Book Five of A Wonderful Week for a Quest
The Whatsit’s Rebirth
A Phoenix Saga
An old friend in danger. A finicky phoenix. One whatsit who must become something more.
Grimblewaith takes the lead in a clean comic fantasy of loyalty, transformation, rival factions, and a magical bird with very particular terms.
This Phoenix Quest Contains
The Mafaea Family
A notorious criminal clan with an old friend trapped at the top and danger waiting at every level below.
Phoenix Magic
Transformation is possible, but the phoenix is a demanding negotiator with no interest in convenient heroics.
A Whatsit Transformed
Grimblewaith must become faekind without losing the loyalty, grit, and identity that make him worth trusting.
Clean Wordplay & Adventure
Family-friendly fantasy with rival claimants, magical bargains, comic language, and plenty of footnote interference.
The Story
To Save His Friend, Grimblewaith Must Become Something New
Grimblewaith has climbed the ranks of the Beandom Highway Patrol. When his boss summons him, he expects a promotion. Instead, he receives a mission: rescue an old friend who has been forced to lead the notorious Mafaea family.
To infiltrate the Mafaea and survive long enough to help, Grimblewaith must become faekind. Only a phoenix can grant that transformation, but the legendary creature proves far more interested in bargaining than in heroism.
Now Grimblewaith must cross the Beandom in search of an offering the phoenix will accept while rival factions compete for the same fiery power. Saving his friend will require more than a disguise. He must prove that he is no ordinary whatsit—and decide what rebirth should truly mean.
Meet Grimblewaith
The Rejected Sidekick Steps Forward
Hear Grimblewaith discuss his history, loyalties, ambitions, and the long road from disposable minion to the hero of his own quest.
Try the First Chapter
Sample Grimblewaith’s mission before agreeing to negotiate with a phoenix or infiltrate the Mafaea.
The Cast
Meet the Characters
Open a profile for a spoiler-light introduction to the officers, wizards, performers, and mysterious allies in Book Five.
Officer Zink (“Oz”) — The High-Strung Officer
A green-and-white-striped centaur officer whose energy, loyalty, and volume all rise dramatically whenever danger appears.
Wally the Web Wizard — The Connected Magician
A wizard who combines old magic with new connections, offering information and assistance through a distinctly unusual web.
The Great Joaquin — The Master Showman
A flamboyant performer whose confidence and presentation suggest that every entrance deserves an audience and every problem deserves a flourish.
Yeahrti — The Mysterious Figure
An unusual presence connected to the book’s deeper mysteries, carrying knowledge that may be more valuable than it first appears.
Wren / Serrinanal — The Long-Lost Ally
A woman with two names and a forgotten connection whose return gives Grimblewaith’s mission a deeply personal purpose.
Listen to Book Five
Hear the Phoenix Saga
Experience Grimblewaith’s rescue mission, the Mafaea, the phoenix bargain, and the series’ playful language in audio.
A Reader Rose to the Occasion
“What a fun story! This book reminded me a bit of The Phantom Tollbooth with all of the wordplay, and it had a lot of clean, kid-friendly fantasy too. The narrator did a great job portraying all the different characters.”
Amazon reviewer
Continue the Seven-Day Misadventure
More Quests Await
Return to ELM’s pirate treasure hunt in Book Four or explore all seven books in A Wonderful Week for a Quest.
Michael D. Young 