This is part of one of my challenges to read authors of various cultures including the natives and more especially of Canada. This made it nice as I would be reading the story and seeing things from a perspective of one who was born in Canada but not native.
I like the way the book starts which deals with I would say superstition. It is what we would consider it in English. However for the natives you can feel that it is part of their very beings. They believe in the portents and try and live their lives as such.
I find at times it’s a bit hard to follow the characters since it jumps from a plane ride to a teenager in highschool and her grandma. While it doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of does make things harder to follow. I have faith that this will all become clear as I get further into the book
As you get to see everything is connected and by reading further the characters so mesh together so it’s not as confusing just still lots of characters to keep track of.
The characters are very good and here are my initial thoughts.
Keithel Hunter is a very petty man who while having his family in forefront seems to not realize what he does affects more than just him or his mother. His daughter is hugely affected by his lack of common courtesy or understanding. He isn’t a bad man just not someone that I would choose to interact with.
Granny Ruth is another who while she is okay on the surface she seems to take the father’s side all the time and doesn’t think of her granddaughter that much.
Tiffany Hunter is cool and while a teenager she is moody and doesn’t understand her father or granny in any way. She is on edge because of stuff that they do as they are trying to make a better life for her.
Pierre L’errant is mysterious and very cool. He shows a lot of superstitions especially ones that seem more linked with his native ancestry. He is very polite but something seems a bit off with him in some ways. My favourite character so far as he seems to just want to be left alone but still maintains the polite nature.
Tony is Tiffany’s boyfriend and really seems very disappointing as one. He doesn’t have a lot of concern for her happiness and sometimes it feels that he is just very selfish. Typical boy in a lot of ways especially when they are teenagers and first dating someone.
The story has a dark tinge to everything as if something is out of place but can’t put my finger on what the issue is. I love the way the author puts that into your mind and it sticks with it. It’s not a lot of action but this book just has me getting chills from his good if is written.
I love the mystic style as well as it gives it an air of fantasy as well which really does permeate the story. It is just the way I like it as well as it lets your imagination fill in what you think could be magic.
I had it figured out to a point but I believe that this book really pushed the boundaries and makes you want to read more about Pierre and his actions in Europe. Great read and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Crazy Canadian Writing 