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Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere: A magical fantasy adventure (Book 1) Paperback – September 27, 2014

by Bernice Fischer (Author)

4.6 118 ratings

Book 1 of 4: Jeff MaDISoN

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A magical fantasy adventure. What if there existed a dark kingdom forged on a web of evil spells, with a conniving king plotting to infiltrate the dreams of children all over the world? What if he and the wicked witch on his side could inject the sleep of every child with the most horrid of nightmares, and all they needed was one very particular boy? When Jeff’s brother Matt is captured and spirited away to the kingdom of Drakmere, Jeff knows he must save him. But who are the mysterious, cloaked strangers on Matt’s trail? And what do they mean when they say Matt is a dream catcher? Soon Jeff faces a choice: He can follow the strangers through the moonglow doorway into the perils of Drakmere or stay at home and risk the possibility of never seeing his brother alive again. Time is running out, because Jeff must make his choice before the last of the moonbeams passes and the doorway closes forever …

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fischer's young adult magical fantasy adventure novel packs quite a punch. There's plenty of action and hijinks to keep younger audiences engaged. Once she puts the pedal to the metal, it's a rip-roaring ride to the finish. There are twists, turns, and flat out shocks that will keep many glued to the story. While the story has darker elements, the author has sprinkled in flashes of humor that will have children giggling, easing the tension and making the story a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Courtesy of SPR Bestseller Book Reviews

The author has done a marvelous job developing her characters, giving everyone a voice of their own. The interaction of the characters is often humorous and the dialogue helps bring each character to life. Even the bad guys shine in such a way that one cringes when they are in a scene, but it adds to the fun and heightens the anticipation of what's going to happen next. Courtesy of SPR Bestseller Book Reviews

Her descriptive and imaginative writing whisks the reader out of the comfort of their homes into the magical world of Drakmere, where one finds a dragon, an evil witch, a dastardly king, warriors, dream catchers, and terrifying creatures called Shimmers.2015 Voice Arts Awards Nominee "Best Voiceover" In the audio book version, Matt Wolfe, the narrator, does an excellent job of creating voices for all the characters. This audio book will delight families and may transform bedtime stories for parents and children. Courtesy of SPR Bestseller Book Reviews

Don't be surprised if you hear, "Just one more chapter" and not just from the children. The ending is a race to the finish and will leave many breathless.
Your adventure awaits, readers. Don't miss out on this imaginative and exhilarating story. And one can only hope that the next installment in the series will be out soon. Highly recommended." Courtesy of SPR Bestseller Book Reviews

From the Author

2015 Voice Arts Awards Nominee "Best Voiceover" Audiobook Narration. "Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere" is a fantasy story about a 12 year old boy hero, trapped in the magical world of Drakmere with a conniving king, an evil witch, Sandustian warriors and a flying fire spitting dragon, trying to rescue his younger brother. Soon Jeff faces a choice: he can go through the Moonglow doorway into the perils of Drakmere or stay at home and risk the possibility of never seeing his brother again. Time is running out and Jeff must make his choice before the last of the moonbeams passes and the doorway closes forever...

From the Inside Flap

This is for each one of you. Meet me at the big tree at the Dreamland gates. Adventure awaits!

From the Back Cover

What if there existed a dark kingdom forged on a web of evil spells, with a conniving king plotting to infiltrate the dreams of children all over the world? What if he and the wicked witch on his side could inject the sleep of every child with the most horrid of nightmares, and all they needed was one very particular boy? When Jeff's brother Matt is captured and spirited away to the kingdom of Drakmere, Jeff knows he must save him. But who are the mysterious, cloaked strangers on Matt's trail? And what do they mean when they say Matt is a dream catcher? Soon Jeff faces a choice: He can follow the strangers through the moonglow doorway into the perils of Drakmere or stay at home and risk the possibility of never seeing his brother alive again. Time is running out, because Jeff must make his choice before the last of the moonbeams passes and the doorway closes forever ...

