"THE SWORD OF DARROW," by Alex Malchow and Hal Malchow, Ben Bella Books, $17.99, 342 pages (f)
Sonnencrest was once a land of peace, but after the framed murder of a goblin government official from the neighboring land of Globenwald, the hotheaded goblin king waged war on the peaceful land by slaying the army and locking away its leaders in deep dark dungeons.
After a decade of oppressive goblin rule the hope for Sonnencrest’s return to glory falls on the shoulders of a feeble teenage boy named Darrow.
Alex and Hal Malchow’s “Sword of Darrow” is the first book from the father-son author team. Alex, who struggled with a reading disability and didn’t learn to read until he was 9, suggested that he and his father write a book together. For the father and son that had already created vivid stories together, the opportunity provided a new challenge to take on together and thus “The Sword of Darrow” was born.
The Malchows had more in store for “The Sword of Darrow” than just creating a world where an inspired boy leads a people to victory. They wanted to create a book that would help people with reading disabilities overcome their challenges. As a result, “The Sword of Darrow” has been released in both hardback and paperback with a few modifications from typical books.
The hardcover edition will be formatted with special type sizing, line spacing and graphic elements for learning-disabled readers. The paperback edition will be typeset normally, but both editions will include ReadSmart formatting, which makes small changes to characters and spacing for optimal reading. All of the proceeds from “Darrow” are being donated to charities for learning disabilities.
In “Darrow,” Princess Babette escapes in the goblin siege of the royal palace and finds refuge in the mountains with an old dwarf and his dragon. After a short stay, Babette is led to the woods of Hexenwold where she meets the Wizard Asterux who, for 10 years, teaches her “good” magic. Her training prepares her to eventually attempt to reclaim the throne.
In a different part of Sonnencrest in the small village of Ael, a frail and feeble boy named Darrow after being beaten nearly to death by goblin soldiers decides to begin a revolt against the tyranny of King Malmut and the goblin forces.
The Malchows have created a world with “Darrow” that parents and kids can find exciting and rewarding. Young readers will like the magic, swordplay and the courageous characters from all walks of life, while parents will like that for a book that involves armies and battles and swordplay that the violence is minimal.
IF YOU GO ...
What: Alex Malchow and Hal Malchow book signing and reading
When: Wednesday, June 15, 11 a.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com
Jarrod M. Hiatt graduated from Weber State University with a degree in journalism. His email is jarrodhiatt@gmail.com.