The Dual Path

An Earth to Stars Adventure

Young Adult - Fantasy - General
262 Pages
Reviewed on 06/18/2021
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I have an unquenchable thirst for the Wonder and Magic, connecting us all heart to heart. I'm a visionary in magical realism, sharing the wonder, love, and magic she experiences in the world and beyond. I always felt something was missing in the portrayal of magic; it’s not all about hocus pocus or witches and warlocks. Another magic goes deeper, right to the soul of the Universe and who we are as humans.

Sometimes all it takes to believe in yourself is to see that you aren’t the only one who feels there’s something more. I write to help you discover what that might be for you and infuse my writing with mysticism, wonder, love, and my rather off-beat humor that I hope will speak to your joyous heart.

My wandering nature has led me to live all over the United States. I'm now back in Oregon to stay... maybe. My adventurous spirit will take you from the Earth to the stars and beyond

When you are in tune with the space of magic, anything is possible, and you can feel grounded in the Earth and expanded into the stars and beyond. From this perspective of magic,I began to write, and the magic began…

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jose Cornelio for Readers' Favorite

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure by AnnaMariah Nau is a wonderful and delightful tale for fans of young adult fantasy, a story with strong lessons for young readers. For twelve-year-old Zelia, a summer with her Aunt Joy is supposed to be a break from her parents, but she is pulled into a magical world that will take her on the adventure of a lifetime — exciting and transformative. With a new name, Zemma, she is plunged into a world teeming with magical creatures, talking animals and trees, and a cast of inspiring travelers on a journey that takes her to the stars. While Zelia and her Aunt Joy are helping people, discovering their new gifts, and connecting with powerful friends, they are troubled because an evil invades the earth and its spell on people is strong. The dead-eyed ones are intoxicating people and replacing their sense of joy and passion with fatigue and mental labor, keeping them trapped in an empty existence. Can they help?

This is a story for young adult readers but one that will teach older readers the secrets of life that are so often forgotten. The characters are exuberant, and, believe me, you will want to live your life as purely as Zelia comes to experience it, filled with a sense of wonder and a sacred joy no one can steal from you. This is an exhilarating adventure that I read to my son and daughter. And yes, it was a good experience for them. AnnaMariah Nau teaches readers to find delight in simple things, to treasure their gifts, and to have the courage to be who they are. It is filled with adventure, and as the reader begins to understand the paths to self-discovery through embracing new experiences and challenges, they also gain the wisdom that their minds, unfettered, can take them to surprising and exciting places. AnnaMariah Nau writes in a voice that is mellow and filled with charm, evoking a world that we all occasionally encounter in our dreams, a world that we can create. The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure is a powerful book that shows readers the possibility of a world that exists alongside ours. It is entertaining and utterly inspiring.

K.C. Finn

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure is a work of fiction in the fantasy genre. It is aimed at young adults and was penned by author AnnaMariah Nau. The book follows Zelia, a twelve-year-old who is spending the summer with her Aunt Joy. Encouraged by her aunt to discard her worldview in favor of accepting magic and whimsy into her heart, so the adventure begins for this impressionable young person. Exploring this new world and learning the truth about the world she lives in awakens Zelia to a dangerous threat that suppresses people’s ability to experience joy in their lives.

Author AnnaMariah Nau delivers a highly engaging fantasy novel that delves deep into a colorful and interesting magical land where trouble brews just beneath the surface. One of the most enjoyable things about this novel is the relationships between the characters,
especially between Zelia and Aunt Joy. Despite the fantasy setting, this relationship felt true and real and is one I think we can all connect to in our own way. The attention to detail in this novel is second to none, and the author does a wonderful job of describing the world in a way that makes the reader feel like they are right there, meeting all the magical creatures beside Zelia. The Dual Path is an engaging and well-polished story with a well-developed and fun fantasy world as the background. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys entertaining fantasy books and unique and quirky characters.

