Review of Hill of Souls
Posted: 12 Dec 2021, 07:18
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hill of Souls" by Richard Davids.]
How do you feel about the notion that people may get stuck in a limbo of sorts when their lives (or their deaths, for that matter) involve tragic circumstances, misunderstandings, and unsolved affairs? In Hill of Souls, a novel by Richard Davids, this fascinating theme permeates the storyline.
The story begins in the sixteenth century when a boy named Oweyn Skinner, an unfortunate poacher, finds himself in a cave. Caught in a perfect mantrap by Squire Fairweather, Oweyn gets killed by the evil man, despite the efforts of his friend Joseph Methias to help him. The plot then shifts to the present time, and a family in a campervan arrives in Combe Haven in Devon, a small and picturesque place by the sea, for the Easter Holidays. During their sojourn at Malil Cottage, the children find an ancient wooden box in a stream, and a great adventure unfolds.
I appreciated that the central characters of this tale were members of a family. John, Helen, and their children, Jen and Davie, were well-developed, and I felt that their interactions gave the plot a dynamic and heartening quality. Each member of the family (father, mother, son, and daughter) realizes that there’s a historical jigsaw puzzle in their hands, and they dive into it together. How a functional and healthy family operates was a fascinating subplot here, and it was what I liked the most about the book.
Additionally, the plot was a noteworthy aspect in and of itself, and I enjoyed the author’s writing style. Finding the wooden box was just the beginning of a series of mystifying events that the protagonists had to deal with, including strange memories, dreams, visions, and close encounters with the dead. I particularly enjoyed how the author wove coming-of-age elements into a mystery plot. Young Davie, for instance, drew many lessons from investigating what was behind the gold ring and the letter, written in 1546, that they found inside the infamous box. But I cannot give away any other details lest I spoil the mystery.
The mixture of relatable characters and a well-woven plot makes for an entertaining read. It is also a fast read written with levity. It seemed professionally edited, and I enjoyed reading it. There was nothing I disliked about this book, and therefore, I gladly give it the highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy good mysteries, especially if they appreciate coming-of-age elements. I believe the book is suitable for all audiences, for it doesn’t have any profanity or sexual content.
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Hill of Souls
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
How do you feel about the notion that people may get stuck in a limbo of sorts when their lives (or their deaths, for that matter) involve tragic circumstances, misunderstandings, and unsolved affairs? In Hill of Souls, a novel by Richard Davids, this fascinating theme permeates the storyline.
The story begins in the sixteenth century when a boy named Oweyn Skinner, an unfortunate poacher, finds himself in a cave. Caught in a perfect mantrap by Squire Fairweather, Oweyn gets killed by the evil man, despite the efforts of his friend Joseph Methias to help him. The plot then shifts to the present time, and a family in a campervan arrives in Combe Haven in Devon, a small and picturesque place by the sea, for the Easter Holidays. During their sojourn at Malil Cottage, the children find an ancient wooden box in a stream, and a great adventure unfolds.
I appreciated that the central characters of this tale were members of a family. John, Helen, and their children, Jen and Davie, were well-developed, and I felt that their interactions gave the plot a dynamic and heartening quality. Each member of the family (father, mother, son, and daughter) realizes that there’s a historical jigsaw puzzle in their hands, and they dive into it together. How a functional and healthy family operates was a fascinating subplot here, and it was what I liked the most about the book.
Additionally, the plot was a noteworthy aspect in and of itself, and I enjoyed the author’s writing style. Finding the wooden box was just the beginning of a series of mystifying events that the protagonists had to deal with, including strange memories, dreams, visions, and close encounters with the dead. I particularly enjoyed how the author wove coming-of-age elements into a mystery plot. Young Davie, for instance, drew many lessons from investigating what was behind the gold ring and the letter, written in 1546, that they found inside the infamous box. But I cannot give away any other details lest I spoil the mystery.
The mixture of relatable characters and a well-woven plot makes for an entertaining read. It is also a fast read written with levity. It seemed professionally edited, and I enjoyed reading it. There was nothing I disliked about this book, and therefore, I gladly give it the highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to readers who enjoy good mysteries, especially if they appreciate coming-of-age elements. I believe the book is suitable for all audiences, for it doesn’t have any profanity or sexual content.
******
Hill of Souls
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I on truly love the plot of the book it's amazing it's fascinating and it's mysterious I'll say oweyn is a fascinating character and also the book it's so interesting I would go read the book myself and adknowledge and give it the highest rating aswell