror #1

by Melody J. Bremen

Thirteen-year-old Milo lives beneath the earth.
He works as a bounty hunter’s apprentice in the Underground of Aetror. Along with his master, Rod, he tracks criminals through dark tunnels and does his best to not get killed. He dreams of an apprenticeship to a baker, or a carpenter... or anything safer than this.
Milo has never been aboveground. He’s never seen the sun, the clouds, or the sea, and he’s happy to keep it that way.
The king of Aetror summons Milo and Rod to the palace. He orders them on a quest for the luminae, mythical creatures with healing powers. For the first time in his life, Milo must leave the Underground. They must find the creature, return with it, or they will be executed. No one has ever seen the luminae and all other quests to find them have failed.
When circumstances separate Milo and Rod, Milo is left on his own. He must continue the quest... and find a creature that doesn’t exist.
Fans of quests, mythical creatures, and reluctant heroes will love this first installment in the Underground of Aetror series.

Genres: Middle Grade

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

Melody J. Bremen writes books for middle grade readers. She lives on a distant planet where all they do is write and read books. (Sometimes they eat jelly beans.) She has a faithful computer named Oswald.
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Reviews

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this was so good! I loved this! Milo lives beneath the earth. He works as a bounty hunter’s apprentice in the Underground of Aetror. Along with his master, Rod, he tracks criminals through dark tunnels & does his best to not get killed. He dreams of an apprenticeship to a baker, or a carpenter... or anything safer than this. Milo has never been aboveground. He’s never seen the sun, the clouds, or the sea, & he’s happy to keep it that way. The king of Aetror summons Milo & Rod to the palace. He orders them on a quest for the luminae, mythical creatures with healing powers. For the first time in his life, Milo must leave the Underground. They must find the creature, return with it, or they will be executed. No one has ever seen the luminae & all other quests to find them have failed. When circumstances separate Milo & Rod, Milo is left on his own. He must continue the quest... & find a creature that doesn’t exist. This whole world is fascinating! The underground & overground….the fact Milo has never seen the sun! Then the adventure is soooo great as well. So much danger & suspense. Amazing characters-Milo is the best. So funny too, without even trying to be lol Rod is tough, but he has my heart. The whole mystery of the sickness & of their mission, & the danger following them is so intriguing! This is another one I finished in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next at the end of each chapter. I am so eager to learn more about this world, & get more answers to the questions still needing answered. I also hope we get to see more of the King & the Prince in the next book that we met on our journey in this one. Loved this & highly recommend! Beautiful cover by Rena Hoberman too!💜

[Littlefoot Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m excited for this one!!! Can you imagine never seeing the sky and living in the dark?!

CHARACTERS
We meet a variety of characters, each unique in their personalities, believable and lovable. Our protagonist is Milo, a 13 yr old boy who is a bounty hunter’s apprentice that doesn’t really want to be a bounty hunter. He’d be happy to be a baker, a farmer, anything that doesn’t involve trying to keep from getting killed. He’s also never been above ground and soon finds himself wrapped up in an exciting quest that will introduce him to the a whole new landscape above the surface.

PLOT - PACING
This was very easy and fun to read! The plot is exciting, intriguing and written in a way that keeps you turning the page. The pacing was well done, with twists and questions answered in a very interesting way. As this is a series, I really enjoyed that our story wraps up the current plot points and what is learned so far in this book, yet still leaves with a cliffhanger enticing the reader to be excited and wanting to continue with the series.

WORLD-BUILDING
The idea of never leaving the underground and seeing the world above ground, was a very intriguing idea and I absolutely loved how the world was built. We learn as Milo explores the Underground and learn about the above ground and how it looks and works right along with Milo. The wonder of seeing a different place for the first time was felt in the words.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I absolutely LOVED this story! I feel, especially as a middle grade, we are introduced to a world and characters that are memorable in their struggles, their humor, and reactions to the situations they find themselves in. The important conversations regarding inequality and how it shapes our societies and lives was done in a great way that is easily digested for the middle grade audience.

I cannot wait to continue this series and be back in this world. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this to everyone and I’m very appreciative to @melodyjbremem.author and @mtmctours for a copy of this book for review

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered this author's books. Milo is the apprentice to a Bounty Hunter. He helps capture criminals. His bounty hunter master, Rod found him beside his dead parents and took him to his sister's house to be raised. One day Rod and Milo are summoned by the Prince of the Above ground kingdom. They are also summoned by the King of the underground kingdom where they live. A sickness his wiping out the people who live underground. Both want them to go in search of something called the Luminae. This is a legendary creature that has the ability to heal the sick. Rod doesn't believe in them, but he will do anything when his sister get the illness. So the two of them set out in search of the legendary lunimae. But, not everything is as it seems. Someone doesn't want them to succeed?

I read this in one sitting. I stay up into the night to finish it because it was that good. The world building is awesome and the different lands are so well described you feel like you are there. The adventure is so tension filled you find yourself leaning forward and sitting don't he edge of your seat to find out what is next. Here is another book I will recommend to my local and my school library.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Quest for the Luminae by Melody J Bremen is a tale of Milo's epic quest to save his people.

Will Milo find the Luminae in time to save his people?

Milo
Milo is a thirteen-year-old orphan who has been raised for the last eleven years by his bounty hunter master and his sister. He has been trying to think of how to tell Rod, bounty hunter master, that he actually doesn’t want to be a bounty hunter, but he never really gets a chance. I like Milo, especially as he matures throughout the story and finds out how brave he can be. In the back of my mind, I feel that Milo might be intregal to the plot more than just being an apprentice bounty hunter. I will have to wait and see when I read the second book.

The Quest
Their King tasked Rod and Milo to find the legendary creatures’ called Luminae. The people of Aetror, well, in the Underground part, need the Luminae to continue living. Well, the healing part of the Luminae, not necessarily the Luminae themselves. I have to say that this mission makes Milo question everything about being a bounty hunter. Do you think Milo has what it takes?

Five Stars
My rating for The Quest for the Luminae by Melody J Bremen is five stars. Ms. Bremen has a fantastic series starter, and I wonder what she will do with it. Will Milo finally think of himself as a bounty hunter?

The Quest for the Luminae by Melody J Bremen is a great story for middle graders who love quest stories. Although I am not a middle grader, I was completely entertained.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Quest for the Luminae by Melody J Bremen.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Sharon Hajj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milo is a strong, courageous character. Despite not wanting to be a bounty hunter, I enjoyed seeing him use his skills on his quest. It’s a great story!

[Briony2181 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great middle grade story about Milo, a bounty hunter’s apprentice, who has lived underground his whole life, but who ends up leaving home and going overground on a quest to find mythical creatures with healing powers.

This was full of adventure, fast paced, and Milo is a great character, with lots of heart and determination, who also made me laugh:)
I also really liked Prince Endomer who we meet along the way and who features in the Prince of Korin series, the first of which is available free if you sign up to the author’s newsletter:)
I think this story could be a good way to discuss some important issues with younger children, such as how inequalities in societies are created and maintained, while also just being a really fun read.

I would recommend this for anyone aged around 8 and above, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the sequel:)

Thanks to Melody for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Melody Bremen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you all have as much fun reading this book as I did writing it.