Read
all the exciting adventures of Naida in the
three books of the…
Naida’s Quest Trilogy
BOOK ONE
Gift of the Ancient Grove
(ISBN 1-4137-1814-0)
BOOK TWO
Beyond the Red Mountains
(ISBN 1-4137-4668-3)
Winner of the 2005 Allbooks Review Editor's Choice Award
BOOK THREE
The Hidden Forest
(ISBN: 1-4241-3230-4 )
Books can be ordered through:
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.amazon.com
www.publishamerica.com
Books can be purchased at these locations:
Barnes and Noble, Roseville, Ca.
The Book Seller, Grass Valley, Ca.
See reviews at:
www.allbooksreviews.com
www.blether.com
Author Ken Ramirez kramirez@nuhsd.k12.ca.us |
THE NAIDA'S QUEST TRILOGY
Book One-Gift of the Ancient Grove
Book Two-Beyond the Red Mountains (2005 Editor's Choice Award)
Book Three-The Hidden Forest 
 
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Her mother was quickly becoming one of the strongest healers of the Ancient Grove, her father the most apt at bringing in the injured woodland creatures of the Forgotten Basin. A queen from a distant land of humans sought their aid in stopping a plague in the Golden Empire. They left...never to return, leaving their daughter, Naida, to be raised by her village of gnomes.
Gnomes are usually born as twins, but Naida was born an only child...possessing twice the healing powers. The elders of the village want Naida to take her place amongst the women, but Naida has other ideas...she wants to Quest, a practice reserved for the men of the Ancient Grove. In the light of an autumn moon she sets off with her good friend, Randin, and her pet lynx, Mikki, on an exciting adventure into the world of trolls, sprites, and woodland elves.
"...and that ends the story of the Lord of the Rings."
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Pup?"
"Write me a story."
"A story? Write you a story about what?"
"About gnomes, Daddy--there aren't any good stories about gnomes."
That autumn night of 1998 I sat down and began what turned into three novels about the adventures of Naida the gnome.
And then...the Quest began! With no intention of publishing, my community took over and here I am with Gift of the Ancient Grove being sold, Book Two-Beyond the Red Mountains, in publication, and Book Three-The Hidden Forest is complete and awaiting its moment.
ENJOY THE QUEST!!!!!!!!!!! |
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www.ALLBOOKSREVIEWS.com
 Can't Wait for the next book in the series!, February 22, 2005
Genre: Children's Fiction
Gift of the Ancient Grove
AUTHOR: KEN RAMIREZ
Gift of the Ancient Grove is book one of the Naida's Quest Trilogy and this reviewer can't wait to read book two. Author Ken Ramirez has a fanciful, imaginative writing style that enchants the reader and draws them into the world of gnomes, fairies and elves.
The story opens with Mesha and Dora, two healer gnomes saving the life of a comical newt. Bristo, Zern and Rondo, three male gnomes are attempting to help an elk that wants no part of their antics. The gnomes are the healers of the forest creatures and most valuable to the lives of all who live there. Far away, a beautiful Queen and a handsome King fear for the lives of their people who are dying of a mysterious illness. The Queen travels to the village of the gnomes and asks for help.
No story is complete without the evil witch and Celina the dark maiden is indeed evil. She plots with the trolls to take over the kingdom and captures the gnomes to do her bidding. Mesha and Bristo's daughter, Naida is the most powerful healer amongst the gnomes. She goes on a quest in search of her parents. Accompanied by her lynx, Mikki and her best friend, Randin she sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. The settings are quaint and described in enchanting detail. The characters are loveable and comical.
Author, Ken Ramirez' special talent for story telling shines brightly throughout this whimsical novel. Illustrations contributed by Boni Metcalf and the author, sprinkled throughout, add interest to the chapters. Children of all ages will love the colorful characters and the vivid imagery of Gift of the Ancient Grove. Allbooks Reviews highly recommends this book for any family, school or community library. To repeat, this reviewer can't wait to continue the quest.
Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
Title: Gift of the Ancient Grove
Author: Ken Ramirez
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 1-4137-1814-0
Pages: 184
Price: $16.95 |
www.allbooksreviews.com www.allbooksreviews.ca
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Title: Beyond the Red Mountains Book Two of the Naida’s Quest Trilogy
AUTHOR: Ken Ramirez
Hayden, a young princess of the wood elves, begins a dangerous journey that almost ends her life. Be it luck or fate, Naida and Randin, along with Mikki, Naida’s pet lynx, find her mortally wounded and with their healing skills, bring Hayden back to health. Naida, and Randin, gnomes from the other side of the mountains, are on a quest to find Naida’s parents, but take it upon themselves to return Hayden to her home and family. This seemingly simple task becomes an adventure beyond their wildest dreams and beyond their limited experience with the outside world. They encounter trolls and humans, sprites and dwarves in situations that challenge their knowledge and skills, but they meet each new challenge with the exuberance of youth, winning the hearts of readers of all ages.
This beautifully crafted tale was written by Ken Ramirez, author of Gift of the Ancient Grove, his first in this series. Vivid descriptions of characters and settings, of battles and near escapes allow the reader to experience this story as though part of the little band that travels the Red Mountains. Detailed illustrations, by Boni Metcalf, grace the beginning of each chapter.
I highly recommend this book to all readers who love the fantasy world of fairies, gnomes and trolls, though it is of an appropriate reading level for children ages 8 to 12 years. This is also an excellent story for young readers who are thwarted by the massive volumes of other modern fantasies. Beyond The Red Mountains is just the right length to keep the reader riveted to its pages and eager, as I am, to read about Naida and Randin’s next adventures.
Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews
Title: Beyond the Red Mountains Book Two of the Naida’s Quest Triogy
Author: Ken Ramirez
Publisher: PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1-4137-4668-3
Pages: 167
Price:
Genre: Children's Fiction
Title: The Hidden Forest
AUTHOR: Ken Ramirez
The Hidden Forest, final segment of the Naida’s Quest Trilogy finds Naida, the young gnome with incredible healing powers, Randin, her good friend, and the elf princess, Hayden, enjoying a much needed rest in Silverwood. Silverwood is Hayden’s home, safe haven for the three travelers. But war between the humans and trolls is eminent and now that spring has arrived, they must continue their quest.
Naida desperately wants to find her parents and she truly believes that they are being held captive by the evil Celina. That means just one thing, that they must venture into the human world in search of the healing gnomes that have been long been the subject of rumors throughout the kingdoms. The dangers that these brave, young characters have previously faced are nothing compared to what they must now confront. But they will have the help of many throughout the elfin world, for the many kingdoms must come together to stop the trolls from doing Celina’s bidding.
Author, Ken Ramirez, has again filled the pages of this last book of his trilogy, with incredible characters, excitement, fear and joy. He continues to write with such vibrant detail that the reader becomes one with the travelers, creeping silently though the troll caverns, crossing swift flowing rivers on rotting tree trunks or marching along sun dappled forest paths. This story will capture the imagination of all the young readers who open the cover and venture inside.
I am pleased to recommend The Hidden Forest to all fantasy enthusiasts both young and young at heart.
Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews
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