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Oliver J. Tooley
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Children of the Wise Oak Kindle Edition

by Oliver J. Tooley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 140 ratings
Blyth, Teague, and Abbon, three brothers of the Durotriges tribe in southern Britain, discover a strange old man, living alone in the forest, who warns them of a coming storm.
Soon afterwards, their father returns from travelling in distant lands. But then, terrible events force them to flee from their village; the only home they have ever known.
The old man teaches them some magic, before they embark on a journey across the sea to Gaul, guided by the warrior mage Gwenn.
Gwenn brings them to train with the mysterious Deru-Weidi, but will their magic be enough when they come face to face with the mighty city of Rome?

Set in a historically accurate backdrop of iron age Britain, Gaul, and the Roman Republic; “Children of the Wise Oak” is a historical fantasy featuring magical realism, Celtic culture and religion, the occasional dragon, and more.

Age suitability. Recommended minimum age of 11-13 (with parental guidance) for the series. Book 1 contains some moderate violence, including battles, individual combat, Roman games, and a ritual killing. Later books in the series also contain some mild sexual content and some moderately adult themes.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Wise Oak
  2. Print length
    266 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 1, 2016
  6. File size
    2.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I began this book as a children's adventure for my kids. But it didn't come together, and years went by with no work being done on it. Eight years later, two of them are adults now, and the book has grown up a little too. So while it is suitable for teenage readers, it is not simply a children's book, and I would recommend parents of pre-teens read it first if their youngsters are upset by bloodshed and death because there is a bit of that.I would place it (purely in terms of  the youngest age it would be suitable for) somewhere between Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. I make no claims as to its comparability to either of those, in terms of literary quality or style. Having said that, I think this would appeal to many who enjoyed those books, as well as anyone who likes the Legends of King Arthur, Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, and Tolkien. 

From the Back Cover

As Blyth approaches manhood in the Celtic village which is all the world he has ever known, all he wants is a quiet life. When his father returns from distant lands, events force him and his brothers to flee from home. Guided by Gwenn, a powerful mage, their journey leads them across a continent and face to face with the might of the Roman Republic. First in the "Wise Oak" series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01GM1G1P8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Poppy Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 266 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911438045
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Wise Oak
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 140 ratings

About the author

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Oliver J. Tooley

Oliver J. Tooley

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Oliver hated writing at school. Come to think of it, he wasn't that keen on history, languages, or anything else much.

So nobody is more surprised than he is at having written a novel set in history, and dabbling in linguistics.

Genealogical research led him to begin writing an online biography of his grandfather Frank Kingdon-Ward; an explorer who wrote 25 published books. That project is currently undergoing major revision, but it did lead to Oliver's first paid writing commission.

A 1,200 word biography of Frank for The Great Explorers (Thames and Hudson)

Oliver's first self published book was "Time Tunnel to Londinium" which he first published on Blurb before creating a Kindle edition and then Createspace.

There are now five "Time Tunnel" books, the others being "Londinium Revisited", "Time Tunnel at the Seaside", "Time Tunnel to West Leighton", and "Time Tunnel to Ironbridge"

All these are published under the pen name "Olli Tooley" because they are aimed at younger readers than the Wise Oak series.

Also written under the Olli Tooley name are the Animal Intelligence Services books featuring Felix Whiter, a cool cat who always gets his man ... or tortoise. It is a sort of spoof of a mixture of James Bond, and detective shows. "For Cats' Eyes Only", "Dr Gnaw", and "You Only Live Nine Times" are already available. Works in progress are "What's Up Duck?" and "A Song of Mice and Briar." There is a strong moral running through the whole series about valuing your local library.

Children of the Wise Oak took around eight years from conception to realisation, however most of that time was inactivity due to self doubt. The sequel Women of the Wise Oak followed in 2017, and then Men of the Wise Oak in 2019.

Oliver has been a private hire driver, an office furniture fitter, and a shop assistant, among other things. He was also the lead singer in a Led Zeppelin tribute band and briefly with Martin Murray's The Honeycombs. Now he runs Blue Poppy Publishing, publishing local authors and writing his own books. He has presented local radio but is now more often found running D&D games. He lives in Devon with his wife and four children.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
140 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's historical fiction engaging, with one review highlighting its mystical elements and accurate portrayal of Celtic druid events. Moreover, the characters are interesting, and customers appreciate the writing style, describing it as simplistic and easy to follow.

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Story qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting style
9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical fiction elements of the book, with one review highlighting its mysticism and smooth flow, while another appreciates how it incorporates various Celtic druid events and provides latitude in interpreting myths.

"This is a great historical fiction story. Characters are well developed, it's well written (few typos, etc) and easy to read...." Read more

"...Yes, there is much latitude in interpreting Celtic myths and I can't deny the author his take...." Read more

"...The characters were interesting and the story was a great beginning to what I hope to be a great series...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of ancient tales of history and stories of old...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one mentioning it provides great entertainment.

"The writing is simplistic (good) and easy to follow...." Read more

"...and the story was a great beginning to what I hope to be a great series...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of ancient tales of history and stories of old...." Read more

"...The story flowed smoothly. A fantastic read. Pick up your own copy." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book very interesting.

"This is a great historical fiction story. Characters are well developed, it's well written (few typos, etc) and easy to read...." Read more

"...This one did not disappoint. The characters were interesting and the story was a great beginning to what I hope to be a great series...." Read more

"...The characters were very interesting as were the travels and places." Read more

"...The story had potential, the characters were okay, the setting was both rich and believable for the most part. But the writing was just lifeless...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it simplistic and easy to follow, with one customer noting there are few typos.

