The Sceptre of Zanafiar — Reno Charlton

William Dolman has spent most of his life in children's homes feeling like an outsider. However, his life changes when he receives a mysterious parcel - a book...but all the pages are blank. William starts to have strange dreams about the book and a stranger who seems to be willing him to use it. However, the book still remains a puzzle until one night, as he tries to dodge some of the bullies at the home, he finds himself transported to a strange new world. This is where William's adventures really begin, as he - along with a selection of rather unusual companions that he meets along the way - sets out to complete a quest to restore a magical sceptre...the Sceptre of Zanafiar. He realises that the book he received is no ordinary book but a magical riddle book that was sent to help him fulfil his quest and complete his journey. William's adventure takes him all across the fascinating new land that he has found himself in where he makes many wonderful new friends. However, he also makes some fearsome enemies, including the evil Meerol, a dark sorceress who spends her days plotting in the isolated fortress to which she has been banished. With everything from ice dragons and gryphons to giant carnodytes and ferocious leks to face along the way, William and his companions have to risk life and limb to solve the riddles and find the elemental gems that belong in the sceptre, without which the whole land could be at the mercy of darker forces. In an adventure that is filled with excitement yet fraught with danger, William discovers not only a whole new world but also finds himself on a magical journey of self discovery where he learns who he really is and finally discovers his destiny.