5 stars: A secret world that you have to be invited to visit. Miners! Trolls! Elves!
This was first published in 2009. Since then, the author wrote a guide that you should read before reading this book. It makes it so much easier to understand some of what's going on. The guide is very short, contains definitions of what everyone and everything is since the author has created a whole new world that is entered from the year 1750 on Earth. Each character that young boys meet has a specific job to do and they do not think beyond that.
This is a great YA book. Can be read starting in 6th grade on up, I'm retired and I enjoyed it.
The author is going for having something as popular as Rick Riordan. Don't know that he'll reach those heights. He'll need some good PR and some luck but it would be well worth it.
Writing the reader's guide and tweaking the book and republishing was a good idea. When you download the book, it offers you the free download for the guide & recommends you read that first, as do I.
I look forward to reading the other 2 books!
—L. O., Amazon reviewer