Ocean of Marvels

An absorbing fantasy adventure Ocean of Marvels takes place in a beguiling old-fashioned vaguely European world of mythological dreams with innocent modest swashbuckling heroes. Three unassuming young male dreamers from an idyllic but all-too-quiet village meet and befriend an aged hero who has achieved life-long prosperity and esteem owing to his brave exploits on the legendary Ocean of Marvels and in particular its fantastic islands of enlightenment stone men and Cliffs of Prosperity. He relates to them how he once overcame many trials and threatening situations culminating in his presentation to the Goddess of the Elements who rewarded him with a constantly refilled box of gold coins. However the adventure was not without some lasting regret and suffering for the hero. Our current heroes-a baker a gardener and an inept but sensitive and good-hearted handyman-are infected by the prospect of adventure so throwing caution to the wind undertake to follow the old sailor's example in his very tracks. They are accompanied by an astute and wily cat-talisman and parting gift from the seaman himself. Encountering unexpected help misadventures dangerous obstacles and even romance along the way they band together and make their way to the not entirely welcoming but truly wondrous Ocean of Marvels. Evocative of simpler times and honorable quests this lively challengingly written first book of a planned trilogy draws the reader into a lyrically fresh originally imagined world of nearly impossible escapes and agreeably identifiable characters.