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Compelling Adventure
Mirror Tree follows four siblings who uncover family secrets as they fight to decipher an ancient prophecy that predicts a devastating war. Where did the idea for this second book in the series come from?
Mirror Tree is a natural progression of the story that began in Drifters Realm that finds the four siblings fighting against time and their Uncle Zane and his Guardians to save their world from destruction. The ideas for Mirror Tree came from a few different places. First and foremost, I wanted to continue and expand upon the compelling adventure by raising the stakes and keeping readers intrigued by the plot twists and turns.
Secondly, the storyline required the characters to evolve from where we left them in the first book, which opened the door for all sorts of mischief from every angle. Finally, there are countless books I’ve read throughout my life that left me wanting to explore themes and ideas that would fit well within the world I’ve created.
Do you have a favorite character in this series? Is there one that is especially fun to write for?
This is a difficult question to answer because I truly enjoy writing the scenes and dialogue between Ori and Tora, and Ori and Hao. That being said, Seth is my favorite character for a few reasons; mainly because he is misunderstood and quite possibly more powerful than the four siblings realize up to this point. In some ways, Seth is the most vulnerable underneath his standoffish exterior, and at the same time, the most willing to risk it all because of his friendship with Roe. Seth is a bit of an enigma—he doesn’t seem to bond with anyone other than Roe, and yet at the same time, he cares deeply as a Navigator about what happens in Drifters Realm.
What were some books or movies that you think were your main sources of inspiration for your writing?
I’ve always been a huge fan of books over movies. When it comes to books, authors like J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Victoria Aveyard, Luanne G. Smith, and C.S. Lewis have inspired me. Another huge source of inspiration comes from growing up in a neighborhood full of kids who played outdoors endlessly creating our own adventures. My trips to Disneyland have also inspired me. All these things together are the driving force behind my inspiration to world-build Drifters Realm and create the Shadow Stone, Mirror Tree, and Ghost of Ruin, as well as expand upon the Desolation Mountains, Sleeping Giants, Impossible Lake, and other places found throughout Mirror Tree.
Can you give fans a peek inside Book 3 in the Drifters Realm series?
In glimpsing ahead to Book 3, the peril intensifies as the siblings struggle to stop Zane’s plans while solving the rest of the prophecy. To do this, the siblings must cross the Unchartered Territory, discover what is poisoning the benevolent Guardians, uncover who is betraying them, and find the mysterious Blue Wall. The siblings must trust each other to save their world against all odds and to protect Hallows Realm, UnKnown Realm, and TimeLess Realm from their same fate.
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In Mirror Tree, book two of the Drifters Realm fantasy adventure series, twelve-year-old triplets Ori, Roe, and Tora, along with their older brother Theo, must trust their unpredictable magic and each other. Together, they attempt to stop the Guardians, whose supernatural powers are controlled by their uncle, First City Leader Zane. He is determined to steal Ori’s Sorcerer Obligation and impose his oppressive rule beyond their realm.
As peril intensifies, the lines between right and wrong blur and the siblings fight to stay one step ahead of danger. They traverse through forests, deserts, caves, and swamps with the assistance of Ori and Roe’s ancient rings, their friends, and the outcast teenagers known as the Menace. In Mirror Tree, AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia continues the compelling story of survival and the power of friendship and family.
Mirror Tree
In Mirror Tree, the second book of AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia’s Drifters Realm series, readers are plunged back into a world of magical intrigue and high-stakes adventure. This fantasy tale centers around four siblings – Life Giver Roe, Sorcerer Ori, Tamer Theo, and Storm Catcher Tora – each gifted with a magical backpack and bound together by a destiny far greater than they could have imagined. The story unfolds as the siblings race against time to decipher an ancient prophecy predicting a devastating uprising and war. Their journey is fraught with challenges, from unlocking a mysterious box to facing the enigmatic Ghost of Ruin. As they delve deeper, they uncover family secrets that are intrinsically linked to their quest for the Shadow Stone and Mirror Tree, elements crucial to the salvation of their mystical world, Drifter’s Realm.
Gouveia’s skill in weaving this tale is evident on every page, making the reader’s journey alongside the characters deeply engaging and remarkably vivid. The characters themselves are a highlight of the novel. Each sibling is intricately crafted, with distinct personalities and voices that leap off the page. This deft characterization ensures that readers are not just observers but participants in the story, feeling every triumph and setback as if they were their own. Gouveia skillfully portrays the siblings’ journey through varied landscapes – from dense forests to arid deserts, mysterious caves to treacherous swamps – all while they grapple with the blurred lines of morality in the face of imminent peril.
The artwork accompanying each chapter in Mirror Tree is a delightful bonus, enriching the reader’s experience. These illustrations provide a visual depth to the narrative, making the magical world Gouveia has created even more immersive. While the series is ostensibly aimed at a younger audience, the sophistication and allure of the writing are bound to captivate adults just as easily.
