Review/The Jumper Chronicles by W.C. Peever

Charlie is an awkward twelve-year old living a normal life till he is abducted and thrust into a world of ever-looming danger, a world of Magic, of Angry Gods, and Creatures that are should only exist inside of fairytales. 

Charlie and his three friends must unravel the mysteries of their new found abilities, save the father Charlie has never known, and uncover a secret that will change their lives forever. (Publisher's summary from Goodreads)

Peever's does an amazing job building his new fantasy series through a combination of myths and legends including Norse Gods, Celtic Druids, and Merlin. And while many readers will see some similarities to Hogworts in the setting of Thornfield School, and to Peever's characters, Charlie, Bailey, and Mick, the story is quite original in its complex and highly developed plot. 

The story places Charlie Burrow at the center of the action. Raise by his mother after his father’s disappearance Charlie and his life long friend, Bailey, whose father also disappeared are Quilted (a form of teleportation) to Thornfield School where they find that they each have inherited a special ability. Charlie, like his father, is able to jump between nine different worlds and dimensions; a rare talent and one that is important to both the forces of good and evil. Bailey has a talent for telekinesis, and their new friend Mick is a Guardian. Together they are searching for Merlin's Map in effort to located powerful crystals hidden long ago by Merlin in an effort to save Midgard (the human world). This brief summary is no where near as comprehensive or begins to touch the surface of the complexity of Peever's plot, but it is this complexity, the fast-paced action, and the world building that makes this book an exciting and engaging new fantasy. 

Peever adds to his complex plot some wonderful and diverse characters.  Charlie, Bailey and Mick are just as endearing as Harry, Hermione, and Ron, and as strongly teamed as Percy, Annabeth and Grover. There is also a werecat named Joelle, who provides a lot of important background, Lord Grayson, the school headmaster and shape-shifter, and a host of other secondary characters that help provides various conflicts and obstacles for Charlie and his friends to overcome.

With such a well-executed plot, relatable and endearing characters; lots of action, magic, myth, and lore, The Jumper Chronicles Quest for Merlin’s Map offers fantasy lovers a strong start to what is sure to be a brilliant new fantasy series.

Source: Received copy for review from publisher