The Golden Maple Tree

Magora Series Book 2

Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
266 Pages
Reviewed on 10/17/2016
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Author Biography

Marc Remus is an award-winning German Neo Pop-Art painter and illustrator with exhibitions world-wide. He was educated in the United States, graduated with a BA in art and illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, and lived in Japan and Central America for some years. He has travelled to more than sixty countries and visited over a thousand cities, of which he has painted over two hundred. His work has been featured on TV and in many magazines and newspapers in Germany, USA, and Mexico.

During his studies in California, Remus took his first children’s book illustration class. His teacher inspired him to start writing and not just illustrating. The result was a picture book called Painting Brian, which led to the Magora series. Over a period of twenty years, Remus has developed this magical world based on places he has visited, people he has met, and things he has learned through his studies in acting, cultural Anthropology, and linguistics.

He continues to have painting exhibitions, studies Mandarin and Spanish, and enjoys travelling the world.

Visit the Magora website: https://www.marcremus.com/kidsmagora

    Book Review

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

Magora: The Golden Maple Tree by talented author Marc Remus is the second book in the Magora children’s fantasy series and is, quite frankly, utterly magical. Twelve-year-old Holly O’Flanigan alternates between ‘the real world’ of Donkleywood, where she lives in a mansion with her foster parents, the Smoralls, and the alternate magical world of Magora, via a very special fantasy painting that had been created by her Grandpa Nikolas. In Magora, Holly and her three friends - Rufus, Brian and Amanda - had attended Cliffony, Academy of the Arts, where they had learned to paint with the help of magic. Now Holly and her friends are heading back for their second year at Cliffony – but the only problem is that Holly’s friend, Ileana, is very sick. She is suffering from a disease that dissolves her blood and the only cure for her illness lies in the leaves of the Golden Maple Tree. Holly and her friends set out on a quest to find the mystical maple tree, but things become very complicated when Rufus is kidnapped.

As mentioned earlier, this book is the second in the Magora series and should be read in order to fully appreciate the turn of events and to learn the back stories for each of the characters. Reading the books out of sequence doesn’t mean you won’t understand the story – it may simply take you a little longer to figure out the who, what, where, when and whys. Remus’ story is charming and full of vibrant imagery, much like a beautifully painted canvas. From interesting creatures/beings called Hisslers and Chandrills to funny and creative names like Villa Nonesuch, Papplewick Street and Wrinkle Dimple Skin Care Shop, each adds an element of creativity that will fuel the imaginations of its readers as they excitedly follow Holly and her friends on their quest to find the mystical Golden Maple Tree that will save their friend. The pages of the story are chock full of adventure, excitement and wonderment. If you liked the wizarding world of Harry Potter, you’ll love the magical world of Magora in all her vibrant splendor. Marc Remus, like J.K. Rowling, gives his readers a wonderful and magical place to escape!

Rabia Tanveer

The Golden Maple Tree: Magora Series Book 2 by Marc Remus is the story of a courageous young girl named Holly O’Flanigan. When our story begins, our 12-year-old heroine Holly and her friends are returning to the Magora to attend her second year at the Cliffony Academy with her friends Rufus, Ileana, Amanda and Brian. She excited for her new school year, but when she discovers that Ileana is suffering from a terrible disease, she knows that she has to do whatever she can to cure her friend. She finds out that her friend can be cured by the Golden Maple Tree. It is then that she discovers an old monastery where dangerous creatures live. If she does not hurry, her friend, Ileana, will become like one those creatures. She has to find the Golden Maple Tree and she has to do it fast. With the help of her friends, Holly begins her journey which will reveal truths about her world she never knew before.

This is definitely a great novel. I loved the storyline, I loved the spunk of our main character, Holly, and I loved her determination. She is a beautifully developed character that grows right in front of your eyes. You get to see her become stronger and sharper and that is really amazing. It is an enjoyable novel, one that children and people of all ages will love. It has an endless and timeless quality to it that I loved. The writer did an amazing job. This novel was wonderfully written.

Melissa Tanaka

The Golden Maple Tree is the second book in the Magora series by Marc Remus. Once again, twelve-year-old Holly, along with her friends Brian and Amanda, return to the magical land of Magora by jumping through the painting created by Holly’s grandfather. This time they journey to Magora not to explore, but to help their friend Ileana, who is gravely ill with a mysterious disease that causes her blood to dissolve and her temperament to turn violent. When blood transfusions prove unsuccessful, the only thing that can save Ileana from an untimely death is the healing power of the Golden Maple Tree.

