Review: Behold Ellowee: Destiny is Rarely Your Own, by T L Harty

4 of 5 stars. My Review:

Behold Ellowee was a very pleasant surprise for me. It’s far from your typical fantasy involving magical heritage and secret societies. I’m also very glad that the second book in the series will be coming out soon so that I don’t have to wait long to see what happens next. I felt like most of this book is actually the back story, necessary in order to understand exactly what an Oris is and to feel the family ties before diving into the adventure and danger of what is to come. We get to know the origins of the family and the magic that’s weaved within. The history and angle of Muriel’s (the main character) blood line is told in a unique way. It has a very realistic and relate-able feel to it, I actually felt emotionally connected to her, and to her Grammy, which I absolutely love in a book.

Muriel spends the summers with her Grammy and Gramps every year. Her mother abandon her when she was three years old, so the bond that she has with her Grammy is much more like a mother daughter relationship. When Muriel is fifteen, and her body is changing into womanhood a chain of events forces the truth of her blood line and who she really is to the surface. She begins having visions. The things she sees are shocking and disturbing, mostly involving her mother. Muriel sees the nasty thoughts and the truly selfish ways of her mom. Dealing with the realities of her moms history and inner demons is a troubling feat.

Luckily the first of Muriel’s visions began to show up during one of her summer visits. Grammy recognized this issue right away, familiar with what was happening to Muriel on an extremely personal level. Grammy is a wise woman, I really love her! She’s my favorite character in this book, and without her Muriel (as well as many many others) would be lost.

The book bounces from past to present. Explaining that summer, as well as what Muriel’s life has become as an adult. Muriel winds up married with a child, living a regular life. She’s tried everything she can to live her life as far away from the facts of her heritage and the burdens of her visions as she can get. Fate has different plans for her! Much much different. When tragedy strikes Muriel is forced to face her heritage head on. There are many hints of lies, deceit, danger, and secrets through out the journey, and the build up for what is to come is immense. I can’t wait to see what happens with the Oris society, especially with Muriel’s child!

Description:

Muriel was shipped off to her grandparent’s house every summer. She enjoyed the break from school and loved her grandparents dearly, but would describe these months as uneventful…even boring. Not this time.

Strange changes in Muriel ensured this summer would be different from the very beginning. Grammy’s history lessons hold many answers, but Muriel is too busy awkwardly coming of age to comprehend the full weight of their meaning.

As the summer progresses, she reluctantly navigates her new reality while learning long-kept family secrets. These secrets explain why her mother left when she was three, and how a normal life may never be attainable.

Now as an adult, Muriel is still attempting to deny her lineage- until tragedy strikes. It is then that Muriel receives the final piece of the puzzle and understands what is required of her. The temporary guide that has been assigned to her can only help so much. Muriel must first embrace a history she has tried so desperately to forget.

Destiny is rarely your own.