"Colt will meet members of the One Tribe and healers along the way. From them, you might find the information you seek."
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Prey of the Spirit Bear by William Hill Otter Creek Press
book review by Michael Radon
Between the impending divorce of his parents, harassment by the tabloids, and a general sense of not belonging, Colt Swiftfoot escapes into the Arizona desert eager to leave his crashing world behind. When he encounters supernatural sights involving his spirit totem and is forced to fend for his life, he winds up part of the only hope the world has left from a practitioner of black magic. New friends including a Junior Park Ranger and a by-the-books Boy Scout accompany him across the country as Colt is forced to accept his destiny and cure Spirit Bear of a sinister possession. As doomsday looms nearer, natural disasters and evil spirits are becoming widespread, threatening to prevent these children from saving a world unaware of the grave danger it has been placed into.
Like many books of this genre, the strength and success of this title's narrative is the journey of these reluctant heroes as they are forced into choosing to do what others simply can not. The way that Colt identifies himself as a serious gamer, often comparing fantastic events to those in video games or wishing that he were playing his adventure rather than living it, is a detail that young readers will be able to relate to and identify with. The mixture of modern sensibilities with native folklore and real-world locations will inspire the audience to get out and explore the world around them more closely in search of splendor and adventure. The setting and the action were unique and engrossing, entwining strong morals and characters with exciting action into a solid mixture sure to keep readers glued to the story line.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review