The Gatekeeper of Pericael by Hayley Reese Chow
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#Childrens, #Fantasy, #MiddleGrade,
Twelve-year-old Porter would much rather spend his weekends playing soccer than channeling spirits in the parallel universe of Pericael. Unfortunately for him, Porter's family has guarded the gate between Earth and monster-filled Pericael for generations, so he's not getting out of Gatekeeper lessons anytime soon.
But some after-school activities are more dangerous than others.
When a soul thief threatens the gate, Porter reluctantly comes to its defense... and gets thrown deep into Pericael's dangerous jungle wilderness. With the help of two fierce native girls, Porter must learn to embrace the creepy spirits and find his way back to the gate. But the soul thief is racing for the gate too, and if he gets there first, Porter won't have a home to go back to.
4 out of 5 (very good)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
To say the book focuses on and around teenagers it's anything but aimed purely at young folk. If it hadn't have been for references to age I would have spent most of the book thinking I was reading about early twenty-something's.
There's plenty of magic and fraught situations that had me almost holding my breath and wishing that I could perform magic.
I enjoyed journeying with Porter (The Gatekeeper's son/future Gatekeeper) and his cousin Ames. It was nice seeing how each of them grew throughout and gained a better understanding of each other and themselves. Especially learning self belief and trusting their new friends.
A good fantasy that will keep you and your mini-me's entertained and enthusiastic for an adventure.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel's Heirs, the 2020 winner of the Florida Author Project. She also has short and flash fiction featured in Lite Lit One, The Drabble, Bewildering Stories, Teleport Magazine, and Rogue Blades Entertainment’s anthology, As You Wish.
Until recently though, she’s mostly done a lot of things that have nothing at all to do with writing. Her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All American fencer, 100 mile ultramarathoner, triathlete, world traveler, voracious reader, and super nerd.
Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering
husband, and her miniature ragehound.
But at night, when the house is still, she writes.
To find Hayley's other stories and see what she's working on next, check out
hayleyreesechow.com. You can also find her on Twitter or Instagram @HayleyReeseChow.