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Title: The Flaming Mountains
Author: Dee Stohler
Publisher: Publish America
Genre: Pre-teen to Young Teenage
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 1424120268
Pages: 135
Reviewer: Amy Wiley
Available Through:
www.publishamerica.com
www.amazon.com
Danger and mystery rise as thick as the smoke from the burning hills in The Flaming Mountain, the third book in Dee Stohler's fantasy Heartland Series. When the Flaming Mountains begin burning with real fire, rather than just the gleam of the setting sun for which they were named, young Prince Rudy of Heartland is convinced there is an arsonist on the loose. His brother, the king, does not believe the fires were maliciously set, so Rudy sets out to prove his theory.
The loggers of Flaming Mountain join Rudy in his quest, anxious to keep their livelihood from being destroyed. Rudy's friend Kit, a lad from the real world, appears in the fantasy land just in time to help--an express answer to Rudy's prayers. It does not take long for the group to find enough evidence to prove that the fires were purposefully set, but finding the arsonist proves to be much more difficult, and the king sends more men to join the search.
Meanwhile, the king receives word from the neighboring kingdom of Fairway that a notorious outlaw known as The Marker has escaped from prison. The Marker is planning a siege to take back the kingdom of Fairway. Heartland is now spread thin, struggling to help their friends at the same time as they fight continuing fires and search to apprehend the arsonist.
A hint of romance enters the scene when King Harold spots a beautiful maiden slipping away into a deserted part of the forest. The reader soon learns that she is intimately involved in the plot--whether she wants to be, or not.
One day, as they are scouring the woods for clues, Prince Rudy has a close call, nearly falling down a steep cliff. He is pulled to safety, with only a few cuts and bruises, but he is left with something much more serious--a fear of heights. Now he is forced to battle his own emotional struggles, even as he tries to save his country.
The trail of The Marker grows hot, and the heroes come closer and closer to finding him. Then the trail takes a turn, bringing them in an unexpected direction. The worst shock of all comes when one of their group disappears, and they fear he has been kidnapped.
For the rest of the story, you'll have to read this book for yourself! Though it has a few grammar and typographical errors, and some minor storyline inconsistencies, The Flaming Mountain is refreshingly clean of objectionable language, unbiblical magic, and over-the-line romance, leaving a mystery sure to be enjoyed by your child.
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