Watchers (Tilly Greenway and the Secrets of the Ancient Keys) [Kindle Edition]

Tilly Greenway & the Secrets of the Ancient Keys: Book one, Watchers, Essi Tolling, Relic, 2011

Is Tilly Greenway the new Harry Potter? His fans will love this book because it actually explains the mysteries we find in the world of magic and wonderment. Essi Tolling combines a fast-moving plot of a race between Good and Evil with gorgeous pictures of flower-filled gardens and shadowy forests. This delightful story takes us on a magical adventure from a futuristic London over-run by the bad guys, across historic sites in Wales and Southern England to the Grail mysteries of the Glastonbury landscape. We even slip across into alternative universes to discover some secrets of ancient times.

Tilly Greenway will appeal to a wide variety of readers; no doubt it will become a leader in its genre. Children and the young at heart will love the action-packed adventure as we soar with our heroes Tilly and Zack through the skies in the hidden realms of unicorns and dragons. Conspiracy buffs can enjoy an edge-of-the-seat race to save mankind from the Director of Terror and total manipulation by her agents of Evil. Truth seekers have unexpected access to descriptions of time, our cosmos, astral travelling, intuition, dreams etc that leave us in no doubt that we have a generous reminder of the forgotten skills we need in today's complicated world.

This is the Da Vinci Code for kids of all ages. If you like puzzles and ciphers you will love the challenge of solving the clues in the Amber Book and finding the Ancient Keys, and like me, you'll be dying for the next instalment about The Hidden Hand. I'm already wondering Whose Hand, What will It Do, Which Side Is It On??? This is a great read and, for those seeking the next level, a truly wonderful insight from a Messenger of our Time. I encourage you to buy this book and treat yourself to an amazing journey, or give your friends and all the kids you know a gift they will treasure forever.

Polly Butler, Norfolk Island, Australia

Tilly Greenway and the Secrets of the Ancient Keys by Essi Tolling

A really exciting fast moving book full of imagination, truth, and science fiction, yet so carefully researched, could it follow in the steps of 1984 and become another classic? Easy to read and full of so many twists and turns one wondered where truth might begin or fiction die. It made such compelling reading that at the end, you somehow felt it was not the end, and that you were part of a living brilliant story, whatever your personal beliefs and thoughts. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the next book in this amazing work with growing impatience. Not normally a great fiction reader I found this book a really captivating experience. It opened up in one's own mind, thousands and thousands of questions, on where are we going, what of the past, and what of the future? How should we treat DNA modifications and to what might they lead, but all in such an easy manner. It stimulated one's own imagination and gave plenty of opportunity to ask oneself...."what if?" Animal life, extinct and living, mingled with human life of today, and good overcame evil, while love developed as goodwill and cooperation between groups of living creatures became the norm. There is something about this first book that makes it not only interesting and appealing, something for which a short review, such as this, cannot even begin to do justice, but prevents you from putting it down. Essi Tolling has covered so much in this first volume. His short chapters keep the story moving at a rapid pace yet each has been deeply thought out to hold your undivided attention. In fact at one stage reading some of the chapters, the words literally had a lilting poetic flow, while you caught your breath. An absolutely super read together with historical fact carefully and effortlessly mingled with fiction, to create not only a fantasy but a captivating and mystical plot, and a book suitable for almost all ages. This book and if those that follow are anything like this, they should lead to a super fantastic film series like the Harry Potter saga. Essi Tolling will deserve it. Tim Dill-Russell.

Tilly Greenway is a vivid, multi-layered story that will entertain readers of all kinds.

The adventure/mystery/suspense plot line moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged in a page-turning can't-put-it-down kind of way.

Along the way though, we are treated to respites where the author skillfully wraps the reader up within the language. There are quiet chapters spaced throughout that are so expressive that you can't help but find yourself there alongside the characters...seeing the colors, smelling the fresh air, tasting the food...feeling the wonder and peace that they do.

Then it's back into a quickly unfolding action/suspense plot that keeps the pacing just right.

The world of Tilly Greenway is a rewarding one for seasoned readers who will recognize the real (surprisingly real, if not often forgotten) places, references to wisdom teachings, and characters from Egyptian, Nordic/Germanic and Celtic mythologies as well as hints of more modern characters (one particularly enigmatic character has a hint of Tom Bombadil in him).

Make no mistake, this is a highly original tale...but one that feels instantly comfortable.

For younger readers, the story is the thing...this is an epic fantasy adventure after all!

Like any good story there is an underlying message that could mean slightly different things to different people.

So we end up with an intellectually rewarding, action/fantasy/adventure/suspense, epic story that also makes you think? Like I said, something for everyone!