Review of "Fools Gold" by Sheryl Nantus
Summary:
The Canadian wilderness can do strange things to a man. But there are stranger things out there, under the snow and ice, than anyone could ever think of.
For one poor trapper trying to survive, his discovery just might be the way out. Or the way to Hell...
Review:
In this piece, Nantus dresses up a story that has been told and retold for thousands of years: the discovery of a mysterious, magical object that requires horrific sacrifices in exchange for fabulous wealth. As happens in most such stories, the discoverer is ultimately consumed by the object’s power. I, personally, enjoy this type of story and believe the theme endures because of its versatility: it can be set in any place at any time and still work. In this case, the author certainly makes it work.
The author’s decision to set the story in the wilds of Canadian trapping territory is both fun and original, proving, as Robert W. Service wrote, that there are indeed strange things done in the midnight sun. Thankfully, Nantus refrained from giving the “mysterious object” specific origins and venturing into any cliches involving Native Americans, Egyptians, Atlaneans or aliens (as a trained archaeologist, I offer a sigh of relief and extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the author).
Particularly in the beginning, some grammatical and punctuation issues muddy the descriptions provided and prevent the reader from being fully drawn in to the story. However, the story is well done overall and keeps the reader entertained.
3.5/5 stars
Reviewed by Aubrey Bennet
The Canadian wilderness can do strange things to a man. But there are stranger things out there, under the snow and ice, than anyone could ever think of.
For one poor trapper trying to survive, his discovery just might be the way out. Or the way to Hell...
Review:
In this piece, Nantus dresses up a story that has been told and retold for thousands of years: the discovery of a mysterious, magical object that requires horrific sacrifices in exchange for fabulous wealth. As happens in most such stories, the discoverer is ultimately consumed by the object’s power. I, personally, enjoy this type of story and believe the theme endures because of its versatility: it can be set in any place at any time and still work. In this case, the author certainly makes it work.
The author’s decision to set the story in the wilds of Canadian trapping territory is both fun and original, proving, as Robert W. Service wrote, that there are indeed strange things done in the midnight sun. Thankfully, Nantus refrained from giving the “mysterious object” specific origins and venturing into any cliches involving Native Americans, Egyptians, Atlaneans or aliens (as a trained archaeologist, I offer a sigh of relief and extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the author).
Particularly in the beginning, some grammatical and punctuation issues muddy the descriptions provided and prevent the reader from being fully drawn in to the story. However, the story is well done overall and keeps the reader entertained.
3.5/5 stars
Reviewed by Aubrey Bennet
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