What a wonderful adventure! I especially liked how the color wheel and the aquainking came back in the end; it reminded me of the first Harry Potter book and how they had to apply what they learned in class to real life. I am a huge fan of fantasy and adventure and so The Golden Maple Tree was a perfect read. Remus proves to be an expert at world building, creating a universe for readers to fall into. There is a lot of information which can be somewhat confusing if you haven’t read the first book, The Gallery of Wonders, but Remus’ writing is full of rich descriptions of people and places that help bridge that gap and almost make you feel as though you were in Magora yourself.

You will find yourself entranced in the story from the moment you pick up the book and not want to put it down until you reach the final page. Filled with wonderful creatures that we know and love like griffins and dwarves, as well as some of Remus’ own creation such as Hisslers, Chandrills, and Giraflies, The Golden Maple Tree helps to stretch your imagination and encourages you to dream a little bigger.

James

My students love this book so much. I'm feeling great reading and sharing the stories from Magora with my students.

kimmyschemy06

Amazon Review:. I love it. July 18th 2017
Just like the first book in the series, The Gallery of Wonders, this is an exciting and adventure-filled book about friendship, what we are willing to do and how far we are willing to go for the sake of our friends. The book also shows how family does not necessarily have to be blood-related.

It is a well-written book and I find the scenes even more exciting and more suspenseful than those in the first book. The author takes us to a completely different word about art and beauty. He introduces new and intriguing creatures like the Chandrills, Hisslers and Sylkies. He also includes unexpected twists that makes the entire series much more interesting.

S0rceress0

Amazon Review: November 28, 2016
This was dozens of times better than the first book. All of the characters have grown a touch, and the story isn't so hokey or pat. The kids don't just get whatever they want, they have to work for it. The obstacles these characters face are far more pronounced and realistic. And the tree? I love that tree I really do. Alive enough to….well...you'd have to read it.
We can start to see the rich world around the school in this book and the ending answers some questions from the first book, which is helpful! I'm more than willing to get Book number 3 now.

Leonitus

Amazon Review: March 17, 2016
Stays true to book one and adds a lot of cool new ideas
Another great book in the Magora series! This follows all the same characters we learned to love and returns to the world of Magora. There is a lot to keep the world fresh as we are introduced to all sorts of new magic, creatures, and of course conflict.

I highly recommend reading the first Magora first, but you wouldn't necessarily have to in order to appreciate this one.

Overall, an awesome addition to the Magora series, if you liked the first one you won't be disappointed as this stays true to the first and introduces a lot of cool new ideas.

Gali

Amazon Review: November 22, 2016
I have read both books in the series and loved them! While the first book bore some resemblance to the Harry Potter series, in the second book the similarities are gone. The author weaves together an excellent, unique book with some original ideas. The story is a wonderful adventure written for children and adults alike. It's a novel full of magic, adventures, and friendships! Very, very enjoyable book, and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

C. Taylor

Amazon Review: August 23, 2017
Good Read!
This story is well written and full of adventure. I highly recommend ths book for anyone looking for a great read!

B.S. Gibbs

Amazon Review: September 28, 2016
This book is awesome!
I am posting this review for my 9 year old son who just finished reading this book.
I loved this book. One of the reasons is that it involves art. I recommend this to other kids that are also 9 and/or 5th graders. They will love this because the book is very funny.

Mary Higginbotham

Amazon Review: April 14, 2016
A gun adventure for Holly and her friends. They all learned some more and became closer. Holly even gets a "love interest"

Jessica Stevens

Amazon Review: March 16, 2016
Adults and kids alike will love these books! The author has a fantastic imagination. I love the characters and the creativity in both of these books. It's exciting and suspenseful at the same time! Highly recommend!

Sandra Williams

A Great Sequel
Amazon review: January 27, 2016
An adventure worth finding a cure. Love the way Holly and her friends strive to fix the wrongs and do what's right. I'm excited and is anticipating more.

Amazon Customer

Amazon Review: March 3, 2016

Book 2, and I'm still a fan of Magora
Marc Remus is a painter. So his words create images in my mind as the reader. Writers often focus on the story at the expense of coloring the world that the characters live in. Marc is telling a filmmaker what the audience should see on the screen to be fulfilled. Perhaps he's up to if not a step beyond J.R.R. Tolkien at this point in his writing career.