Facing the Beast Within:
The Anxiety of Cameron Poole
BOOK 1 in the Order of the Stones series
Cameron Poole has a problem, a big problem: he’s a bully magnet who struggles with anxiety. Being the smallest sixth-grader at his summer camp, everything around him triggers his everyday struggles with anxiety, his Beast, making it impossible for him to do the same things other kids can do. In a constant state of worry, Cameron feels like a perpetual failure, his self-esteem crushed. That’s bad enough, but when Cameron learns that mythical monsters are trying to invade his camp, things go from bad to worse.
Can Cameron control his anxiety and confront his Beast while battling an army of minotaurs, banshees, ghouls, golems, and other nightmarish monsters?
Buckle up and get ready for a thrilling adventure!
Winner of the MOM’S CHOICE GOLD AWARD
Winner of the 2023 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD for CHILDREN’S FICTION
Winner of the 2023 NYC BIG BOOK AWARD for MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION
Recipient of READER’S FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW
Recipient of CIPA EVVY BOOK AWARD
Currently: CIBA GERTRUDE WARNER BOOK AWARD
SEMI-FINALIST
Read the first 7 chapters!
Learn about why I wrote Facing the Beast Within
Click HERE.
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EPIC BOOK TRAILER
27th novel from Internationally Published
New York Times bestselling author, Mark Cheverton
New York Times Best Selling Author
Mark Cheverton
When Mark self-published his first Minecraft-inspired novel, Invasion of the Overworld in 2013, he didn’t really expect the book to be significant. But when it reached #29 on Amazon’s Top 100 and the publishers started calling, Mark knew he’d struck a nerve with kids. After 10 years, Mark has written 27 novels that have appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers lists. They’ve been published in 31 countries, translated into 27 languages, and over 2 million copies have been sold worldwide.
Book 2 in the Order of the Stones Series – coming soon
THEY’RE IN THE SHADOWS . . . WAITING!
Last summer, Cameron defeated the Demon Lord, Malphas, and saved New Orleans. He thought the Agarthan nightmare was over, but he was wrong . . . dead wrong.
Shadow-wraiths have come to Earth and have abducted one of Cameron’s friends. He has no choice but to stand up to his anxiety, if he can, and use his newly-discovered magic to fight. But when someone close to him perishes, Cameron’s anxiety will blossom into a supernova of fear and doubt.
Can he confront his anxiety, his Beast, while at the same time choosing who will live and who will suffer a fate worse than death?
Get ready for more spine-tingling battles against the monsters of Agartha as Cameron and his friends learn to use their Earth-magic in defense of the world they love.
Strap in and get ready for some laughter, excitement, and tears.
Other Books
Invasion of the Overworld
Mark’s first Minecraft-inspired novel about Gameknight999; the one that started it all!
The Giant’s Giant
Take a walk with Brianna MineShaker, as she struggles to save the giants of StoneHold before the evil Scavengers destroy everyone she loves. This dystopian adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seat with all the action and suspect you’ve come to expect from Mark’s books.
Theft of the Giant’s Soul
Accused of a crime she did not commit, Lacy StormChaser must prove her innocence by capturing the Scavengers who stole the TruthStone. If she fails, her family will be exiled from StoneHold, a fate that would mean death. But what she learns about the Scavenger’s real plan makes her blood run cold. She can’t fail . . . every giants’ life depends on her.
Cameron and the Shadow Wraiths
Book 2 in the Order of the Stones series
Coming in 2024
Cameron’s battles with the monsters of Agartha are not done. Shadow-wraiths have abducted a childhood friend, and Cameron must surrender himself to those terrifying monsters if he’s going to save her life. But the Shadow-wraiths have something special in mind for Cameron, something that will bring ruin to New Orleans if not the world.
PODCAST APPEARANCES
OneMicNite (October, 2023)
In this interview, I’ll be talking about my fantasy novel, Facing the Beast Within, and the difficult circumstances that led me to write this multi-award-winning novel.
For the Moms Podcast (October, 2023)
In this interview, I had the chance to talk with Jessie and Ashley about Facing the Beast Within. We discussed anxiety, parenting, and a host of other topics.
The Connected Community Podcast (October, 2023)
In this interview, I had the chance to talk with Nicky Yazbek about my Minecraft novels, Facing the Beast Within, anxiety and a number of other topics.
The Author’s Alcove Podcast (October, 2023)
In this interview, I spoke with Agnew Wolfe on the Strength, Love, and Healing with Author’s Alcove Podcast.
The Mom’s Made Plans Podcast (December, 2023)
In this interview, I spoke with Julie Redmond on her Podcast. We had a great discussion!
Praise for FACING THE BEAST WITHIN
– Kirkus Reviews
Facing the Beast Within is a fantastic, emotive, and multi-layered adventure that will satisfy young readers everywhere. I can’t wait to see more from this enthralling and socially conscious series.
– K.C. Finn
Readers’ Favorite – 5-star review
Mark Cheverton paints a landscape of magic, distress, friendship, and strife in Facing the Beast Within: The Anxiety of Cameron Poole. As the first of a new series, it’s an exciting burst onto a new scene; it kept me on the edge of my seat with uncertainty and begs for more installments—soon!
– Audrey Davis
Independent Book Reviews
Middle graders and libraries catering to them who choose Facing the Beast Within for its magical realism and fantasy adventure premise will thus find plenty of fodder for group and book club discussion about the roots of anxiety and how it can be addressed, making Facing the Beast Within a top recommendation both for its entertainment value and for its educational prowess.
– Diane Donovan
Midwest Book Reviews
– Ania, age 12,
Kids’ Book Buzz
– Ania, age 12,
Kids’ Book Buzz
– Dr. Jennifer Smitken
Psychologists/Clinical Director
Learn about why I wrote Facing the Beast Within
Click HERE.
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