February 15, 2013
Teen takes fantastic journey to new world in Coalwood author's debut novel
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"Luke Brackins and the Rune to Midgard" is the debut by West Virginia author Daniel Caton. The young adult novel finds a regular teen thrust into a fantasy world after he discovers a journal with an emerald chained to the front.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Have you ever imagined something completely bizarre and out of this world happening to you? Maybe something that would completely change your life forever?

Well, that's what happens to Luke Brackins when he finds a journal with an emerald chained to the front of it in Daniel Caton's book, "Luke Brackins and the Rune to Midgard."

Caton is a native of Coalwood, the hometown of author Homer Hickam Jr., who made it famous in his book, "Rocket Boys." Because of this, Luke, the main character in the story, lives in a small town in southern West Virginia. He moves there to live with his dad, which is where the story itself begins.

Luke lives a pretty normal life, moving to a new school and trying out for the football team. It all changes when he finds that journal. The emerald on the front transports him to Midgard, a world he doesn't know but is expected to save. He's forced into action for the sake of his new friends -- both those at his high school and those in Midgard.

Caton mixes the two realms together wonderfully with his storytelling. He has the regular setting of small-town West Virginia and then the surreal setting of Midgard, which is a realm not unlike those common in fantasy stories, filled with magical and mythical creatures. He transitions from one setting to another easily.

Luke is an easy character to admire for his personality and strength. Even in a world he knows nothing about, he is able to keep his calm most of the time and do what needs to be done. He's intelligent, strong-minded and very capable of overcoming anything thrown at him.

Caton describes the world of Midgard with beautiful imagery that invites readers to feel as if they are really there. It's sometimes easy to forget that you're reading a book and are not actually involved in the story.

The adventure that Luke and his friends go on is exciting and makes you keep turning the pages. The book is very fast-paced and full of twists and turns. Once you pick it up, you just don't want to put it down.

This book deals with survival against all odds. On Luke's mission to save one of his new friends from a terrible danger, he faces many dangers himself, and the odds are against his own survival.

The book is so exciting it's almost unbearable. It's such a whirlwind that when I got to the end, I was amazed that it was already over. I think everyone, guys and girls alike, should read this book. Be forewarned, though, that it can get pretty gory in some of the fight scenes.

Overall, I absolutely loved this story. I sincerely hope that Caton continues the story with a sequel or an addition of some kind.

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Copyright 2013 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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