Mirror Tree is a must-read for anyone seeking a fantasy series that is both absorbing and emotionally resonant. The anticipation built in the first book finds a satisfying continuation in Mirror Tree, which not only meets but exceeds expectations. Gouveia has crafted a world that is as enchanting as it is relatable, making this book a standout in its genre and a joy for readers of all ages.
Pages: 177 | ASIN : B0CQ8VV4CG
Having Exciting Adventures
Drifters Realm follows three siblings and their friends with magical abilities who are part of an ancient prophecy and must prevent an impending war. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I love stories with mystery, as well as magical elements set in strange, faraway places in different time periods where the unexpected is possible and adventure lurks around every corner. The idea came to me years ago watching my kids lug around their backpacks, making their way to school, or to a friend’s house. The thought of teenagers living together and having exciting adventures has always fascinated me. Throw in a major conflict that on the surface seems clear but when you dig deeper it’s not, and a map, because no journey is complete without one, and then add a few twists and turns, stirring in characters you can relate to, heroes and villains alike, and voila, the book Drifters Realm was born.
What was the inspiration for the culture of your characters? Is it modeled after any particular society?
Inspiration for the culture in Drifters Realm came from my desire to capture a simpler time, without electronics and technology. The culture is not modeled after any particular society of which I am aware; rather it’s an amalgamation of ideas I wanted to explore.
Adding a culture of magic was essential. It was also important to expand the cultural aspects through the names of places within the story. I had a bit of fun naming everything in Drifters Realm to instill hope—Bliss, Eden and Paradise Farms—as well as drama—Misery Mountains, Impossible Lake, Desolation Mountains—as a backdrop to the story. Although some of the geography in Drifters Realm is similar to places on the West Coast, Drifters Realm and its culture is purely a work of fiction.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Drifters Realm is essentially a story of hope, despite the drama and impending threat to the characters’ way of life. The themes of family, friendship, and overcoming adversity are essential to the story. As the plot evolves in the next two books, Drifters Realm will continue to be a story of hope, family, forgiveness, friendship, and triumphing over the impossible.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
There are three books planned for the Drifters Realm series. Be on the lookout for the second book in 2024. In the second book, pieces of the prophecy become clear, and at the same time, a mystery unfolds involving the discovery of the Shadow Stone, the Mirror Tree, and the Ghost of Ruin trapped in an underground library. Meanwhile, there is something strange going on with the powers of each character, which defies anything that has ever happened in the history of Drifters Realm. These new happenings are key to understanding why the events in Drifters Realm are taking place, and hold the answers Roe, Theo, Ori, and the others need to restore peace and harmony to Drifters Realm!
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In Drifters Realm, twelve-year-old twins Ori and Roe, along with their older brother Theo, set out on a perilous journey in search of the truth about their father and the threat posed by the Menace to their way of life. As they journey, they must decide whether to fight against each other using their powers or to join forces in order to stop Quinlan and his daughter, Tora, who seek to destroy their peaceful existence.
Along the way, they encounter conflict, twists and turns, and complex characters, both heroes and villains. With the help of their unique backpack magic, transforming into a lion, or following a glowing ring to a magical blue pool under the stars is possible. In Drifters Realm, AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia tells a compelling story of survival and the power of friendship and family.
Drifters Realm
Drifters Realm by Annemarie Mazotti Gouveia transports readers to a fantastical world steeped in ancient prophecies and extraordinary children. Twelve-year-old twins Ori and Roe are destined to prevent a future uprising and impending war. When Ori vanishes following their parents’ sudden disappearance, Roe embarks on a quest to find her brother and fulfill their shared destiny. As she searches, Roe uncovers a vast conspiracy involving the First Council and a group of outcasts known as the Menace. Joined by her friends and siblings, Roe navigates a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
A thrilling adventure for young readers and middle-graders, Drifters Realm captivates with its suspenseful plot and engaging setting, featuring forests, swamps, and other elements that make for a fascinating expedition. Set in a post-civilization world, children are separated from their parents at a certain age, and an ancient prophecy foretells of an uprising that could disrupt the established order. Armed with her magic ring and intuition, the protagonist must traverse the realm and uncover the truth.
Gouveia excels at crafting a compelling narrative, populating her story with a diverse array of unique characters, each endowed with extraordinary gifts and responsibilities. From sorcerers and life-givers to knowledge bearers and storm catchers, Drifters Realm presents a world defined by order and designated roles while also exploring themes of family and friendship. This captivating novel is easy to read and features well-structured and clearly headlined chapters that lend clarity to the scenes. The plot also develops steadily, and readers do not see the plot twist coming.
Drifters Realm by Annemarie Mazotti Gouveia is an action-packed young adult fantasy novel that takes readers on an unforgettable journey. With vivid scenery and relatable characters, this is one story that will capture the interest of readers and leave them wanting to see more of this realm.
Pages: 148 | ISBN: 1639888292
LITERARY TITAN 