By
E.A. Solinas
Top Amazon.com review for book.
Everyone knows how great
Brian Jacques is, from the 12-plus Redwall series. Though he specializes in
medieval rodent battles, Jacques's talent shines in a new and unique offering.
Though the cover, with a handsome lad in a storm-tossed ship, seems to indicate
a very different kind of book from the kind it is.
Ben,
the mute hero of the story, survives the destruction of the Flying Dutchman, a
sailing ship. Now he wanders the Earth with his talking dog (interesting
switch), living forever thanks to an angel. Apparently they're supposed to
"bring confidence and sympathy, help others to change their fate."
Though this sounds like the beginning of a "Once in a
Lifetime"/"Touched by an Angel" drama, it's anything but.
Centuries
pass, and the two come to the peculiar town of Chapelvale. The citizens allow
them to stay, but the villain is plotting the industrial destruction of their
town. A scramble ensues to save the town, full of riddles and hidden clues.
Ben
and Ned (the dog) are a delightful duo, well-balanced and sympathetic. Jacques'
writing style is smooth and polished, his well-loved formula of good vs. evil
as present as ever, even if Ben isn't a walking mouse with a sword.
With delightful dry wit and a supernatural thread running
through the prose, Jacques steps outside his series. As well-beloved (and still
fresh) as the Redwall books are, hopefully he will write more books in this
vein.
All rights to Mr. Solinas
This is not my work and I am not saying it is.
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