The Brand Medallion
by Steven J. Martin
Published by WingSpan Press
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
In this Young Adult Fantasy genre, Cael Brand has just finished some of the roughest years of his life: Middle School. It was here that he learned to walk in the shadows and not stand out. But on the day of his eighth grade graduation all that is about to change. When his mother succumbs to a mysterious illness, Cael must step up to help her--and in the process, step out of his comfort zone.
Cael learns that the medallion he has worn since his seventh birthday has the power to transport him to another world. It is there he must learn the powers that hold his mother hostage.
In The Brand Medallion, Steven J. Martin explores the power of words. In Palatore, a newer version of Earth with the same Creator, they still value the spoken word. In fact, wars are won and lost first and foremost by words, either the pure Words of Creation, Protection, and Healing, or the Corrupted Words which bring with them devastation.
Palatore was a fascinating world. It seemed to function at about the time period that Earth would equate with the Middle Ages. There were many familiar species and a few that we hold in folklore. I enjoyed every moment there and I gleaned a lot of wisdom from the elders are they educated Cael. My chief complaint is how long it took to get to Palatore. The story really seemed to hit its stride at about page 58. The part which led up to it was filled with a lot of introspection and references, that while interesting on a second read, were totally lost on me at first go.
But the author is absolutely right. "Words have a way of sticking in our minds, gradually altering our lives." This book and its lessons will long stick with me.
Armchair Interviews says: A slow start, but the end is worth it.