Rose Estes

I started playing D&D in 1978 when I was 8. I definitely read a bunch of choose your own adventure books and I may have read this one back then. Fast forward 47 years and I'm having lunch with Rose Estes a block away from the art gallery/store she owns in Seal Rock Oregon, discussing how the whole D&D line of "Endless Quest" books came about and her role in that process.

I had met Rose online in a gamer's secret Santa group, but this was the first time meeting her in-person, and for the show more record, 5 out of 5 stars would definitely do again. :) She's amazing, interesting and has retained her sharp wit over the 40ish years since she wrote this book.

About the book. Talk about nostalgia overload. This was D&D as I remember it all those years ago. The inclusion of the sharp-witted Mim was a brilliant idea that set this adventure apart from other choose your own adventures. The art was great and the book was filled with fun monsters and characters. I read it with my wife and we died with the first "choice" we had to make. There was also a green slime in there and the first time I ever played D&D I was killed by a green slime almost immediately after entering the dungeon. So that was a nice memory. :)

Rose is still writing, so keep an eye out for new stuff, I know I will be. show less

Ah, what a treat. Picked up this gem from my childhood at a used book store. I remember reading this the first time, and how much I loved it then. You know what? I loved it this time too! I read it to it's conclusion, then went back and read it again to get to all the different ends.

Let's face it - back then juvie fiction read like juvie fiction. But it wan't the prose that had me enthralled all those years ago. It was the monsters! The magic! The treasure! The adventure! The choices that show more allowed me to control the story! How awesome is that? I got to dictate what happened in the story. And better yet, it's illustrated!

They don't write 'em like this anymore. Literally and figuratively. I don't think these are in print anymore (I haven't seen 'em), and I've not seen any new choose your own adventure books in some time. I'm sure Rose Estes was a fine writer in her time, but today this book wouldn't fly. The writing just isn't sophisticated enough for today's young readers. But who cares about that? You get to pick a path to adventure on an endless quest! show less

This is a really great adventure, especially for a CYOA style. There's strong characterization and the choices seem well thought out and aren't inserted just for the sake of breaking up the story.

A choose your own adventure. Indiana Jones and George Ballentyne go to rescue George's father after he was kidnapped. They are also looking for the lost treasure of the Queen of Sheba. I believe the book is written for a young teen audience, so was a quick read for me. I had always wanted one of these books growing up but never received one. Had to jump at the chance to read it. It was fun.