By Ernest Hogan
Move
over Harry Potter! In A Kingdom Beneath the Waves: Garza
Twins Book Two by David Bowles,
this new series boldly charges into worlds the boy wizard never
dreamed of. It's a fast-moving fantasy that sends the reader's mind
soaring. Visits to the beach (and looking at the ocean) will
never be the same.
Besides
the preColumbian mythology introduced in the first book, The
Smoking Mirror – a 2016 PuraBelpuré book – we get more of the joys and terrors of being
teenage naguals. Then Carol, Johnny, and their family go on a vacation in Mexico. It
starts out with gritty high school reality and ends up in the middle
of a fantastic underwater civilization. The Aztec rain god Tlaloc is
there, and merfolk, and of course Tezcatlipoca shows up to cause some
serious trouble.
This a definite
crossover book. The usual white girls that YA is focused on will find
a lot to enjoy. Latinos of all varieties will find things to identify
with, and the book is so action-packed its appeal will be global. The
merfolk connect to other cultures, and yes, Atlantis figures in. I
might also add that a lot older adults will find it exciting and
enjoyable.
A Kingdom Beneath the Waves
is one of the most imaginative fantasies I've read in years. I say
this as a jaded fan of fantastic lit who's been reading it since
before the first moon landing. David Bowles has created an original,
convincing, and fascinating world. Did I mention that it's a lot of
fun?
There's also Guide
to Pronunciation, a Glossary, and a Guide to Spanish Words, so it's
educational too. Kids, mention this in your book reports. Maybe throw
in some of the Nahuatl you'll learn. Impress your teachers, maybe even educate them a little!
It's got this
old guy looking forward to more of the series.
Ernest Hogan, author of the underground cult novel High Aztech,
is holed up in Arizona, watching the political turmoil, and
contemplating the opportunities of cultural transformation that may
arise.
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