Cheslyn Myre is a King-spired story where the children must fight malevolent, evil forces.

This is the longest story I have read by Demain Publishing, even though it is only about 120 pages.

The story takes place in a place called Cheslyn Myre—an English market town which seems like any other, but isn’t. Statistically, violent crime and suicide is off the charts. Something is bringing out the worst in people.

We can all relate, I’m sure. With our rushed, stressed, crazy lifestyles, anger and frustration is more common than we would like to admit. We all feel like we reach our limits sometimes and we are about to snap.

Case in point: Nearly three years ago, I stopped smoking after about 24 years. It wasn’t easy and it sure wasn’t pretty, and for a time there I really did think I was going to blow. After about twenty days off the cancer sticks, we had a really bad, busy time at work. To say I was not a ray of sunshine would be putting it mildly.

Anyway, I was about halfway through my shift and irritated with everyone and everything, when somebody came to give me a message. Problem was, that specific person was speaking too softly, and I had to ask him to repeat it. He did, without raising his voice even a little bit. Well, that was it, I had enough, so I jumped on the table, grabbed him by the front of his shirt, lifted him in the air and screamed in his face:

“Enunciate! Or I will F*cking end you!”

Okay, I exaggerate—the thought flashed through my head though, but who am I kidding, with my weak and skinny arms, I wouldn’t be able to lift anyone by their shirt without a pulley or crane.

The point is…for those living in Cheslyn Myre, there was nothing to stop them from actually going through with these violent urges. And, of course, it’s something living down in the abandoned mine—let’s face it, too many people buy into the whole “out of sight, out of mind” bullcrap, so it’s just easier that way.

Enter three teens—Matthew, Alicia and Tobin—all with difficult home lives and personal demons they had to battle from a young age. Of course, they will go to the Air Ministry on a dare, and the poop will collide with the proverbial fan.

The story was good—there were a few minor editing niggles, but nothing too dramatic—and I enjoyed it for the most part. Thinking it was probably 3.5 stars through most of the tale, I was pleasantly surprised with Part 2 of the story. So much so, I think this one deserves 4 stars.

Very decent coming of age yarn.