Children of the Wild by debut author Krysta Tawlks is a historical fantasy about magic and creatures with a hint of steampunk. But what it’s really about is family, loss, guilt, and revelations. While the setting may adhere close to certain Steinbeck novels—a rare choice for a fantasy novel—the plot and characters are all original.
Our hero is Elbert, or Elby, Dowden. He’s developing a burning sensation in his body at the start of the novel that seems serious. Unfortunately, his parents are in no condition themselves to help him. And as a middle child, his older brother and sister aren’t adults yet. So Elby toughens it out at first. Meanwhile, his friend Harold tells him about rumors about a giant wolf and stag in the neighborhood that disappear when chased. Elby’s not sure about these disappearing acts because Harold was always one to believe in tall tales. That is, until the boys see it themselves.
This premise starts a journey of self-discovery and redemption for multiple characters while remaining deeply rooted in a grassroots farming family. The Dowdens are a tight knit clan but have secrets like most families. And Elby isn’t sure what’s happening to him until a paddle race in the river produces an encounter with someone who has information. A lot of seemingly unrelated threads weave together into an exciting last quarter of the book.
The writing is clean and gets its point across effectively. A mother pulls out her deceased daughter’s dress and holds it to her chest, or Elby’s father is described as carved from stone and lit with fire. Scenic descriptions down to a table in a poor family’s house teleport the reader into this world. Historical fiction is hard to write as it requires research, but author Tawlks has captured the details accurately and put the reader firmly in this world.
Historical fiction, even of the speculative type, takes its time. This novel, while short, also is a slow build. When everything comes together, however, the reader is hooked. My one quibble is that a certain set of interesting characters exit too quickly and mysteriously at the end. I’m not sure if this sets up a sequel—the book doesn’t read like a series—but if it does, I hope a certain threesome will return.
Children of the Wild is a rare offering these days. It’s not high fantasy or modern urban fantasy, it’s not a retelling, and it depicts a period of American life not often written about. A story about a farm boy, his Waltons-style family, and a metamorphosis is a gripping read. As a book about magic, this novel casts its own spell, one with a lasting effect.