Ki-yo-te Tales: The Forbidden Forest

Kiyote Tales, Book 1

De: Benjamin D. Upton II

Narrado por: Emma Powell

Kiyote Tales: The Forbidden Forest marks the inaugural installment in an exhilarating adventure series, brimming with perpetual action and humor. Meet the Kiyote, a charismatic, talking coyote residing in the quaint town of Smud. His latest daring escapade, however, triggers the ire of the formidable Lord Pamplamoose Pithwhithle, setting off a chain of events that thrusts our cunning hero into a perilous situation.

In a bid to escape imprisonment, Kiyote embarks on a journey that leads him to the enigmatic Forbidden Forest, a realm shrouded in darkness with a mysterious force sapping the life from its very core. Along the way, he forges an unlikely alliance with a pair of somewhat peace-loving dwarves, discovering the presence of ominous creatures and unraveling the cryptic tales surrounding an ancient elven queen.

Drawing upon the skills honed at the venerable Buni Temple, the Kiyote navigates the treacherous forest, encountering dark phantoms, formidable bugbears, and their shadowy cohorts. As his quest unfolds, he forms new alliances and undergoes a redemption of his roguish ways. Join the Kiyote on a journey filled with suspense, camaraderie, and a dash of unconventional heroism in the face of looming darkness.

©2022 Benjamin D. Upton II (P)2024 Benjamin D. Upton II

the whole family loved it!

Often funny, always adventurous, and completely unexpected. Mr. Upton weaves an amazing tale, and Ms. Powell is perfect. We're ready for more!

Delightful and Imaginative Fantasy

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick witted, fast paced fantasy. While the story moves comfortably through elements familiar to the genre, such as dwarves, elves, and gnomes, the author takes every opportunity to make the world and characters uniquely imaginative. The hero is an anthropomorphic coyote, reminiscent of the mythological coyote trickster, but reimagined as a classic fantasy archetype. He is a thief and a rogue, as curious as he is mischievous, kindhearted when the situation calls for it, and violently pacifistic when the need arises. His adventures are filled with exploration and discovery, action, and genuinely funny moments. I love it when a writer can make me laugh out loud, and this did that more than a few times.

Really, the book feels like a well built role playing game, like a homebrew D&D campaign, full of excitement and humor, guided by a clever and adaptable DM. Its kick-in-the-door style storytelling kept me engaged from beginning to end and left me ready to spend more time in the word. This will be fun series to settle into.

Emma Powell does a superb job capturing the depth and rhythm of the characters and narrative. Each voice she offers is fully realized and consistent. Her delightful performance brings the listener directly into the world and face to face with its colorful inhabitants.