Kevin Costner to Write The Explorers Guild Adventure Series

Atria Books announced this morning that Kevin Costner will write a new serialized illustrated adventure series known as The Explorers Guild. The first book in the series, A Passage to Shambhala, will be published in 2014. The series is expected to appeal "to readers from young adult to more mature mystery and adventure enthusiasts."

"A heroic quest with the vivid wildness of Jules Verne, and steeped in world history but with mystical overtones, I believe that The Explorers Guide series will engage readers of all ages in a multi-generational experience that will lend itself to a host of entertainment platforms," said Costner. "As a storyteller and filmmaker, I am intrigued by the inherent resourcefulness, wit, and at times violent nature these characters embody."

Set against the backdrop of World War I, with Western Civilization spiraling into chaos, A Passage to Shambhala follows the Guild's quest to find Shambhala, the golden city of Buddhist myth. Each member is driven toward the City for a different reason: one believes that finding it will save his brother's life; another hopes that it will reveal a path to spiritual enlightenment. Some believe the power of the city can be used to restore peace, while others are certain that Shambhala is responsible for bringing mankind to the brink of apocalypse.