Afraid of being caught by trackers from another world, a young mother abandons her baby boy in a tomato box inside the screened porch of a children’s home. The staff at the orphanage name him Hamelin Stoop, but he grows up longing to learn his real name, find his parents, and thus discover his true identity. Life is not easy for Hamelin. He belongs to everyone, though in some ways to no one … one fully. And the people he is closest to leave him one by one. A letter from an older friend advises Hamelin to “keep waiting and keep hoping.” Bitter experiences force Hamelin to wait, but he has to learn how to hope.
When the children’s home forgets his eighth birthday, he sneaks away at night. He soon discovers that he isn’t just running away — he is being summoned by the Ancient One. Guided by the Great Eagle through a mysterious cave, Hamelin must pass a dangerous test of courage before he can find his parents.
Hamelin’s failures, fears, and hopes become part of a larger story, a story of a great struggle between worlds and kingdoms where the old myths of magic, evil contracts, and enslaved children turn out to be real.
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Hamelin Stoop was so named because Hamelin was one of the few legible words from the message his mother had left with him and because he was found on the stoop of the orphanage. The book chronicles his life from shortly after his birth until about halfway through his 11th year. He struggles with being the baby of the group, being bullied, and watching the adults and “older siblings” leave the orphanage. He also met a talking eagle.
The Eagle, the Cave, and the Footbridge draws on a lot of classic fiction, specifically the works of George MacDonald and the ideas of C.S. Lewis. And while Hamelin lives solidly in an ordinary world, there is a moment in which he steps through the wardrobe, so to speak. And he fails miserably with his task. And he goes back home. And the failure haunts him for a very, very long time.
Even though he is a child, and quite a young child for the majority of his adventures, Hamelin learns to trust others, care for those who are weak, persevere through difficulties, and discern both the right thing to do and the right time to do it. And the reader watches him grow and mature, not because he always makes the right decision, but because he always learns from his decisions and choices.
This book took me a really long time to read. It started out super fast-paced with a couple on the run, then quickly switched over to their baby boy growing up at an orphanage. There was also the beginning of a side story in the middle of the book about three princesses which was barely connected to the story. At least, barely connected so far. But despite the way it started, I’m glad I read it. Not only did the pacing pick up near the middle of the book, there were also many meaningful conversations and discoveries for both Hamelin and me. It was a delight to be a part of his journey and I look forward to seeing how his adventure continues.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow!! What a great story!! It held me captivated most of the night and when I looked up it was daylight! I thought wow! Where did the night go lol!
But really I truly enjoyed what was happening in the book. In fact I was in the book itself! I was at the mouth of the cave right along with Ben, Layla and Hamelin and wanting to fall into it! Now that was creepy!
I immediately loved the older couple that moved into rhe children’s home except that I couldn’t stand the lady’s sing songy voice. For some reason it grated on my nerves! I guess cause I could actually hear her doing it!! I will say she did have a heart of gold!
This series in a way reminds me of the Harry Potter series but much better!!
The author has done a great job on this book on bringing the characters to life and taking me along for the ride.
This is a young adult book but I still liked it because it was a refreshing read. I loved it too that it was told in 1st person ( I can connect better when it’s told in 1st person) and not present tense. A very delicious and delightful read!
My thanks to the publisher for an early read of this book NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.