By: Jamie Steinberg
“A quest is just a trip with a goal that’s important to you.” Nell O’Dell hates quests. She’s grown up with parents who love quests and are known for being famous ex-questers, but she doesn’t see that life for herself. She’d be content just working at the family owned Crossroads Inn and tending to her garden and chickens. Well, life has other plans for Nell. What initially starts out as a trip to the capitol to accept an award from the Questers’ Bureau in Grand Dalian that would give her the funds in order to expand the camping grounds and create protection for her garden and chickens quickly takes a turn. Can Nell, who hates quests manage to make it through one? You will definitely have to read Nell O’Dell Hates Quests to find out.
Nell O’Dell would love nothing more than to be left alone with her garden and chickens, but she’s busy at her family’s business – Crossroads Inn. The Questers’ Bureau has them extra busy as questers are currently preparing to go in search of Starshell Eggs and no one has responded to the ads the O’Dells have placed for help. With so much going on, how could Nell possibly take a few days off to give a speech and accept an award from the Questers’ Bureau? Well, she might not have a choice as the O’Dells receive word from the Exchequer that their home is due to be sold, but how could this be when they’ve paid off their mortgage? Someone has to travel to Grand Dalian to show them the deed to prove that the Crossroads Inn is not for sale. Nell reluctantly agrees to go – in order to kill two birds with one stone – only to have a surprise pal show up last minute and join her on her non-quest. Midge, the eager bog goblin, heads on to the ferry to travel with Nell when suddenly the deed to the inn is stolen out from Nell’s arms. What starts as not a quest definitely quickly becomes one.
Author and Illustrator Emily B. Martin does an exceptional job at making this tale so investable and enjoyable. You certainly understand Nell’s reluctance at questing, but know this adventure will do her some good. Certainly, you’ll love meeting the characters that she comes across on her travels. Plus, you will come to adore Midge and her bog goblin positivity. And did I mention Martin illustrated the book herself?! The drawings are so beautifully crafted and my only qualm is that I wish there were more sprinkled throughout. Also, Ms. Martin, if you’re listening, please tell me that you have more tales to come for Nell! I would love to see what the future has for the Crossroads Inn and all the mythical creatures it houses.
Nell O’Dell Hates Quests is a wonderful tale of adventure and friendship that will quickly have readers turning page after page. Whether you’re a middle grade, young adult or even grown adult reader, this is a story for you.