A young man on his initiation quest faces unexpected dangers and adversaries even among his fellow druids in the fantasy novel, Becoming A Druid by Mike Mollman. Grahme desired to be a druid since childhood, but after his second master renounces and releases him, Grahme faces banishment from the Druidic community. Boswen, the protector of a holy site and prominent leader of the Nine, witnesses Grahme's second dismissal and takes him on as his acolyte. After months of training, Boswen sends Grahme on his initiation quest, charging him to acquire a rare item and return by Samhain. Dressed in the coveted white robe of the druids, Grahme sets out on his journey. Unfortunately, a dark and powerful mage possesses the only known rarity within Grahme's reach. Armed with nothing but his wits and talents, Grahme must confront insurmountable obstacles and death to complete his mission. Is he strong enough to persevere and outwit the indomitable foe that no one else has been able to defy?

Becoming A Druid by Mike Mollman is a captivating fantasy novel that is a splendid portrayal of magical realism. The story is set in the early ninth century, flawlessly blending reality and magic. The enchanting setting and distinctive characters give the story world a realistic feel that takes the reader back to an ancient time when magic existed. The riveting plot and dramatic story arc brimmed with action and suspense, which held me spellbound until I reached the stunning conclusion. Beautifully written, the story ends in a perfect place to segue into a sequel, and I hope to join Grahme on more exciting adventures. Everyone from young adults and older who enjoy fantasy novels will not want to miss this one!

The opening chapter in Mike Mollman’s Becoming A Druid starts with a bang as it introduces you to the world of Grahme. This talented but stubborn druidic hopeful has a propensity to push the buttons of his mentors. He feels the need to take bigger challenges. He eventually gets more than he hoped for when he displeases a mind-controlling mage during his initiation quest. This has turned him into a traitor hunted by his own kind, and if they were to find him, he would be stripped of his rank and ostracized from the order. But Grahme still takes his chance to continue with his quest, even if the only person who could vouch for him died in his own arms. Even the Black Lord is disappointed in him.

Becoming A Druid is about rites of passage fraught with danger, intrigue, and mistrust. As the wheels of the storyline begin to turn, you will be introduced to a plethora of characters, each having a significant impact on Grahme’s quest and his resolve to prove himself worthy. Grahme typically exemplifies that heroic central character with attitude, resilience, and a lot of chutzpah. He is a good balance between being serious and having a sense of humor. Mike Mollman’s creativity and diligent research are evident in how he presents the druids’ order. It’s there in his world-building too, complete with a map and references to Celtic gods. Everything fits right. Becoming A Druid draws you in so well that I strongly recommend you check this story out.

Becoming A Druid is the first novel in the Protectors of Pretanni series by Mike Mollman. This epic fantasy follows the quest and life of Grahme, a young man who is obsessed with becoming a Druid. He is just about ready to achieve his dream, but before becoming a Druid, he needs to prove if he is worthy of being one. So Grahme packs his bags to leave everyone and everything he has ever known behind and begin his journey. However, things get rough when he comes across a mage who wants nothing but power, and somehow Grahme is in his way. The best thing for Grahme is to step out of the way, but he can’t. Now it is time for Grahme to prove his worth and show that he is ready to be a Druid.

The plot of Becoming A Druid is very interesting and unique. Usually, epic fantasies are about wars and heroes who fight until they die or are miraculously saved. Not this one; this is one of those precious few epic fantasies that follow a plotline rather than a character’s tortured life. Grahme is an ambitious man who understands what he needs to do to achieve his dreams. The narrative is marvelously fluid and flows incredibly well. Mike Mollman crafts a story that is sometimes filled with tension, sometimes lighthearted, but is always full of surprises. There is never a boring moment. The author introduces believable twists and turns to keep the story interesting and the reader focused on Grahme’s journey. I loved it!