"A laudable young hero helms this taut, sensational fantasy adventure." - Kirkus Reviews Twelve-year-old Kien is just an ordinary village boy who dreams of attending the finest sword school in the Kingdom. Little does he know that events have long conspired to launch him on the greatest adventure of his life. Hounded by enemies he never knew he had, Kien embarks on a dangerous journey of discovery, of redemption and destiny - a journey to Forge Mountain. Review Rating: 5-Stars Reviewed by C.R. Hurst for Readers' Favorite The hero's journey is a staple of adventure storytelling and for good reason. Nothing is more satisfying than following the trials and tribulations of an imperfect but likable hero or heroine as he or she gains maturity and knowledge of the world. In this opening novel to the Forge Mountain trilogy, The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Boy, author Tru Ly creates such an adventure and such a hero. In it, we are introduced to twelve-year-old Kien who is forced to leave his loving family as he embarks upon a journey to the legendary Forge Mountain where he hopes to become an apprentice warrior. He is joined by a family friend with a mysterious past called Fisherman who is his guide and teacher. Along the way, Kien and Fisherman meet many colorful characters, both good and evil, who help or hinder the two on their remarkable journey. What sets this novel apart from other teen adventure stories for me is its engaging style. Tru Ly writes simply but beautifully, similar to the way a story might be told to a child as a bedtime tale. In truth, the author's inspiration for Forge Mountain was the stories he told to his children, stories that "should fill us with wonder and longing, with hope and inspiration." I also loved the way the author pays homage to his cultural roots with a lovely book cover and his subtle references to Asian culture and food throughout the story. The Extraordinary Adventures of an Ordinary Boy remains a universal tale that should appeal to young or old, male or female, Asian or not, for in a true hero's journey we can always find ourselves. "...a superb tale on its own as well as a fitting setup for subsequent books." - Kirkus Reviews Kirkus verdict: Get it!