About the Author

Bernice grew up reading all sorts of books and believes that the best stories happen in books as they so rarely happen in real life, for they allow you to enter a world of fantasy and imagination needed to survive the reality of today. Bernice likes to laugh, and hopes that her readers enjoy a good breeze of humor, for her books are written with an impish, yet barely-suppressed humor that peeks out at odd moments. Finding voices for her book's characters is one of the most inspiring events Bernice experiences as a writer. She believes that the magic of dialogue can sweep readers away from their everyday lives, transporting them through time and space to a kingdom she has created. The talented voice actor, Matt Wolfe, narrator of her audiobook, has given each character a different voice, thereby creating a movie in the listener's head. Bernice's descriptive writing style, compelling dialogue and riveting action make this book "a page turner" "a must read" for fans of young adult fantasy, adults and children alike!To learn more about her books go to: BerniceFischer.com

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bernice Fischer; 1st edition (September 27, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 279 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0620615540
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0620615549
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years, from customers
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.09 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.6 118 ratings

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Bernice Fischer

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Best-selling Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Author, 2015 & 2016 Voice Arts® Awards Nominee "Best Voiceover" Audiobook narration (Jeff Madison, Book 1 & 2). http://sovas.org/

Bernice grew up in South Africa reading all sorts of books and believes that the best stories happen in books as they so rarely happen in real life, for they allow you to enter a world of fantasy and imagination needed to survive the reality of today.

She likes to laugh, and hopes that her readers enjoy a good breeze of humor, for her books are written with an impish, yet barely-suppressed humor that peeks out at odd moments. Finding voices for her book's characters is one of the most inspiring events Bernice experiences as a writer. She believes that the magic of dialogue can sweep readers away from their everyday lives, transporting them through time and space to a kingdom she has created.

The talented voice actor, Matt Wolfe, narrator of her 2015 & 2016 Voice Arts® Awards nominated audiobooks, has given each character a different voice, thereby creating a movie in the listener's head.

Bernice's descriptive writing style, compelling dialogue and riveting action, make her books "page turners" "a must read" for fans of young adult fantasy, adults and children alike!

More about Bernice Fischer at http://BerniceFischer.com

*********************

5 Stars, Courtesy of SPR Best Seller Reviews

Bernice Fischer’s book "Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere" will cast a spell over people of all ages.

Jeff and Matt Madison think they are normal boys, but they aren’t. When Jeff’s younger brother is whisked away to the kingdom of Drakmere, Jeff knows he has to save Matt. Two cloaked strangers offer their help and tell Jeff and Jeff’s best friend Rhed to leave the rescuing to them. Jeff and Rhed make a split-second decision to enter the moonglow doorway. Can the cloaked strangers save the two boys and rescue Matt from the wicked witch and king of Drakmere?

Fischer’s young adult magical fantasy adventure novel packs quite a punch. There’s plenty of action and hijinks to keep younger audiences engaged. Once she puts the pedal to the metal, it’s a rip-roaring ride to the finish. There are twists, turns, and flat out shocks that will keep many glued to the story. While the story has darker elements, the author has sprinkled in flashes of humor that will have children giggling, easing the tension and making the story a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

The author has done a marvelous job developing her characters, giving everyone a voice of their own. The interaction of the characters is often humorous and the dialogue helps bring each character to life. Even the bad guys shine in such a way that one cringes when they are in a scene, but it adds to the fun and heightens the anticipation of what’s going to happen next.

Her descriptive and imaginative writing whisks the reader out of the comfort of their homes into the magical world of Drakmere, where one finds a dragon, an evil witch, a dastardly king, Sandustian warriors with purple eyes, dream catchers, and terrifying creatures called Shimmers. And Fischer isn’t afraid to use words that may be unfamiliar to young readers, but she does so adeptly, helping to expand the audience’s vocabulary in a way that children don’t even realize their learning.

In the audio book version, Matt Wolfe, the narrator, does an excellent job of creating voices for all the characters, adding to their development and enhancing the overall experience. With his narration and Fischer’s storytelling abilities, this audio book will delight families and may transform bedtime stories for parents and children. Don’t be surprised if you hear, “Just one more chapter” and not just from the children. The ending is a race to the finish and will leave many breathless.

Moonlit beams and sun-kissed dreams

Await you in dreamland,

Meet me at the big green tree,

We’ll go hand in hand.

