“Geleish the Good, Seer of Banba, was worried…
After months of struggle, her visions were finally clear enough to declare a prophecy before the High King. She felt great anxiety over what she had seen. ”It is the Delaney,” she whispered to herself, as she walked. “I can’t believe it…the Delaney”…The sun rose like a white pearl on a long chain, but Geleish was far too preoccupied to dwell on anything but one solitary thought: All the suffering, all the battles…this terrible war…the Delaney must put an end to it all. The Delaney is our only hope.”
…Twelve year old Caleb Coen and eleven year old Mira O’Neill have no idea that they both have deep ties to the magical realm of Banba… never dreaming of the adventures that await in the land where the wind has hands, fog has a face, a burning flame is an enemy in disguise, and the strongest magic comes not from the waving of a wand. The fate of Banba relies on them finding out the truth about what they are called to do, and discovering who they are in the process.
This story of free will, sacrifice and redemption is enriched with elements of Celtic mythology, allusions to Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and is a hero’s journey rich in the mythopoeic tradition.
The Delaney : Journey to Banba is not only about a physical journey, but a journey to self-discovery. Beautifully written, magical, and hard to put down, this novel reveals Annabelle Moseley’s skill as a storyteller. From a secret land that appears in a cup of water, to revelations of difference, to the enduring power of poetry, The Delaney : Journey to Banba shows us the importance of living life in the moment and being open to transformation. While reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Secret Garden, the book remains Moseley’s own, reminding us, with every chapter, of why we love to read. A stunning debut.
- Kim Bridgford, author of Undone and Instead of Maps
That Annabelle Moseley would write prose of grace and beauty should come as no surprise; she’s an accomplished poet. That her debut novel would establish her as an excellent storyteller as well is nothing short of astonishing. The Delaney has the makings of a classic.
- Pete Duval, author of Rear View: Stories
In The Delaney, Annabelle Moseley has created a fascinating novel, one whose lovely use of poetic language and Celtic myths, can be read by anyone who enjoys literature that transports you to another world. Combining ancient archetypes of myth with spirited grit, The Delaney is also a story about the continuing power that the poetic imagination has in the modern world.
-Michael White, author of Soul Catcher and A Dream of Wolves
This book is one of my favorites. Ms. Moseley really goes to a place that you can relate yourself to. You can see yourself as Caleb or Mira and understand their journeys. I can not wait to read more about their adventures.
I enjoyed this unique adventure very much. I love how it expresses the power of poetry and how each of us have the potential to be great heroes, even if we feel very ordinary. I think that the different places the story takes the reader to in Banba are so unique and creative. I love all of the magic, secrets, and mysteries. There is a deep meaning to each adventure and it was fascinating to see how Mira and Caleb grow and learn. This book was such a great read and I can’t wait until the sequel!
I am a very picky reader that usually forces myself to get through reading books for school. On certain occasions however I find books or series that I simply can’t put down. This book is one of those. I was easily able to relate to both protagonists of the story and the symbolism was incredible throughout the book. The amazing thing is I am usually attracted to books with a lot of action in it but this book has kept me glued even without a large amount of “battle sequences”. Its awesome character development and addicting storyline is incredible. The details are just enough to give a clear picture without boring you and the action keeps you on the edge of you seat at all times. This book taught me very valuable lessons that I will cherish for a lifetime and I am extremely excited to read the rest of the series.
This was a book I just couldn’t put down. I loved the way it had the ability to take the reader on a journey. I felt like I was in a different world, experiencing each adventure with Mira and Caleb. The book was mystical and beautifully written. All of the symbolism was amazing and the creativity was endless. Annabelle Moseley is a beautiful writer and I cannot wait to read more!
I don’t read for leisure very often, but when I do, the book I choose has to be quite good. I ended up reading the Delaney twice. The author did an excellent job depicting all of the characters, settings and situations. As I read the prologue for the first time, I remember picturing everything so vividly in my mind– as if it was a movie. The story kept me hooked on every line all the way up until the end. From the very second I finished the book, I had a deep desire to continue on to the next one. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one at the time, but hopefully there will be in the near future. Overall, I think the book was great. I look forward to picking up where the last adventure left off.
The Delaney: Journey to Banba offers an escape to all audiences as it brings you into the world that Moseley has so impressively created. I found myself connecting with the characters in the book, and when i finished the book, I was almost angry that I couldn’t read more. It’s connections with Shakespeare’s The Tempest makes it all the more interesting and intellectually intriguing to read. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of another book in The Delaney series, I cannot wait to find out what adventure Caleb and Mira will encounter next.
Annabelle Moseley truly showcased her ability as an author in her wonderfully written novel, the Delaney: Journey to Banba. The characters are perfectly formed and each of the two main characters’ developments are eloquently revealed throughout the course of the book. Each and every reader could find a character he or she could relate to. I personally found a connection with Mira especially in the scene where she is reunited with her mother for only a short time. That scene, in my opinion, is the epitome of the novel and Annabelle’s ability as an author. The chapter possessed so much passion and love, things only an incredible author could relate into words. I can’t wait for this journey of heroes to continue in a second novel.
Annabelle Moseley has constructed such a profound, ravishing novel not only of enchanting imagination but of the true magical power, the one deep inside your heart. It is so intellectually and poetically formed your mind can not cease to put down the pages that hold these charming expressions. As a reader and writer I am very open minded to all works out there, but Annabelle’s book has such a captivating essence, that you yearn to constantly keep discovering what will happen next. And aren’t the greatest novels the ones that leave you awed and inspire you to not only be a dreamer of today, but tomorrow as well? This novel will offer you something much more eternal than just entertainment. Annabelle Moseley has a story to be told, that will not go unheard of.
Reading is not one of my favorite things to do, but when I find a book that’s really worth reading such as the Delaney, it becomes a priority. This book lead me to another world beyond everyday life and beyond a good read’s expectations. I loved following Mira and Caleb throughout their journey in Banba. It was truely a page turner. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The extraordinary imagination and magical writing talent that Annabelle Moseley has will surely touch your heart in this adventure filled novel. I can’t wait to read on about Banba and the mysteries that it holds.