Reviews

I've been reading Nicky and the Lost Templar and just this afternoon finished it. It's wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely. From a teacher's perspective, it is not only rich with ideas and intense characterizations, but also vocabulary and clever humor. It does, as you claim, have magical powers.

Carlos and I have started reading your book, and love it! There were a few times we laughed out loud, but it is so rich for a children's book, I am blown away with your creativity and depth! This is a remarkable creation you have produced, with such great potential to be made well known. The historic factor is so interesting, you are educating me as I read to Carlos! Have you approached schools with this? I hope you consider doing so! What a fantastic classroom book.

C. and I are reading your book together. We are reading a chapter a night. He loves it!!! We have read three chapters thus far. It is extremely well written. I love your vocabulary usage - it is a breath of fresh air! The characters and their stories are so interesting... we can't wait to find out what happens next!! The book has all the right ingredients - mystery, intrigue, history and it is based in his stomping ground, St. Margaret's Bay, NS.

Congratulations on such a well-written book! You are a great storyteller and what a story you have to tell. It’s funny, entertaining, intriguing, adventuresome, educational, mythical, mystical. I definitely want to know what happens next. And I also want to know more about the history of the Ravens, and I love that they hold time in a circular way…because it sounds like how I live, and would like to know more. I could go on and on.

Set in the craggy coastal countryside of Nova Scotia, Alessandra Nadudvari's new novel tells the story of a boy named Nicky who – by sheer chance – stumbles on information about a mysterious treasure left nearby over seven centuries ago. That treasure, placed there by the ancient guild of the Templars, is something more valuable than gold and which, in the wrong hands, could change the fate of the world forever. With that behind him – and aided by a ghost from the past and two ravens which are direct descendants of the legendary Hugin and Munin who once served Odin, the chief Norse god - Nicky soon finds himself in a quest that will demand more of him than he ever could have imagined. It’s a fast-paced story that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat throughout, with a climactic ending and the groundwork laid for even more exciting adventures ahead. Highly recommended, especially for young readers age 10 and up.

"I'm four chapters in, and I am really liking it! I enjoy stories of mythology and fable, but rarely get to see Canadian-ish stories shine through. The disparity between Norse, Templar, and Mi'kmaq is intriguing! I'm going to promote your reading to every student in grades 4 and up!"

"I met Alessandra at a food convention. A true unicorn. Selling books at a food convention! I wish I had that courage. I knew reading one of her books would be a real treat. And it did not disappoint. Truly an adventure throughout the centuries, steeped in mythology and folklore and dripping of maritime flair and humour. She inspired us to take a drive to Peggy's Cove and to imagine the Adventures of Nicky playing out before our eyes. Truly a local masterpiece and a new local treasure. We cannot wait to read the next book in the series."