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hannymooThe Questory of Root Karbunkulus ~ Item I – Miist by Kamilla Reid
Posted by Michelle on July 17, 2008
“Rest assured, this is no ordinary treasure hunt. Each and every one of you will face inevitable hardship and danger. Most of you, despite your magic, will fail. But among you, from the depths of despair, will rise heroes! Indeed, the victors of this, DréAmm’s greatest Quest, shall earn a seat in the throne room of Legend!” The final note of Lord Blick’s speech rang like a distant bell of old, conjuring images of majesty and greatness.
In it’s opening, this book takes us straight to the strange but wonderful world of DreAmm, where we meet Argo Bumplekins, and his Wisteria Vine, Betty, who has a personality all of her own! We soon discover that Argo has been the guardian of something extremely special.
The next chapter takes us to another world, where we meet Root Karbunkulus, a rather unhappy girl, living with her aunts.. two funny but disgusting characters, who could have been written by Roald Dahl! Before long, Root finds a way to escape from this world, into the world of DreAmm, where she originally came from.
Once there, she has to quickly learn about her new home, along with all it’s wonderful characters, whilst preparing for a Quest.. along with hundreds of other teens.
The world of DreAmm is charming, a world very much like ours, but with some wonderful additions.. I loved the way the phones worked, and you won’t look at a dog in the same way after reading about the hovermutts! Oh.. and they have a very different way of making bandages!
The characters are also colourfully and yet deeply written, and you can’t help but warm to Root and her team mates, Dwyn and Lian. They have to learn about each other, and how to work as a team, to suceed in their quest.
For teenagers, there are themes of friendship, finding your way in the world, and developing your self esteem. I’m sure many can see something of themselves in the charcters. However, this is definitely a book for adults to enjoy too.. I loved escaping into the world of DreAmm, and now consider myself a huge fan. This book is bound to have a big future ahead of it, and I am very impatient for Quest II!
Visit the official website, and watch the trailer.
Kamilla Reid Interview « Author Interviews said
[...] Reid is the author of an exciting new fantasy book, The Questory of Root Karbunkus (Reviewed), which although aimed at younger readers, will be enjoyed by adults too. The first book in the [...]
Emma said
This is a great review. It sounds like a wonderful book.
Kehs said
Thanks for the heads up, Michelle. This book sounds like something both me and my teenage daughter would enjoy.
Karen said
I loved the way the phones worked, and you won’t look at a dog in the same way after reading about the hovermutts! Oh.. and they have a very different way of making bandages!
Well this has certainly got me intrigued. Sounds like a great book! I must keep my eye open for it.
pumpupyourbookpromotion said
Wow, thank you for the wonderful review!
karbunkulus said
Hi!
Once again, thank you so much for your kind words, Michelle! I’m so happy that you enjoyed Root
I’ll be pooping in all day today and tomorrow…that’s funny…I just wrote ‘pooping’! Well, I can’t guarantee I’ll be pooping but I will be popping in today and tomorrow so if anyone has any questions or comments or just wants to say ‘Hi!’, I will be happy to oblige! As an author it’s always great fun to meet other book fanatics like myself…especially from so far away! I’m in Canada….eh!
Poopingly and Poppingly Yours,
Kamilla
bagpussjanet said
I really, really like the sound of this book (love the website too!). Are there plans for it to be published in the UK?
Paula (Gyre) said
Great review Michelle, I am going to add the book to my wishlist!
Thanks, Paula (Gyre)
karbunkulus said
I would so love for it to be published in the UK! But there are no plans as of yet. I think though, once I get a traditional publisher on board that that will change…very fast
Michelle and I were brainstorming on how we could get a number of signed copies out there fairly cheaply. I thought maybe a bookstore would be interested in carrying some that I could send out. Any ideas anyone?
Michelle said
Have you looked into Amazon.co.uk? I know some US authors who sell through that.
I’m not sure what he shipping costs would be from over there?
I guess we may have to wait until you find that agent and publisher!
Karen said
Kamilla – where did you get the idea for the book from and how did you come up with those fantastic character names?
karbunkulus said
Hi Karen!
Well, I had the location of DréAmm in my head for eons. And actually I did write a musical that was set there. But it didn’t feel right. It was still missing that strong concept “aha!”. It wasn’t until many years later that I caught a snippet of a reality TV show called The Amazing Race, that the idea exploded in my head. I just loved the premise of kids racing around a magical land searching for mysterious items. And then, of course all sorts of agendas started to work themselves in.
As to names…well, I’m a bit of a freak there. I love making up names. Sometimes it comes from something my daughter mispronounces or just the sound of a couple words smashed together. Or a real word in a different context. But all of them, I think capture the essence of the character they’re named after. It’s great fun!
Thanks so much!
Kamilla
janeswanscott said
Great review Michelle, it sounds like a magical book! …I really hope it gets published in the UK, it seems like a really good read.
…ooo… I’ve just been over to the Official Website, and it’s stunning
Kamilla Reid Interview « BCF – The Blog said
[...] Reid is the author of an exciting new fantasy book, The Questory of Root Karbunkus (Reviewed), which although aimed at younger readers, will be enjoyed by adults too. The first book in the [...]