Review: REFRESHING HISTORICAL FICTION
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 15, 2012
In 1840, a lonely, young Appalachian girl jumps at the chance to join a traveling circus troupe. She immediately falls in love with the show's main attraction, an African elephant named Cecil. Cecil and his trainer, Paytre, quickly fall in love with her, too. Paytre renames the girl, Inzared. Riding high on Cecil's back, Inzared finds her niche among the gypsies. Although Inzared and Paytre's sweet love affair is endearing, their happiness is wrapped in a shroud of mysterious, reoccurring events. While Inzared polishes her act, she finds acceptance by most of the gypsy clan, but not all. Blinded by true love and determined to learn the gypsy way of life and make Paytre proud of her, she pushes away the nagging warning signs that tug at her heart. When tragedy strikes, she awaits the next act.The author portrays a refreshing look at the lives of nineteenth century European immigrants and their hardships. Their superstitions combined with the struggle for survival lay out a path of intrigue that lingers on the pages and keeps the reader interested. I could see the vivid hues of the performers' costumes, hear the lion's roar and the cheering crowd under the Big Top. I could feel the passion of Inzared's love and the agony of her heartbreak. I look forward to hearing more from Queen of the Elephant Riders.