Introduction

A Door into Evermoor is a young adult fantasy novel by Kent Wayne. This is the first book in the series, released in October 2021, and the sequel, Weapons of Old, released in March 2023. The author, Kent Wayne, has been a constant supporter of Myers Fiction for a long time, so reading and reviewing his book felt like a small way to give back. He has also been a prominent supporter of many other writers in the WordPress community, so don’t forget to show your support for his works!

Summary

A Door into Evermoor is a Young Adult Fantasy book that represents the post-COVID society’s mindset exceptionally well.

Jon is a well of College kid with a stable future, but that’s the last thing he wants as the world returns to the new normal. Without even realizing it, he signs a piece of paper that will change his life forever. A Door into Evermoor includes our modern world with Evermoor. The journey takes his dull life of writing, working, and depression to fighting fantasy creatures, knights, and magical forces. Highlight the key characters, settings, and major events.

Analysis and Evaluation

The greatest strength for A Door Into Evermoor is the voice of the character. By using a first-person point of view, Kent Wayne gave Jon an honest voice that fit with the times represented. A unique voice in the narrator allows the author to distinguish their book from similar tales. I have read none of Kent Wayne’s other books, but I’d be interested to see if the unique voice varies between novels or if it’s just his writing style.

The development of the plot follows a logical path and great cause-and-effect connections. Kent Wayne uses the various minor elements from the opening of A Door Into Evermoor, and reflects them in unique ways later in the book. Everything is directly or indirectly Jon’s fault, and this is probably the reason the story works so well. While he may not be controlling the world, or the actions before his arrival in Evermoor, his contact with his traveling companions and those he interacts with grows to always be something larger than it first appeared.

Contemporary Fantasy novels create unique opportunities for authors. Kent Wayne did a great job of finding magical and non-magical ways to address social issues that made them easier to consider. While the voice of the Narrator is unique, Jon speaks in a no bars hold back kind of way, especially internally. One of the highlights for me was how easy it was to share the problems of his own world with a complete stranger who had never been there. A Door Into Evermoor is unique among contemporary fantasy novels by addressing social issues from a different viewpoint.

“On your world, laughter is courage. Kindness is wisdom.” -Gyrax

Themes and Symbols

The primary theme that comes to mind while reading A Door into Evermoor is that sometimes you just have to let “Something Different” happen to find direction in life. The theme of something different is something that many discovered during the lockdowns of the COVID pandemic. So many more people quit jobs they’d stayed at for years because they realized they hated it. Others lost their jobs and forced into new lines of work to be able to stay afloat. The book asks will you take the chance to sign a paper saying you want something different, and then letting the universe show you what that something different. Because, as is restated in A Door Into Evermoor a handful of times, “There are other worlds than these.”

Personal Response:

A Door into Evermoor was a fantastic story with a relatable voice to me, but it may not work for everybody. From the challenges Jon faces with the interests that fall in line, he’s a character that you can understand on a personal level. Jon’s cringe moments as he tries to win over a girl, his sense of loss in a world where everyone’s trying to get back to normal, and realizing that maybe what he thought of as a latent ability is actually his own superpower.

I went on a journey while reading A Door into Evermoor. It became so easy to step from our normal world and enter the challenges of finding your way through cursed lands, fending of knights serving an evil ruler, and trying to find your usefulness in the world of Evermoor. If you’re looking for a book to escape into, A Door into Evermoor is the one to choose. I can’t wait to return in the sequel, Weapons of Old.

Conclusion

A Door into Evermoor is a captivating contemporary fantasy that immerses readers in a world where magic and monsters exist just beyond the mundane. Through relatable protagonist Jon, author Kent Wayne explores themes of purpose, self-discovery, and finding the courage to pursue one’s true calling.

This imaginative adventure will resonate with young adults who feel adrift in the “new normal” post-pandemic world. While escapist in nature, A Door into Evermoor also encourages readers to open themselves up to new experiences and possibilities. With its blend of exciting fantasy quest and thoughtful commentary on modern society, this book kicks off an entertaining new series that both younger and older readers can enjoy. I look forward to following Jon’s continued journey of growth and magic in the sequel, Weapons of Old. Kent Wayne has crafted a contemporary portal fantasy full of action, humor, and heart.

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