Otherlen (Paperback)

Paperback. What happens when the real world and the dream world converge? Where do we really fall when we fall asleep? Kelly Adler is about to find out. Otherlen is a magical world of endless sunrises, unfathomable beauty, and perfect harmony. But hidden beneath its grandeur is an evil too terrible to imagine. No one in peaceful Otherlen could have expected the terror waiting to be unleashed upon them. And no one could have expected young Kelly Adler to be chosen to face the monster within their gates. If she fails, every human on Earth will die. But, if she succeeds, she will bring Earth and Otherlen together and restore peace in the Cosmos. Either way, she will learn that, sometimes when you think you're falling, you just learning to be free.Excerpt: Virgil sat alone atop Mount Kutsal Hara his eyes fixed on the Apex. He knew that, at any moment, Neven Daly would appear to force him through the Apex stripping him of his immortality. This was the third time he and the Maxxim had failed to see eye-to-eye. A faint swoosh broke the silence. Virgil turned to face his judge and executioner. But the man standing before him was not Neven Daly. "Virgil, isn't it?" the man asked."Who are you?" Virgil asked."I am Nederu Oalu. Surely you recognize me from the Assemblage gatherings." "I don't attend Assemblage gatherings. They are all fools." Virgil kicked at the snow. "Wait! I do know you-Nederu. You're the Inventor!" "I see my fame precedes me just as your infamy precedes you." "I've already been sentenced to return to Earth," Virgil said solemnly. "You missed your chance to heckle me at the Assemblage. Go away." "I am not here to heckle. I am here to help." "I do not desire anyone's help." "How wrong you are. Tell me, Virgil. Where is Neven Daly sending you this time? Oh, yes. I remember. In nine months, you will be born to an 18th-century Mudlark in London. How do you fancy spending your days up to your armpits in sewage, dodging dead bodies that float by and stinking of low tide as you walk home to your dusty hut? Sounds delightful." "Son of a Mudlark?" Virgil punched the palm of his hand. "Why am I never sent back to Earth as a King, a nobleman, a wealthy aristocrat? This is the worst incarnation of all. The Maxxim despises me. He seeks to humiliate me." "He seeks to humble you because he is blind to your raw potential. He does not know your true destiny." "And you do?" "Indeed. I have been watching you for some time now. What if I could offer immortality the Maxxim can never take away? You might find that interesting, I think."Virgil took a few steps toward Nederu. "You could actually do that?"Nederu smiled. "I might be persuaded to help-if you are willing to do something for me in exchange." "For the chance to gain immortality that hedge-born, simpleton can't touch? I'd do anything." "The Maxxim would have you believe this land is a gift to humans and the people here are blessed with immortality. But the true history of Otherlen began long before the first Dream Faller broke the sky. Otherlen's first people were Infinites-the indigenous of this land-my ancestors. We call them the Progenitors. They walked as gods on this mountain. They served as the protectors of Earth and the origin of all living things there. But there was a catastrophic event which compelled them to go to Earth to save the human race. In the process, the portal between Earth and Otherlen was sealed, and the Progenitors were trapped." "They- they are still on Earth? Where?"That is the question, Virgil. And that is the Quest. You must find them for me. Find them, and you will be richly rewarded. I do not merely offer you eternal immortality, but I will also give you all of these galling Dream Fallers to rule. We do not have much time. Neven Daly will arrive soon, and he will not be pleased to find me here. Do you accept my proposal?' "I accept" This item Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…