“Punch fear in the face. Be a true friend. Do what matters.”

Jeff Madison--dream catcher, loyal friend and fearless teenager--must save his best friend Rhed from a devastating spell which was cast on him during their last visit to Drakmere. But from this dark kingdom, two evil witches send forth unspeakable horrors. Can Jeff overcome Wiedzma’s terrifying screatures and Zorka’s flesh-eating shadowraiths?

As Wiedzma’s screatures endanger Jeff’s family and Zorka’s Zombies call for blood, the curse on Rhed becomes life threatening … time is running out. By fine-tuning the dream-catcher abilities that can save his friends who journey to Drakwood Forest in search for Rhed’s cure, Jeff unknowingly sinks ever deeper into darkness.

In this new action-packed fantasy adventure, we meet up again with the brave Sandustian warriors Rig and Madgwick, new warriors Khrow and Horrigan, the cranky and hilarious witch Angie, and the very hungry dragon Watroc. Ultimately it is Angie who must negotiate for Rhed’s life. Will she succeed or will Rhed be lost to the Prince of Drakwood Forest forever?

This second instalment in the Jeff Madison Series is an action-packed nail-biter that will keep you hooked right to the very last page. With Shimmers of Drakmere, Bernice Fischer established herself as a name to watch on the fantasy scene for younger readers. But with Curse of Drakwood Forest, she has done what very few writers achieve, namely, writing a 2nd book that outshines its predecessor.

Bernice is a master of suspense, giving the reader just enough and then reeling them in again. She is a natural storyteller with a phenomenal imagination, a knack for dialogue and a most delicious, wicked sense of humour. Her characters shine. From the human to the magical, each character is absolutely alive - even those that qualify as The Living Dead!

Jeff realises that his friend Rhed is in serious trouble. On their previous visit to Drakmere, Rhed was adopted by a tree. While it seemed funny at the time, by Book 2 no one is laughing about it anymore, as Rhed's limbs stiffen and even his fingernails start turning to bark.

Thanks to a Sandustian warrior, sent to protect Jeff's home, the friends discover that Rhed is being summoned to Drakmere by the Prince of Drakwood Forest. What's worse is that, listen to the call or not, Rhed is destined to turn into a tree. Jeff uses his dream catcher abilities to once again enter Drakmere. Of course his friends just don't listen when he tells them not to follow. And this is where the adventure begins.

Jeff Madison and the Curse of Drakwood Forest is a gem. While it ventures into dark places, the humour is a wonderful antidote to the tension. Although written for younger readers, adults will enjoy this fantasy world as much as any child would.

Maya Fowler-Sutherland - Editor