Description
Chris Cochrane and his family were attempting to outrun a wildfire, the smoke and flames nipping at their car’s bumper. This was one of the perils of living in Northern California. The fear that ran through Chris’ mind was a feeling he’d rather soon forget. Soon, other events will transpire that will make his near incineration seem insignificant. The weirdness began shortly after his mother and brother went down to Peru and Chris saw a winged man on the family ranch.
Chris doesn’t want to believe what he saw, but he soon learns that his father Todd had a similar vision years before. While hunting in the woods, they meet “The Caretaker”, a winged man in whose presence they feel an almost unnatural calmness. The winged creature introduces himself as Si and he introduces father and son to the kingdom of Castle Forks. Chris and Todd are introduced to various inhabitants of Castle Forks and learn that blueberries are the key to understanding language. Si introduces the Cochranes to Norvell who is the leader of the kingdom. Norvell provides a history of Castle Forks and how Castle Forks has been fighting a perennial battle against a group known as the Tourlt. As Chris and Todd process their surroundings and the history, they are stunned when they learn about the Cochrane family’s ties with the hidden kingdom at Castle Forks.
Norvell regales the Cochrane men with the story of a fallen caretaker and how the caretakers have been protecting Castle Forks from an invasion from the Tourlt. Todd and Chris are seen as the next generation of Cochranes to ally with Norvell, Si, and other caretakers in fighting back against their enemies. This will not be an easy task to undertake and the risks will be great.
Castle Forks is a delightful fantasy tale mixed with action and adventure wherein the adolescent Chris Cochrane is thrust into a battle between good and evil. Chris is the precocious youngster in his family, he wants to be included in the more adult-like activities, such as hunting with his father and helping protect Castle Forks. The story primarily explores the relationships between Todd and Chris along with Chris and his brother Justin. Chris loves and looks up to both his father and older brother and he exudes great bravery in defending them under dangerous circumstances. The plot’s pacing is natural and progresses to a more than satisfying conclusion. Author Chris Cochrane has written a splendid story with enough action and heart to fulfill any intrepid readers desiring escapist fiction.
