“A fast, fun, and fearless tale. Arlo’s adventures feel both completely real and entirely magical. I loved it!” Ally Condie, New York Times bestselling author
Description
Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is the first book in a spellbinding fantasy adventure series by screenwriter John August.
Some trails lead to magic. Some lead to danger.
“As Arlo looked around, the walls of his room began to vanish, revealing a moonlit forest. Only his bed remained, and the frame of his window, through which he saw the girl. The world on her side of the glass was sparkling with silver and gold, like a palace made of autumn leaves.
She looked off to her right. Someone was coming. Her words came in an urgent whisper: “If I can see you, they can see you . . . Be careful, Arlo Finch.’”
Arlo Finch thought becoming a Ranger meant learning wilderness skills, like camping and knots. But upon arriving in the tiny town of Pine Mountain, Colorado, Arlo soon learns there’s so much more. His new friends Indra and Wu teach him how to harness the wild magic seeping in from the mysterious Long Woods―a parallel realm of wonder and danger.
First he must master the basics, including snap lights, thunderclaps and identifying supernatural creatures. But Arlo Finch is no ordinary Ranger, and this is no ordinary time. A dark and ancient force is sending threats into the real world . . . our world.
Through perilous adventures and close calls, Arlo is awakened to his unique destiny―but the obstacles he faces will test the foundations of the Ranger’s Vow: loyalty, bravery, kindness, and truth.
Praise
“A fast, fun, and fearless tale. Arlo’s adventures feel both completely real and entirely magical. I loved it!” Ally Condie, New York Times bestselling author
“A masterful mix of mystery and adventure, set in a supernatural scouting troop.” Geoff Rodkey, New York Times bestselling author
“A thrilling adventure full of magic and wonder. John August is a master storyteller.” Ransom Riggs, New York Times bestselling author
“Cronin’s third-person narration perfectly captures the sarcasm and bravado of an adolescent faced with a world that is suddenly not what he thought it was. He uses subtle vocal differences to distinguish between characters, from the gruff and gravelly voice of Arlo’s uncle to the almost surfer-like speech of his friend Wu.” Booklist (audio review)
“Magic and realism are woven together…[in] an exciting fantasy novel grounded in reality with a strong emphasis on friendships and great characters…Will appeal to fans of mystery and adventure as well as reluctant readers.” School Library Journal
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Feb 5, 2018 |
| Release Date | February 6, 2018 |
| Number in Series | 1 |
| Series Display String | The Arlo Finch Series |
| Release Date Machine | 1517875200 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Children's Books, Action & Adventure, Literature & Fiction, Children/YA, Literature & Fiction, Children 8-12, Fiction - All, Fiction - Child |
Author Bio
John August, author and screenwriter,earned a degree in journalism at Drake University and an MFA in film at the University of Southern California. His books include the Arlo Finch series of juvenile fantasy fiction. His screenwriting credits include Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, and Frankenweenie. In addition to his film career, he hosts a popular weekly podcast, Scriptnotes, with Craig Mazin. He also created the Writer Emergency Pack, an educational storytelling tool that was distributed to over 2,000 classrooms in partnership with non-profit literacy groups.
Narrator Bio
James Patrick Cronin began his audiobook career at twelve years of age opposite Christopher Lloyd in The Pagemaster. An Earphones Award–winning narrator, he has recorded over one hundred audiobooks across an extensive range of genres. A classically trained stage actor with an MFA from the University of Louisville and a degree in philosophy, he has spent his years since college performing as an actor and a comedian on stages all over the world. He has performed everything from the classics to original material in Ireland, Scotland, Serbia, and Israel, as well as all across the United States.
Overview
Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire is the first book in a spellbinding fantasy adventure series by screenwriter John August.
Some trails lead to magic. Some lead to danger.
“As Arlo looked around, the walls of his room began to vanish, revealing a moonlit forest. Only his bed remained, and the frame of his window, through which he saw the girl. The world on her side of the glass was sparkling with silver and gold, like a palace made of autumn leaves.
She looked off to her right. Someone was coming. Her words came in an urgent whisper: “If I can see you, they can see you . . . Be careful, Arlo Finch.’”
Arlo Finch thought becoming a Ranger meant learning wilderness skills, like camping and knots. But upon arriving in the tiny town of Pine Mountain, Colorado, Arlo soon learns there’s so much more. His new friends Indra and Wu teach him how to harness the wild magic seeping in from the mysterious Long Woods―a parallel realm of wonder and danger.
First he must master the basics, including snap lights, thunderclaps and identifying supernatural creatures. But Arlo Finch is no ordinary Ranger, and this is no ordinary time. A dark and ancient force is sending threats into the real world . . . our world.
Through perilous adventures and close calls, Arlo is awakened to his unique destiny―but the obstacles he faces will test the foundations of the Ranger’s Vow: loyalty, bravery, kindness, and truth.
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