My friend Gilly's aunt saves books for me -- I am pretty excited about this one, as it will work if Jare hosts the Chills and Spills challenge next year -- It is an end of the world book!!

I finished reading this early this morning. I quite enjoyed the story -- and have even added the sequels to my wishlist. I read a couple reviews-- one thought that the character of Juniper was a "Mary Sue" -- which I had not heard before, and had to check out on Wikipedia. Basically, it is a character that is too perfect, obviously a favorite of the author -- but i disagree. I read through the criteria, and I didn't think she fit. I actually quite liked the character of Juniper (although the Gaelic sayings got a bit old, and I did find myself skipping over them) -- the other review thought that the book was too much "Isn't Wicca cool?" -- I think that is just sour grapes. It just has a bit about the religion...probably more than someone who is not Wiccan/Pagan is willing to read about. It fit with the story honestly...and I think had the author been a Catholic or Jewish or Hindu, there would have been a lot about those faiths -- religion would be something the characters would have looked to.

Now I am going to white out the rest, as it will contain spoilers, but I want to have a place to reference the characters when I read the sequels (which could be years from now)

The Bearkillers:
Mike Havel: Lord Bear: pilot, saved the Larrsons, killed the bear, head of the group
Will Hutton: 2nd: horse trainer, saved by Havel
Angelica Hutton: wife of Will, also saved by Havel, head of the camp
Eric Larrson: teenager, grown up quickly, shaved most of his hair, likes to fight
Signe Larrson: wife of Lord Bear, daughter of Ken, sister of Astrid and Eric, mom died
Astrid Larrson: young, infatuated with Tolkien, makes up the mythology and puts it in the book, artist
Ken Larrson: elder, history, intellectual, missing a hand

The MacKenzies:
Juniper: Lady Juniper: High Priestess of the Singing Moon Coven, mother of Rudi, singer and guitarist
Judy: Wicca coven member, midwife
Eilir: daughter of Juniper, deaf, bloodsister with Astrid of the Bearkillers
Chuck: High Priest
Pam: wife of Chuck
Dennis: Dedicant to Wicca, got everyone to start wearing the kilts, responsible for much of the mythology of Clan MacKenzie
Rudi-Artos: son of Juniper and Havel, just born and Wiccaned at the end of book

The Bad Guy: The Protector: Arminger: in Portland -- has a fixation on D&D and dictatorship

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released as part of Warm Thoughts in January 2010

and

Released as part of Jare's
Chills and Spills 2010 Challenge


Congratulations!! You have found a rare and unique gift, a travelling book!!

While it is possible I have read and given my thoughts on this book, it is more likely it is a book I found/purchased specifically to send out into the world! In either case, please read what has been said before, where has this book been, who enjoyed it, who didn't -- and perhaps, if you care to, you can add your two cents!

You do not have to join bookcrossing to pick up, enjoy, and journal a book -- however, if you do decide to join us, please consider using me (innae) as your recommending friend, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a personal message (for more info, check out the FAQ).

And again, thank you for saving this book from a life of boredom!

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