There are some lovely touches of description in Janet Beasley’s allegorical Hidden Earth, volume 1 of the Maycly trilogy. Echoes of Tolkein and C.S. Lewis abound—of Lewis Carroll too— with strangely named, child-centered creatures on a separate earth, bound to ours by angelic and demonic terrors, while a real-world woman deals with real-world issues of depression, chronic health issues, and desertion.

The mythology of this earth’s creation is filled with detail, told with weighty, sometimes lyrical prose, rich with Biblical allusion and mythical echoes. Of Maycly itself, the creator, SUL, sings “...eternal land of enchantment. You shall be My ever-after world. You shall represent the center of all My creation.”

As the story progresses, complex names begin to resound with an odd familiarity. Carbreyghal might be Gabriel, and his watching offers intriguing imagery. Readers wanting to know what a mandibleron gryphon looks like might turn the pages eagerly for another illustration. And the Irish accents of the chukkons will amuse, while fantasy torture darkens the mood.

In all, Hidden Earth offers an intriguing allegory of the Fall, wrapped up with lots of side stories, all promising to come together in the end. The end won’t come until the trilogy’s done, but there are plenty of bedtime tales to slow the evening hours in this first volume.

Disclosure: I bought this when it was free and I offer my honest review. ( )

Discover the dreams - the magic - the quest. The Hidden Earth Series is an inspirational epic fairy tale adventure suitable for the entire family. Maycly the Trilogy Part 3 ~ The Queen begins with a much needed break from the heavy-hitting action - a lighthearted chapter about Iona's childhood that leads you into "real time" on both earth and Maycly. If the past two parts raised questions, rest assured they will be answered in Part 3. Another epic battle is fought where new creatures are introduced, and the terror, passion, and determination to preserve good over evil provide adrenaline highs. More new illustrations are seen for the first time. But by no means allow yourself to think you have it all figured out, as the jaw-dropping ending will leave you wanting to know what happens next to your new found friends. Look for the answers in Hidden Earth Series Volume 2 Planet Land, coming in 2013. ( )

Discover the dreams - the magic - the quest. The Hidden Earth Series is an inspirational epic fairy tale adventure suitable for the entire family. Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy ~ Two Altered Worlds is an amazing start to an epic journey. Maycly is a world everyone longs to experience. For Iona, debilitated and left alone to fend for herself on earth, Maycly has become a fading dream. But the Grand Wizard SUL, has a special plan for Iona. Just as you are becoming acquainted with Iona, you will find yourself thrown into the past on Maycly where the stage is being set for their queen's arrival. Maycly the Trilogy Part 1 "Two Altered Worlds" ends with a great cliff hanger leading right into the next book, Part 2 of the trilogy "The Battle of Trust and Treachery." ( )