Book Review: March

I have mentioned this book several times in passing throughout my other posts, but now I shall review it. Get ready for "The Hound of Rowan" by Henry H. Neff.

I believe that this was a book that my Nana bought for my sister.
However, it remained on the shelf un-read for a long time.
I think my sister tried to read it, but was frightened by the vyes.
Years later, I discovered it when we were sorting through stuff
and decided to read it. I'm very glad that I saved it!

The Hound of Rowan begins in a familiar setting. It takes place in modern day Chicago as Max and his father go to the art museum. Then Max discovers the tapestry. The tapestry that will change everything.

The tapestry depicts the Cattle Raid of Cooley and later the story will explain what that means. If you are already familiar with Irish mythology then you've got a bit of foreshadowing of what is to come. Soon after Max discovers the tapestry he finds a letter in his pocket. A letter from a school called Rowan where he is invited because he is special (Very Harry Potter-esque, but it has its own merits). The letter informs him that he will be visited the next day by someone from the school.

I'll stop here since I don't want to spoil the story for you, but if you like Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, or any book that has a world half in and half out of our reality, then you will enjoy this as well. (Maybe even more, if you choose to read the whole series).

One of the strengths is that the story is focused on Irish mythology and Celtic history. I don't think these topics are explored in young adult literature or at least it appears infrequently. I love anything with mythology and so this captured my attention right away. I wanted to know what the tapestry meant and, when they start talking about the Sidh and the Tuatha De Danann, I just had to learn more about those stories.

Since this is the first book, it is a set-up story and a foundation. The key factors to great stories are the characters. This book gives readers an understanding of Max and his background as well as seeing how he adapts to a new place. He faces challenges that increase in severity as the book goes along, just as Max grows in strength as the story progresses.

Now this might be me, but I love a main character who is brave when the time arises, humble about their deeds, grateful for aid offered, and flawed as much as anyone. Max fits each of these and having a likable character makes it easier to read.

Max has to grow up fast. It is a coming of age novel before he comes of age and if you choose to continue, you will see that he faces adversity that challenges him at every turn. What I love about Henry H. Neff's writing is that he doesn't do half-measures. He brings conflict into a full scale and then finds a way for it to resolve. It might not be a happy ending, but it is satisfying and I think that's all a story really needs.