The Co-Walkers, Awakening Book Review

There is nothing like a bit of adventure and make-believe, to entice kids to read and inadvertently be edified. Hermine Steinberg’s debut novel, The Co-Walkers, Awakening adeptly incorporates both adventure and mythology into a compelling tale for the young adult set.

The book, first in an intended trilogy, follows three orphaned siblings who are sent to live with a mysterious aunt whom they have never met. Upon arrival, the children quickly discover that all they have ever been taught and told is a fallacy.

Subsequently, their lives take an extraordinary and unexpected turn when they are introduced to a new realm of faeries, magic, and immense danger. The siblings learn that they are, in fact, the legendary Co-Walkers-beings capable of traveling betwixt the earthly and faery realms. Thus, they realize and embark upon an urgent quest to unite both worlds, lest they be forced to witness the destruction of said worlds.

With Co-Walkers, Steinberg explores the predominant themes of power of choice, strength, courage, and faith in one’s self- all imperative life lessons for young (and old, for that matter) minds. Her background as a history teacher, and fascination specifically with Celtic mythology are evident throughout the story-if anything, giving credence to the enchanting tale. Could those actually be fairies out back in my strawberry patch? Perhaps.

Ultimately, The Co-Walkers, Awakening is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and much more than mere fantasy, which as a genre can be an acquired taste, shall we say. In fact, one could even suggest that it could be used as an instructional tool in an educational setting. Steinberg’s debut demonstrates both her prowess as both an educator, and raconteur. I for one, wait with baited breath for the next two installments, despite the fact that I no longer fall into the 8 to 12 year-old demographic.

For more information on The Co-Walkers, Awakening visit www.cowalkers.com. Steinberg will be signing books at Indigo at Yorkdale in Toronto on Saturday July 9th between 1 and 3 p.m.