Compass to Vinland

by Dani Resh

Wren Larkin has a lot of things working against him-too tall, too thin, and living in a house that looks like an old boot. His only friends are a group of noisy crows that are always bringing him random trinkets. Needless to say, he's not the most popular kid in town.

But things change when a girl named Maria moves to town and instantly befriends Wren. She continues to do the unexpected when she defends Rusty, the resident bad boy, who might not be as rebellious as Wren thought. Wren learns that it isn't just coincidence that brought the three of them together when he discovers a shoe workshop under the heel of his house that's holding-or hiding--three pairs of magical shoes intended for each of them.

When strangers arrive on Wren's doorstep looking for the shoes, Wren and his new companions have no choice but to flee to Underfoot, an underground settlement full of magical creatures. In just a matter of days, Wren is immersed into a whole new reality that'll take him on an incredible journey and reveal a lineage that might be better left secret.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Dani Resh is a Michigan author and artist. Dani has worked in a wide variety of fields, including a position as a prosthetic-eye painter and a legal aid paralegal for domestic-abuse victims, and is currently working in higher education. However, her true passion is storytelling. Whether it be through the written word or her artwork, she feels most alive when she is creating. 

Compass to Vinland: Book One of the Magic Shoe Series

​Clarity of Sight: Book Two of the Magic Shoe Series

Reviews

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

Wow! What an incredible story! Loved it, & need the next 1 like, yesterday! Lol This shoe house is like a dream for me! I would love that! The way the author describes it too, make me want THIS shoes house. I was intrigued from the start, & the author not only kept that intrigue up, but continued to up that intrigue more & more at a perfect pace. I was hooked. While other worlds may not be unique, to me it’s what the author does with it & how they make it their own. All I’m going to say is-shoes. This author delivered on imaginative & making it her own. Without even seeing the other world, the author had me loving everything we see & learn to begin with!

Vinland sounds so interesting, & I’m so excited to learn more. I’m also so intrigued by the different type of “Vins” & what they can do. There’s so much to this-a mom in a mysterious coma, a neglectful dad(who needs his butt kicked IMO), the shoe house itself, the workshop & the “guards”, the Scaled, the portals, Underfoot, the Eradicator(hope we get to see more of her! Loved her.), “dead eyes”(lol love it), the crows, the Drainers, the Wrathful, coins & what they do(incredible), the SHOES(genius!), & the characters themselves & what they each bring to the story. I love how each of the 3 kids is so different, & have completely different stories. Like Rusty’s is my favorite in a way. Because of his family, he is seen at school & in town as a trouble maker, going nowhere, & a thief. Even the teacher! I really did NOT like her! Who says things like that to a kid! But he proves time & again he is not his family. When he was being cheered & celebrated I got all emotional because it was such a great moment, & such a new experience for him.

Wren’s family & Wren himself are so intriguing to me. The whole story of his ability & how it came out ….blew me away. So interested to find out more about everything he is capable of. I love Maria, & she really keeps the guys in check, & balanced them all out. Tristan is like rock star cool lol I wish I could do magic with my tattoos! Incredible storytelling/writing, amazing details to make up this alternate world come to life. AMAZING story building, & INCREDIBLE character development. Can’t wait to learn more about Vinland.. Wren’s Aunt, Dad, his mom, his grandparents, & Wren himself-including Tough Guy(who has my heart btw), & the connection they have. I’m also so excited to see the wonderful things Rusty & Maria do. Plus, more about the Drainers, & the Wrathful. Plus, what happens when the “compass” is put on?🤔HIGHLY recommend!💜

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Dani Resh for this FREE Copy in exchange for an honest review since i won Book 2 on Library Thing last year.

This was my first time reading a Fantasy Book let alone in a series by Dani so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i really loved this one more then i thought i would but i think it was mainly because it reminded me of 2 Nursery Stories and 2 Disney Movies:
The Old Woman who lived in a Shoe
The Toads in the Woods
Alice in Wonderland AND The Nutcracker and The Four Realms.