"...Characters are well developed, it's well written (few typos, etc) and easy to read...." Read more

"The writing is simplistic (good) and easy to follow...." Read more

"...And when I finished the authors explanation of the book made perfect sense. I am mostly a free book reader, BUT I am buying the next one!" Read more

"...It was well written for what it was. Mostly it was some Celtic boys do stuff that's interesting but what was the main story point ?..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Croitiene ganMoryn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Children of the Wise Oak
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a great historical fiction story. Characters are well developed, it's well written (few typos, etc) and easy to read. I love reading about the Celts in the Iron Age and Mr. Tooley does a wonderful job as a story teller.

    A family is reunited only to be torn apart by devious political dealings. The 3 sons flee to their newly-found paternal grandfather who begins their training in the magical arts and leads them to embark on a path to train with the mysterious Deru-Weidi in Pretan and Gaul. Their mother and sister had already begun their journey to alert the tribal chiefs of the encroaching Romans.

    The story develops as the family and friends progress in their travels and come face to face with Roman authority.

    I can't wait to read the next book! Thank you Mr. Tooley and Amazon!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Barbara T. Ryan
    4.0 out of 5 stars The writing is simplistic (good) and easy to follow
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The writing is simplistic (good) and easy to follow. The plot is somewhat unbelievable: I would have been happier with less fantasy in relation to the Celtic abilities (animal transformations, dragons et al) and more emphasis on how the Celts implemented their beliefs in real time. Granted, this might not have provided as much drama, but would be more educational. Yes, there is much latitude in interpreting Celtic myths and I can't deny the author his take. I enjoyed the tale and will probably pass this book on to my 12 y/o grandson gladly.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Wanda W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Storyteller's Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have a special affinity for druid/pagan stories. This one did not disappoint. The characters were interesting and the story was a great beginning to what I hope to be a great series. The main characters, both male and female were strong and even though the 3 brothers were young they show the potential to be strong and confident. I especially like that a big part of their training was memorizing their cultural history, and who doesn't like magic that can change one into an animal!?
    One person found this helpful
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  • Char
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ancient History
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of ancient tales of history and stories of old. The characters were very interesting as were the travels and places.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of the Roman invasion
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Told from the point of view of 3 young Celtics, this is the story of the beginning of the Roman invasion. Magic & mysticism surround the telling of the story. It starts out a little slow & not quite sure where we are, but picks up speed & leaves you wanting to know what happens next. I will definitely read the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • jzk
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ollie, fire your editor
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This story has the beginnings of a good story but the grammar and sentence structure grates on my brain. Please do find a better editor. I will read on with hope.
    One person found this helpful
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  • WMurphy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A great blend of fiction and Celtic history. The story flowed smoothly. A fantastic read. Pick up your own copy.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Time from a different perspective
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    History is written by the conquerors. If you don't scribe history you are doubly lost. A great entertainment read. Identifies various ce!tic druids events.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • R J DOCKETT
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good Story.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed Children of the Wise Oak, there has been a lot of research done to get the setting and actions of the characters right, and the story has the feel of the times. There is a fair bit of what we would call magic but its inclusion doesn’t jar, it feels as natural as breathing for the characters and because of that fits into the tale perfectly.
    And the tale itself is a good one, coming of age, preserving your culture against a potential threat, banding together for the common good, all these themes are well explored.
    And if you get a bit stuck on the names and places, there’s a useful glossary at the back.
    This is the first volume of a proposed series; the next one is eagerly awaited here, I’ll certainly be getting a copy.
    Report
  • Vicki-Author
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The word 'awesome' has become trivialized and virtually meaningless of late, but I use it sincerely; I really am in awe of this writer.
    Particularly for the enormous amount of research he must have done to authenticate to details of the people, locations, and the story.
    In addition, it is so refreshing to discover a writer knows how to use the English language properly so that I could refrain from tearing my hair out over the dreadful mayhem so many independent writers make of it. I might have have given 5 stars for that alone
    The characters all have unique, well-defined characteristics and the plot is excellent with a good balance of personal problems, mishaps, and adventures.
    Although I received a free copy of this novel for an honest revue, I am pulling no punches here.
    When does the next episode come out?
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  • Eric Klingenberg
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great historical story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A lot of positive things can be said about this book. The story is great and the characters likable if somewhat confused in places. The setting is 2nd to none the author has obviously done his research and no one could criticize his historical knowledge. For me the book fell down a bit with writing style. This is very much a personal opinion and others may have loved this. For me there was far too much telling of the plot rather than showing. I like my stories and characters to unfold before my eye, not be told every aspect at break neck speed.
    Don’t let that put you off I would recommend it and will be buying the next installment.
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  • Lacigam
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed
    Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Huge fan of History, ancient history... Druids, all the old Gods, so i really enjoyed reading this book - a mixture of history and fantasy, it is perfect as an introduction to what i hope will be a trilogy. AS a previous reviewer said, the characters are compelling and can be irritating at times.. but hey... no one is perfect :P Would recommend this to Tweens, teens and adults
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  • Janet
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written coming of age story for readers old and young
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a beautifully written 'coming of age' story. The book cleverly blends historical fiction and fantasy, giving it a wide appeal. As an historian, I appreciated the depth and accuracy of the research. The reader can appreciate Celtic Britain as it is brought to life in an understated way. As a writer, I appreciated the use of language and the way that the story flowed. This is volume one of a series. Children of the Wise Oak was satisfyingly complete in itself, yet it made me keen to read the subsequent volumes. As an 'old adult' I would encourage readers of more mature years not to be put off by the suggestion that this is a book that it is aimed at younger readers.
    Report

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