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The Bravehearts of Belgrave High
Book One of The Tolemac Chronicles
First Edition: September 24th 2015
A novel about Courage, Magic and Adventure
The Bravehearts of Belgrave High
Once in a while comes a tale of heroism that lifts you out of the mundane and into magical worlds beyond. Such are the Tolemac Chronicles and the exploits of our heroine Viviane.
Let’s face it, growing up has never been easy. Finding your way on that difficult journey between childhood and adulthood can be a lonely experience. Especially if you feel you are different from other people, left desperately wondering where you fit in. The Chronicles explore these experiences as they follow the journey of Viviane, our teenage heroine.
In The Bravehearts of Belgrave High – the first of seven chronicles – we meet Viviane as a teenager coming to terms with feeling like a misfit. School is a tough place to be, but home is even harder with an abusive father and controlling mother. However, Viviane has one saving grace; she has a rich inner life that she keeps safe from harm. It allows her to go deep within and travel to worlds beyond this one. Magical worlds full of wonder. At first she is confused, but then it dawns on her that this is a gift that can make her strong and wise, able to deal with anything that life can throw at her.
Storyline
Pacey and full of wit, this whimsical yet gripping adventure has a cast of likable characters who might just remind you of yourself. Meeting troubles head-on, triumphing, learning, growing. It’s what every teen who is growing up in a dysfunctional, abusive or violent home needs to hear.
Here we read of a young teen who is raised in a toxic environment, abused by her mother, bullied by her peers, raped by someone she cared for, humiliated and taunted by neighbourhood kids. Every part of her young life has been a nightmare, an unending roller-coaster of excruciating experiences and debilitating encounters. However, a light burns in her; one nurtured by the love and visitations of her spiritual mate.
Viviane is a lanky, shy teenager. Painfully aware of being tall, she feels altogether out of step with the other girls. But that’s not the main problem. The abuse at home fills her with the desire to escape, so she looks for reasons not to go home after school. Her love of dancing becomes a big part of her life, as does playing in the school band and spending time reading at the library after school.
She finds comradeship in her first year of high school with her two new friends; they are brought together by ties stronger than themselves. Driving them is a sense of needing something more and of being capable of so much more.
At the start of the year, Viviane meets Glenda, a confident and happy girl who becomes a close friend and a major stabilising force in Viviane’s life. Their friendship is based on the many things they have in common. Neither girl really fits in, but now that they have each other, neither one feels the need to fit in. Together, they embark on a journey of discovery, mentored by those who have discovered power and who know what it is.
Viviane is a bright girl who has the potential to excel, but for her, school is just a way to pass the time. She tolerates her classes by sharing her quick-witted humour with Glenda, which helps to keep her from dying of boredom. She despises the mental straight-jacket that the teachers try to impose…. so stifling and unimaginative! Fortunately, there is one class that grabs her attention though, and the man who teaches it is so interesting that he inspires her to listen intently and learn everything that he has to say.
Her mind is hungry for learning and despite the boredom of her academic classes, she finds a way to satisfy her hunger for learning by studying more esoteric and mystical topics. That’s what she and Glenda have in common – a fascination with other-worldly ideas. Satisfying that fascination through study and learning makes them both come alive.
Until now, there has been no teacher in Viviane and Glenda’s life who can deepen their interest and advance their knowledge of these things. Consequently, the girls feel a bit lost and their studies appear to be coming to a dead end. That is, until they meet a unique woman named Eleanor who has incredible and mystifying abilities and who becomes their magical mentor.
Past experience has taught the teens that reality is never quite what it seems. Their new mentor confirms this and shows the girls just how amazing these hidden worlds are. The girls are encouraged to search for and visit new possibilities so as to discover a world without borders and to discover what realities lie beyond what their eyes and ears show them. They learn of this world’s hidden gifts and are introduced to those who fight to protect it.
Eleanor also hints at what can happen when someone truly knows how to control reality, and at one stage late in the novel she shows the girls a sample of that. Thus, Viviane and Glenda are introduced to empowering knowledge that heightens their perception of reality. However, before Viviane will be able to use that power she must first triumph over herself and her own adversities. We will see her triumph over these things in later novels.
