Nell O’Dell wants a quiet life tending her garden and chickens. She absolutely does not want to go on a quest like the many people who pass through her family’s inn. However, when a letter arrives in the mail threatening her home, Nell embarks into the unknown in an attempt to set things right.
Nell O’Dell loves gardening. She loves tending to her chickens. But she hates quests.
As the daughter of two famous questers, everyone assumes Nell will follow in their footsteps. This year, the quest of the season, as advertised by the Questers’ Bureau, is capturing the egg of a Starshell dragon. However, Nell is determined to stay home at the Crossroads Inn.
That is until a letter arrives in the mail claiming the inn is about to be seized. Nell sets off to the capital with the deed, intent on straightening out the matter. Her journey has only begun when Nell is attacked, and the deed is stolen by a girl riding a dragon.
Nell and her friend, Midge, frantically try to track down the thief. They know the journey ahead will be full of hardship, new friends and sworn enemies.
But above all, Nell is absolutely, positively, completely certain that she is simply on a dangerous business trip—definitely not a quest.
None.
Charms, magic, wands, spells and crystals are used and mentioned throughout the book. Many mythical creatures are described, including dragons, griffins, goblins, giants, fairies, harpies and fauns. Necromancers and witches are mentioned as well. Nell is half human, half elf. Magical resurrection is discussed. Nell’s pet cat was made immortal by a misdirected spell. Characters talk about reading the stars.
Nell’s parents are retired questers who care for her but are very busy. The Questers’ Bureau struggles with shortsightedness and overall selfishness.
We read that characters drink at a tavern and that one character’s breath smells like ale.
Nell’s father, Kettleburn, was an ax warrior. Many weapons are mentioned, such as swords, knives, axes and bows. Characters say that a griffin destroyed a chicken coop. We hear about violence and danger that occurred before Crossroads Inn was established. We hear that someone’s questing partner died.
Nell and Midge tackle and fight the dragon-riding thief, but she gets away. A fairy attacks Nell and Midge and throws fire at them. Midge wounds the fairy with her knives, but Nell and her friends are injured in the fight. Midge bleeds badly. The fairy explodes because of a magical charm. Elsewhere, a harpy tries to kill Nell.
A faun believes she will die soon because someone who can see the future didn’t see her return from a quest. Bloodstains are mentioned.
None.
In what ways do you want to be more like your parents? How can you work toward those characteristics or traits?
What are you passionate about? How could God use your passions to make a difference in the lives of other people?
Read Proverbs 17:17. Do you do a good job of sticking with your friends? Why or why not?
Author Emily B. Martin builds a fun world full of endearing characters. Readers will encounter an entertaining story full of bravery, friendship and, above all, adventure. However, perilous moments, magic and mythical creatures throughout the book could be nonstarters for some families.
You can request a review of a title you can’t find at letters@pluggedin.com.
Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