But if I’m late and you get scared,

Mischief runs amok,

Raise your voice, stamp your foot and shout

Smok, Smok, Smok

Your adventure awaits, readers. Don’t miss out on this imaginative and exhilarating story by Bernice Fischer. And one can only hope that the next installment in the series will be out soon.

Highly recommended."

5 Stars, Courtesy of SPR Best Seller Reviews

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

118 global ratings

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Kieran Hair

A Truly Magical Fantasy Adventure with Equally Magical Characters

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2015

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What do you get when you combine Labyrinth, The Wizard of Oz, and Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series? Probably something similar to Bernice Fischer’s “Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere.” This book is, as the subtitle suggests, a truly magical fantasy adventure in which young Jeff Madison enters a magical realm known as Drakmere and attempts to save his little brother, Matt, from a host of evil characters including a wicked witch. And to do so, he needs the help of characters such as Madgwick, a Sandman who comes across as something of a Clarence-style guardian angel character.

In case you can’t tell from that last sentence, there’s a lot of humor in this book. Jeff is the type of 12-year-old you often see in adventure movies, inexperienced yet brave, and possessed of the sort of sarcastic wit befitting a much older hero. Even after seeing such fantastical sights as his brother disappearing through a glass door, he struggles at first to accept the reality of the world he has entered into. His initial sense of disbelief helps to draw the character in slowly, accepting the world of Drakmere at the same pace as its hero.

As we learn more about the world of Drakmere, we also meet characters such as Angie the witch, Gwyndion the Sandustian warrior, and of course Madgwick. These are only a few of the characters who make appearances of varying lengths in Fischer’s well-crafted fantasy adventure, aimed at young adults but accessible to older readers who enjoy the wonder that comes with exploring new worlds populated by interesting characters such as these.

As Jeff, his friend Rhed, and their new friends in Drakmere try to stop the evil king from ruining the dream world for children all across the Earth realm, the reader is treated to a delightful dream world crafted by an extremely talented author. And, as a strange moment involving the character of Thirza seems to suggest near the end, this will likely not be the last time we are able to embark on such an adventure.

3 people found this helpful

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John H. Manhold

Captivatingly written children/teen book even sophisticated readers can appreciate.

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2015

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Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmore, Quickfox Publishing, is a Magical Fantasy Adventure in e-book format by Bernice Fischer.
Jeff, his six-year old brother Matt and his best pal Rhed are playing in the dense and somewhat forbidding forest when he suddenly feels icy fingers against his neck. He discovers they extend from a billowing mist gradually attempting to surround them. He shouts "RUN!" and, grabbing his brother's arm they head for home. Matt stumbles, taking them both down. Jeff scrambles to his knees, sees the mist enveloping his brother, tries to get to him, but is hit by Rhed as he comes storming past so they both are thrown through the mist. Rhed retrieves the half comatose Matt on the side of the mist close to home. Jeff is blocked, so tells them to head for home and he rushes back into the forest following a circuitous path that allows him to avoid the mist and also reach home. In the ensuing days Matt develops a strange unawareness of his surroundings, ultimately disappears completely and we are introduced to this world of magical fantasy.
Provision of further specifics would serve only to detract from a story by an author who has the ability to weave a most enthralling tale. A story replete with memories from one's childhood - a magnificent castle but still containing horrible dungeons, witches, good as well as wicked who even can modernize a proverbial broom stick, magical spells, dream-catchers, Shimmers of Darkness that can find ways to induce children's' nightmares, warriors who children refer to as `the sandman' who guard against and destroy Shimmers, and a huge and horrible dragon that just happens to be `a good guy'.
Conclusion: Granted this is a genre I do not often read. However, this quite literally is the most completely readable I have encountered. It is a children/teen's book probably so captivatingly written as to elicit sufficient nostalgia even in the most sophisticated. As such, even they might enjoy reading it to and with their children who hopefully have not yet absorbed too much from the disturbing influences so abundantly assailing young people today.

One person found this helpful

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Veritas Vincit

Enjoyable for Both Young and Old Lovers of Fantasy!

