One Realm Beyond (Realm Walkers)

One Realm Beyond (Realm Walkers)

Cantor D’Ahma waited his whole life for this day. Born with a gift to jump between worlds, the young realm walker is finally ready to leave his elderly mentor and accept his role as protector and defender of the realms. But mere hours after he steps through his first portal, Cantor discovers that his job will be more dangerous and difficult than he ever imagined. The realms are plagued with crime and cruelty, and even members of the once-noble Realm Walkers Guild can no longer be trusted. To make matters worse, his first assignment—finding a dragon to assist him on his quest—has led him to Bridger, who is clearly inept and won’t leave him alone. With the help of his new friends Bixby and Dukmee, Cantor must uncover the secrets of the corrupt guild before they become too powerful to be stopped. But his skills aren’t progressing as fast as he would like, and as he finds himself deeper and deeper in the guild’s layers of deceit, Cantor struggles to determine where his true allegiance lies. Gr 4–7—Realm Walkers have the ability to travel easily between the nine worlds and the mandate to help maintain the peace and prosperity of those worlds. Young Cantor can't wait to start his official training, but first he must find his Constant (as in companion)—a shape-shifting dragon partner. Unfortunately, it's the goofy, over-eager, and just plain annoying Bridger who shows up. And yet, he proves he's much more than he seems to be. The same holds true with the other companions of the road who join Cantor in his travels, including Bixby, a tiny and talented young woman who knows she is destined for some great, as yet undiscovered work. Add to that an ultrafeminine and wily spy (who happens to be a dragon), a mysterious mentor, and an even more mysterious warrior angel, all of whom join in the fight to uncover and end corruption in the Realm Walkers Guild. Faith and honor are highlighted in this decent start to what should turn out to be a pleasantly entertaining middle-grade fantasy/adventure series.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library Possessing the rare ability to move between worlds, Cantor D’Ahma has waited his whole life to become a realm walker—a wanderer who helps the less fortunate—and his opportunity has finally come. With the blessing of his mentors, Cantor strikes out to find his “constant” (a dragon companion) and make his way to the formal realm walker training hall. During his journey, an unusual cohort forms around him, including a spritely girl named Bixby and a clumsy, shape-shifting dragon determined to be Cantor’s constant. Evidence of corruption within the guild responsible for the realm walkers adds a layer of intrigue and tension to the plot. Paul builds her world with care, guiding readers through its structure and beliefs. Action is minimal but explosive, making this a novel that will hold particular appeal for readers who like to immerse themselves in characters and journeying through fantasy worlds. First in the Realm Walkers series, this lays the groundwork for developments of epic proportions. Grades 5-8. --Julia Smith Donita K. Paul retired from teaching and took up the mantle of grandma. She loves her new career as author of stories her grandchildren devour. Winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado, enjoying friends and family, pets, and beautiful scenery. Her favorite part of writing is the readers. One Realm Beyond By Donita K. Paul ZONDERVAN Copyright © 2014 Donita K. Paul All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-73580-9 CHAPTER 1 RAISING ARUCKUS Cantor straddled the thick tree limb suspended less thanthree feet over his favorite fishing hole. He'd fished fromthis spot for more than eighteen years, from the time he couldbarely straddle the fat limb 'til now, when the tips of his sandalsalmost brushed the surface of the clear, cold water. Hewatched the small fish circling below him, waiting for the bigone just as he had been taught. His fishing mentor, Odem,probably took him fishing here before he was out of diapers.Cantor wouldn't want to share the limb now. Though the treehad grown with him over the years, he didn't think the branchwould hold the weight of two grown men. He wasn't eager fora bath in the frigid water from the mountain's runoff. Still and patient, Cantor waited for the large carp he calledBully to rise and push the other fish out of the way. A sprinkleof thumb-sized chunks of bread floated on the water. One of thesmaller guppies darted off to the side, and a huge, open mouthappeared under the surface. The fish snapped up a sodden crust. Cantor hurled the stone in his hand. The rock thunkedagainst the skull of his target. All the smaller fish desertedBully, who floated on his side. With a grin, Cantor threw his legover the limb and slipped into the knee-high water. He shiveredin the icy snowmelt, grabbed his catch, and slogged to the shore. Exposed roots riddled the steep bank, making irregularhand and foot holds. Cantor threw the fish onto the gr