First A Little Book Chat
I picked up this read at the library because the dust jacket caught my eye, in particular the author's biography blurb on the back cover. It's well written and informative, but what sold me that day in library was the interesting life Jacques led. I was sure after reading his various employment positions combined with his previous story-telling success, according to the blurb, that this would be a high interest tale not to miss.
And I am not disappointed. At this point, I am over half way finished with this young adult fiction novel, and I've found the stories he weaves through the lives of his two main characters, Ben and his trusty dog Ned, to be packed full of adventure. In addition, the English major in me admires Jacques well written story line. It flows.
At one point in the story, I condsidered putting the book down. That's right, I almost stopped reading a great novel. But, I didn't. And I'm glad I didn't. This is a young adult fiction novel and I was trying to read a cozy mystery along with it. Reading the two books together just did not work. So, I finished one at a time. And I enjoyed both novels very much, but separately and at different times... Has this ever happened to you?
And now that I have completed The Angel's Command, here's a summary:
I was delighted to note that each chapter is a well written adventure of its own. So this grand adventure begins with a teenage boy and his dog. Only, the boy and his dog are much older than they appear. An angel saved them from a ship fraught with trouble and evil, and as part of the curse on the ship's occupants, Ben and the the Labrador Ned must wander the earth, never growing old. This unique situation provides the two with ample opportunity to intervene in the lives of others who, through the Angel's prophetic words, are in need of the pair in different ways.
The beautiful ocean is the setting of the first part of the adventure. Ben and Ned find themselves, eventually on board a buccaneer's ship with anything but smooth sailing. Captain Thuron is a good captain and says the boy and his best friend bring him luck.
"The captain's stubby finger turned Ben's chin until their gazes met. There was sea in the boy's clouded blue eyes - ancient deeps and far horizons lurked in them."
Ben and Ned use their ability to communicate words without talking to bring about good things for the Captain and his ship. Gold on board, as well as the captain's wish to begin living an honest life, brings danger into their buccaneer narrative. Add in a crew of ghosts doomed to wander the earth from Ben and Ned's past and the adventure reaches its high point.
The second part of the of Angel's command begins as Ben and Ned begin a new adventure - this time on land. This adventure takes them from the top of rocky mountain ledges to a cave nestled behind a waterfall in a valley where the goatherder who lives in the cave with her goats promises the friends, "I'll make you a special treat of mine. Mountain bread and herbs with good goat cheese, 'tis my secret recipe, you'll like it." Jacques creates scenes throughout the novel like this of food, family, and fellowship. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis' and Tolkien's writing styles.
Ben and Ned find themselves in the company of a courageous if outspoken young girl, Kayray and Dominic, a young painter who catches people's true character in the portraits he draws. New adventure presents itself when the group meets Compte Bregon who has lost his nephew to the boy's villainous kin, a deplorable clan of people, the Razan, who dwell inside a mountain.
The battle for good and evil comes to a head when Ben must face the wicked leader of the Razan clan, Maguda. Brian Jacques, the author of this tale, does not disappoint with the close of this novel. In fact, it was my favorite part! He brings the two separate stories told in Angel's Command together beautifully at the end of the novel. I didn't see the plot twist coming, so it was a lovely surprise.
Very good review
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