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2015

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As any author of YA fiction and fantasy knows, creating a great story is only half the battle. Introducing memorable and entertaining characters that can carry a plot from start to finish is the other half of the equation. Series like Harry Potter were blessed with amazing plots and stunning characters, and while I am not putting Fischer's work in that echelon, I am saying that the balance of intriguing story lines and engaging characters is done quite well in this book. Despite being "far" from a teenager, I can still appreciate a good turn of phrase, and Fischer's somewhat off-kilter or non-traditional writing style made me want to read every line. Perhaps being a foreign author gives her a slightly different take on the English language, and the wordplay and dialogue is very evident of that. Instead of detracting, this actually enhances the experience, and makes readers connect with different characters and find comfort in their child-like, yet oddly mature, personalities.

The relationship between Jeff and Matt, which is at the core of the rescue quest, is pure and well-written, but the author never tries to drown readers in sentimentality. There is a lot of familial love and friendship mentions throughout the book, but Fischer prefers to show, not tell, which is one of the most important qualities in a writer. I think the classic nature of the plot originally worried me (as though this would be just another fantasy adventure), but the complexity with which it develops, complemented by a truly great cast of supporting characters, makes Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere an immediate hit. Nicely done.

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Top reviews from other countries

Marta Cheng

Casts a Magical Spell on All Those Who Read It

Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2015

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Let’s be honest here. As kids, we’ve all dreamt of going on an adventure at one time or another – and I don’t mean the kind where Mom and Dad pack up the car and we all head to Disney World (although that would’ve been great, too!). The type of adventure I’m referring to is the kind where your twelve-year-old alter ego is on a perilous mission to the Amazon rainforest to rescue the family pet abducted by a bunch of crazy monkeys or you’re about to attack a shipful of pirates to rescue a Spanish galleon full of gold coins and other treasures. Many of us have dreamt about these kinds of adventures and more often than not, they were usually fuelled by a great book we had just read or a movie we watched. Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere is just the kind of perfect book to fuel limitless adventures in the minds of both young and old.

Jeff Madison’s six-year-old brother, Matt, has a spell cast on him by the mist in the forest while he’s playing there with Jeff and his brother’s friend which leaves Matt in almost a catatonic state afterwards. Jeff deliberates whether to tell his mother what had happened but decides against it. Jeff’s mother puts Matt in Jeff’s temporary care one afternoon when she goes to visit an aunt to discuss her youngest son’s worrisome state, but Matt is soon snatched through the Moonglow Door and is taken away to the Kingdom of Drakmere. Resplendent with some colorful characters like the evil king, a wicked witch, dragons and a host of other characters, Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere has plenty of magic and adventure as Jeff races to his little brother’s rescue. The author, Bernice Fischer, weaves a delightful tale, highlighted with just the right amount of adjectives and descriptive prose that will be sure to cast its magical spell on all who read it – both young and old.

2 people found this helpful

Tony Paylor

Gripping !!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2015

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This book is suitable for the young and not-so-young alike. Bernice has skilfully woven a world of fantasy adventure in the kingdom of Drakmere. The characters are interesting and I loved the plot. It has everything you can imagine in a fantasy story, witches, wizard, dragons and magic. This exciting adventure is about Jeff, who is a dream catcher, searching for his brother Matt. Bernice Fischer did a fantastic job in creating a fantasy tale and I am a fan of her style of writing and vivid imagination. Eagerly waiting for her next creation.

One person found this helpful

zoey victoria

Great story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2015

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I love YA fantasy books. There are many original story lives out there and mostly child-friendly material. This one here is a winner. "Jeff Madison and the shimmers of darkmere". With elements of fantasy, magic, mystery, adventure, its a fun read. The story of a n evil king whose plot involves entering into the dreams of children from earth. Jeff a dream catcher, ends up saving his brother. A wonderful story that took me on an adventure journey. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rina Emily

Yet to feel the remaining suspense.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2015

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I love to drown in fiction if it could draw my interest in its very few pages and this one did. Bernice fischer's work on this book is really fascinating and definitely impressed my thoughts for a while (Until I read so far). But I can say with no doubt, that it is a top notch classic tale.

JenMedBookLover

and I'm a good few years past child or YA now

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2015

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I don't usually read books in this genre, and I'm a good few years past child or YA now, but I don't think this matters. This is an entertaining read and I couldn't help finding Angie and Madgwick somewhat endearing. Definitely good for children and adults alike.

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