The Characters were so fun and enjoyable to read about. Wren and Maria were definately my favorite which i ended up shipping them more then any of the other characters in the book since they seemed to have a great connection.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Pennsylvania while reading especially when the scenery of PA and Vinland were described.

Overall a wonderfully written Book 1 in this Middle Grade Fantasy Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wren Larkin has never understood why he lives in a house shaped like a shoe. It was his mother’s childhood home, but he now lives there with his father while his mother is in a coma. His father is distant and never has time for Wren. One day, a new girl, Maria, arrives at school and they instantly become friends. She makes a scene when she defends Rusty, the bad boy in class. An accident brings Wren, Maria, and Rusty to Wren’s home, where they discover a mysterious and magical shoe workshop hidden beneath it. However, dangerous people have been searching for this workshop, and are willing to do anything to get to it. The three friends have to use the pairs of magic shoes to flee to a magical world called Underfoot. Wren has to figure out how much of his life was a lie, and how many of the fantasy stories he heard growing up were actually true.

This was a fun fantasy story. Wren had to discover that the secret magic that his family had was hiding in his house the whole time. There were hints of magic in their family, since his aunt would tell him stories of Vinland, but he never guessed that the stories were real. This classic storyline of discovering secret magical family history never gets old.

I would have liked the beginning to be more fast paced. There was a lot of description of Wren’s life at home and his time at school for the first few chapters. It took a while for the real action to begin. Once the magical aspects began, it was a really exciting story!

Compass to Vinland is a great start to a new series!

Thank you Dani Resh for providing a copy of this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

~a middle grade hit that was a total surprise~

Brief synopsis: Wren Larkin’s life starts to turn upside down when he starts seeing ghosts, the new girl at school seems to know him somehow, and a group of really strange people show up at his house…his house that’s shaped like a shoe.

I was totally blown away by this debut! The pacing was spot on throughout the whole book, which is a difficult feat, and the world building was just SO cool and SO unique!

The highest praise I can probably give is that I started getting hardcore Hobbit vibes from this book - just calmly and unpretentiously world building a masterpiece right before our eyes, and filling this world with an incredible cast of characters! (This was, of course, after the beginning gave me “Double Double Toil and Trouble” (the Mary Kate and Ashley movie) vibes, which is also high praise!)

Cannot wait for more books in this series because I wanna know way more about Vinland and some magic shoes 👟✨

4.25 ⭐️

[Paige (pagebypaigebooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A magical battle was taking place on my front lawn.”

I'd like to thank the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

Instagram Post

Blog Post

Content Warnings: coma, death, violence

I really liked the concept of this book! My favourite part was the magic system. The different types of magic and the creatures were very fun to read about. The creatures felt unique and I could picture them as I read. Wren was an intriguing character and seeing him explore his new world was a treat. I related to his personality and enjoyed reading about him. I also liked the development of his friendships with Maria and Rusty. I found the pacing of the story to be a bit slow at points but it ramped up at the end. The ending left an intriguing segue into the next book.

[Haylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with a unique magic system and likable characters!

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani Resh's "Compass to Vinland" offers readers a delightful fantasy adventure that revolves around the classic theme of discovering hidden magical legacies within one's family. The story follows Wren Larkin who embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery as he unravels the secrets of his family's magical heritage.

The narrative is both engaging and fun, with the allure of Vinland adding an extra layer of fascination to the tale. Resh successfully weaves a sense of mystery and excitement around the concept of magic, making readers eager to explore the intricacies of the mystical world that Wren stumbles upon.

One of the strengths of the story is in the hints of magic scattered throughout Wren's family history. The author skillfully taps into the timeless appeal of the "discovering hidden powers within" storyline, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and fresh.
In conclusion, "Compass to Vinland" is a well-crafted fantasy novel that successfully blends the excitement of discovering hidden magical abilities with the allure of a captivating, mystical world. Dani Resh's storytelling prowess shines through, making this a recommended read for fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy a mix of classic themes and fresh, imaginative elements.
Also, Tough Guy is my favorite!

