Alchemy

by Alison Gardiner

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Pub Date Feb 28 2017 | Archive Date Oct 27 2017

Troubador Publishing Limited | Matador

Children's Fiction | Teens & YA

Description

Fourteen year-old Alex Weston has marooned himself and his sassy hamster, Skoodle, onto the magical island of Eridor while seeking his vanished parents. Yet Alex has no magic; he must rely on bravery, quick thinking and a few ounces of rodent as he fights to survive.
Alex, Skoodle and Tariq, a bear, attempt to rescue a wizard boy, Luke, who is trapped on a remote mountainside by merciless, disgusting goblins. Risking his life, Tariq is transformed into a marble statue and held ransom by a vicious gargoyle; the price for his life is for a friend to turn traitor. Their wizard friend, Zorrin, has his mind corroded by an enchanted sapphire as he attempts to return it to a mountain with a living brain; once loyal, he is now a powerful mortal enemy.
Determined to save Tariq, Alex seeks help from sleeping stone lions, discovering that solving an ancient armadillo alchemist’s puzzle might give them a chance of saving Eridor from destruction by Zorrin. Yet Zorrin outwits them. Betrayed, he’s furious beyond reason; mighty beyond measure. With no spells, no weapons, Alex must somehow save his dying friends in the few minutes remaining before Zorrin murders them all.
Alchemy is a fast-paced fantasy novel, threaded with humour, which will appeal to children aged 9-11.

Fourteen year-old Alex Weston has marooned himself and his sassy hamster, Skoodle, onto the magical island of Eridor while seeking his vanished parents. Yet Alex has no magic; he must rely on...

A Note From the Publisher

Alison Gardiner is a doctor, mother and writer, although the priority order often gets jumbled. The Serpent of Eridor, Book One of the Eridor MG fantasy series, was published last year by Matador and has sold over a thousand copies. She is currently enjoying visiting schools to talk about The Serpent of Eridor and writing in general, aiming to inspire children to both read and write more, stretching their imagination.

Available Editions

EDITION	Ebook
ISBN	9781785898204
PRICE	$5.99 (USD)

Additional Information

Average rating from 6 members

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Featured Reviews

Tara S, Reviewer

Kids will love Alchemy thanks to its fun surprises and intriguing twists and turns. For fans of her Serpent of Eridor, they will find this book equally charming!! This is one of those stories that stays with you, popping into your mind when you least expect it. Gardiner takes you on an unforgettable adventure whose journey concludes in you wishing there was more to come.

Gardiner knows how to write fantastic books that appeal to the right age group desperately in need of some time away from reality.

She has great characters, knows how to write realistic dialogue and smoothe story lines that make sense from page one to the end. It's just a great story that parents can give to their kids and not worry about what they're reading.

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Cherry-Ann L, Reviewer

Alex, his pet hamster Skoodles, Zorrin the wizard, Tariq the bear, Flick Zorrin sister, Ikara the snake and Keeko the monkey, were on a mission to find Alex’s parents who are caught in another time zone. Their journey also became one of a rescue mission along the way, when it was quickly realized a couple of Zorrin wizard friends, a husband and wife team were killed by gargoyles who then kidnapped their son Luke, rescuing Luke was now the priority, or else he too would be killed. Ikara and Tariq are a very slick duo, I love how they worked over Byloc, their workmanship is quite hilarious, making this book a very entertaining one. The group faced a battle filled with many dangerous mishaps along the way some with fatal consequences, but with their quick thinking and magic, a very exciting and magical adventure was on the way, nicely done.