Review by Wa_hu -- Roan by E. R. Barr

[Wa_hu]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Roan" by E. R. Barr.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Conor Archer is young man dealing with the recent loss of his mother to cancer. Before he can even moan his loss a strange biker bites him and puts his life at risk. Acting on the instructions his mother gave him on her death bed, he travels to Tinker’s Grove,Wisconsin. He is to take shelter with his aunt when he reaches there.

When he arrives, he is weak with infection and still heartbroken by his mother’s passing. He even passes out, when he wakes up he is surrounded by strangers who will soon become his closest allies. His new friends take him to a burial mound believed to have healing powers.

Tinker’s Grove is a very mysterious place; Conor meets children with strange anatomical features and mystical powers. He also comes into contact with many supernatural creatures that have stayed hidden from the rest of the world for decades.

As it turns out, Conor’s life and ancestry are not what his mother led him to believe all his life. He comes from a lineage of heroes and it is now his turn to save the world in the greatest battle ever prophesied. This battle will take place in Tinker’s Grove and Conor must quickly learn who to trust in these new surroundings.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The author did a fantastic job of painting a vivid and lifelike picture of the mythical town of Tinker’s Grove. All its strange inhabitants added to the mystery and created a sense of wonder.

The narrative unfolds in layers, the true nature of every character is revealed slowly to build suspense. The villains in this story are wicked, but unlike most villains I have read about these villains always have a good reason for their evil deeds. They have multi-dimensional personalities and could have easily been the heroes in this story had circumstances been different.

Conor the protagonist is quite relatable in all of his confusion and doubt. He struggles with insecurities like most people do, especially when his body begins to change. Becoming a hero is something he grows into as he gains confidence in himself.

Evidently, this book was very well researched. The mythology utilized in this book is documented. I love it when books expound on well known myths to create fictional stories. I use it as a reference point for further research into these myths. This book will appeal strongly to people who love fantasy and science fiction genres.

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Roan
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