Literary Thoughts from the Shark Head

Somewhere between Oz and Narnia, and not that far from the little alley that takes you to Hogwart’s, is a beautiful island called Wraidd Elfennol.  The way that Rick Riordan brings to life the traditions of the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Norse, Morgan Sheppard pulls her readers into the not so forgotten world of the Welsh, where magic is a way of life, and nature is something strong and powerful that must be kept in order.  With strong characters and magnificent details, Sheppard takes her readers on an odyssey that leaves them laughing, gasping, and begging for more.  A story that appeals to old and young alike, Water Weaver is as educational as it is page turning as it follows young and gifted Marella on her journey to discover who she is and what she is made of when she and the other Chosen of Wraidd Elfennol must travel to mystical lands in a desperate attempt to save their tranquil world from all the harm that can come from a world out of balance.  Sheppard does her own weaving as she blends humor, fact, and poignant life lessons into a piece that reads like an articulate friend telling you a fascinating story in front of a cozy fire.  She had hooked me with Marella, the first book in this series, but now I am an addict.  Water Weaver is an extraordinary read that leaves you craving exotic foods, a warm cup of tea, and her next book.

Whether you are a young adult, or just young at heart, you are bound to love Marella. I'm still not sure what I enjoyed most about this novel. In the beginning, I was impressed with the author's detailed and flavorful world building as she draws us into a world of wonder with delightful characters who care about each other and the world they live in. It's a world full of animals who bond with people and the hint of magic bound in realism. I soon found myself as protective of the main character as her family while I watched her begin her journey into adulthood. An explanatory and intriguing ending are sending me off to the next book in this series with the sincere hope that Morgan Sheppard will be writing many more in this series because I just found my new book addiction.