The Land of Darkness by C.S. Lakin

After waiting forever and believing this review copy had gotten lost in the mail it finally arrived. The packaging was a bit worse for the wear, but the book was in fine condition. I believe it traveled through its own land of darkness to get to me, but it made it.

I eagerly tore the package open and dove right into the book. Can I say it took me much less time to read it than it did waiting for it to arrive? 

C.S. Lakin has done it again. She has written another beautiful story full of allegory, strong characters and always pointing her characters and readers to the one King.

Jadiel, a twelve year old girl, is grieving for her dead mother and her father unwittingly marries a witch who has bewitched him and blinds him to his daughter's needs. The wicked step-mother and her two evil daughters make Jadiel's life more than difficult. (Sounds a little like another story but don't worry, this one is much better.) 

Callen is a young man who is a wood-carver for Jadiel's uncle. He happens upon a drawing of an ornate bridge that stirs his imagination and desire to see this bridge for himself. 

As Callen sets out to find this exquisite bridge made from wood, Jadiel finds herself sent on an adventure of her own. Her step-mother wants the leaves of a particular tree that promises eternal youth and beauty. Specifically the leaves of the Eternal tree. She has until the next full moon to find them and bring them back or her father will die.

Jadiel and Callen end up traveling together and find out that what they are searching for turns out to be something otherly different. 

I would say more... but I don't want to spoil the story. It is truly a wonderful tale. Rich characters, strong imagery, a masterfully written book. This is definitely a keeper. I look forward to reading it again and again.

C.S. Lakin is now my number one author for fantasy, next to C.S. Lewis, of course. Her Gates of Heaven series is worth reading, writing about, talking about and sharing with any one who enjoys a well written book.

C.S. Lakin lives in the otherworldly kingdom of California where she works professionally as a book copy editor and writing coach (when she isn't writing novels). She has two amazing daughters, a dedicated and encouraging husband, a demanding but loveable black lab puppy, and three persnickety but irresistible cats. Whenever possible, she disappears for days atop mountain peaks or explores the ocean sixty feet below the surface. The rest of her life is spent between sea and sky waiting for a city not made by human hands.

www.MapAcrossTime.com
www.GatesofHeavenSeries.com


This book was provided graciously by C.S. Lakin and AMG Publishers/Living Ink Books for the sole purpose of reviewing. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.