My kids are both going through a fantasy phase when it comes to reading. Actually, it’s more than a phase with my son, who has grown up with Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson. My daughter, on the other hand, has always preferred books about dogs, and horses, and girls who have crazy adventures. But as I opened up Atlantis Rising, a new book by T.A Barron, and began to read it with my kids, my daughter opened up her imagination and let the words flood into her mind. By the time I finished the first chapter, she announced, “I’m hooked.” (True story)
Atlantis Rising is a young adult fantasy novel that tells the story of a rebellious street boy named Promi (Think Aladdin with an edge), who lives in Ellegandia, a fictitious country that eventually becomes the mythical island of Atlantis. Many stories have been told of Atlantis, and Mr. Barron adds to the mythology as he describes Atlantis’s early beginnings.
Promi steals food to get by and also has a bit of a sweet tooth. After evading the corrupt priests that govern Ellegandia in a dangerous escape, he pushes his luck by stealing and causing more problems with the priests and guards.
As the story unfolds, he learns of an ancient prophesy that seems to describe him and his mysterious birthmark, a birthmark that burns when he faces trouble. And Promi encounters a lot of trouble, as his travels take him to a magical spirit world and back to earth. Along the way, he befriends a girl from the shadowy forest, named Atlanta, who seeks to help him find his calling.
Like my son and daughter, most kids will enjoy reading about Promi and his adventure, even if they don’t typically love fantasy fiction. The book is filled with interesting and evil characters that will keep kids turning the pages to see what happens to Promi and Atlanta and their beloved forest.
For other books by T.A Barron, click here.