Books › The Hound of Rowan
The Hound of Rowan
Book One of The Tapestry
448 pages
A classic magical boarding school adventure steeped in Celtic myth, where ancient art holds the key to a brewing war.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping through a hidden door into a world where history, art, and myth are thrillingly alive. It begins with the cozy, autumnal warmth of a classic magical boarding school—complete with eccentric teachers, loyal roommates, and wondrous classes—before steadily darkening into a high-stakes adventure. The pacing is brisk and propulsive, carrying you from the initial wide-eyed discovery of hidden powers to the tense realization of an ancient, looming evil. The prose is accessible yet rich with Celtic lore and artistic detail, grounding the magic in a sense of real-world history. It is a perfect fit for anyone who loves the thrill of an underdog discovering their destiny, offering a familiar comfort that slowly reveals its own unique, epic identity.
- Mood
- magical
- autumnal
- mysterious
- tense
- Tone
- earnest
- adventurous
- wondrous
- ominous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- discovering hidden potential · the burden of destiny · power of art and myth · found family
- The writing
- Accessible and richly descriptive, weaving mythological lore and artistic history into fast-paced action.
- The arc
- Moves from the wide-eyed wonder of discovering a secret magical world to the sobering acceptance of a dangerous destiny.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave classic magic school tropes infused with deep Celtic mythology and high-stakes adventure.
Content notes
- kidnapping
- fantasy violence
- child peril
- parental loss
About the book
MAX MCDANIELS LIVES a quiet life in the suburbs of Chicago, until the day he stumbles upon a mysterious Celtic tapestry. Many strange people are interested in Max and his tapestry. His discovery leads him to Rowan Academy, a secret school where great things await him.But dark things are waiting, too. When Max learns that priceless artworks and gifted children are disappearing, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ancient struggle between good and evil. To survive, he'll have to rely on a network of agents and mystics, the genius of his roommate, and the frightening power awakening within him.From the Hardcover edition.
Description from Open Library.
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