Tales From Wakken Wood
E. P. Cowley
Jackie Richard (Illustrator)
ISBN 9781621648000
eISBN 9781642293623
ASIN B0FX6VSZ9K
First I will state I absolutely loved this volume and have encourage my two youngest ages 18 and 15 to give it a read. Second there are a few things that confuse me about the book. For a long time I assumed this was a second volume in a series, the red serpent or sea creature on the cover looks like a stylized “2” So I thought it was a second book and could not figure out what book one was. Second is about it being called a debut novel; more about that in a bit. Again before we proceed overall an excellent novel that leave you wanting more!
The description of this volume states:
“Bullies love to pick on Peter Thornburg because of his shining silver eyes. When Peter’s dad sends him to live with relatives on the island, Peter finds himself just miles away from his best friend, Pixel Rilson, who has also moved to the island to be treated for an inherited blood disease. Why are they both there? Is it a coincidence, or a plan?
Something on the island does not add up. All is normal on the surface: cars, shops, and offices. Yet strange creatures appear and disappear out of the corner of the eye. Stores are ransacked in the dead of night. And sadly, Pixel’s supposed treatments only make her worse. As Peter settles into his new life at Wakkenburg House, he learns that his glinting silver eyes carry with them a great power—and a great responsibility. An old woman emerges to unveil the truth: Pixel is in horrible danger, and the whole island with her. Together, Pixel and Peter discover that Wakken Wood is a borderland where wonders walk and myths unfold.
This dramatic and delightful saga immerses young readers in an enchanted world that touches and illuminates our own, drawing from the folklore and language of the Isle of Man. Readers will learn about courage, prudence, faith, hope, temptation, and the discernment of spirits. In Wakken Wood, the battle between good and evil requires not only bravery, but also careful attention and a love of wonder.”
About the author we are informed:
“E. P. Cowley is a retired home-schooling mother living in southern British Columbia. She holds a masters in English literature from Portland State University. Her debut novel was entitled Tales from Wakken Wood.”
But that does not appear to be the case, I tracked down a copy of a volume called Closing Accounts published in 2015 and with an about the author section that overlaps significantly. Now that book, and the blog listed at the end of it appear to have been scrubbed from the web. But I did find reference to it on a blog post from 2016 that also listed a few other Catholic fictions authors I was reading at the time. So, I believe at best this is the second novel but it is the first commercially published.
This is a grand adventure story, an epic tale, a novel written large and it pulls it off. I have seen comparisons to Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and I can appreciate where those comments are coming from. Being of Irish and Scottish descent and having read much about the myths, legends and folklore and stories of Celtic saints galore this story falls more in that realm for me. There is definitely a familiar feel about the tale. And in many ways it reminds me of Deacon Nick Donnelly’s unpublished Ben Armstrong Adventure Series of which I have had the pleasure of reading three volumes. It also reminds me of the tales of Celtic saints written by Andrew Seddon.
It is a tale of friendship, family, and finding your place and way in the world. Even if that path is a winding trail and seems to piece the veil between worlds. It creatures great and small. Of hope, and of striving. Join Peter and Pixel as their friendship only deepens and grow as they face challenge after challenge. They have gone to both family’s home island and things are not all as they appear. And soon they realize they are in a tale much bigger than they ever expected or had hoped for. These two children are drawn through trials, tears and loss, and with the help of many come through changed and for the better.
An excellent read for the young and old alike. This is way better than a lot of fiction I read in my teen years. And to be honest better than some I still read today. It is an excellent novel that draws reading sin quickly and keeps their attention. The physical book is listed at over 500 pages and the eBook over 600. And it was terribly hard to put down. A great volume I can easily recommend, and I hope there will be many more from Cowley’s pen and if we are very lucky maybe even more in this world.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by E.P. Cowley:
Closing Accounts
…
No comments:
Post a Comment