Heroic 2 hour Short Read

[C.A.]

[Following is an Official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Fen and the Every Path" by C.A. Tedeschi.]

Fen and the Every Path

Three days after setting off to find out what had been killing livestock in the High Basin, Fen's father, Sim, has still not returned. Anxious about Sim's disappearance, Fen - a young gnome - sets out to find him. On his search, Fen crosses paths with the creatures and critters of the forest and is joined by Sim's long-time friend, Trapper, before coming face to face with the vicious beast his father had set out to find. What is this beast, and where did it come from? What happened to Sim? Will Fen survive the encounter?

Fen and the Every Path is a short and fascinating tale by C.A. Tedeschi. It is also the first book in The Adventures of Fen the Gnome Ranger series. The plot flowed at a measured pace but with enough suspense to keep the reader engaged. The writing and dialogue had a western feel to it which was quite entertaining, and the plot was pleasantly character-driven for an adventure tale. Character development was more than adequate with unique and relatable personalities. The book benefited immensely from the author's detailed world-building as it brought the story to life.

One of the things I liked about this book was the refreshingly extraordinary way gnomes were portrayed. The gnomes in Tedeschi's tale are courageous, resourceful, and capable. They also live longer and thrive better than the average human in this fantasy world. Fen's father was two hundred and thirty-one years of age when he went missing. Also, gnome mothers are said to carry their babies three times longer to term than a human woman. And through the use of certain herbs, they can determine whether they are having a boy or a girl.

I could not find anything to dislike about the book. It appeared professionally edited with not a single error. The use of strong language was minimal, the single violent scene was in no way graphic or gratuitous, and there were no sexually suggestive scenes. Fen and the Every Path was a delightful fantasy fiction, well-deserving of my 5 out of 5 rating.

I would recommend this book to young adult fans of fantasy adventure. In some ways, the story is a coming-of-age tale that would appeal to a younger audience. On his quest to find his father, Fen also finds himself. I eagerly anticipate reading more about Fen's adventures in the upcoming books in the series.