Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton


Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
329 Pages
Reviewed on 02/21/2025
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Author Biography

Good day fellow journeyers! My name is R.J Smith and I'm an aspiring author. My background in engineering and love for fantasy stories has driven me to write The Search for The Agmus Stone series. Thank you for your time and hopefully you are inspired to join the journey!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers' Favorite

In Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton by RJ Smith, Arthel is an orphaned teen raised in the village of Ferall Woods. The villagers have embraced him as their own, but he longs to discover his true lineage and venture into the woods beyond his home. As the festival of Illumidans comes to a close, the village's head elder, Metholden, and his comrades fear that unforetold evils are waiting to descend upon Ferall Woods. Concurrently, Ramus, an evil warlord, seeks to retrieve a map that will lead to a stone possessing unfathomable power. A vicious attack on the village costs Metholden his life. With his final breath, he sends Arthel and his companions, Arnina and Napel, on a quest to the Northern Cavern. The teens must entrust a much-coveted map to someone who can hide it from Ramus and his cronies. Their journey is filled with new allies, untold dangers, and startling discoveries. Can they accomplish this heart-racing quest in time?

Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton is an evocative tale centered around a multifaceted cast of teens. Even though Arthel, Arnina, and Napel do not always see eye-to-eye with each other throughout their journey, they discover that their greatest strength lies in each other. Their individual talents and the obstacles they endure together drive the plot forward seamlessly. Overall, RJ Smith has crafted a story that will completely engage your imagination and keep you mesmerized to the end. The action, suspense, and worldbuilding progress beautifully through the storyline, painting a vivid image of the grander world beyond the Ferall Woods. Smith's top-notch writing style has earned this book a place on my "Top Ten Fantasy Books" listing. The author's spellbinding prose brings each character to life, immersing readers in a quest filled with wonder, danger, magic, friendship, and heartfelt coming-of-age moments. This epic YA fantasy is perfect for fans of Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter.

K.C. Finn

Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton by RJ Smith is about a boy named Arthel and his friends. They have to get rid of a dangerous artifact called the Agmus stone before it destroys their village. Their journey is full of magic, strange creatures, and scary enemies. Just before he dies, an old village elder tells them they must embark on this quest. They travel through the Forest of Thimbleton, trying to stay ahead of the Rengward soldiers who also want the stone. Along the way, they learn things they never expected about the stone, their world, and even themselves. Soon, they realize this isn’t just about their village anymore. Their choices could change everything. The author takes a classic adventure and fills it with fun surprises that keep you turning the pages.

RJ Smith creates a world that feels as if you could step right into it. The magic, history, and little details make it easy to imagine. But the best part is the characters. Their friendships feel real too. They joke, they argue, and they always have each other’s backs. There’s a moment in the middle of the book that stuck with me—when they have to make a tough choice, and it shows how much they’ve changed. The mix of adventure, fairy tale magic, and myths makes the story exciting. It’s also about being brave, making choices, and sometimes giving up things for the people you care about. Overall, Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton is a fun and heartfelt fantasy that younger readers will love, while older fans will find plenty to enjoy too.

Yvonne Akinyi

Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton by R. J. Smith is the story of three youths from the village of Ferall Woods on a quest to fulfill an assignment. Arthel, Napel, and Arnina know of their village's history from stories told by the village elders and their families. The village sits above an abyss rumored to teem with monsters that snatch whoever attempts to venture into it. Arthel is, however, determined to journey through this abyss as he believes that the lands beyond hold the answers to many of his questions. Arnina and Napel are apprehensive about this because some of the strongest villagers never returned from venturing beyond the village, and the elders punish all who attempt to do so. An unexpected event, however, sends them on a journey beyond the safety of Ferall Woods, where they forge alliances, fight against enemy forces, and unravel the mystery behind their assignment.

R. J. Smith sets the intrigue early on and maintains it throughout, gradually unraveling the mystery through plot points and twists as the story progresses. This approach filled the scenes with thrills, tension, and suspense as I followed the trio on their journey. Smith also uses descriptive language for the surroundings and characters, writing in a tone that enchants readers while maintaining the feel of an older world. The characters are contrasted beautifully by portraying the lively and warm camaraderie among the villagers against the cold and domineering authority in Rengward. Arthel's determination and Arnina's sensibleness are admirable qualities, while Napel's selfishness and squabbles make for humor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton and recommend it to young readers who love adventure stories.

