Title: Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure
Series: Zan-Gah #1
Author: Allan Richard Shickman
Available: Now
Reading Level: Young Adult
Description from Goodreads:
The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes: survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature's wonders and terrors.
My thoughts:
Zan-Gah has always believed his missing twin was still alive because of dreams he has had since his brother went missing. He is believe dead by others, but Zan-Gah feels his dreams are telling him to search. After killing the tiger that hunted near his village he is declared a man. This motivates him to set out to bring his long lost brother home without thinking what consequences this feat might entail.
The prehistoric time isn’t a setting I think I’ve ever seen in young adult or adult fiction for that matter. Setting alone makes this one stand out among its peers. I liked Zan-Gah, and wanted to see him achieve his goal of bringing his missing twin home. Some of what he experiences is quite gruesome,but what I’d assume is typical for the era in which this novel takes place. I’m not overly familiar with the prehistoric time period, but I found the descriptions and customs fascinating. The author packed quite a journey into a book that is just shy of 150 pages.
This isn’t a book I would normally pick up, but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. A fast-paced and interesting read. The ending sets us up nicely for the next book in the series, Zan-Gah and The Beautiful Country.
Books in this series:
My rating:
Source: Publisher
Yah for good surprises :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book before, but I'm definitely going to have to check it out. It sounds fascinating! And I don't think I've read any YA about that time period before either. Glad you enjoyed it! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I wouldn't normally have read these books, but I'm really glad I did. They're on my keeper shelf.
ReplyDeleteChristie, I really enjoyed reading your review of my book. I hope you will like the sequel. The third novel of the Zan-Gah book series, Dael and the Painted People, is pretty much finished. I hope you and your readers will watch for this book for young adults this summer at the new web address:
ReplyDeletewww.zan-gah.net
Allan R. Shickman