Fans of Cornelia Funke's Inkheart will find themselves lost in the pages of Into The Seventeen Towers by Jareth Z. Navratil. The protagonist is Nathaniel, a character with a unique gift but one that will never exchange his comfort for anything that demands effort. He has the unique gift of entering into the pages of books. Yes, he is mediocre and good for nothing. When he discovers an unfinished manuscript written by his grandfather, The Seventeen Towers, he is intrigued. He has never ventured into an unfinished book. But what are the stakes of trying to enter the pages of the book? Can he shape its ending?

This is a fantasy tale with compelling themes, including loss and love, addiction, and more. The character isn't written into the common reality of contemporary readers, but he inhabits the fantasy of every reader. He is as real as most of us, seeking an escape from his grim existence by entering into the pages of books. Readers will learn to love him as they follow his journey through the narrative, captivated by his curiosity, even his boredom. The writing is stellar and Navratil has the ability to conjure vivid images in the minds of readers. Scenes are focused, and while the story explores a unique concept, the points of view are delivered with clarity that makes the book even more enjoyable. Nate's boredom and mediocrity are expertly portrayed, yet readers can't hold themselves from wanting to know what becomes of him as he explores a new experience with Into The Seventeen Towers. The narrative balance, the plot solid, and the entire story is filled with scenes that are emotionally intense. I loved it to bits.