reported by Cindy McGee Ellis, FictionFanatic.com

Too many fantasy novels for young adults rely upon a boy to save the world. Not this one!

Pelican Publishing Company announces the introduction of an exciting new fantasy novel, "The Sword of Anton," penned by worldwide youth marketing expert Gene Del Vecchio. The official launch is June 2006, but galleys are available now for reviews.

In his sequel to Del Vecchio's "The Pearl of Anton" (Booklist starred review), Megani, a teenage girl, uses her immense magical powers to keep the peace in the ancient world of Trinity. But a demon wizard strips Megani of her powers and moves to enslave the world. No man or boy can meet the challenge. The only hope is Megani's inner strength and her host of companions: a mysterious historian, a warrior archer, and a mysterious orphan girl named Lyndi. To succeed, Megani must first find the long lost Sword of Anton.

Will Megani be able to retrieve the ancient blade and defeat the black-hearted Wizard, or will the demon destroy her and enslave the world she loves? Some say she doesn't have the strength to succeed, for after all, when stripped of her powers, she's just a girl. "The Sword of Anton" contains a large dose of hi-octane girl power, based on the formidable spirit of the author's own fifteen-year-old daughter.

About the Author: Gene Del Vecchio is a world renowned youth marketing consultant and the author of the Atticus Award-winning "Creating Ever-Cool - A Marketer's Guide to a Kid's Heart," and "The Blockbuster Toy! How to Invent the Next BIG Thing." "The Sword of Anton" is his second novel; his earlier "The Pearl of Anton" received a starred review in Booklist.

Visit www.theworldofanton.com for videos, audio excerpts, or to preorder.