The Great Empty: A Novel

by Anita Melillo

When a rebellious youth named Donovan leaves his home in Europe for a family trip to Australia, he quickly determines another course when he takes advantage of an opportunity to seek out adventure of his own. While slipping away from the care of his guardian and sister at the airport in Darwin, he decides to take a tour bus to a Crocodile Farm, which inadvertently continues to take him hundreds of miles deeper in the outback and into Kakadu National park. His curiosity continues to get the best of him, when he sets off on foot to explore a trail to a waterfall and plunge pool. One mishap leads to another until he finds himself alone in the dark and unprepared to face the unknown that envelopes his surroundings. Once he discovers that he is lost, he continues to make his way through the bush, but not without its perils. Eventually, he befriends an Aborigine boy named Neji, who is on a journey into manhood. Together they fight against the elements and the mysteries of the dark, with beliefs and rituals as deep as the Dreamtime. All the while, a peculiar stranger continues to shadow them for unknown reasons. Pretty soon, Donovan finds himself on an unexpected course with this deliberate Swagman, with his harsh ways and cruel intentions. Without warning, Donovan is forced to use all that he has learned, in order to survive this downward spiral that seems to be leading him nowhere, with his only hope of making it back to civilization again...

Genres: Travel

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2013

About the author

Anita Melillo is a fiction novelist and lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family. She has written a coming of age adventure novel entitled, "The Great Empty". She has also written another novel, which is historical civil war era romance entitled, "Ford At Valverde" which is just being released for publication. Anita has a love for adventure and the great outdoors. She has been passionate about writing as far back as she can remember and plans to add many more titles to her published works.

Reviews

[Patti McQuillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: The Great Empty by Anita Melillo
Patti McQuillen March 14, 2013
www.wordsbypatti.com
wordsbypatti@gmail.com

The Great Empty ISBN: 978-1482050783
Novel, 224 pages
Published through Amazon
Print January 27, 2013
Kindle February 5, 2013
Available on Kindle and in print
www.amazon.com “Anita Melillo”
Kindle - $1.99
Print - $9.10
More buying choices available on site.

About the Author: (amazon.com) Anita Melillo lives in the mountains of Colorado with her husband Tony. She enjoys writing fiction in different genre's such as, adventure, literature, historical, survival stories, coming of age, juvenile and romance. She has a great love for the outdoors, whether it be hiking, off-roading with her jeep or on ATV’s, along with riding motorcycles and exploring. She also loves to travel and has always been passionate about writing. Her first novel, "The Great Empty" was just released for sale, and she will have another novel entitled, "Ford at Valverde" a civil war era adventure, available within the near future.

The Great Empty

Anita Melillo begins her story with the familiar idea of travel and exploration. Readers will appreciate the quick style she uses to keep the story fresh. Donovan, as the main male character, finds himself unable to resist temptation and seeks his own amusement after he and his sister are left in the care of the butler. A crocodile tour leads him away from all that he knows and expects to find when visiting relatives.

The story’s heart soon comes to light as Donovan avoids a dastardly man with sinister intentions. Being of a young age proves good and bad as he comes face to face with an Aborigine boy looking to find his full strength and character. They make mistakes, find themselves in tight spots, and celebrate the discovery of their independence.

The two of them work together as they trek through the land. Each has something to share with the other. They go on to declare a brotherly pact, which saves Donovan after he is forced to go with a Swagman. According to what I found in research these men generally traveled with only essential items for survival and did menial tasks in exchange for food and a bit of shelter. Some view their reputations in a negative way. In this story the character is particularly nasty.

While this adventure takes place, the butler is out to rescue his young charge. Readers will likely feel his suffering as he becomes embroiled with desperation and plot twists. Melillo never lets the pace weaken and obviously worked hard to help the characters develop without interference.

Supporting characters add to the story – not take away. Melillo explores strengths and weaknesses. This keeps them believable. Readers may even see some of themselves in the development. The ease of wanting to know more about the characters is understandable.

Melillo’s unique style seeks to take readers on a journey. With this she succeeds very well. Readers can feel the settings to the point that the humid taste of the wild lands sits on the tongue while ticking the nose. I hope to find my own adventures now that I read this story.

I highly recommend the purchase of Melillo’s novel. It is available through Amazon. Readers have the choice of viewing it on a Kindle or in print. The price as an e-book is $1.99. For those wishing to hold the book and enjoy it, the price is $9.10.

I read the story in approximately two days. It was easy to read, and the unique style Melillo uses for her words gave me a break from my own writing style. The world needs more stories by Anita Melillo. I thank her for the chance to read and review it.

