Emma Reviews: _Gatekeeper_ a wonderful novel about the rehabilitation of wolves

The author of this book has kindly offered a signed copy for a lucky reader. To be in with a chance to win, just leave a copy below or on our Facebook page.
The draw will take place on December 1st.

  

Claire could see Liam was tense, his eyes pale against the black balaclava, his hand clenched around the bolt cutters he was holding.  The others avoided his gaze: Ansel patted down his balaclava where it jutted over his beard while Mick tapped his gloved fingers against the wall of the van, but Claire held it, staring him down as the vehicle lurched over the rutted farm road.

 The opening paragraph of Gatekeeper.  This hints at the action one is about to read but this book has much more; attempts at understanding the natural order of things, a struggle to realise one person’s vision and all that that entails, the sacrifices true dedication demands.

 This was a read with a difference - an attempt to reintroduce wolves into their natural habitat with no media, no public knowledge and just the hope they will thrive and be discovered (and left alone) by the public as and when.  An unusual subject, the story is told from the viewpoint of an animal activist, one whose passion for her cause is tangible.  Her beliefs and passions are well-meant but an altercation with a more violently disposed activist means she is kicked out of the group.  That, however, is just the start of her journey.

The story winds around Claire, the protagonist, both in her ambitions personally and professionally. The reader can feel every high and low, every spark of anger, every emotional high.  This is representative of the author’s ability to convey the moment in time, the present action by use of language that is neither flowery nor over-indulgent. What is more than apparent is the author’s knowledge of her subject; extremely well-detailed, this is truly dedicated research. 

 Claire is a strong, independent - and fiery! - woman but this is no feminist story.  She can deal with Liam but finds it difficult to cope with trust on those that enter her life on this strange pathway her life suddenly turns.  From living isolated in a desert to being placed in a metropolis with no one really knowing her cause, the reader warms to Claire despite her detached independence; there are flashes of the vulnerable girl inside but not for long.  This is a woman on a mission, caring for wolves and their environment with a focus that borders on the deadly.  She has to complete tasks that are not for the weak-hearted (if you’re looking for a gentle, environmentally-cosy, cuddly wolf teddy-bear tale, then this book is most definitely not for you); this is hardcore survival in our modern world.  For Claire as much as for the wolves. 

The story also makes you realise how humans have destroyed an eco-system that sees these characters working to put things right.  There were occasions when the reader feels not a lot is happening but the story then develops and opens up in areas that make you realise there is always something going on in the background - from Claire being harassed by Liam, her original antagonist, to supporting characters that have more depth than when they first appear in the storyline. Such as Blaine, the instigator of the plan.

Originally a project by the rich, methodical and enigmatic Blaine, cut-throat decisions have to be made.  He aims to release wolves back into their once-natural environment undercover but checked on by chosen Gatekeepers. However, Claire soon realises to be a chosen Gatekeeper, one has to be above dedicated, above sentimental and more than self-sufficient.  She crosses people she doesn’t know are her allies, people who are enemies, people she thinks she can trust but is never really sure and her love interest will never know her true mission; a life with him is even sacrificed to a certain degree.  Claire is not only physically strong (able to defend herself when needed) but mentally tough and passes tests she didn’t even realise she was being put through.  

Gatekeeper is a modern tale of animal welfare, environmental issues but is far from a fairytale with a happy ever after and more than relevant in our lifetime.  It is a gritty, harsh and oft-times depressing tale that throws the reader hope.  Does Claire succeed? Does she survive the harsh endurances for the wolves? Do the wolves make it?  And is this at all possible in reality?

You’ll have to read it to find out!

About The Author

Kay Sexton has been a finalist for several writing awards including the Sunday Times Short Story Award, the Willesden Herald Fiction Contest and a winner of the Fort William Festival Contest. She particularly enjoys collaborative projects. One of which, a words and pictures exhibition with Irish painter Fion Gunn, was shown at two London galleries, Dublin’s National Botanic Gardens and the Tsinghua University, Beijing. Gatekeeper was shortlisted for the Dundee International Book Prize.

