Coming this Christmas from Montag Press, The Big Cinch, a supernatural noir adventure by Kathy L. Brown. Sean Joye, a fae-touched young veteran of 1922’s Irish Civil War, aims to atone for his assassin past and make a clean, new life in America. Until he asks the wrong questions. . .
In Son of a Trickster, a Haisla teen comes of age in a tough, realistic world full of real, but hidden, magic.
Life is Tricky
Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson (a member of the Heiltsuk and Haisla Nations) is a remarkable coming-of-age tale (first of a trilogy and also a short-lived Canadian TV series). Tenth-grader Jared must discover his own magical nature in addition to navigating the usual and not-so-usual trauma of growing up. Set in suburban Kitimat, British Columbia, Jared has limited access to his Haisla cultural heritage. However, odd things seem to happen just on the edge of his peripheral vision: He hears a raven speak to him. Sometimes he can see beneath a stranger’s guise—glimpsing a not-human face and attitude. And his own grandmother claims he isn’t quite human.
Son of a Trickster
The surface plot of Son of a Trickster revolves around Jared’s daily life as a high-school student. A complex, likeable character, in addition to taking on the caretaker role for his mother, father, elderly neighbors, girlfriend, and buddies, he’s also the local pot supplier and a functional alcoholic. He skips school constantly but does his homework and is at least trying to pass. The chaos of his homelife builds incrementally until he finally decides to escape.
Meanwhile, in a parallel plot, the supernatural creatures of the area reach out to him more and more frequently and aggressively as the story goes on. With extensive trust and control issues, Jared wants nothing to do with any tricksters who claims him. But he soon learns there’s no escaping destiny.
Gritty Young Adult Issues
Son of a Trickster has a straightforward, down-to-earth voice that makes the supernatural episodes especially chilling. Its themes are typical young adult (YA) concerns: a teenager figuring out their place in the family and community; navigating the challenges of friends, school, and growing up; and finding a special someone with who they have a real connection. Jared’s growth arc is affected by supernatural complications in all those areas of maturity. For example, not only does he have a messed-up human family with whom to deal, but he might also be the son of Wee’git, the raven trickster of Heiltsuk and Haisla mythology. At least that’s what the birds say.
However, grief and loss, violence, physical attacks, and trauma are a big part of Jared’s story, and the book doesn’t blink. Some truly scary stuff happens. In addition, Jared is sexually involved with a steady girlfriend, drinks a lot of alcohol, and is renowned for his delicious and effective pot cookies. The world of Son of a Trickster is a hard one. The adults are all suffering in one way or another and the young aren’t spared much.
Recommendations
Fans of both character-driven fiction and subtle worldbuilding will enjoy the story’s immersive details. The people are genuine and the settings convincing. The supernatural elements are played out well as wisps of mystery and intrigue until the plotlines collide. Jared’s danger is real, and the reader can’t help but be pulled in to root for him. This story does include scenes of child abuse, torture, substance abuse, and sexual relations.
If you liked this book review, check out my review of Vita Nostra, in which a young Russian woman learns her magic.
And Now a Word from Our Sponsor
Like the blog? Subscribe (form at the bottom of my website) to never miss an issue. Want more? Subscribe to the monthly newsletter for exclusive content.
The Big Cinch, my new novel in the Sean Joye Investigations series, is coming for Christmas. Check out all my stories at Amazon.com. Order my epic-fantasy novella, Wolfhearted, or from Barnes and Noble if you prefer, here. It is also available as an audiobook, here.
If you’ve enjoyed one of my books, tell the world! Consider leaving a short review at Audible, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads. The direct link to review Wolfhearted on Amazon is here, The Resurrectionist, here , and Water of Life, here, or visit my Shop off the landing page menu to review at Barnes and Noble. Thanks in advance. Reviews put the book in a more prominent position on Amazon.
Last winter St. Louis Writers Guild published Love Letters to St. Louis. This adorable letter-shaped volume of short stories, poems, essays, and illustrations included my first science fiction story, “Welcome to Earthport Prime: A Self-Guided Tour.” A perfect gift and profits benefit the guild’s young writers’ program.