Shadows in the Cave
This is a novel of fantasy based upon ancient Cherokee legends of magic, a land inhabited by creatures known as the Immortals, shape-shifting Indians and a mystical monster dragon. Shonan was the War Chief of his village, the Galayi people. His son, Aku, inherited shape-shifting skills from his mother. They eventually need to ask Aku’s grand-mother, a Cherokee Seer, to help rescue Aku’s twin sister Salya from the Underworld. Her spirit has been eaten by Maloch who consumes the life-fire from others and adds them to his own. Maloch, leader of the Brown Leaf people, can change to a monster dragon that cannot be killed by normal means.
This novel is the second in a series by Caleb Fox, stories based upon the imagination and mysticism of the prehistoric Cherokee. As a book of fantasy, I thought it contained all the elements necessary to entertain those who enjoy reading about mystical lands – struggles between good and evil, the rescuing of a damsel in distress, and the human emotions built into those who believe in mystical powers and those who do not. I don’t feel it is necessary to read the first novel in this series, Zadayi Red, to follow the storyline or characters in this book. The author did a good job in bringing the reader up to date with the time period in this story. If you enjoy the Gears’ The First North Americans series, you may like Caleb Fox’s fantasy fiction.