Before turning to writing, her jobs included charity chief executive, tree-planter, glamour model, and mortician's receptionist. She has had several hundred short stories and articles published, as well as two non-fiction books.

Kay can be found on www.kaysexton.com

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Emma Powell has been reviewing for us since The Review's debut and is now one of our most valued admins. Emma has since branched out into the world of editing and proofreading for which she is currently undergoing a diploma. You can find more of Emma's scriblings on her blog here

Emma Reviews: When the Animals Vanished by Mary Wirz

Review by Emma Powell

Please see below for information about the giveaway!

If you were told that your life depended upon a winged insect weighing 1/300th of an ounce, would you believe it? Would you care?

This is one of those books where you really should judge the book by its cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and the story that unfolded within was just as alluring. If you are spiritually minded, environmentally concerned and animal aware, this is just the book for you. And if you’re not, you might learn something--the message within the book is serious indeed and is also seen through a scientific mind.

The book questions what would happen if the bees could no longer pollinate--a real problem in the real world. Lena, the grandmother, has the trust and knowing of a sixth sense, inspired by her adopted sister Mae who lives with messages through spirit, animals and guardian angels. Finley is Lena’s granddaughter and despite spending every childhood summer with her grandmother, sees the problem through a scientist’s mind. They have the same passion but via differing media to tackle problems of the modern world and along with Nick, Finley’s colleague and their wealthy sponsor, the dour Henry, the story of a group of people fighting to save the earth from extinction takes you on highs and lows the reader will not expect.

Dogs play a big part in this book--from the rather violent opening scene and a big, bouncy protective German shepherd, to two poodles that seem rather mismatched in looks to the brooding Henry but offer nothing except unconditional love, as well as the two rescue dogs that belong to Finley and Nick. The characterisation, physicality and love of these dogs are written with such aplomb, the reader can feel them. The love of dogs by the author is tangible and works really well in this tale; I had teary eyes on more than one occasion!

The reader is taken on a journey through sadness, relief, hope and despair. Despite the words ‘spiritual’, ‘angels’ and ‘sixth sense’ floating around, the story has a scientific slant thanks to the characters of Finley and Nick and the book is firmly grounded only a few years into the future: a time within the grasp of most of us and this is the scary thing; you only have to do a bit of internet browsing to understand the real problems of honey bees dying off, due to insecticides, intense farming etc., and the knock-on effects to other wildlife and nature. This tale is not as far-fetched as it may seem. The author takes the story to the uncomfortable conclusion of what if?

What if the human race continues to live outside of nature and the environment? What if we fail to understand that our very existence depends on the environment? This book gives us a possible scenario--the reader may need to keep an open mind but I think that is healthy.

What you get is a damn good story. The opening scene is upsetting but sows the seeds for Lena as a child and as she grows to a woman. The flow of the story moves seamlessly to centre around Finley and the more desperate fight to save bees. Will she, won’t she? You’ll have to read the book to find out but it is no ordinary tale so expect the unexpected.

A fabulous, disparate group of characters, a roller-coaster journey through time and an ending that is unexpected, I cannot recommend this book enough. It will most definitely make you think differently if nothing else. Not since I was child has a book touched my soul as much as this one. It gives free rein to the imagination and I still gaze at the cover, determined to do my bit for Mother Nature and the animals. It is a book I will read more than once, too.

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About the Author

Various crayon-decorated shoe boxes lined with soft, colorful fabrics are buried in the back yard of Mary’s childhood home in Medford, Wisconsin. The shoe boxes are the final resting place for the family’s hamsters, guinea pigs, goldfish, parakeets, and countless wounded wild birds. Mary’s mother passed on her love for animals to her four children, and would merely sigh each time her daughter strolled through the back door with yet another homeless dog in tow.

Author Mary Wirz has so graciously offered a paperback copy of When the Animals Vanished for one lucky winner! If you would like to grab your chance, simply comment below OR at this review's Facebook thread, located here.

Please visit the author’s website and Facebook page for more background info and updates.