Howard L. Siskind, an author, musician, and creator of the Honabeats series, has released his first young adult fantasy novella, SARE, published by Vanguard Press, an imprint of Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Publishers Ltd. The book introduces Sarah Beth Wolfe, known as Sare, a high school junior whose family vacation to the Caribbean transforms into a journey into a hidden world of magic and danger.
Sare has long experienced vivid dreams of battling dragons, but as the story unfolds, she discovers that these dreams are real. A mysterious portal connects the cruise ship to Hidden Hill, a Victorian-era town where a dragon, stolen treasure, and a terrifying Magon—a being part man and part dragon—await. With her spell book, magic mirror, potions, and a Star of David amulet passed down through her family, Sare must embrace her destiny as a protector, aided by her father, Jake Wolfe, and new allies aboard the ship.
The novella weaves together fantasy, adventure, family heritage, Jewish mysticism, time travel, and coming-of-age themes, offering a fast-paced story for readers who enjoy magical quests and strong heroines. Siskind's creative background, including original songs connected to the SARE universe, adds a unique dimension to the narrative. His tracks "Daydream Dragon" and "Daydream Dragon II: Return to Hidden Hill" serve as musical extensions of the book's mythology, available on YouTube and YouTube respectively. Additionally, the Honabeats theme song, available here, demonstrates his cross-disciplinary approach to storytelling.
Siskind's creative evolution was featured in Up.St.ART Annapolis Magazine, with an article titled "Ink – Never Missing a Beat," which highlights how his ideas often originate in one medium and evolve across others. The feature can be found at this link. The article underscores his ability to merge writing, music, and visual storytelling into a unified creative identity.
The Honabeats series, co-written with his wife and daughter, has received positive feedback from readers. A reviewer on OnlineBookClub praised the wordplay and illustrations in "Honabeats Says: Crazy Words!," awarding it a five-star rating for its engaging blend of rhythm, humor, and visual storytelling. Family readers have echoed that praise on Amazon, noting how the book made phonics and wordplay feel playful rather than like rote memorization.
SARE is now available for purchase on Amazon. The novella marks the beginning of a planned series, expanding Siskind's storytelling universe beyond children's literature into fantasy adventure. The book's emotional core lies in Sare's connection to her family, with her powers tied to heritage and legacy, giving the story a deeper sense of purpose beyond the adventure. SARE is ideal for readers who enjoy fantasy adventure, magical realism, portal stories, dragon lore, and tales where ordinary life opens into the extraordinary.