[Vi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compass to Vinland is the kind of book that I could easily read over and over again.

Wren's narrative is pleasant and inviting. The dialogue, effortlessly authentic. Somehow, so early on, the author is able to give each character a distinct personality so they all feel like close friends by the end.

And the story itself is a delight. It's the kind that just pulls you in and makes you wish you could be there. You want to be finding hidden tunnels in the shoe house and roaming the foggy hills of Lewisberry and wandering along Crafter's Row and wrap yourself up in the entire ambiance.

As for the writing, it's well-balanced and keeps a great pace to drive the plot forward while introducing an array of admirable characters. The folklore is threaded through the chapters nicely, adding detail while never coming in too heavy or causing confusion. It's easy to keep up.

And easy to finish. Very quickly. Fortunately, the author has planted plenty of seeds in Compass to Vinland for the next installment and I already know that wherever these characters are headed, I'll happily follow.

[Paige V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from my daughter, Paige, 11 (IG account @paige.s.reading for more reviews and pics)
Plot:
Wren Larkin, a teenage boy who lives in a house that looks like a shoe, had a bizarre day. On his way to school, he may have seen his supposedly dead aunt Bryn in Ghost Hill. At school, Wren, usually quiet and lonely, quickly makes friends with the new girl called Maria Tovar and a troublemaker named Rusty. Then, Wren discovers a magic shoe workshop under his house that holds three special shoes for the unlikely trio: Wren, Rusty, and Maria. They soon had to flee from Lewisbury because strangers were looking for the three shoes. Wren must find the secret of his family.

Feelings:
Compass to Vinland is captivating, full of magic, and suspenseful story. I think the story is original, brilliant, and well-written. There were a lot of plot twists and turns that made the story very engaging. I liked Maria Tovar because she is intelligent, and I also admired her power to read minds. The book is beyond excellent. Thank you, Dani Resh, for sending me your book. I liked the book so much that one day, I would like to reread it.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Wren is a young teenage boy as the character in our book. He had a dad who is very hands off and keeps Wren away from all of his family. Wren’s mom is in a coma and he is missing her and his other family who is nice to him, like his Aunt Bryn.

And then this girl, Maria shows up one day at his school and weird things start happening to him and his friends. Weird people show up at the house and start looking for shoes…to Vinland. These shoes will lead people back to Vinland and the weird people, called Drainers want to go back to Vinland so desperately!

He also makes friends with Rusty, the school troublemaker and they go on a journey together. There is a legend between all three of the friends, Maria, Rusty, and Wren and Vinland. The journey is well written and so is the character description and settings of all the world.

I loved this book and am currently reading the second one!

[Gil Arad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren is a loner. He lives in a house that looks like shoe with a silent and cold father. His mother is in a coma and His only companions are the crows that he's feeding. It all changes when a new girl comes to town and exposes him to a whole new world.
Now Wren, Maria and Rusty, the bad boy of school, are running away from dangerous people with dark magic and trying to find a safe place.

This book is a light and fast read, Full of adventures and colourful characters. Resh did an amazing job creating an intresting, new world and developing great characters that make you smile, laugh and worry. My Favourite was Rusty, and I do hope that in the next book, we'll get to know more about Maria.
This book is great for Percy Jackdon's lovers and I can't wait for the second book on the series!

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd get through the book. It starts out with a middle school boy, Wren, who wakes up, gets ready for school, and basically sums up his life to that point. Not the way to start a book. Its hard to find narrative momentum when you're info dumping right away. These details should come out more organically as readers get to know the world and its characters.

Thankfully, once the mysterious men showed up at Wren's shoe house, things really picked up. The adventure is fast and quirky and enjoyable. The world and its hints at Viking legend are fun. I was not a fan of the insta-warrior character moment, and I hope the other two have more time developing their magic abilities. Otherwise, I'd recommend this for young readers looking for a unique adventure into a secret magical world.

