The Star of Atlantis Series

A starry-eyed boy. A cryptic map. A mythical treasure. What perils await in the chasing of dreams? A famed pirate relic—the Star of Atlantis—lies forgotten someplace along the rugged Welsh coast, where waves and stone clash and where creatures of legend are said to hold sway. When thirteen-year-old Swift finds a map to the treasure, he sets out to claim it and prove his worth to his skeptical brothers who seem determined to thwart his every step. To tease out the secrets of the Star of Atlantis, Swift must take on the gallant Celtic Sea with its azurite waves, its capricious winds, its enigmas… its monsters. And to realize his dream, he must face the most formidable challenge of all—his own father. A masterfully written YA literary fiction story of a boy finding his own way. "As Swift lives up to his name and his family legacy, young adults receive a fast-paced fantasy that will appeal not just on the adventure or fantasy levels, but in matters of the heart as the young struggle for independence and action in the face of parental restrictions. Tricia D. Wagner's attention to pairing psychological struggle with the adventure of finding a promised treasure creates a story that pulls on the emotions of young readers as it satisfies their desire for action and adventure." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review "A sensitive and action-filled coming-of-age story has thirteen-year-old Swift proving to his father and himself that he is capable of far more than either of them believed. The stellar prose of this novella puts it in a category of its own among YA novels." -The BookLife Prize

A seafarer driven to conquest. A dash to the shore’s bitter end. What hope might arise from the ruin of wrecked dreams? Fourteen-year-old Swift loves the study of medicine. His interest is almost a match to his fascination for sea myths—particularly for the Star of Atlantis, a lost relic from Welsh pirate history.  In struggling to “grow up,” Swift sets his sights on competing for a seat in a highly selective internship, for young students aspiring to someday read medicine, until… Swift’s former best friend, Ash, discovers a centuries old pirate treasure. And on sickening interviews, Ash reveals that his discovery contains a clue to the whereabouts of a treasure far greater: the legendary Star of Atlantis. To chase his oldest dream and lay his hands on the Star of Atlantis, Swift must cobble together the few clues that hint where it might rest. If he’s to beat Ash to the treasure, he must put his sailing skills to the test, contending with treacherous Welsh sea coves and caverns.  And he must size up his own fortitude, his own capabilities, or lack thereof— for the search for the Star of Atlantis might mean lost friendships, lost dreams, and even lost life. "An entertaining setup - Swift, a 13-year-old haunted by the near-death of his best friend, sets out to hunt down a legendary Welsh treasure. The story evolves into a harrowing seagoing adventure, brimming with nautical lore and risky feats that will hook readers. Wagner writes crisply and effectively, with an eye for charged action scenes that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Wagner fashions likable characters with just enough background to make them authentic and believable. The exploration of treacherous relationships fits well for young adult audiences, as do the coming-of-age exploits for Swift." - The BookLife Prize

Sea legends and pirate adventures charm eight-year-old Swift, until an encounter with the deadly power of the ocean shocks him into reality. Swift struggles to hang on to his childhood fantasies, but his new grasp of the fragile nature of life and of friendship threatens to swamp his hope. Under the guidance of his older brother, Swift must learn to brave the rough waters of change without losing himself to their destruction.