Ash Staff

Six orphans live in hiding in a mountain cave with their elderly caretaker, Rhawn. Outside the world is wrapped in constant winter storms as an evil ruler gains power over the land. But when Rhawn dies, the oldest, Moleander (Mole), is left in charge. With a magic sword discovered deep in the mountain, and special gifts given to each of them from Rhawn, the orphans leave to find a life outside, and end up on a quest to help free the land. The beginning of a fun and exciting fantasy adventure trilogy that was one of my favorites as a kid, and one that I must have read several times. My 10-year old son and I recently finished it, and although it took a while for the story to really get going, we both were left eager for more by the end of this first book. A great read for kids who like fantasy adventure stories, although it may be difficult to find.

I first read this book about 10 to 15 years ago when I was pretty young. Unfortunately, I didn't remember the author's name or the title of the book. I happened across it in a used bookstore and the title and cover tugged at my memory. Sure enough, it was the book I had enjoyed so much all those years before.The characters aren't very well developed and the storyline is really fast paced and simplistic, but I still enjoyed reading it again. Maybe it was just nostalgia. Anyway, I think it's a very enjoyable book. Younger kids will love it, while adults may find that it reminds them of some of the fantasy books they read as children.If you're looking for a quick read that doesn't require too much concentration, this book will fulfil your every need.

Before Harry Potter, there were other children's books out there that didn't talk down to young readers. This is one of them. It deals with real issues: family, growing up, destiny, (and death). I read this book for the first time when I was a young teenager. Since then, I've read it so many times my copy is falling apart. It's the first in a three-book series, so be prepared to have to read the other two. And, for adults who might be worried about what their children read, there's nothing "too" grown up here. Just a good story that teaches that good stories don't always end with "...and they lived happily ever after."

I read this when it first came out on the urging of the author's cousin. It's a pretty good book, so are his others, if you can find them. Middle-reader books, but if you're like fantasy, even adults might like them