The Drum Tree - by Catherine V Wolf (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Drum Tree is an eco-fantasy novel that explores the mystical power of nature and people's symbiotic connection to it. With the world on the verge of industrial emergence, the villagers of Deep Knoll must reconcile their fears of the nearby forest when a young boy vanishes. Beckoned by a mysterious drum, sixteen-year-old Delan embarks upon a journey into the woods.

Once Delan's friend Hali, and his rival, Jase, follow him into the unknown wilds, their quest begins. Wandering through the forest, they find a circle of trees. "A tree grew in the center of the circle. Mouths agape, the three could only stare. It was the most massive thing, living or constructed, that any of them had ever seen or even imagined . . . Sunlight streamed around the tips of the branches and pierced through the dense leaf canopy to illuminate a magical world below."

Upon touching the tree, the adventurers are shown visions of destruction and beauty across the planet. These visions lead them to discover their own gifts and what they must do with them.

The Drum Tree is the first in a series.

Review Quotes

"Catherine V. Wolf writes in a spare, yet lyrical manner that welcomes the reader into the believable world she has created, where humanity and nature co-evolve and thrive, although dark clouds seem to lie ahead in this new series. Delan, Hali, and the other young protagonists of The Drum Tree were incredibly well drawn and real. They felt like the mythical children of a pre-industrial age. My heart constantly opened to them as their quest unfolded. I am really looking forward to the next installment!"-Dean Cycon, award-winning author of Finding Home: Hungary, 1945 and A Quest for God and Spices

"If you and your friends (and maybe a frenemy or two) were tasked with literally saving the world, could you do it? What a treat to join teens Delan, Hali, and the gang as they face this very dilemma in the eco-fantasy adventure that is The Drum Tree. Author Catherine V. Wolf leaves readers eagerly anticipating each new chapter, captivated until the final page."-Susan Diamond Riley, award-winning author of The Sea Devil's Demise

"The Drum Tree is a luminous and deeply moving story that beats with the rhythmic heart of the natural world. Wolf masterfully weaves together themes of environmental stewardship, the power of intuition, and the complex bonds of family and friendship. The Drum Tree's greatest strength is its rich sensory world-building and visceral reality to the forest that her characters both fear and feel drawn toward. The descriptions of the forest are nothing short of magical, transforming the woods from forbidden to a living, breathing entity that 'sings' to those who listen.

"The Drum Tree is a story that stays with you long after the final page, like a faint but steady drumbeat echoing in your heart!"- Kelly Keevins, author of The Cavern

"In this tale of friendship and adventure, we meet Delan who is far more than the odd, bullied outcast. Old friends meet new ones, and rivals become partners in this page turning book. The bounds of what we know about our world is put to a marvelous test as we dive into this fantastical, gripping story. With elements like looking within oneself for purpose and strength, The Drum Tree is an engaging and thought provoking gem."-Sarah Alserhaid, author of the Etched in Stone trilogy