In the same vein as such master fantasy writers as J. R. R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, author D. Barkley Briggs has penned a superb fictional tale loosely based on his own personal experience and that of his four sons after losing his wife to cancer.

Pulling at readers' emotions from the opening scene, Briggs somehow finds that elusive place of balance where an author must gain his audience's attention and keep it, yet not allow the overwhelming sadness of the event to cause readers to turn away from its pain. This is indeed a challenge that often stymies and detracts from an otherwise strong storyline. But Briggs handles it so skillfully and continues to address the deepest of heart issues throughout the text that this invitation to emotional introspection only enhances the reading experience.

When teenager Hadyn Barlow, recently transplanted to rural Missouri, is sent out to clear a humongous briar patch to make way for incoming cattle by his history professor father (who has never farmed before), Hadyn is anything but pleased. Still mired in the ongoing grief from his mother's death, he and his three brothers each are trying to find a way to cope and carry on. Even their father continues to visibly struggle day by day. Working out his pain and anger, younger brother Ewan greets Hadyn, and together they hack around and through the thorns and bramble.

Before long, they reach an ancient stone archway with indecipherable words, and they're hooked on the mystery and challenge. Trying to work out its meaning, the boys take the puzzle to their dad, who offers some insight along with a teaser. The Barlow couple bought this particular farm hoping to unearth such a runestone. Little did any of them realize that a lifelike dream would take Ewan through the archway into another world where Hadyn would soon follow.

This new world, totally foreign to the Barlows, is a dangerous, magical place where the rules of Missouri no longer apply. Gnomes, mirlings, fey fairies, witches, kings and soldiers, and even zombie-like children, are commonplace. At first, the boys only wanted safe passage back to their own world, but en route to this end, Hadyn and Ewan discover they've been chosen for a greater purpose. Even those mighty leaders in the Hidden Lands of Karac Tor realize that the entrances of the Barlow boys are fulfilling prophecy. Hopes are pinned on them, but Hadyn and Ewan must fight against their own weaknesses, insecurities and fears before they accept the challenge that lay before them.

With powers, both good and evil, fighting for and against them, the boys soon grow into courageous young men who draw out of themselves more than they thought possible. Through battles large and small, the Barlow brothers fight against the evil taking over the lands and truly grasp the fine line between hope and despair, which is hidden within the confines of every human heart.

THE BOOK OF NAMES is fast-paced and compelling, and readers will be clamoring for Briggs's next installment in this exciting and worthy new series.