Author Showcase
The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 18, 2012
The Rock of Ivanore
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Ages: 8 & up
Page Count: 356
Flamingnet scored The Rock of Ivanore 9 out of 10, and awarded it a Flamingnet Top Choice Award.
“Young readers…will delight in this opening title in The Celestine Chronicles series, which delivers a fantasy adventure for a reluctant readership.” – Booklist
“Marcus is a hero who engages challenges in a way that is both human and admirable.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“This is a swift and compelling epic that readers of high fantasy will love!” — Tony Abbott, author of The Secrets of Droon
“Magic! Swords! Mysterious cloaked figures! A good choice for middle-grade fantasy lovers.” – Marissa Burt, author of Storybound
“If we could take the tone of Lord of the Rings and make it 10-year-old friendly, we’d have The Rock of Ivanore.” – Shannon O’ Donnell, Project Mayhem
“Fast paced and very engaging.” – So Simply Sara
“Elementary school libraries and middle school libraries can confidently add this book to their collections.” – Cerulean Librarian
ABOUT THE ROCK OF IVANORE:
The annual Great Quest is about to be announced in Quendel, a task that will determine the future of Marcus and the other boys from the village who are coming of age. The wizard Zyll commands them to find the Rock of Ivanore, but he doesn’t tell them what the Rock is exactly or where it can be found. Marcus must reach deep within himself to develop new powers of magic and find the strength to survive the wild lands and fierce enemies he encounters as he searches for the illusive Rock. If he succeeds, he will live a life of honor; if he fails, he will live a life of menial labor in shame. With more twists and turns than a labyrinth, and a story in which nothing is as it seems, this tale of deception and discovery keeps readers in suspense until the end.
Middle readers will find that The Rock of Ivanore fits nicely among the traditional fantasies they so enjoy. They will also appreciate its fresh and inventive take on the genre.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurisa White Reyes has been writing since the age of 5 when she wrote her first poem on a scrap of poster board. After earning a degree in English at California State University at Northridge, she spent thirteen years writing for various magazines and newspapers, working as a book editor, and teaching creative writing. She gave up all that six years ago to follow her lifelong dream of writing novels. Her first book, The Rock of Ivanore, released in May 2012.
Besides writing, Laurisa is also a voracious reader. She also loves musical theater, chocolate, sushi, ancient history, bearded dragons, and rain storms. She lives in Southern California with her husband, 5 children, 4 birds, 2 lizards, 2 turtles, 1 fish, 1 dog, and a partridge in a pear tree.