A Frolicsome Pirate Fantasy Through a Looking Glass

It was fun writing a pirate fantasy. Four different editors told me it needed to be published, but their publishing houses did not do pirate fantasies. As a result I eventually published it through Amazon’s CreateSpace. The primary target audience is the young adult—teens to twenties. However, fantasy buffs of all ages will enjoy Phantom Island Chronicles, a pirate fantasy that grows in intensity with each of the eleven manuscripts that make up the chapters of the book. Here is a peek at the story “through a looking glass.”

A cabin girl and scullery boy join forces to outwit rancorous pirates, mystifying elves, and a villainous wizard in Phantom island Chronicles. The Chronicles consist of eleven manuscripts I found in a dusty old chest in the attic of an ancient house I bought in the mountains of Wales. The manuscripts form one story and yet I noticed as I read them that each manuscript is somewhat of a story onto itself that reveals something of truth about the island and the people who touched its soil. All of the stories have that earthy feel of being true. As you read them you might even find your footprints somewhere on Phantom Island.

Weatherworld turns on its axis somewhere in Elone’s creation, and on Weatherworld there is a great sea, and in the far reaches of that sea there is an island called Dredd. The Island of Dredd, also known as Phantom Island, exists. Yet to those who sail the sea it seems at times that it does not exist, and although the location of the island appears on no charts, I am confident it is there. Kallie and Hawkz can attest to the reality of the island. They escaped to Phantom Island from the Plunder Gun and Captain Priggs.

Pursued by Spudz and Rooster Kallie and Hawkz find unwanted adventure, and in Manuscript Five they find a fascinating peering glass that belongs to Captain Wizidrix, a powerful wizard. Their adventure intensifies!

But it all started with the Ether Elves, Prince Raskawin, the Trusted One, and Princess Marendura, the Keeper—treachery, deception, and a curse.

“Raskawin stood at a window staring out at the darkened city. Yawel waited in silence. Although they stood at a distance, tension connected them. Finally, Yawel broke the impasse. ‘And what of you, Raskawin? Your manner and words are not the manner and words of a loyal servant.’

“’A loyal servant?’ Raskawin turned on Yawel again, his eyes flashing. ‘You killed Marendura. You belittled me, your prince, by giving a gift to her but not to me, and a cursed gift at that. No, Yawel, I am no longer your loyal servant. I am your enemy, for you are evil. I solemnly vow that until the eons fade I will resist your will and your ways!’

“’So be it.’ Another tear fell from Yawel’s eye. ‘You are no longer Raskawin, the Trusted One. I name you …the False Heart, the Teller of Lies.’”

On Phantom Island Kallie and Hawkz find themselves ensnared in a labyrinth of malice. Will they ever be free of it?

I trust you enjoyed this “taste” of my pirate fantasy, and that the taste gives you a hunger for more. When you read it, let me know what you think of it. If you have already read it, share your comments—would love to hear from you.