Safe Passage
Karen Menezes
Magical Realism
The old-growth forest and the borderlands of Capherayna are a mystery. So are its people, the Xaeltik community. They live in a pre-industrial time warp, unable to defend themselves from the dark forces of the modern world. In the heart of the forest, a vortex of death is rumoured to swallow the living, chew on them and spit out the pieces. The Lightbender stumbles into Xaeltik territory after days of wandering the forest. He is welcomed by a macabre sight that changes the course of his destiny. To save lives, he must risk his own.
Uncaged Review: This book follows the travels of the Lightbender, who is supposedly human, but has been trained since infancy in science and metaphysical studies. He is able to heal, and bend the light to create, so a human with magic is how I read. On the borders of the city known as Capherayna, people live a simpler life and have for centuries, without the interference of the city, in somewhat of a time warp. But with the new monarch, who wants their lands for himself and the resources, he sends out troops to the borderlands when the people refuse to move. Killing children is the order given, as the monarch feels this will cause enough distress for the people to move. When the Lightbender and others of his kind show up, they attempt to help the borderland people and the Lightbender will risk everything in his attempt to save them.
I had a couple issues with the book, although I understand some of it. The slower pace due to building the world was expected, but the chapters are very broken up into small slices, sometimes interrupting the flow of the story. The story is very original and the world building does help the reader have a better understanding of the story, it was just paced a bit slow. Overall, this is a good story with a good message. Reviewed by Cyrene
4 Stars
