The Max Series has an unusual history as I was much younger when I imagined and penned the first adventure. I did not grasp how deeply this story would burrow into my subconscious, not letting me abandon it and calling for continued revisits as a longer, deeper, and wider story unveiled itself for me.
My own children were the first to hear the beginnings of these tales at bedtime. Seeing these adventures through their younger eyes was the most reassuring and empowering motivation for my continued quest to follow them up.
Though other writing ventures, and creative projects, often placed the early stories on shelves to await their time, they would not disappear. Always there were promptings to return to a world being somehow unveiled through the years. Some dreams persist.
An Award-Winning Series
BOOK 1
The Witch’s Tower
The King sends three sons on a quest to find the greatest treasure in the land. The one who succeeds shall be crown prince. Max, following his heart against the logic of the quest to fulfill his word, encounters amazing friends and challenges. Stalked by an ancient evil which plots to bend the brothers’ quests to its own ends, the prince is brought at last to face the Witch’s Tower.
BOOK 2
The Clouds of Izmah
Prince Max, realizing no one has an answer for King Randrew’s failing health, seizes upon an unlikely legend as a desperate hope to save his father. With the elf Jumpjilter he begins a secret quest to find the wizard of Doonadim at the end of the world. Facing many tests of his courage and purpose, he steps unknowingly into the mystical cloud kingdom of Izmah where he learns truths of himself and the challenge of bringing the bitter wizard back into a world of hidden dangers.
BOOK 3
The Perilous Challenge
Gaspaar receives an invitation from Leorna to take part in a great tournament. At this thaw in relations, Prince Derek is sent to lead a party of ten knights to Leorna along with their squires including Max. The tournament is a trap to incite a conflict between Averon and Gaspaar where an assassination is plotted. The insidious scheme is the plan of a mysterious adviser to the foolish king. Max and Derek discover a shocking and disturbing truth.
BOOK 4
The Return of Fears
The threat of a Viking invasion sends deep fears through the land. Prince Max discovers the divided nature of the Norrunan tribe first as an unknown prisoner and then as an ally. He brings together the leaders of Gaspaar and Leorna to meet the threat. With the marooned Viking Orn Tondarhar, Max, and princess Rhena work to overcome the traitorous and powerful Sinfjolti to stop a war and dare to forge an unexpected future.
BOOK 5
The Giants’ Crown
Celebrating the opening of the new lands a census party is led by Max, Rhena, Jippit, and the Norrunan scout, Starkather. They soon discover the disturbing encroachment of a giant on the frontier and the true architect of the threat. Princess Rhena is unexpectedly drawn into Izmah and a climatic confrontation inside an ancient labyrinth casts portents of dreadful destiny ahead.
BOOK 6
The Bridge of Fates
The sorceress Vivien offers an imbittered Viking a secret alliance for revenge and conquest. Exiled Prince Gerald begins an obsessive quest of the long-buried dragons’ teeth required of a magic potion to gain the infamous Dragon Throne. A fateful battle on the bridge of the Lumbadil swallows up Max’s brothers on the flooding river yet yields unforeseen results. Dark powers are building toward a day of destiny.
BOOK 7
Scorn Island
Wizard Nylrem tracks his missing ward’s trail after her disappearance at the destruction of Nurraugautel. Mysterious Scorn Island off the coast of Essom is the end of the portal where the Witch treats the exiled Vikings demanding their loyalty in order to avenge themselves on their enemies. Derek and Rhena lead a secret mission to rescue Baye while Max pursues his lost brother. Many unexpected revelations promise new hope and greater dangers to come.
BOOK 8
Day of Days
All things are reaching their head as the brothers encounter Vivien atop Tarrand Katil. Assuming the throne of Gaspaar, Max learns of Vivien & Mordred’s evil plan of rebellion from an unlikely source. Nylrem must fashion a device not of magic but of knowledge yet demanding courageous trust to confront the power of the greatest dragon. The unknown war above may tilt the balance of the ultimate battle for the fate of Britain as Mordred and King Arthur clash below.
About the illustrations
The author thinks that drawing is a good way to do something with a story you like.
Though I conceived the outside cover for The Witch’s Tower, I desired that an artist more gifted in the style and color I envisioned be commissioned for it. I am delighted with its rendering.
The line-drawings accompanying the chapters are examples of my own sketches in an attempt to share a personal vision of these tales as intimately as I might. Their sole virtue is their sense of the story and characters and not in the perfection of their artistry. I would say that if these drawings detract from your imagining these adventures that you please not bother with them. I wish nothing to hinder your own immersion in the stories for themselves
I would love to see any reader’s own drawings or paintings depicting any story of the series that inspires their imagination. Drawing is a good way to do something with a story you like. One of my favorite possessions is an illustrated map of this story by a seventh grade student who imagined the trails of the three princes on their quests. I have been inspired from time to time by looking again on this delightful gift.
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