Length: 220 pages, Kindle

Publication date: May 31, 2017

I received this book from the author.

Rome Lockheed and Julian Rider are average middle school students, or are they? Rome accidentally set the neighbor’s tree on fire by looking at it. Julian is a soccer player that always carries a die with him. He catches Rome’s attention by saying that he saw what Rome did with his eyes. When Julian begins asking Rome some unusual questions, Rome realizes that his life will be changing.

In this young adult fantasy, the two boys have hidden abilities. Julian is a knight and Rome is a dragon. Yes, you read it correctly, a dragon! Earth is in deep trouble as creatures from the Void work furiously to gain access. As the boys begin training they learn about the creatures. Their trainer is Mr. Jones, a former librarian. Along with training the boys, he serves as a guide to help them understand this new situation they are in. Knights and dragons were able to join together in something called the Great Synergy. Mr. Jones explains that Julian and Rome will be an influential duo if they can achieve synergy. While training, they encounter a couple of creatures from the Void who have gained access to Earth and are ready to fight. The description of these creatures is gruesome, to say the least.

How long before these creatures find a way to enter a portal and take over Earth? Can two middle schoolers save us? While it would be terrific if they could, it sounds like there are too many creatures for just Jules and Rome.

Mr. Jones is a likable character. He is a former librarian who knows the secrets around the mystical Void. After working with the boys in training, he is happy to see the hard work paying off. In additional books, it will be interesting to see his character continue developing. We also see Julian’s father several times. He is snobbish, cold, and talks like he is a knight of the round table. To envision him think of Draco Malfoy’s father in the Harry Potter series. He reacts oddly to Rome which leads you to believe there will be more to this later. Mr. Rider bears watching.

This is the first book in the series The Talisman. I’m not sure whether the creatures would bother younger readers, some readers are more sensitive. The boys sneak out of their houses, lie to the principal of their school, and damage their school. Because of the more mature themes, I would recommend this to young adult readers. Brett Salter is very clever and imaginative, it will be interesting to see what else he has up his sleeve. The first book in the series sets the stage for the books that follow, I believe there will be even more action and adventure in the upcoming books. I’m outside the age group for the book but even this old dog enjoyed it.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻/5