Fall Reading 2013 The Six (The Gateway Chronicles #1)

This story by K.B. Hoyle is very similar in its premise to the Chronicles of Narnia. Six teenagers discover a gateway to another world - the magical world of Alitehia with fairies, gnomes, and other creatures. A beneficent figure named Pateros who takes the form of a giant bear brings humans over from our world. The six teens discover their arrival has been prophesied and they each have a role to play in the conflict with the dark forces of Tselloch. 

In this first book of the series, Darcy is an outsider. The others have vacationed at the same summer camp together for years, but it is her family's first trip to Cedar Cove. She would much rather be at her usual summer riding camp, Gregorio's. Although the other kids try to befriend her, she keeps saying and doing things to make them angry and mistrustful of her. The same pattern of behavior continues while they are in Alitheia, causing more and more of a distance between them. (She reminds me very much of Edmund and his jealousy, pouting and sulking, and deceiving his siblings when they first arrive in Narnia.) As you read, you can see the mistakes she is making and you just know that there will be terrible consequences. But you can also remind yourself that since this is only the beginning of their adventures, she may have time to mend her ways and learn to be a better person.

If you like Narnia, or other fantasy adventures where people from our everyday world get to experience magical worlds full of mystical creatures, then you will enjoy this book.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. You can find out more at the publisher's webpage for the book, or on the author's blog.