Customer Reviews

Son of the Great River

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Elijah Meeks comes to this well-crafted and unique first novel with the credentials of being both a student of the environmental history of the Bronze Age and a man who has devoted his life to teaching both young students and students of all ages interested in understanding the fascinating world of Natural History. What he has created is a fresh setting of a coming of age story involving credible characters from the Bronze Age, and in doing so he has offered what is termed the 'intermediate audience' of readers an alternative to the futuristic video games and comic book versions of heroes that usurp much of the time the audience for this book spends in leisure.

By avoiding contemporary settings and concepts Meeks is able to go to the core values that face each of us as we move from childhood into the adult realm - curiosity, challenge, survival, introduction to tradition and the laws of the 'tribe' (a concept that most assuredly persists to today, no matter the level on which we examine our society), friendship, love, the mystery of death, the innate evils of greed and corruption that confront any 'pioneers'. By playing out this well-constructed drama in an age from the past untainted by the destruction we have brought to the globe via 'civilization' Meeks invites the interest of his reader into fresh territory. His characters are three-dimensional, never approaching the tropes usually associated with sci-fi novels, and become people we want to know.

As with any first novel, there are areas that the author needs to reconsider, such as uses of words that are too contemporary to fit into the timeless atmosphere he wishes to achieve, words such as 'puny' and 'ruckus'. And there are moments in the adventures of the young hero Saffu where more poetic description of the landscape would offer breathing space for the pace of the writing. But these are small issues and Elijah Meeks is such a fine communicator that doubtless attention to such details will be addressed in future books. As for SON OF THE GREAT RIVER there is enough fine writing and storytelling to make this book appeal to a much wider audience than the suggested 'intermediate audience'. This is a very fine first novel! Grady Harp, June 09

"Son of the Great River" describes two boys coming of age in the early Bronze Age. This novel begins to intensify the moment a stranger from the south dies in Saffu's arms. He leaves his tribe and travels to the land of cities and kings.

I noticed how death awakened something inside these young boys. It motivated them to go on the adventure of a lifetime, and not, let death take this away from them. Each lived their lives authentically and uniquely. They followed the path their heart's craved within their soul.

This book is masterfully put together to give inspiration to and motivation to anyone who has not decided to take their own journey into the heart and soul of human existence. As you read this book, you will find yourself asking the questions: Am I living authentically? Am I living the life of my dreams? Am I really following my heart? If not, why not?

The Path into Healing

Young adult novel set during the Bronze Age. Two teenage boys leave their homes, and find different adventures; both growing up along the way. There's plenty of action, and a bit of romance thrown in as well. I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed it considering the YA genre isn't usually my thing. Once I started it though I found it hard to put down and zipped through it in a few hours (it's very short). I would recommend for fans of historical fiction, or readers of YA fiction.

Review by: Bradley Simpson

This is an enjoyable tale that reminds me of a quaint mixture of Pocahontas, White Fang and the Horseclans Saga. Plenty of primitive splendor comingled with an epic adventure rich in people and interesting places. I cracked open this novelette with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. The story has some excellent illustrations to aid in the spinning of this yarn. In conclusion I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in some light reading. =)

Incredibly entertaining, and a very quick read. Action scenes are spectacular, historical detail spot-on, and characters interesting. This work is as pure an example of fairy-tale as there is; it teaches without being moralistic, is about juveniles but is never sophomoric. Because the four protagonists must deal with adult issues--how to "leave the nest" and become autonomous, how to negotiate corruption without losing purity, how, in short, to be both child and adult simultaneously--Son of the Great River is perfect for the young-adult who, by virtue of that transitional state, is struggling (without necessarily knowing it) to integrate multiple, oftentimes conflicting selves. Some of the characters succeed, some don't. According to Meeks not all of us make it. But because of the familiarity of the characters, any modern young adult who reads will have no trouble recognizing him or her self in one of the protagonists, and so be able to relate. The illustrations by Hajra Meeks are subtle and beautifully sketched, providing template for young readers and their imaginations without imposing scenario or how characters are supposed to be seen. A fantastic, must-read book for all, most especially for boys who claim they hate reading.

I loved the book!!! It's a wonderful read for young people. I'm going to be passing this on to my nieces and nephews:)