The Fight for Magicallus

By: Barbara Venkataraman

Narrated by: Sara M. Sapp

Length: 1 hr and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

While experimenting with a magic wand, the two young brothers are pulled into a computer game called The Fight for Magicallus. In the land of Magicallus, they encounter goblins and knights who are on the brink of war because their ruler has mysteriously disappeared, and the knights blame the goblins!

The boys learn of a frightening prophecy that foretells the end of Magicallus. They must find an ancient book hidden in a dragon’s lair before the prophecy comes to pass and they are all destroyed.

Can the boys find their way home? Will the knights and goblins go to war? Or will the dragon destroy them all?

With both humor and suspense, this story pulls you in and doesn't let go.

©2010 Barbara Venkataraman (P)2019 Barbara Venkataraman

Fun adventure for kids!

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I’ve read or listened to several books by Barbara Venkataraman in various genres, and I always enjoy them. This is the first children’s book I’ve read by her, and it was entertaining!

With a magic wand, Scott accidentally makes his brother, Josh, disappear into a video game. Scott does the only thing he can do: he sends himself into the game to save his brother. What an adventure!

The narrator did a great job with the different voices.

The relationship between the brothers is a good one, and they work together well. Children will love the tie to a video game, goblins, and dragons and more. Not only is there adventure but humor. A good example are the great names for the goblins, such as Smirking Cow.

Fun!

So, this was a kid-friendly game-lit story, with all of the elements of old school fantasy: goblins, dragons, knights, etc. It was a fun listen, even as an adult, but very safe for all ages. I would like to see it as a movie, as the plot is fulfilling, even in the short story format, and so a movie could actually do the book justice. The narration is great. I don't think I've heard this particular narrator before, but she is going on my list of excellent voice actors.

Really enjoyable story

Really enjoyable story, the narrator did a brilliant job. The Author captured the brother relationship really well, had me smiling in places.

Absolutely delightful!

Author Barbara Venkataraman could publish a shopping list and make it interesting. Whether it’s a mystery, a short story, fantasy, adventure, comedy, or non-fiction it’s always an amazingly entertaining, satisfying read: engaging, thought-provoking, serious, funny, whatever she wants it to be.

The Fight for Magicallus is the story of two young computer-game loving brothers - Scott who is 10 and Josh who is 7 – who go on quite the adventure. Venkataraman captures perfectly how little boys talk, act, posture, and reminds us of just how loving, loyal and brave these little guys can be.

At the beginning of the story, Scott has become the proud owner of a magic wand, but he can’t get his yappy little brother Josh to shut up long enough for to show it to him. Somehow, magically somehow, Scott waves that wand and zip! - Josh is no longer in the room. How did he sneak out? Oops, isn’t that Josh IN THE GAME??? There are knights and dragons and goblins and other scary creatures in that game. Yes, Josh is the typical annoying little brother and Scott often wishes he would just shut up, shut up and go away. But trapped in the computer? Well, he’s not that annoying. Plus, what will their parents say? A kid could get in trouble. So Scott, usually the cautious one, jumps in to save his brother. Who tells him he’s not leaving; he likes it in the Land of Magicallus.

This is a fun little story. I guarantee you will love it. Yes, it’s about children and computer games and knights and all that, but the funny dialogue, the witty wordplay, all the unique characters will keep you engaged. These kids are adorable and their quest to find the ancient book hidden in a dragon’s lair before the prophecy comes to pass and they are all destroyed is fast-paced, suspenseful and thoroughly enjoyable. Will they do it? Will they make it home in time for dinner? I guess you’ll just have to read it and find out.

I was given an audio copy of The Fight for Magicallus from the author. Absolutely delightful. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.