Brothers Born
Oldtown Book 2
A. K. Frailey Books
ISBN 9798994596579
eISBN 9798994596562
ASIN B0H6NJB51F
I believe this is the thirteenth time I have read a book by Frailey. I have read a few of her adult fiction and non-fiction titles. I have all the others on my ‘to be read’ pile. I absolutely love this second volume in this newer series, I have been recommending this book and series to friends and family, and it is one I wish my daughters will read.
The description of this volume states:
“After twenty years, Kai Curran is reunited with his half-brother and discovers that he must face haunting childhood wounds, heal from personal trauma, and care for his four-year-old nephew. The OldTown community supports Kai during his crises, encourages a burgeoning romance, and teaches him the true meaning of family.”
About the author we are informed:
“A. K. Frailey has written the historical sci-fi OldEarth Encounter series, a contemporary first contact novel, Last of Her Kind, the Newearth sci-fi series, an OldTown series, short story collections, a modern parent's reflection on J. R. R. Tolkien's works in The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings, personal and introspective My Road books, children's books, and a poetry collection. She taught elementary education in Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; and Wood River, IL. She also trained teachers in the Philippines for the Peace Corps and later earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University. Ann homeschooled all her children and currently manages her rural homestead with her family and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge and secretary/treasurer of her small town's cemetery.”
I will state again about 30 years ago I went through a phase where I read 30 volumes from Madeleine L’Engle over about 18 months. I read her youth fiction, her adult fiction, and her theology, anything I could lay my hands on. And thanks to some generous friends I was able to travel and meet her at a conference. Her works have had a lasting impact on me. And with the reading of this new series I can now say the same of Frailey, I have read her fiction, her non-fiction, her poetry, and I plan on reading everything she has in print. While reading this I thought a lot about three specific L’Engle works: A House Like a Lotus, A Ring of Endless Light, and The Young Unicorns. Those three works are clearly gears at tweens, and teens This is for older teens, young adults and adults.
This is another deeply moving story. As a father of daughters it was at times very hard to read. It is the story of family, friendships, community, and small town life. It is the story of family, addiction, forgiveness and trials. It also has an element of an unknown child being dropped at the doorstep of the biological father. While reading this a young man reached out to me, believing my deceased brother is his father. In a strange twist of life imitating art.
Kai Curran has decided to settle in Oldtown. He has started building a life, very different from the one he left behind. But his plans and work might all come undone as his estranged half-brother appears in town and is toting a young son, neither of them knew about. Kai is trying to navigate supporting his nephew, building his life, and figuring out what is really best for his brother and his battle with addictions. Things might all come crashing down before he has really had the chance to establish his roots. To find out read this excellent novel.
L’Engle wrote two types of fiction: Chronos – real time fiction, and Kairos – fiction that crosses space and time. Frailey has done the same in her works. And this is a perfect Chronos story. Frailey is a modern day L’Engle, and this is an wonderful offering from her masterful pen. It is a story you will find hard to put down, and one that will touch your heart. Few of us in this day and age have not encountered broken families, and addiction, and this story does a masterful job of showing it is well-handled way. It is moving on many levels. It looks to be the next story in what is shaping up to be an amazing series! When you finish you will be desperate for another book in the series.
I highly recommend this story.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by A.K. Frailey:
Old Earth Series:
OldEarth ARAM Encounter
OldEarth Ishtar Encounter
OldEarth Neb Encounter
OldEarth Georgios Encounter
OldEarth Melchior Encounter
…
New Earth Series:
NewEarth: Justine Awakens
NewEarth A Hero's Crime
Oldtown Series:
Non-Fiction:
My Road Goes Ever On A Timeless Journey
…
Note: Old series that got reworked into other series:
Deliverance Series:
ARAM
Ishtar's Redemption: Trial by Fire
NEB the Great: Shadows of the Past
…
Hidden Heritage Series:
Georgios
Georgios II - A Chosen People
…
