Your exclusive first look at the cover for Ridley Pearson’ s fourth “Kingdom Keepers” novel

Jim Hill

14 years ago

It’s something that every Disney fan has wondered about. What actually goes on inside of the theme parks after dark? What sorts of weird & wonderful things go on at Walt Disney World after all of the Guests have gone home for the day?

Author Ridley Pearson

Well, a few years back, Ridley Pearson (i.e. the co-author of the “Peter and the Starcatchers” books) took this idea and ran with it. With the end result being “Kingdom Keepers,” that super-popular series of young adult fantasy novels.

So far, “Kingdom Keepers” has been quite the “E” Ticket ride. We’ve followed Finn Whitman and the four other young teens who’ve been DHI-ed (Translation: turned into daytime holographic images that then help guide Guests through WDW theme parks) as they’ve discovered that there are very dark forces at work behind-the-scenes at Walt Disney World.

And these dark forces would be the Overtakers. Physical manifestations of Disney’s greatest villains who are seemingly out to destroy WDW … and perhaps the world that lies beyond the berm as well.

In the first three books of the “Kingdom Keepers” series, “Disney After Dark” …

… “Disney at Dawn” …

… and “Disney in Shadow” …

… Finn and his friends have had some pretty amazing adventures. Going behind-the-scenes at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Not to mention going head-to-head with two of Disney’s biggest baddies, Maleficent and Chernabog.

But when the fourth book in the “Kingdom Keepers” series, “Power Play” …

… hits store shelves on April 5^th of this year, another Disney Villain comes on the scene. And that’s Judge Claude Frollo from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

“And what sort of challenges will the Kingdom Keepers face in ‘Power Play’ ?,” you ask. Well, without giving too much away here, as you read through this 448-page hardcover, you’ll discover (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD) that the Overtakers are no longer confined to the four WDW theme parks. And when these Disney villains stage a daring attack in the Resort’s shopping village, it’s clear that the DHIs are now really going to need to step up their game.

Which may be difficult. Given that there’s now some dissension in the ranks. Charlene Turner has recently been going against the group’s rules, striking out on her own. And when this cheerleader & track star is caught using her DHI to sneak into Epcot … Well, the others now wonder if this is just typical teen rebellion. Or is something more sinister going on?

FYI: If you’re just getting started with the “Kingdom Keepers” and want to learn more about Finn, Charlene et al, then why not swing by the official website …

… where you can then read up on the first three books in the series. Not to mention play the hugely popular “Kingdom Keepers” online game. Which launched back in July of 2010 with the release of “Disney In Shadow” and will soon be superceded by an all-new hypervideo game.

Yeah, there’s lots of fun yet to come when it comes to “Kingdom Keepers.” In fact, earlier this week, Mr. Pearson boarded the Disney Wonder to begin the research phase for the fifth book in this series. Which will supposedly feature the first appearance of yet another famous Disney fiend.

“And who exactly will that be?,” you query. Well, given that Ridley is reportedly under contract to write a total of 10 “Kingdom Keepers” books, I’m sure that he has lots of ideas when it comes to keeping his readers hooked.

Anyway … Thanks to the very nice folks at Disney Publishing Worldwide for allowing JHM readers to have this exclusive first look at the cover for Ridley Pearson’ s fourth “Kingdom Keepers” novel.

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