Review: Legends of the Black Forest by Daniel Lee Nicholson

After reviewing the first two books in today's series...and enjoying both of them, I was excited to get my hands on this third and last book. The series branches off from The Nutcracker and is a lovely fantasy read for middle graders. There is a nod at ballet, but this one also takes on a whole life of its own. 

But before I say to much, let's take a peek!

LEGENDS OF THE BLACK FOREST

Prince Dustin and Clara, Book 3

by Daniel Lee Nicholson

Fossil Mountain Publishing, LLC

Middle Grade Fantasy

ages 10 to 14

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 17th!!!

They only have one chance! Dustin and Clara have until the full moon rises If they fail, the lands Deep in the Balck Forest will be overtaken by the Dark Forces. Wizard Herr Drosselmeyer was abel to contain the wicked and ghastly creatures for a century. However, his spell has now been broken, and the dreadful monsters have been released 

The Snow Queen soon realizes that their dark magic is even more powerful than Drosselmeyer's. The noble queen is out of options to defat the Dark Forces. 13-year-old Clara, Prince Dustin, and Princess Sugar Plum, a tree fairy, will have to battle the sinister and haunting power before they can save the kingdoms in teh forest. However, it might already be too late.

Prince Dustin and Clara...a classic tale of fantasy and adventure!

Where to find it and more information at...   Fossil Mountain Publishing

MY TIDBITS

Note: This is the third in the series. I have read the other two books and do recommend reading this as a series, since each book builds on the events and characters. While each book does have its own ending (there aren't any cliff-hangers), the background information is important for each read.

Clara is off to summer camp in the Black Forest. Unfortunately, her brother, who has a knack for trouble, comes with her, but this worry soon disappears as her first days at camp are interrupted by a huge storm. The unnatural clouds make it clear that more is at stake than the weather, and she runs out to try to stop it from hurting her brother and friends. Even with her magic, she's no match for the evil forces and barely escapes thanks tot he help of King Dustin. But this is only the beginning because dark forces want to retake the forest, and nobody, not even the Snow Queen, can stop them.

This is such a fun series for the middle grade audience, and while it does somewhat remind of the Nutcracker, this series goes much beyond that. The author keeps the writing quick-paced and engaging. There are enough descriptions to build the world, but these are kept to a minimum as the characters and the plot drive this one forward. In this book, there is a wonderful cast of creatures, which really let the imagination take flight. Of course, the reader knows more than a few from the other books, but this one brings in a whole new level of evil and darkness for Clara and, now, King Dustin to fight. It's simply fun fantasy.

The first chapters let Clara's normal life take hold as she, her brother, and their friends live camp life. When the magical side breaks through, it's easy to understand Clara as she heads out to try to stop it alone. She's easy to root for and fun to cheer for. The other characters each have their own problems and try to deal with everything as best they can, but are always they for Clara. In other words, friendship and working together are strong messages as well.

I'm a fan of the fairy tale feeling in this series. It allows dreams to take flight and the reader to dive into a fantasy world, which comes to life. Danger and tension remain high while still keeping a level appropriate for the age group. And yet, it's even grabbing to me as an adult, since it keeps the heart of childhood fantasy.

And here he is...

Daniel Lee Nicholson was born and raised in the Midwest. He has been a performer and ambassador of the performing and visual arts ever since his first performance as a a soldier in The Nutcracker in Chicago Nicholson performed in various productions of the Nutcracker ballet spanning ten years. He currently resides with his wife in the Los Angeles area and works in the Media and Entertainment industry.

Review: Secrets of the Black Forest by Daniel Lee Nicholson

SECRETS OF THE BLACK FOREST

Prince Dustin and Clara, Book Two

by Daniel Lee Nicholson

Fossil Mountain Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy

247 pages

Time is running out! Prince Dustin and Clara only have three days to save the kingdoms deep in the Black Forest. They must journey even deeper into the woods, a mystical and perilous realm of magic, enchantment and monstrous creatures. Clara soon discovers why those that travel to this faraway land seldom return to tell their tales. They never suspect that Clara’s uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, a powerful wizard, has a dark secret that becomes their biggest challenge.

The thrilling adventure continues for 12-year old Clara and Prince Dustin, as Clara returns to the Land of Legends, a magical place of creatures and animals; a brave prince, fairy tale princesses, and a Snow Queen.

Prince Dustin and Clara ... a classic tale of fantasy and adventure!

REVIEW by:
Dr. Joenile S. Albert-Reese
Principal at a Performing, Fine Arts & Regional Gifted Elementary School

“I found this novel to be full of adventure, unexpected twists, magic, loyalty, and deception. Nicholson has held to his masterful ability to keep the readers on the edge of their seats as he awakens that mischievous curiosity that sleeps within each of us, no matter our age.”

 MY TIDBITS

Beautiful scenery sets the stage for an adventure full of tension, deception, magic and a sprinkle of fairy tale hope.

Note: This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it does add to the depth of the characters and situation.

Prince Dustin and Clara find themselves hurrying against the clock to save the fantastical kingdoms hidden within the Black Forest, but time isn't their own problem. They must journey into the darkest corners, there where even Clare has never heard tales about. The creatures they face are deadly, but the true evil behind everything poses the biggest threat.

This is a retelling of the Nutcracker and what a magical tale it is! The author sets the entire book in one of the most beautiful and mystical places in Europe, the Black Forest. Here, fairy tales come true and the most evil and sinister creatures lurk in the shadows. It's the perfect setting and very well described. The story itself is a lovely spin on the Nutcracker. It offers quite a bit of adventure and unexpected twists and turns the entire way through. While it does have it's sweet and magical moments, it carries just as many sinister ones. There's a bit of mystery thrown in and a wonderful sense of urgency.

