Madison is just like any other twelve-year-old mucking through middle school, until suddenly she's not. Her father's disappearance sparks a shocking revelation. Madison isn't human. She's Sidhe. The Sidhe are a regal, god-like people with unearthly beauty and unfathomable grace. They are the immensely powerful, magic-wielding faeries born in Celtic Mythology… the water, air, and wood spirits who have battled against demons and protected mankind for centuries. Madison has just discovered she is one of them… but she is no ordinary Sidhe. Madison is one of the Chosen Ones, one of three young girls secreted inside the human realm at birth, protected by Sidhe guardians until they’re old enough to fulfill the prophecy. Madison journeys into Otherworld to awaken her powers, only to discover she must fight violence, evil, and darkness... with love.
Setting: The story unfolds across several realms. Madison discovers her true identity while searching for her father in Ireland. She must travel through the Tomies Wood in Killarney, County Kerry Ireland to access a portal into Otherworld. Once in Otherworld, Madison crosses through Tír na nÓg into Ogham so she can awaken her powers beneath the Rowan Tree. She hones her skills with warriors and druids in Tír na nÓg before returning to the human realm. They face their enemies in an epic battle over the Devil's Punch Bowl in Killarney. Readers are immersed in a magical realm where the Sidhe live in harmony with nature, in an advanced civilization that has no need for... {{{gasp}}}... technology.
Age Range: 8 to 12
Was this book based on anyone you know? Yes! Madison's character was inspired by my daughter Madison. The Chosen Ones are the literal embodiment of faith, hope, and love. I chose to have Madison represent love because she is so kind and loving toward all creatures (including worms!). She has so much empathy, love, and respect for animals she chose to become a vegetarian when she was eleven years old. She was so devoted to this cause, she eventually convinced me to become a vegetarian. Madison's family members in the book mirror her family members in real life. Her sister Lexie has a kidney transplant in the story and in real life. And Madison's godmother/Sidhe guardian in the story is her godmother in real life.
Book Lessons: The primary lessons are:
1. You can overcome violence, evil, and darkness with faith, hope, and love.
2. I challenge readers to view the world not in black and white but in shades of gray. In Saving Tir na nOg creatures that have historically been viewed as evil are simply misunderstood. For example, the kelpie only drowns those who seek to harm him, and he will occasionally invoke his magic to bring those in need of protection with him, deep within the lough. It’s true the Far Darrig may cause nightmares and swap human babies with changelings but only when it serves a greater good. The Fomorians are an angry, violent sort, but this is due to some physical deformities that cause excruciating pain. Dain, Dother and Dub may represent violence, evil, and darkness, but there is a reason for this as well, which is yet to be disclosed.
3. There are several mini-lessons woven within this book relevant to prejudice, value judgments, labeling others, pigeonholing, environmentalism, our dependence on technology, and the importance of kindness, self-sacrifice, friendship, family, believing in yourself, and working together toward common goals.
Check the book out on Amazon today.
