Published: July 27, 2011
Words: 165,657 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781466159693

Short description

Matthew Hartsbain is jolted awake on the morning of the 11th of September by the sound of his mother screaming in the living room as she watches the World Trade Center Towers come crashing down. He and his friend Tom are yanked backward in time to the land of Elister where only they can correct the mistakes of our prehistoric ancestors and prevent further tragedies such as September 11, 2001.

Extended description

Matt Hartsbain is asleep one morning when he wakens to the sound of his mother screaming in the living room as she watches the World Trade Center towers come crashing down. His mind in shock, he wanders out later that day to meet his best friend Tom in the busy streets of Baltimore when suddenly, he and his friend find themselves snatched from this world, traveling back through time, millions of years before recorded history. Tom, as it turns out, has been to this world before, and knew that Matt had to follow him back, as he was the sole savior of their disintegrating world. Tom and Matt’s chief mentor, Omdule, a frail wizard with a multitude of knowledge and ulterior motives, explains to them that they have been brought back hundreds of millions of years in time, to an Earth that was once inhabited by wizards, elves, dwarves, and other mythical creatures. He explains that the prophecies describe Matt as the one person who can unite the people of that world to defeat the evil esse.. (Read more) Matt Hartsbain is asleep one morning when he wakens to the sound of his mother screaming in the living room as she watches the World Trade Center towers come crashing down. His mind in shock, he wanders out later that day to meet his best friend Tom in the busy streets of Baltimore when suddenly, he and his friend find themselves snatched from this world, traveling back through time, millions of years before recorded history. Tom, as it turns out, has been to this world before, and knew that Matt had to follow him back, as he was the sole savior of their disintegrating world. Tom and Matt’s chief mentor, Omdule, a frail wizard with a multitude of knowledge and ulterior motives, explains to them that they have been brought back hundreds of millions of years in time, to an Earth that was once inhabited by wizards, elves, dwarves, and other mythical creatures. He explains that the prophecies describe Matt as the one person who can unite the people of that world to defeat the evil essence known as the Shadowspawn, which was allowed to prevail many years ago, and which has been the cause of so much strife in the world of recorded history we know today. There, in the land of Elister, as ancient Earth was once known, was the one place they could be defeated.
After they arrive in Elister, they travel to the human-occupied city, Elister City, and forewarn the king of an army of Shadowspawn marching toward them to attack. Caught in the middle of the war, they become separated in the commotion and are forced to flee the city. The two groups make their ways to a mountain city known as Roanoke and are reunited there. While there, Matt is ambushed one night by a group of religious zealots determined to squash all belief in the prophecies. In his attempt to escape, he befriends the daughter of one of the Generals of the United National Council of Elister, a force of unity in Elister that struggles to keep the Shadowspawn at bay through international collaboration and cooperation. This begins a relationship which will help to sustain him throughout the trials and tribulations of the task ahead of him.
Matt and his companions make their way to Elianer, the capital city of the Elves. In the city this year, the United National Council of Elister is holding its 372nd annual meeting to determine how to respond to the attack against Elister City. There, Matt fulfills one of the greatest prophecies that signify the coming of the Omega, or the One, by claiming for his own the ancient weapon of incredible magical capability known as the Sword of Orthanke. As he accomplishes this feat, another Shadowspawn attack besieges Elianer with the intention of quelling the UNCE, which has grown more powerful in recent years and threatens to unite the nations under one banner. With no way to escape, Matt uses his new-found power to conjure a Twimaraan, or a lucid dream, to Valnar, the capital city of the Wizarding nation, Zauber. Begging for assistance and with the proof of his identity present in the Sword of Orthanke, he convinces them to join the fight and relieve Elianer. Meanwhile, Matt returns from this dream and infiltrates the UNCE building to ensure the safety of all the delegates, and in so doing, wins the favor of the UNCE representatives.
The novel ends as the Battlemages sent by the High Council of Valnar finally break through the lines of the confused and defeated Shadowspawn and liberate the city. Matt and his companions look upon a battlefield of victory with high hopes that their actions in rescuing the city will propel Matt to his rightful stage in the world from whence he can unite the rest of the nations in a fight against the Shadowspawn that will redefine the future and save both Elister, and 21st century Earth from further disasters such as September 11th. Meanwhile, the consequences of his heroic and unprecedented actions will be leveled against him as the obstacles between him and his goals intensify in the next book.
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Tags

adventure, historical fiction, fantasy, magic, young adult, wizards, elves, time travel, gnomes, spells, historical fantasy, dwarves, teen fantasy, chronicles, mages, september 11th, young adult fantasy, fantasy action adventure, fantasy about a wizard, elister, shadowspawn, dreadlords

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Reviews

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Review by: Larry Kidd on Jan. 02, 2012 :
I helped the author review the book as a sort of beta tester and I know him personally. Great guy and a great author. He has really come a long way since he first had the idea for this book and I look forward to reading others by him. Really worth a look guys.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: James Watson on Jan. 02, 2012 :
Pros: Great story line and unique premise, fluid writing, likable characters, meaningful underlying themes that make you think

Cons: A little slow in the beginning

Definitely a wonderful read in my opinion. I am a huge fan of fantasy novels and I really liked how this one blended fantasy with historical fiction. The book draws you in once you get into it, although as I stated before, there are a few slow points in the first couple chapters. However, the quality of the writing is superb and the themes of human nature and the premise behind the tragedies in human history like the attacks of 9-11 are truly a unique and fresh outlook on society today. While the deeper, philosophical implications in this novel are clearly present, it still reads like a captivating adventure you wouldn't want to put down.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to those looking for a new fantasy novel to pick up. I look forward to seeing a continuation of The Elister Chronicles at some point, as the ending was certainly poised for a sequel.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: James Watson on Jan. 02, 2012 :
Pros: Great story line and unique premise, fluid writing, likable characters, meaningful underlying themes that make you think

Cons: A little slow in the beginning

Definitely a wonderful read in my opinion. I am a huge fan of fantasy novels and I really liked how this one blended fantasy with historical fiction. The book draws you in once you get into it, although as I stated before, there are a few slow points in the first couple chapters. However, the quality of the writing is superb and the themes of human nature and the premise behind the tragedies in human history like the attacks of 9-11 are truly a unique and fresh outlook on society today. While the deeper, philosophical implications in this novel are clearly present, it still reads like a captivating adventure you wouldn't want to put down.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to those looking for a new fantasy novel to pick up. I look forward to seeing a continuation of The Elister Chronicles at some point, as the ending was certainly poised for a sequel.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Patricia Rainsford on Aug. 23, 2011 :
The Ellister Chronicles is detailed, imaginative and thoughtful - it combines the classic elements of the hero quest with the concerns and mindset of twenty-first century life. As it introduces us to a whole world - a 'prequel' to the world as we know it - it engages our sympathies with Matt - the protagonist - and we travel with him on his own personal journey just as much as his quest.
This is a well-written adventure by a young and talented writer.
A book to enjoy and a writer to watch.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: pattymayo on July 31, 2011 :
I am not a very active reader to begin with, but I was hooked after the first few chapters. The book is beyond captivating with it's balance between reality and fantasy. This is a must read story hands down, unless you refuse to indulge in its awesomeness! (two toes/thumbs up!) :D
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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