Pikasho Deka

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure is a fantasy adventure novel written by AnnaMariah Nau. When her parents take a trip to the Amazon, twelve-year-old Zelia Allen is sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Joan. Feeling at home with his aunt’s eccentricities, Zelia starts calling her Joy while taking the name of Zemma for herself. Joy quickly takes Zemma under her wing, teaching her the secrets of the Universe and introducing her to a hidden world full of magic and wonder. As the duo undertakes a backpacking trip through the countryside, they encounter magical fairies, talking trees, vampires who feed on people’s energies, flying swans, and unicorns. Meanwhile, a juggler reveals to Zemma that a being called the Unmaker is taking away people’s dreams and desires, making this an existential threat to humanity.

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure is a heartwarming and fun-filled adventure story that takes you to a world of magic and fills you with a sense of awe. Author AnnaMariah Nau’s feel-good tale showcases the importance and value of dreams and the need to maintain a childlike curiosity to lead a happy and fulfilling life. The characters are colorful and compelling. Zemma’s relationship with Joy felt endearing, and Joy’s eccentricities never miss a chance to entertain the reader. The story felt wonderfully uplifting and highly immersive. Overall, I enjoyed The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure, and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy adventure stories.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

The Dual Path by AnnaMariah Nau is An Earth to Stars Adventure. Zelia has decided to stay with her Aunt Joy over the summer, and all she wants is some peace and quiet. That was never going to happen, though, as she is dragged straight into a magical world through a book. She sets off on a dual path to discover not just herself but powers she never knew she had. The magical creatures are one thing, but Zelia didn’t expect to reach the stars, and she didn’t expect to learn that pretend creatures from her childhood were actually based on real creatures. Exploring the depths of her mind, she begins to see there is nothing she can’t do, but all her new powers are tested to the limits as she and her aunt battle to save the new world from a curse – the dead-eyed ones. Zelia needs to make a decision – stay where she is or return to her old life. Which path will she take?

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure by AnnaMariah Nau is an exciting story, a wonderful tale for young adults (and older ones) to lose themselves in. A well-written tale, the story flows well and shows great imagination. The way it is written will entice readers to use their own imaginations as they travel to a magical world that may just exist in parallel to our own – how would we know it didn’t? But this is more than just a tale of magic and mystery. It is a story of self-discovery, a lesson in facing new challenges and experiences as they arise and taking them in our stride, facing them head-on. An engaging story with wonderful characters, this is a magical adventure no reader can fail to enjoy.

Rabia Tanveer

The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure is the first novel in a new series by AnnaMariah Nau. Twelve-year-old Zelia is ready to have a fun, adventure-filled summer with her Aunt Joy, but is not expecting what happens next. Joy claims Zelia has been living a half-life, and it is now time for her to live in the real world. And so, Zelia becomes Zemma. She is not a normal girl, and Aunt Joy shows her all the ways she is special. She has special powers that allow her to see mythical creatures, travel to the stars, and even talk to the animals. Together, they embark on a journey where Zemma explores the real world where she is meant to be. With Aunt Joy as her guide, Zemma realizes she never really fitted into the world where magic doesn’t exist. When the time comes, will she decide to stay or go back?

Zemma’s journey is magical yet so very powerful. Readers are invited into a world of magic and acceptance as Zelia, a.k.a. Zemma, learns about her truth and accepts it with open arms. This novel is the perfect example of the fantasy genre. It is magical yet not unrealistic; something is that is very hard to come by these days. Zemma’s character is open to new experiences; she accepts the change and gives everything a chance. Joy’s character embodies her name. She never pushes Zemma, never urges her to do something she is unwilling to do, and always supports her in whatever decision she makes. Joy is her guiding angel, and the two rely heavily on each other as they go through their adventures. The pace is not too fast or too slow. Zemma gets enough page space to develop without being rushed, and the narrative flows exceptionally well. The Dual Path: An Earth to Stars Adventure by AnnaMariah Nau has everything you need for an enjoyable and refreshing read.