Review: An epic start to a fascinating hero's journey
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 27, 2013
I agree with the praise of others who have reviewed Hard Luck and since they touched on all the important parts, I'll settle myself in to talk a little bit about what this book could mean to someone who is going through life being bullied.Dingus is a kid who grew up reviled and degraded because of something he couldn't change about himself--he was born half-elf, half-human in a town that looked down on anyone different than they. Bullying of any kind is awful and Dingus lives the first 16 years of his life in a place where the other folk think it's okay to allow their full blood children crap on another kid's chest because he's different.The author doesn't give any easy answers, either. Vandis Vail, Knight of the Air, saves Dingus from being hung but he doesn't swoop in and rescue the kid, tucking him away from harm. He teaches him, instead, giving him tools he can use to find his own way. It's never a good idea to rescue someone--you never get that right--and Vandis is smart enough to know that he has to let Dingus find his own way.I disagree with some reviewers who say this is a book for adults--sure, adults will love it too, but this book is for kids who stick out, who are different, who've heard someone moo when they walk down the hall or have been called names or pushed up against a locker, "Because I don't like your face."This is a book for the kids who haven't made it into the media for shooting up schools or shopping malls, who are still looking for a reason why they are who they are and the way they are despite the constant abuse from the outside world that doesn't understand them.I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the next installment of Dingus' story. Yay!