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What began as daydreams and doodles in the margins of notebooks evolved into the world of Enkartai, and the debut novel of self-published author Michael Thompson. World of the Orb is the first publication to exemplify his love of science fiction and fantasy stories, as well as those featuring unique, dynamic ensembles of characters and the high-stakes challenges that elevate them into heroes.
Michael's storytelling manifests in diverse mediums, from writing, to illustrating, to filmmaking, while sharing the theme of plunging ordinary characters into extraordinary situations and having emphases on humor, adventure, and heart.
For more on Michael and his books, visit worldoftheorb.com
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
I have read a couple of good books this year where the hero is somehow transported to a fantastic realm by mysterious and magical means. It’s an angle I like as a reader. I like the magical and fantastic landscapes, but it’s nice when the hero is from this time, and thinks and has the same values that I do. This is the first time I've seen this technique used during a school field trip and, to be honest, the heroes I read about are usually a little older than these kids. This did not make World of the Orb any less fun. In fact, it made it better. I was in the mood for heroes who are a little younger and maybe a little less responsible than they should have been. Michael Thompson delivered some great young heroes.
I like this book. I like the youthful tone. I like the sense of wonder and the willingness to just go with it, though to be fair, most times our heroes had no choice. I love that the hero is a reader. I was a reader, but nobody picked on me because I was also a jock, though not a great one. Marvin and Andy took me back to my high school years, and that’s always a pleasant trip for me. The plot is good. The characters are great, and the writing is right on point. With a little luck and a lot of savvy marketing, Michael Thompson could have a breakout hit on his hands here.
