P.W. Catanese crafts fantasy-adventure novels characterized by a crisp style and fast pacing. His works, lauded for their compelling characters and vivid descriptions, appeal to a wide range of readers, offering thrilling escapes. Catanese's stories have been recognized through acclaimed audiobooks and translations into numerous foreign languages, highlighting their universal appeal and ability to captivate readers globally.
The narrative expands beyond the familiar tale of Snow White, delving into the aftermath of her story. As the traditional elements like dwarves, a talking mirror, and an evil witch reemerge, a new adventure unfolds, exploring the consequences and deeper connections of the characters involved. The plot promises to reveal untold dimensions of the classic fairy tale, inviting readers to discover what happens after the well-known conclusion.
Twelve-year-old Happenstance awakens in a cave with no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. Soon a mysterious trio arrives to take him away: the explorer Umber, the shy archer Sophie, and Oates, whose strength and honesty are both brutal. Hap and his new acquaintances narrowly escape the cavernous underworld and make their way to Lord Umber's bustling jewel of a harbor city, Kurahaven. Once there, Hap learns that Lord Umber is an extraordinary man -- he's a merchant, adventurer, inventor, royal adviser, and chronicler of all things monstrous and magical. But Umber's accomplishments can't answer the question closest to the boy's heart: Who is Happenstance? Desperate to uncover clues in his new, baffling surroundings, Hap accompanies Umber on dangerous and unusual missions. But Hap soon learns that there are powerful enemies inside the kingdom, and a ruthless assassin is hot on his trail. Faced with many unknowns, Hap knows one thing is certain: There's a reason Umber has chosen him...if only he could determine it. P. W. Catanese's richly spun fantasy chronicles one boy's quest for answers and hope in a world riddled by knowledge and power corrupted.
"When a stranger knocks on his door and promises to lead him to hidden treasure, twelve-year-old Rudi is skeptical. And he's even more suspicious when the stranger proclaims that the jewels belonged to the legendary Hansel. Sure, Rudi's heard stories: the witch, the oven, the sister named Gretel. But he never fully believed they were real. Until now..." Life has been unkind to Rudi -- and to Lucie and Elsebeth, the two little girls he looks after. So when this stranger announces he needs Rudi's help to uncover Hansel's treasure, Rudi sees a way out.And so an incredible journey -- one filled with mist-covered castles, a treehouse-dwelling outsider, and creatures called murglins -- begins. But as Rudi, the girls, and the stranger weave their way through the rambling woods, Rudi notices the clouds blackening and a thick fog descending. He wonders, "Has the forest always been this...creepy?" And those shadows between the trees -- is their tiny group being followed?Then the unthinkable happens: Lucie and Elsebeth are stolen Who would take them? Rudi gets his answer in the shape of a warlock. And his ransom price is steep: "Bring me Hansel and the children will be returned." Is a simple woodcutter like Rudi any match for a thousand-year-old villain?
Hap ist glücklich, in Lord Umbers Felsenburg ein Zuhause gefunden zu haben - doch kaum fängt er an, das zu genießen, nimmt Umber ihn mit auf eine neue Entdeckungsfahrt, und zwar ins unheimliche Königreich Sarnica. Der dortige Herrscher ist in den Besitz von Dracheneiern gelangt - aber was hat er mit ihnen vor? Lord Umber ist fest entschlossen, sie an sich zu bringen und den Drachen dann die Freiheit zu schenken. Doch das ist nicht das einzige Abenteuer, das sie auf dieser Reise bestehen müssen: Da ist auch noch Umbers ehemaliger Bibliothekar Caspar, der von seltsamen Wesen auf einer Vulkaninsel gefangen gehalten wird.
