santoki

Echo McCool is a twelve-year-old half-dryad girl living the life of an outlaw in the vast Wicca Forest during England’s mythical past. One day she is pursued by a forester and shot with a poisoned arrow. Echo hides inside a hollow oak tree where she enters a deep sleep, the dryad magic preserving her soul for so long as the tree itself remains alive. In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren. This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax. The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump.

2022-11-14 14:02