Review by Readerwork -- Roan by E. R. Barr
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Readerwork
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- Latest Review: "Roan" by E. R. Barr
Review by Readerwork -- Roan by E. R. Barr
[Following is a volunteer review of "Roan" by E. R. Barr.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Roan: The Tales of Connor Archer, a book that combines myth, science and drama. A well written, though slightly long drawn book, the story is about a teenaged boy who is forced to confront things that are unbelievable in this time and place.
The book manages to combine ancient myth, modern science and teenage angst and drama to tell a pretty good story. Connor Archer, the hero, is totally unaware of his ancient origins and power till he is seventeen years and is suddenly thrust into a world where many things do not make sense even to adults, more so to a teenager who does not believe in magic and myth. The author also manages to weave science and technology into the story by telling about physical anomalies which have resulted from union between humans and Mythical sea creatures called Roans. The power of genetics and science is brought out wonderfully where we can realize the benefits as well as the pit falls of science and technology.
Connor is forced to accept that he is different from normal humans and that he also possesses a power that can unite the world and keep evil and darkness at bay. Piasa, Dr, Drake and Caithness McNabb and her sons are the given names for the prevalent evil, but it is quite easy to equate the greed, maliciousness, slyness and hunger for power and control that are present in the society, irrespective of which Age humans are living in.
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars for the powerful storytelling, the way the tale is built up moving from modern day Chicago to a small river town which holds the power to unite and keep the resident evil away or to succumb to it and keep hiding its secrets. The 4 stars are also for the way a teenaged boy’s journey is depicted showing his grief at the loss of his mother, his love and friendship with Beth and Jace and his unique relationships with his Aunt Emily and the Abbot. All the characters are well etched and it is very easy to believe in the age old wisdom of the Abbot, Aunt Emily or feel the evilness of Drake and the McNabbs. The story could have been a bit tighter and I feel the father, Madoc, is not of much use to Connor or to the rest of the people in the story and feels a weak character rather than the mighty prince that he actually is.
Overall, a wonderful and compelling read and falls into Urban, Mythical, and Science Fantasy genre and has raised the bar for such genres where compelling characters and story hold the reader’s attention throughout the long book. This book also provokes you to go and research Celtic myths as well as old Native American tales and gives a modern twist to the age old battle of Good versus Evil.
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Roan
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4 out of 4 stars
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Roan: The Tales of Connor Archer, a book that combines myth, science and drama. A well written, though slightly long drawn book, the story is about a teenaged boy who is forced to confront things that are unbelievable in this time and place.
The book manages to combine ancient myth, modern science and teenage angst and drama to tell a pretty good story. Connor Archer, the hero, is totally unaware of his ancient origins and power till he is seventeen years and is suddenly thrust into a world where many things do not make sense even to adults, more so to a teenager who does not believe in magic and myth. The author also manages to weave science and technology into the story by telling about physical anomalies which have resulted from union between humans and Mythical sea creatures called Roans. The power of genetics and science is brought out wonderfully where we can realize the benefits as well as the pit falls of science and technology.
Connor is forced to accept that he is different from normal humans and that he also possesses a power that can unite the world and keep evil and darkness at bay. Piasa, Dr, Drake and Caithness McNabb and her sons are the given names for the prevalent evil, but it is quite easy to equate the greed, maliciousness, slyness and hunger for power and control that are present in the society, irrespective of which Age humans are living in.
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars for the powerful storytelling, the way the tale is built up moving from modern day Chicago to a small river town which holds the power to unite and keep the resident evil away or to succumb to it and keep hiding its secrets. The 4 stars are also for the way a teenaged boy’s journey is depicted showing his grief at the loss of his mother, his love and friendship with Beth and Jace and his unique relationships with his Aunt Emily and the Abbot. All the characters are well etched and it is very easy to believe in the age old wisdom of the Abbot, Aunt Emily or feel the evilness of Drake and the McNabbs. The story could have been a bit tighter and I feel the father, Madoc, is not of much use to Connor or to the rest of the people in the story and feels a weak character rather than the mighty prince that he actually is.
Overall, a wonderful and compelling read and falls into Urban, Mythical, and Science Fantasy genre and has raised the bar for such genres where compelling characters and story hold the reader’s attention throughout the long book. This book also provokes you to go and research Celtic myths as well as old Native American tales and gives a modern twist to the age old battle of Good versus Evil.
******
Roan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Readerwork's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Roan" by E. R. Barr