[Rabid Readers Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Empty: A Novel was a great novel. Donovan is fully-rounded character. He is impulsive, mischievous, reckless and loveable. Someone once told me that the difference between boys and girls is that boys will throw themselves out of moving vehicles just to see what will happen. Donovan is that boy. Melillo writes her main character in a way that causes adults to chuckle and will keep young readers fully engaged with a desire to know what happens next and if young Donovan will escape the perils he faces.

Melillo’s writing employs a strong sense of humor but at no time is the plot sacrificed for that laugh out loud moment. Everything that happens within the course of the story-line could realistically happen in life and that very sense of realism is enchanting. On the other hand, my heart tugged a bit as a parent. The idea of not knowing where ones child is and the danger Donovan faces hurts the soul. His family is worried and they have good reason. That the narrative switches back and forth between Donovan and the search for him plays on the emotion of the reader. They’re worried and they have good reason.

The pacing of the plot-line within The Great Empty: A Novel made the novel a quick but satisfying read. Either Melillo has a talent for conveying action in the least amount of syllables possible or heavy editing went into this great work. The end result is a story that is fast-paced and leaves the reader with their hearts pounding.

The Great Empty: A Novel is a delightful read for all ages.

[Karl Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I read it whilst my own son, admittedly a few years older than Donovan, was spending a month in Central America, so I held off on my review for a while. There must be about 7000 miles distance between the two, but the Outback can be just as savage and untamed as Nicaragua or Costa Rica, and it is this endemic, indigenous beauty that Anita Melillo chronicles so well.

I think she's a marvel. Her writing is at times that of a vivid poem that captures the imagination completely, portraying the artistry of the landscape with a rare talent. Add to that the adventure of a young boy lost and alone, tracked by the evil Swagman, helped by the Aborigine boy, and the whole fable comes together in a rite of passage to manhood that is compelling and complete.

Whatever happens, this writer needs to keep on churning them out

[T.D. Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it was fairly easy to get pulled into the story. Right from the start the author has a way of being descriptive as the story unfolds and you learn about the protagonist, a young boy named Donovan. One event after another unfolds and soon Donovan finds himself in the Australian Outback where he must learn to survive or perish.

During Donovan's misadventures where he goes missing, his parents and an older man who was supposed to be keeping an eye on Donovan, have a few humorous events that take place while trying to locate the missing boy, that will make you chuckle and even sometimes laugh out load.

All in all the story is wonderful coming of age tale, which was fun to read, and leaves you hoping for more from the author.

[T C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different story than I first imagined that it would be. I knew it was about a boy getting lost in the outback, but I couldn't believe how funny it was. I could feel the angst of his situations, but wanted to barrel with him forward into one event after another. At one moment I would feel despair for what the characters were being challenged with and facing their emotions, and then there was always something next to pull me up from it and make me laugh. It was really realistic and I think it would make a great movie. The visual imagery in description made me feel like I was right there in the moment. I would highly recommend it.

[William O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Empty - Anita Melillo

Captivating!

A fantastic and well-written novel with captivating characters will pull readers inside this super story. The writer has created an easy but stimulating 'quick to read' enjoyable tale. Donovan's adventures explore the senses and help to define the other realistic characters. If you wish to be drawn to Australia, the outback, Aborigines and adventure this is for sure a page-turner from start to finish. Overall, touching, soul-building with a measure of humour for good measure- a great read.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story so easy to read, it is very well written.
The characters are easy to recognise and understand Although they do not reflect the majority of families, there are similarities in family values.
Lovely book for young readers and for parents to read aloud. And a nice relaxing read for us adults who indulge in reading voraciously !!
There is a cool message about families and what is important in life.

Definitely recommend this

Thank you for the low kindle price.

[Ash Tull-Cochrane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started off a little slow but once Donovan met up with Neji I couldn't wait to see what these two did next. Overall I thought it was a great story, I loved how much all of the characters grew especially Donovan! I loved this.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very interesting premise, and pretty well written except for one thing- she really never cleared up why the man was after Donovan... Where was he taking him, and what did he hope to get from him or his family?

[Elisabetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per i miei gusti, un po' scontato. E gli ultimi tre capitoli sono tre finali. Poteva fermarsi al primo dei tre, o sostituirlo con uno degli altri due. La storia non è male, ma secondo me poteva lavorarci sopra ancora un po' dal punto di vista della forma.
Si legge in fretta, un paio di pomeriggi.

[nonexistentdecimal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I've forgotten the details. But I remember liking it. Will just have to read it again.