Clara is quite the heroine and offers a more solid personality the one often portrayed in the ballet. She grows as the situation requires but doesn't only try to depend on herself. Her friendship with Prince Dustin and others help her along as she tries to discover the truth. Young readers will enjoy rooting for her and dreaming of their own magical adventure.

Review: Prince Dustin and Clara by Daniel Lee Nicholson

PRINCE DUSTIN AND CLARA

Deep in the Black Forest, Book One

by Daniel Lee Nicholson

Fossil Mountain Publishing, LLC

Middle Grade Fantasy/Retelling

299 pages

To escape the wrath of Egon, Clara finds herself Deep in the Black Forest. It is a world of mystery and magic; creatures and animals, fairy tale princesses, and a Snow Queen. Prince Dustin, the Nutcracker Prince, is determined to protect Clara from Egon. Vicious and vile, Egon is not far behind and determined on getting revenge. 
Clara, a sweet and timid 12-year old, soon discovers that her uncle is a wizard in this far away land and that he is at the center of the chain of events. This thrilling fantasy adventure re-tells the story of the fairy tale, The Nutcracker, taking the reader along for the ride…a classic for all seasons!

MY TIDBITS

With all the magic of the Nutcracker, this tale pulls into an exciting adventure.

Christmas is approaching, and Clara can hardly wait. Her younger brother might be up to his pranks, and the whole household is a bustle, but when her uncle arrives with his presents, the magic begins. Clara finds herself transported to the deep woods of the Black Forest and to a world which can only exist in wonderful fantasy.

This is a retelling of the Nutcracker, and although there are original twists in this tale, the basic story line glistens through. Clara is 12-years-old and fairly mature for her age. She's timid, well behaved and adored by all. When she heads out into adventure, her warm heartedness and true bravery make her a lovely heroine who is easy to cheer for and love. Her relationship to the Prince sits with a mix of emotions, remaining in the style of the original tale. There's sprinkles of strong friendship, hints of a possible future romance, and even a dash of motherly protection and childlike awe. It hits the beauty and newness of a girl this age perfectly and makes Clara a beautiful character in so many ways.

The first chapters switch between scenes and various characters' points of view as two worlds, one of fantasy and the other more realistic, are introduced. This isn't the simple opening up into Clara's dreams, but a step between two realms. Each has history and purpose, and each is as real as the other. This foundation laying made the first chapters jostle around and came across unsettled as well as a little confusing. When the Christmas party finally takes place, the plot finds it's pace and the story draws in, making it hard to put down. Clara comes across several exciting and original adventures, which keep the tension high and exciting. Still, the beauty of the Black Forest and its fantasy inhabitants come to life through rich, but never boring descriptions. There are even several scenes where the more musical aspects leave their mark, and the beauty of he ballet plays in as a gorgeous backdrop. Despite all of this, the writing does stumble at times and breaks jostles out of the world for a second. Still, it wasn't enough to set the book down. The story, in general, is so engaging and inviting that it's hard to leave Clara until her adventures find their end.

Especially fans of The Nutcracker are going to want to grab this one and get lost in Clara's tale. Since this is the first book in the series, there's a promise of more to come—and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.

SNEAK PEEK

Egon, spewing and cursing, trampled through the halls of the Castle of Bosartig. He was rage walking. All the mice in the kingdom that saw him from a distance backed off and quickly fled the other way, probably hoping they had not been spotted. Those less fortunate, quickly learned the folly of being in the path of a mouse gone mad.
Egon had already given orders to have all the mouse soldiers ready by the time he made it to the front of the castle.
The mouse soldiers were lined up row by row by the time Egon made it out to the castle’s courtyard. Many gulped when Egon appeared. 
“Mice!” Egon bellowed.
“Yes, King Egon.” The mouse soldiers shivered as they quickly knelt in unison.
King Egon thrust his sword in the air above his head. “We are on our way to the Ice Palace. Nordika thinks her army can protect Dustin and that young girl. Can she protect them?” Egon said with an evil laugh.
The mouse soldiers said nothing. They hung their heads low.
“You!” Egon hollered as he pointed to one of the mouse soldiers up front. All heads immediately turned. Some mice could be heard sighing with relief. Egon was not speaking to them.
The soldier Egon pointed out quickly ran forward. Directly in front of Egon, he knelt down on one knee and bowed his head. “Yes, King Egon,” he said meekly, almost in a whisper. Tears could be seen welling up in the soldier’s eyes.
“I remember you from our last battle,” Egon continued as he walked from side to side with his head held high. 
The poor mouse soldier softly responded, “Yes.”
“Stand and look behind you!” Egon ordered while he thrust his sword into its holster.
The mouse soldier jumped up and looked at the rows of mouse soldiers still kneeling with their faces partly lowered.
“Now, tell me what you see.”
The mouse soldier looked perplexed and gulped. In a shrill and confused voice, he responded, “Mouse soldiers?”
Egon walked from left to right and templed his sharp claws, tapping them together in front of his chest. “Yes, mouse soldiers,” he affirmed in a commanding low voice. “And none of those faces will be here tomorrow if we don’t get that girl and Dustin by the stroke of the next hour.”
Egon then charged forward. The mouse soldiers followed quickly behind him. Their long tails swished from side to side, leaving marks in the snow.