Isle of Shadows: The Inky Trilogy by Don Stansberry tells the tales of Inkydomus, a tiny wizard who lives in a ruined castle. Inky is more than 300 years old but still only a foot tall, because his father was cursed. Everyone knows of Inky. He’s famous across Europe, and stories about him are forever being told. Inky worked for the royals but hated his life and has been hiding for nearly a century. He discovers that someone is looking for him, and desperate for some adventure in his life, Inky lets himself be caught. Brought before a king, he learns of a mystery and sets off on a dangerous journey to solve it. On a hunt for missing gold, he must face challenges and obstacles along the way. A chance encounter leads to a new friendship, and his life is about to change, but if he can’t find the gold, it might all have been in vain. Isle of Shadows by Don Stansberry is a fascinating and fun series of tales set in medieval times, with a 12-inch-tall wizard as the central character. It’s full of magic and wizardry, strange creatures, some monstrous, and plenty of adventure and action, Harry Potter-esque in some ways but unique in others. This trilogy is all-in-one, so there is no waiting for the next installment, and each part is beautifully written, with intriguing descriptions and wonderful characters. If this kind of world were real, this story would instantly transport you there – that’s how authentic and vivid the descriptions are. With well-defined characters and a wonderful plot, this is a story you can lose yourself in, the perfect escape from real life for a while, and I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