[Gen X Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting hooked into this story. The first 1/3 of the book gets bogged down in descriptions of surroundings, the town and the people. The real plot doesn’t pick up and hook the reader until the second third of the book. After that point it’s a wild ride with the protagonist as he learns about the magical reality that has been purposefully hidden from him.

Additionally there are some layout problems with duplicated pages that further frustrated and distracted me.

Overall I enjoyed the fast paced magical portion of the story and would read book 2 to find out what happens next.

[Christina Ceder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book, and a great series opener!

I was hooked from the first page and continued falling in love as the story went on. I thought the story itself was intriguing, the magic was really interesting, and the characters were so lovable! I really enjoyed the evolution of Wren, Maria, and Rusty’s friendship.

The imagery was so vivid and well done. As someone who often struggles with trying to imagine things in books - especially settings - I found that I could really get a good sense of everything.

Also I just want to note, as a girl who has always dreamed of befriending a crow, I absolutely loved Tough Guy.

Very excited to start reading Clarity of Sight!

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wren is a teen that is just existing when one day in class a new girl (Maria) comes to another students defense (Rusty). That day changed all 3 of the teens lives. Now it’s a race to survive and find out what is making them run from home.
The 3 unlikely friends figure out that not everything is what you think it is and that sometimes friends are all you have.

A must read for young adults starting on the Dungeons and Dragons series.


The shoe trilogy
Book 1 Compass to Vinland
Book 2 to this trilogy Clarity of Sight
Book 3 Cunning Warrior

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took my by surprise and I really enjoyed it. I bought this book at the Sterling Fest Author book sale and it was a worthwhile purchase! The imagination and world was very fascinating. The book is written for younger readers but I still enjoyed it and there were some very serious themes. Overall very nice and I hope to see the author at Sterling Fest again so I can buy her next book in the series.

[Haley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s giving me The Midnighters vibes. I was quickly drawn into this book. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be a take on the little old lady that lives in a shoe, but I’m totally here for this vibe. I love this it’s a great middle grade book. If there’s going to be a sequel I will definitely be buying it and this book.

[H.H. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded expectations, I couldn't put it down! Our three main heroes, Wren, Rusty and Maria, are all great characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. I'm especially excited to see more of the magic in the world open up since we had such a great introduction in this first book. Watch out Percy Jackson!

[Patty Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun story! Good vs evil with adventure, magic and a little bit of humor. The characters really pulled me in! This is a great story for adults as well as younger readers. I have three kids in middle school who want to read it next! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Sheryl Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun and easy read. I couldn’t put it down! The plot had great twists that keep you guessing and the description of the characters and surroundings was phenomenal! I can’t wait to read the second book!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did!! It definitely had some Narnia /Harry Potter vibes, and I just fell in love! I won the second book in this series, and the author was kind enough to send me this one as well, and I’m so glad!! I can’t wait to dig into the next one!

[Nicole Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book and it's so good!! The story really pulls you in. It's a fun read no matter how old you are! Can't wait for the next book!!!

[Renee Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and fantastical read! Just finished Compass to Vinland and I loved it! Great character development and and exciting adventure! Looking for are to book 2 in the series!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even as an adult I love hidden worlds and this book captivated me and pulled me along with enjoyable characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Alex4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wren Larkin is by far, one of the best books I ever read. All the emotions are real and nothing seems forced or out of contexts. I will recommend this to lots of people.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is so easy to get lost in. You will not want to put the book down. If you struggle with reading large amounts, this will be perfect.

[Karynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. The author did a wonderful job at bringing this fantasy world to life.

[Lacey Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an awesome and easy read! Great, strong characters, amazing world building,and a real page turner! Highly recommend for fans of magic and fantasy!

[Virginia Ingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good story and a fun read!