What others are saying…
What a wonderful adventure! June 11, 2013 by Felicia Bowen Bridges
Through the Balustrade is a terrific read! Roxan is the perfect blend of daring adventurer mixed with enough insecurities to be thoroughly relatable. It reminded me of a mix between Ted Dekker’s Circle Series on a YA level or The Hunger Games with a better theme and without the gore. The characters were wonderful and memorable and MB Dahl’s vivid description of this other world carried me there. While the story was resolved, the door was clearly left open and there is obviously more to tell – can’t wait to read the next in what is sure to be a wonderful series!
Worth the read! July 3, 2013 by Jessica
This is an excellent first book from M.B. Dahl. From page one, it plops you into a world that is strange enough to get your mind engaged, but familiar enough to be comfortable. The characters and their stories come together excellently and the plot keeps moving forward. The characters themselves are loveable, hate-able, and totally relatable. The only thing that it left me wanting is a sequel. Through the Balustrade has definitely earned its place on my bookshelf.
Highly Unique October 24, 2013 by Debra Koontz Traverso
First, the title promises action and a quest, and the book delivers. M.B. Dahl’s writing is captivating and strong, and helps the reader move along quickly. The setting is unique and original, and I wanted to be there! Umm, just to visit, not stay. This is generally not my kind of book, but I heard about it and wanted to try it. I’m glad I did. It delivered just what I want in a story: intrigue and drama, interesting characters that made me laugh and cry, a setting that made my imagination kick into overdrive, and authentic dialogue. Highly recommend.
Intriguing, left me wanting more…, September 17, 2013 by Holly
I loved this book. The author did a wonderful job developing the characters. It took me to another place where the characters drew me into their world; a world that is strange, yet intriguing. This story was so captivating and intriguing and left me wanting more. The author makes great use of good vs. evil and light vs. dark imagery. I do hope there is a sequel, because I can’t wait to read it!
Go Through the Balustrade and Come Out Strengthened, Sept. 17, 2013 by Marcia Moston, author of Call of a Coward
Through the Balustrade drops you into a fantasy world, the characters’ struggles, longings, and need for purpose and belonging resonate strongly with those experienced by many of us here and now. A book of hope and redemption, but not sappy or fluffy. It’s well written prose and pace carried me along, though I am not typically a YA fantasy fan. I went through the balustrade and came out encouraged and strengthened. .Recommended for adult as well as young adult readers.
If you’ve ever felt unwanted or unchosen this is the book for you! June 16, 2013 by Lori Roeleveld
If you’ve ever felt unwanted, ungifted, or unchosen, this is the book for you! M.B.Dahl understands what it’s like to feel that you don’t belong, to feel that breaking out is your only hope, and to risk everything – even yourself- in the hopes of finding the meaning and purpose of your existence. Completely original, M.D. Dahl takes you to a world that doesn’t exist and makes you feel you’ve known this world all along. The perfect read for the young adult in all of us! Buy a copy for yourself and for the searching young adult in your life.
I didn’t want this book to end…Loved it!!! August 13, 2013 by Amy Burroughs
This book had it all — a mysterious and intriguing setting, a suspenseful and intricately woven plot, vivid descriptions, well-developed and relatable characters, and a beautiful message that continues to inspire long after I read the last page. For anyone who has ever felt unloved, helpless, or worthless, this is a MUST READ! I highly recommend this book, and I hope a sequel is on the way soon.