Yet, as the darkness of others intrudes upon our teen’s life, sadness abounds, and evil deeds wax stronger. School has its nasty side. The leaders of a group of bullies from the same year as the girls have decided that they love to hurt others, and they’re out to get Viviane. They tease and throw insults, causing her pain and embarrassment. However, in the month of June, a new friend comes into their lives. Vicky is a technology nerd who has a deeply intuitive knowledge of science and mathematics, and who knows a few little tricks of her own. With Vicky on the team, those classmates who think that being a bully is cool will soon learn a lesson or two!
Yet always, there are lessons to be learned and obstacles to be overcome. Will the girls stick together, discover all that they can and join the ranks of the enlightened? These things will be revealed in the next novel in the series. Meanwhile, it may come as a shock to all three girls that an abundance of power does not denote an absence of evil. As they grow, so too does the evil around them, seeking to limit their potential and prevent them from succeeding on their journey.
Growing is perhaps the hardest thing to do in the world, a time of great change and discovery. For Viviane, her first year in high school was a torrid time. Her yoke was heavy and her burdens were numerous. She was stretched to her limits and dealt with blow after blow. Failing seemed inevitable but things changed and we see a new journey begin. This story is the journey of an unlikely heroine, a personality reborn in a cruel world that holds no regard or love for her. It is the story of a phoenix rising from the ashes of acerbic sorrows, enabled by latent powers and burgeoning friendship. It is a tale of impossibilities becoming possibilities, thorns become roses and underdogs becoming conquerors.
Join Viviane on her adventure as she is supported by her friends and as she discovers her own power. Follow her as she enters another dimension every night when she passes through the threshold of sleep. Feel her emotions as her spiritual partner visits her and reminds her not to forget who she is. Relate to her yearning for a place and time that tantalises and calls her from just beyond her reach. Share in her dreams, her thoughts, and her unlikely allies as they join together – much inspired by her trusted school teacher Mr. Williams – to find a way to access this special place and unlock its meaning.
Join Viviane in The Bravehearts of Belgrave High and purchase your copy today in print and ebook. Look for it in your school library in the coming months.
The books of the Tolemac Chronicles are produced to raise funds for the Loving Heart Foundation. Click here to find out more about the Foundation.
admin –
Wow! What a wonderland.
Just like how Viviane found The Fury immensely irresistible, so too was The Bravehearts Of Belgrave High to me. Firstly, the choice of words used by the author is explicit and I found each word refreshing.
Travelling with this book – starting with the prologue down to the very last word – has been an unending revelation of fun, courage, magic and bravery. This was a highly enjoyable read.
The Bravehearts Of Belgrave High doesn’t bore you at any point. I felt compelled to read on till the very end. But when it ended, I was like, “When can I read the second book in the series?” I can’t wait until the author finishes the second book in the series.
admin –
A gripping yarn…fresh and fascinating. Deserved a 5-star
The storyline is centred on Viviane, a bright lanky teenager growing up in a dysfunction home. But there’s another side to her life – a magical world full of wonder and daring adventures.
The writer does an excellent job of pulling me in from the very beginning. The characters are instantly likeable and relatable. I had a wonderful ride to the very last page! The entire novel is beautifully written, easy to read, absolutely engaging, magical and full of Mystery and Suspense.
Madeline Rose is such an amazing author. Her writing style is so present, so engaging, you will love the unique warmth she brought to this adventure packed novel.
admin –
Absolutely great book. I loved it! .
This is a fabulous book written by Madeline Rose. It’s the first teenagers book which I love very much ever. It is the beautiful story of a young girl’s life. This book can definitely be read by all the teenagers because the story is very realistic which can help understand such type of problems as the main character’s. Plus it has an inspiring tale of adventure.
The book was very realistic & it described the strong bond between two best friends. We should all have a friend like that in our lives.
Madeline Rose writes the entire novel very beautifully. It is very easy to understand.