Ryan’s Legend by L.F. Young
Many many years ago… when his kids were small, a plumber by the name of L.F. Young wanted something unique to read to his kids at bedtime. So using his imagination and a little bit of ingenuity he created a story that he personalized just for his kids. With a little prodding from his children to complete the story he created a great bedtime story just for them. It was called Ryan’s Legend.
Times went on and his kids became parents themselves. Mr Young retired from plumbing and started looking at his writing for his kids again and realized that he could have a little fun in his retirement. So he decided to share Ryan’s Legend with the world at large.
Ryan’s Legend is available as a Kindle Download from Amazon
Ryan’s Legend tells the tale of a young boy who gets to meet one of the most amazing and interesting friends that any boy his age could possibly imagine. A creature that seems to be straight from the fairy tales.
In this short story aimed at a young teen audience, Mr. Young starts to show the world of sci fi/fantasy to a whole new generation of readers. I personally picked up my first fantasy book (A Wrinkle in Time) at around 10 or 11 and from that moment I was hooked.
The important thing about starting new readers on sci fi/fantasy is to slowly introduce them to the idea while maintain a semblance of “real world.” Mr. Young seems to grasp this theory extremely well in his novel and gives us just enough fantasy to allow our minds to stretch while still keeping the story well within the realms of something that could be relatively plausible otherwise.
All in all I think that Mr. Young is a great new author and this book would be an excellent addition to any child’s kindle library. Also worth noting that he also has a second book in the series that is sure to be just as good as the first.
Lockie says
Thank you, Carl. This is most unexpected and a very welcome surprise.
Julie Lundstrom says
Ryan’s Legend sounds like a wonderful and inspirational book. I would like to read it.
Lockie Young says
Thank you, Julie. I know you will like the sequel to Ryan’s Legend too. I’m not sure if the link will work in messages, But I’ll try. You can also get The Legend Returns Here
http://morningrainpublishing.com/project/the-legend-returns-by-l-f-young
It picks up where the first book leaves off.
Jenna says
Great review. I love knowing the story behind the author.
Lockie Young says
Thanks Jenna. I would love for you to read my books and let me know what you think.
Amanda Schaeffer says
Ryans Legend sounds like an amazing book my son my like to read it
Lockie Young says
Hi Amanda. If your son likes nature, adventure and (*whispers dragons) then I bet he would like both books.
Marthalynn says
Wow. This sounds like my kind of book! I love reading a story that uplifts and inspires. Adding this to my list right now!
Lockie Young says
Thanks, Marthalynn. My publisher has a few Adult and youth Fantasy titles. Enjoy, with my all my appreciation.
Doris H says
This sounds like a very inspirational book. I will have to order through Amazon….this is a book I know I’d enjoy reading.
Lockie Young says
Thanks Doris. If you scroll up this page there is a link to my books. Hint* If you order from Morning Rain, the publisher, they send you a PDF copy to your email, AND you can request a copy for your favorite reading device, Kindle or Kobo. So you get two for one .
Patricia Delgado says
My 14 year old daughter and I have been reading books together and this seems right up her alley, is it appropriate for a 14 year old?
Carl Bainbridge says
honestly I really don’t believe it is out of line for a 14 year old.
Lockie Young says
Hi Patricia. Ryan’s Legend was tested at a grade three and up reading level, and The Legend Returns was tested at about a grade four reading level. That means the words are simple enough to pronounce and understand on their own to read, but reading together is so much fun! Yes your daughter will love both books.
AnnB says
Ryan’s Legend sound like it’s from the heart and I will recommend we get it at the elementary school library where I work in Mtl.
Lockie Young says
Thanks, AnnB. It is only available in eBook format at this time, but I hope to negotiate a possible box set in the future. Your interest is most welcome.
shelleyb says
Alright, next time we’re at the library, I’ll take my 10 year old over the the section to try to find Ryan’s Legend by L. F. Young. Great!
Lockie Young says
I don’t think it’s in any libraries yet, Shelleyb. But you can get both books for less than the cost of a fancy specialty coffee. Ha ha. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Katy says
What a great story! I love that this is his passion. The story sounds great, too!
Lockie Young says
Thank you Katy…can you see me blush? I really do love to write, and I am still getting used to the idea that people actually like my stories, and that just makes it all worthwhile. Let me know what you think.
Patricia Hoffmeister says
Sounds very inspirational.
Lockie Young says
Hi Patricia H. I’m sorry I didn’t reply before today, and if you subscribe to this Blog and you didn’t see the reply until today, my apologies. I somehow missed you. Thank you for taking the time to stop and read my interview. I hope despite my tardiness you’ll still think about reading my stories. I bet you’ll love them.
Cheryl says
Nice that he was able to follow through and publish his book. I think so many great story tellers don’t follow their dreams and do so.
Lockie Young says
How nice of you to say, Cheryl. Yes I come from a long line of stubborn folk, but hard work and just never giving up on the dream really does pay off, but it doesn’t come to you, You have to make it happen. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy my book if you decide to buy it.
Elizabeth H. says
That is absolutely lovely he was able to publish the book. Glad he went after his goals and did this!!
Lockie Young says
Thank you, Elizabeth. I had so much fun writing it, I wrote and published the sequel too.
orianna thomas says
This does sound like a very good read as I also have young pre-teen children so I would rather give it a read before the children…
Lockie Young says
Hi Orianna. Ryan’s Legend can be read by an adult in about two hours. I know because I test drove the piece back in 1998 with a group of senior citizens in Riverview, New Brunswick, and they wouldn’t let me leave until I had read the whole thing. They were enthralled and I think the cliff hanger chapter endings sealed the deal Ha ha.
Layne Austin says
This sounds like an awesome book! Can’t wait to give it a read!
Lockie Young says
Thank you, Layne. I wanted to also introduce some nature lessons in this book and the sequel. In The Legend Returns, The characters Ryan and his best buddy, Corey, learn about hermit crabs, and jelly fish, and all things about living by the shore. I hope you enjoy my stories, and thanks again for stopping by.
Carol Nine says
I like that it doesn’t have so much fantasy that it isn’t plausible. My grandson would enjoy reading this.
Lockie Young says
Thanks, Carol, and I know you would enjoy reading with your grandson. I wanted this story and the sequel to have a real feel to it, so it wasn’t the mythical creature we all know from fairy tales…this creature (spoiler alert!) doesn’t breath fire or fly and is a real animal. And spending many summers by the sea, I thought lots of children might not know what cut grass is, and things like that. I hope you enjoy them.
Carol Nine says
All of my grandsons who are old enough to read would love this.
Lockie Young says
I think my stories appeal to a wide audience, Carol, but then I’m a tad biased. If you go to my publisher’s web site, and keep an eye on upcoming events, I will be having a Blog tour with special deals and prizes, coming up sometime in September. the link is Morning rain publishing (all one word) dot ca and it will give you a glance at the other titles there as well. Something for every reading taste on that site.
Tara Gauthier says
I think my son would really enjoy this book. Can never keep enough books on hand for him to read, which is a great thing so I am not complaining that he loves to read!
Lockie Young says
Really happy to hear that, Tara. We need to get our children reading, and if that means we will try to read with them, even better.
Katherine Riley says
What a great story behind the story. My grandkids would love this book.
Lockie Young says
Hi Katherine. Thank you for your kind comment. I bet you will like my books too.
Wendy Gage says
very interesting book I may say got to definitely get this book for my son .
Lockie Young says
Thank you, Wendy. I know you both will enjoy my books.