Brownbird’s Luck

Book Title: Brownbird’s Luck

Author: Kriss Erickson

Niche: Fantasy

Price: $2.50

Size: 38,000 words (143 pages paperback equivalent)

This delightful fantasy is the first in a new series called The Land Behind the Veil. It features elves, unicorns (always a favorite), evil forces, and a quest.

The book will probably appeal most to pre-high school kids (including girls since the protagonist is a 14-year-old girl) and those who are still young at heart. Since I’ve never grown up (I may grow old, but I refuse to grow up), I also enjoyed the story.

If I had to criticize anything in the book, it would be the rather slow start. The scene setting seems to be necessary, but I’m one of those who wants to get into “the good stuff” right away. However, Erickson handles even that part of the book skillfully. I could almost taste the dust of the barnyard in my mouth and smell the crops her “Da” grows.

Her characters are real and engaging. Although they speak with an almost backwoods accent, it doesn’t get in the way of the story nor is it difficult to follow. Rather, it adds to the “reality” of the yarn and draws you into Deila’s world.

The sense that this is more than just a story about a poor farm girl becomes evident early on with the mysterious death of a new foal and the strange new foal that takes its place. Lessons in life given by her grandmother, “The Dark Weaver” add to the conviction that something extraordinary is happening.

Erickson doesn’t disappoint. Soon Deila is drawn into events that are far beyond the mundane world she lives in. A great setup for the next book in the series, Brodentia, which is due out in April.

Let go of your grip on reality and enjoy this trip into a different world of fantasy and mystery.

Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)

No DRM

Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state

By it now at AKW Books