When Adventure Meets a Familiar Path: A Review of "The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden" by Dell Vans

Suppose you've read a few kidlit fantasies in your time. In that case, you'll probably recognize the blueprint of "The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden" by Dell Vans before you're even a few chapters in: troubled home life, a mysterious portal, a magical new world, and a destiny bigger than any child bargained for. While Dell Vans delivers plenty of excitement and heart, this book leans heavily into familiar territory.

Many thanks to the author and Rockstar Book Tours for the eBook and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Scroll down to read my full review, an expert from the book, and enter the giveaway!

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My Review of "The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden" by Dell Vans 

At the heart of the novel is Judy, a quiet, thoughtful girl trying to survive the emotional landmines of her father's frequent outbursts. Her brother Josh, slightly more impulsive but deeply loyal, reveals that he’s been in contact with their long-lost older brother, Danny, through a magical rock (as one does). When Danny sends a map to a secret location in the woods—one that ends up containing a portal to Eden—the siblings leap into the unknown, both literally and metaphorically.

Now, let's get the positives out first: the world-building in New Eden is ambitious and imaginative. Dell Vans populates Eden with mythical creatures galore—from jackalopes to kalavinkas—and tosses in some hefty spiritual stakes by introducing the threat of Evel (a force of destruction) and the celestial mission to find the Archangel Uriel. There’s certainly no shortage of adventure. Fans of high-stakes fantasy quests will find plenty to enjoy, especially younger readers just dipping their toes into the genre.

That said, this journey has its bumps.

The emotional setup—abuse, escape, fear—is compelling and weighty, but the depth fades once the kids cross into Eden. Judy and Josh’s trauma is treated more like a vehicle to get them to the fantastical world rather than something that colors their experiences within it. Judy, for example, never quite processes the fear and confusion of running from an abusive parent before she's chatting with elves and dodging killer birds. There’s a missed opportunity to show how that trauma might impact decision-making, trust, or even heroism.

And then there’s the trope factor. The “neglectful/cruel parents + magical destiny” combo is a well-worn road in children’s literature, and New Eden doesn’t offer much that’s fresh to that formula. The parents, particularly, feel two-dimensional and overly convenient as villains. There's a sense that their cruelty exists solely to justify the kids' flight into fantasy, rather than as fully realized characters that might have added emotional complexity to the narrative.

Still, there’s something to be said for a book that knows its audience. If you're a fan of stories like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Spiderwick Chronicles, and you're okay with a few clichés along the way, you might find The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden charming in its earnestness. The pacing is brisk, the action is plentiful, and the stakes are sky-high—especially when Judy accidentally breaks the portal crystal (oops!) and the only hope lies in finding Uriel before Eden collapses.

Robin and Joralf, two elves they meet early on, add a bit of humor and tension to the dynamic, though like many of the supporting characters, they don’t get much development. Joralf, in particular, has the potential to be a truly layered character—his concern for the children and the land is palpable—but his role mostly centers on delivering exposition.

And that’s the tricky thing about New Eden: it has all the ingredients for a classic middle grade fantasy, but doesn’t quite mix them in a way that elevates the story beyond its influences.

Would I recommend this book? With caveats, yes.

This is a good pick for readers who love portal fantasies and aren’t too fussed about character depth or originality. It’s also a decent introduction for kids new to the genre who might not be as familiar with these tropes. There’s value in that, and Dell Vans does keep the story moving with twists and perils around every corner.

But if you’re looking for a more nuanced narrative or complex family dynamics, New Eden may leave you wanting more.

Final Verdict:

The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden is a fast-paced, fantasy-filled escape that sticks close to familiar kidlit paths. While it doesn't reinvent the genre, it delivers a serviceable journey with a few bright sparks of imagination.

📚 ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

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