SF Canada member Douglas Smith has a new release today. The Crystal Key is the second book of The Dream Rider Saga series. Described as Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).
Will Dreycott is the Dream Rider, the agoraphobic teenage superhero who walks in our dreams but never in the streets of his city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets haunted by voices that warn her of danger. Fader, her brother, is very good at disappearing. Together, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world (The Hollow Boys).
In The Crystal Key, a trail of dark secrets leads Will, Case, and Fader to a hidden world. Trapped between warring cults willing to kill for a mysterious relic, the three friends must master strange new powers that grow stronger and wilder the closer they draw to the truth.
This time it’s not just the fate of the world at stake…but the multiverse.
You can purchase the book from various retailers. Click here for purchase links.
“The engrossing second installment of Douglas Smith’s Dream Rider Saga trilogy. … Smith continues to demonstrate an ability to expertly weave multiple complex fantasy elements into a cohesive whole. … This fast-paced story delivers in a big way—and Smith has all his ducks lined up for an explosive conclusion [to the series] that readers won’t want to miss.”
—Blueink Review (★ Starred review)
“A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (★ Starred review)
“Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books
“Fast-paced and entertaining.” —SF Crowsnest
“A fun supernatural tale with well-developed characters and a touch of romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
ABOUT DOUGLAS SMITH
Douglas Smith is a multi-award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.”
His latest work is the YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). His other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope and Impossibilia; and the writer’s guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.
Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 3-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award and has been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC’s Bookies Award, Canada’s juried Sunburst Award, and France’s juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.
His website is https://smithwriter.com.
“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner
“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner
“Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda, multi-award-winning author and editor