Liz Konkel

Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton by RJ Smith is a charming tale with adventure, an epic battle, and well-rounded characters. Arthel had only ever known the confines of his home in the Ferall Woods where he spent his days dreaming of what existed outside the village. He has lived within the traditions of the village with the festival of Illumidans and questing for fireflies as the only means of excitement. That is until he and his friends - Arnina and Napel - are pulled into the journey of a lifetime to save their village and protect the world. A dying elder gives them a special assignment to venture to the Northern Cavern to dispose of an Agmus stone. Along the way, they encounter new friends and confront Rengward soldiers who wish to possess the stone.

From the beginning, RJ Smith incorporates important references that hint at what to expect. These details help to establish the world and create a landscape that feels magical, drawing you into it and making you excited to see what awaits the characters. The adventure gives Arthel and his friends a task to complete and obstacles to overcome. The greater mission is to save their village - and possibly the world - by pitting them against everything from creatures to soldiers. This creates a hero’s journey arc that pushes Arthel to discover what he’s capable of and creates circumstances perfect for working as a team. The writing perfectly captures the action of the adventure. The word choices are delightful with a generally lighthearted tone. The adventure is a necessary part of Arthel’s growth as it answers questions about himself and fulfills his wish - albeit not quite what he expected - to see beyond his village. Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton establishes a fantasy world with history, flair, and lore.

Doreen Chombu

Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton by RJ Smith is a young adult fantasy that follows Arthel and his friends, Arnina and Napel, who are always bickering. The trio lives in a village high above the Ferall Woods, a sanctuary created by five powerful beings from different lands who once fought in an ancient battle. However, their haven is now under threat as essential resources like water are dwindling. The soldiers of Rengward seek to seize the powerful sacred stones protected by the village elders, launching an attack on their home. In his final moments, Head Elder Metholden entrusts Arthel and his friends with the mission of traveling north to the caves in search of a man with a special map leading to the sacred stones. For Arthel, who has long wondered about his parents and seeks to uncover his purpose, this adventure is not only about exploring the land beneath their village but also about discovering his identity and destiny.

Journey Through the Forest of Thimbleton is an enthralling tale of friendship, loyalty, teamwork, and bravery. RJ Smith takes readers on an extraordinary adventure through various enchanted lands, filled with imaginative lore about mystical beings and ancient battles that have shaped the world of Thimbleton. The creatures and landscapes that Arthel and his companions encounter throughout their journey are unique and vividly crafted. The story is suspenseful, with shocking moments and constant tension from the relentless threat posed by the soldiers of Rengward and the dangerous creatures that inhabit the different lands. Arthel, Arnina, and Napel have the most dynamic and compelling friendship. Despite their contrasting personalities and the frequent bickering, their loyalty to one another shines through. Their interactions with each other and the allies they meet along the way provide a delightful source of humor. As the story progresses, readers witness the growth of their bonds and the development of their characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy adventures filled with friendship, teamwork, and self-discovery.

Cloie Belle Daffon

RJ Smith's Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton begins in the picturesque village of Ferall Woods, home to the young and brave Arthel. Arthel was increasingly intrigued by the unusual woods beneath their village. Despite growing up in Ferall Woods, Arthel felt out of place for a long time. He had no idea where his parents were and why they had left him in the village. Questions concerning who he was continued to pile up, and the more they remained unanswered, the more he wanted to venture into the woods despite the warnings and disapproval of his friends Arnina and Napel. However, one day a fire broke out in the village, and intruders infiltrated their previously peaceful community. Amidst the commotion, the elder Metholden gave Arthel, Arnina, and Napel an important mission with his dying breath. Through their quest, the three gradually learned about other villages, threats, and mysteries lurking beyond the forest, and the secrets that the elders had hidden from the villagers to keep them safe. Will they be able to fight off foes and survive? Read Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton to find out!

RJ Smith's Journey Through The Forest of Thimbleton is action-packed, interesting, and well-written. Arthel's curiosity rubbed off on me as the story progressed. Everything was so vividly described that I could picture Ferall Woods' stunning landscape and the village's tranquil ambiance. The mystery surrounding Arthel's history, as well as the unusual visions in his nightmares, pulled me in even further. I admired his closeness to his friends, Arnina and Napel. Arnina was my favorite because of her strong personality. She was brave and willing to fight for those she loved. However, I appreciated Napel for doing what he could for his buddies despite his fears. He was a relatable individual who, of course, wanted to stay safe and alive, but his love and care for his companions compelled him to face danger. All three were genuinely exceptional individuals. I was on the edge of my seat every time they were confronted with a life-threatening crisis, and I breathed a sigh of relief when they were able to overcome it after much effort. It was an exciting read, and I can't wait to see what happens next! Great work.