The Dragon Orb is an exciting, magical adventure that both young adults and adults alike can fall in love with. Mike takes readers on an exciting adventure through the wizards world and the politics that divide the wizards and normal citizens. The plot is new, exciting and you never know what to expect next. Mike brings the story and characters to life and makes you feel as though you are a part of the story, that they are your friends, your enemies and it is your home at stake. This is one of my favourite parts about his writing and this story - you are drawn right into the story and become one with the novel." - workingmommyjournal.ca

“Shelton does a great job juggling the characters and their own stories, while moving forward with the main plot...It amazingly intertwines fantasy and real world concepts like loss and politics, in a way that is both entertaining and insightful, but not too extreme. There's a lot of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and it was exciting to unfold each one and see where the road let do. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series and seeing where each of the characters go." - Words, Phrases, Imagination

"As the first installment in a fantasy series, the author has laid the foundation of what is likely going to be something that readers of this genre will enjoy. The story has many characters apart from the three protagonists and the author has been able to seamlessly include these characters, who greatly contribute to the story's development. Each character is a diamond in the rough and the further into the story one reads, the more one will uncover the facets of those characters. The story has a lot of peaks and troughs that will keep one reading and turning the page to find out what happens next. Bring on book two!" -M.P Ceja InD'tale Magazine

"I loved how each character has their own unique personality. Roland is cocky and handsome. Ally is confident and enchanting. Bakari is nerdy and awkward. Put these three together and there was bound to be tension. I also enjoyed that there was enough action to keep the story engaging. The fighting and suspense were prevalent. Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of wizards, magic, and fantasy. This was a great read and I look forward to the next one." -Bethany W. and YA Books Central

"The first book of the Alaris Chronicles series brings a refreshing take on magic and politics in fantasy. The world feels very much alive as the wizards take on their new challenges, struggling with their personal demons as much as those of the land they are expected to protect. For people wanting a fantasy kingdom-based read that is more sorcery than swords with a depth of intrigue that goes well beyond blood and debauchery, The Dragon Orb is a solid new entry in the genre." -Self-Publishing Review

The Dragon Orb is full of magic and adventure, and a way for younger readers to get a peek into the world of politics. The book is a strange combination of a Dungeons and Dragons adventure with Game of Thrones, but with kids as the movers and shakers of the story -- and with a PG rating. It is a very easy read, a page turner. I love the fact that the protagonists of this story come in all colors, shapes and sizes, and that our leads are not your usual all-white characters. As mentioned before, the world our characters inhabit borrows from already established fantasy folklore; from Lord of the Rings to the Wheel of Time series. The biggest innovation on these series by Mr. Shelton is the inclusion of how politics work (hence the Game of Thrones reference), but accessible for a younger audience." - Erika Grediaga for Readers' Favorite