The Path Of Destiny

The Cremelino Prophecy Book 1

Young Adult - Fantasy - General
312 Pages
Reviewed on 02/25/2016
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Author Biography

Mike was born in California and has lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. He cannot remember a time when he wasn't reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when he just couldn't put that great book down). Though he has read all sorts of genres he has always been drawn to fantasy. It is his way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women.

Other than reading, Mike has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina. From the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Mike has appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. He also enjoys hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. He has a lovely wife who has always supported him, and three beautiful children who have been the center of his life.

Mike began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in his early adult years. He has worked in corporate finance for most of his career. That, along with spending time with his wonderful family and obligations at church has made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as his children have become older he has returned to doing what he truly enjoys - writing!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In a great new entry into the popular genre of young adult fantasy and an extremely promising start to a new series, The Path of Destiny: The Cremelino Prophecy, Book One by debut author Mike Shelton is a story that will take readers on an adventurous journey they won't want to see end! Follow the story of Darius San Williams, the son of one of King Edward's advisers, and a young man determined to leave the city of Anikari with big plans to bring glory to the realm. His friends Christine and Kelln are there to help him, but when Darius starts to exhibit new powers that he had been previously unaware of, they all realize that their plans may be quite different than they originally intended. Will they be able to meet their ultimate goals? You need to read this book to find out!

I very much enjoyed The Path of Destiny. Author Mike Shelton has done a great job in creating characters that his readers will enjoy, connect with, and even care about. His world creation abilities are second to none, and his ability to describe surroundings is so vivid and great that readers will feel as if they can simply slip through the pages and into Darius' world. Any reader, young adult or not, who enjoys a great work of fantasy with an extremely adventurous story line should absolutely read this book. I highly recommend it, and am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series from the talented Mike Shelton as soon as possible!

Sarah Stuart

The Path Of Destiny (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 1) by Mike Shelton opens with two boys of eighteen, soon to graduate from school. Darius, the key character, is the son of the king’s first advisor. Richard San Williams expects his son to behave like a noble, but Darius’ friend, Kelln, leads him astray once too often. Trapped in an underground library at their school in terrifying total darkness, Darius discovers he has the ability to create fire. Could he have other powers? Might he be a wizard? If he is, he faces either jail or banishment from the kingdom known as The Realm; wizards have been forbidden since a wizard rebellion a hundred years before. Worse, in jail he will never see Christine, the farmland girl, again.

The Path Of Destiny (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 1) echoes the story of Sir Lancelot and Excalibur just enough to intrigue; it is no pale copy. The story is character-driven, as all the best stories are. It has everything, even an innocent love interest. There is also a secret that Darius’ father is told but keeps from his son for his safety. It could affect Darius’ destiny, but does it? Adventure, strong feelings, desperate problems, yet Mike Shelton’s sense of fun and his enjoyment in writing this book shine through. Buy it for the youngsters in your family, but be sure to read it first; it will appeal to all ages.

Lisa McCombs

Darius San Williams was accustomed to shrugging off the spontaneous adventures of his friend Kellan, but that was not to say he always enjoyed the risks these feats imposed. There were times when life must be approached with a more serious state of mind. Convincing Kelln of this was another adventure in itself. Faced with the choice between the wrath of his own father if caught and giving in to the possibilities of the dare, Darius nearly always chose the former. Nothing bad had ever resulted from the boys’ exploits and they knew that youth slips by in an instant; so one more adventure was worth the risk. Neither Darius nor Kelln could imagine the result of their latest elicit study break. The Realm had not seen a wizard for decades, but when Darius suddenly began to exhibit magical characteristics common with the lore of that very breed, there was no one with whom he could share his suspicions. Not Kelln. Not his beloved Christine. And most certainly not his father.

I love the idea of a YA series novels. This is a great story! Mike Shelton’s The Path of Destiny is the perfect answer to a young reader’s need for adventure. In a combination of medieval gallantry and fairy tale fantasy, Shelton weaves a delicious tale reminiscent of Robin Hood or the Knights of the Round Table. The author’s command of the English language draws the reader into a vividly described setting. The focus on crucial decision-making skills keeps the reader grounded firmly in the overall plot of the story with a need to read on. My only criticism is that this is just the first book! I anxiously await Book II of the Cremelino Prophecy: The Path of Decisions.