I won Peter Huddleston & The Rites of Passage in a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest review. Peter Huddleston & The Rites of Passage is the first book of the Galadria fantasy trilogy by Miguel Lopez de Leon. I didn't know what to expect when I opened this book, but I wasn't expecting to be swept away from the first page. The main character, Peter, finds himself in trouble and is sent away to live with his aunt. He finds himself having to prove himself, and having an unbelievable adventure, and meeting wonderful, and not so wonderful, characters. The characters are very vivid, and the story flows smoothly. I just couldn't put this book down! I'm definitely adding this trilogy to my physical collection of books! Fantastic job, Miguel! ( )

I would recommend this to fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

(There are 3 books so far. Kindle Unlimited)



Peter Huggleston is a peculiar boy. He doesn't much care for his stepmother and since his real mother's death, doesn't have much of a relationship with his father. After an incident involving his boomerang and his stepmother's best friend, he finds out that he has a maternal aunt, Gillian, and that he will be staying with her for the summer.



Hillside Manor, his Aunt's home, is not at all what he expected it to be. His father and him entered through a front gate large enough to make the car they rode in look as small as a potato. The structure before him is easily the largest he had ever seen. He is greeted at the door by the house secretary, Mrs. Smith, and the House Host, Monty.



Aunt Gillian tells Peter that she is queen of the Realm of Galadria (the golden realm) and it is time for her to name her successor. She has had no children so naturally she has chosen him to take her spot. She tells him that because of his youth ad absence from Galadria that a man named Knor has challenged his spot on the throne. Knor's family is known for it's violence, and cruelty. If he were to gain the throne, Galadria would in grave of civil war.



“I ask you to agree to a life of great privilege and great responsibility. You would not be expected to rule or make decisions in any capacity until I step down from the throne...which will not happen until I am a very old woman.” she added with a wink.

“Until then, what would I do?” he asked wonderingly.

“You would be formally presented to the council, and would spend your summers at Hillside learning about Galadria and spending your time on the grounds. There would also of course be the occasional ceremony to introduce you to the rest of the nobles, but those events are held here at the manor. Then when you came of age, you would go through the traditional 'Rights of Passage,' a series of challenges that the rulers of Galadria must pass, as I did, to prove your readiness and ability to the council.”

“And what if I choose not to accept?” he asked.



Peter must prove himself a worthy successor by successfully completing a series of challenges called The Rite of Passage. In order to get ready for these he spends his days training and studying. A unknown person goes to great measures to try to scare Peter away from completing tasks ahead of him.



This book reminds me a lot of the Harry Potter books. I was completely engrossed in this book from beginning to end. There is magic, hidden lands only accessible by portals, and mythical creatures. The world that author has built is amazing and very unique. ( )

An interesting introduction to a well thought out magical realm that includes new words, foods and customs and is a great start to a compelling new fantasy series. ( )

This was a very cute book. The language used in the book was very reminiscent of Harry Potter. This could be a very nice series for someone who feels like there isn't enough magic in their lives since the HP series concuded. With that said however, don't do too much comparing to the Harry Potter series. Those books were epic and it will be decades before anyone comes close to achieving the same magic. But if we put Harry Potter asside for awhile and look at this book simply on its own it really was a very nice book. An easy read and easily acceptable reading for younger readers. The characters were lovley. Peter's buttler Monty was a hoot. And I have to say a large friendly white tiger was a lovley touch. I could have done with a little but more surprise in the ending, I never like the bad guys to be so obvious, but overall it was a throughly enjoyable and fun book. ( )

This is an easy, entertaining book that a younger me would have completely adored. The start was awkward, yes, but who hasn’t felt like they live in a terribly beige world with oddly named relatives and acquaintances? The book does pick up, and my inner child was giggling throughout. More than anything, this book is fun. I’d love a tiger. I’d love a Monty. I’d love to be swept away to a place like Galadria. Or at least, my inner child would.

I think this book is done a disservice by being the first of a series. Aimed at a younger demographic, it is necessarily shorter than it could, (or should?) have been. But it grants its younger readers clarity; it allows its older readers a fun, quick escape. I’m looking forward to the second installment of this series, and expect it to be just as enjoyable as the first. ( )