Enrico Antiporda

Books

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Smashwords book reviews by Enrico Antiporda

  • Dark Curses and Faerie Dreams on May 06, 2013

    This book is YA fantasy-adventure novel set in the imaginary land of Cowgrass, where dwarf-like creatures called Woodsy Trolls inhabit the hills and forests. The story opens with our precocious heroine Duggan McDuggan, barely eight years old, pressing an old Storyteller to tell her about the ancient, long forgotten, and sometimes forbidden customs of the Woodsy Troll and the enchanted land of Eshmagick. Even at an early age, Duggan is a history buff, fascinated by the old ways of her people. Flash-forward six years later, Duggan and her pals Lambrell and Zagger are drawing close to their passage into adulthood (in troll-world, age fourteen). They want to engage in a big quest by capturing a faerie that would guide them in their adventure trek into the darkest forest of Esmagick (like the ancient toddles used to do as a rite of passage). But there is a catch: capturing a faerie is forbidden in Woodsy Troll land, an act that would bring a terrible curse upon those who did it. But Duggan and her friends are Toddles, and like any other tweeny, sometimes engage in daring, stupid deeds (remember when we were kids and did all those dumb things?) So the three friends capture a faerie and a curse is immediately brought upon their families. As their parents and siblings slowly turn to stone, the three must now travel far and wide to find a way to reverse the curse. And this, in essence, is their big quest, ie. their rite of passage into adulthood like the Woodsy Trolls used to do in ancient times. In their quest, they are placed in a variety of dicey situations, engaging them with an assortment of amazing beings from the destructive humans of Devonwicke who almost mobbed them to death, to Wood-wraiths, Buzz-faeries, wizards, and witches, etc. The storytelling is engaging and kept this reader turning the pages. The pacing is good and the fantastic worlds the author took us to are quite imaginative. This is the reason we read fantasy novels, right? I loved Duggan's narrative voice which is YA perfect, sympathetic, and relatable. In line with this, the author did a terrific job creating the world of the Woodsy Troll and its vernacular. I liked the Woodsy Troll back stories as much as the quest itself as they build upon the characters of Duggan and friends. The only criticisms I have is the authorial intrusion of having the reader click on links that supposedly enhance the reader's experience, which annoyingly took me out of the story. The book stands on its own without this gimmick. At times, Duggan is much too passive and often lets Zagger take the lead. Duggan is the protagonist. Ideas to advance their journey and the leadership role should come from her, not Zagger. After all, it is her story we are following. Overall, a good book both young adults and adults will enjoy. Four bold stars for this YA fantasy-adventure novel.