- ASIN: B0BW7SKN38
- Publisher: Koehler Books; 1st edition (11 April 2023)
- Language: English
- Print length: 265 pages
- Genre: Coming of Age Fantasy eBooks
The BookViral Review:
A wonderfully embracing novel with a strong ethical undercurrent, ‘The World Beyond the Redbud Tree’ is the latest novel from Madison. C. Brightwell’s prolific collection. Despite its strong psychological undercurrent, Brightwell offers a robustly structured story, with all of the expected intrigues of a fantasy read. However, this is not an ‘overdone’ tale. Protagonist Charli’s entry into a parallel world flows naturally and unsurprisingly within the ebb and flow of Brightwell’s narration as Charli’s thoughts and feeling foreshadow the events to come.
As a young person with strong idealism, ethical equality and empathy, Charli constantly questions the actions of those around her. When she sets out to bury a beloved pet under the local Redbud Tree, she finds an ancient artefact which facilitates her entry into a parallel world, one free of the problems and anxiety she experiences on her own. In this new and somehow brighter and more ‘alive’ world, cooperation and respect for all nature is the key to a better world. Despite feeling this world is meant for her, Charli is torn between the two and even questions her ‘right’ to this new world, where only by achieving ‘grace’ can you ever fully be immersed into its peaceful and cooperative society.
The following adventure with its twists, turns and heart-stopping moments demonstrates a thoroughly enjoyable read in itself, with beautiful descriptive passages and strong characterisation, but also addresses a plethora of current and relevant questions surrounding human nature, psychological strength and emotional regulation.
The delicacy and even believability of this fantastical story support an underlying message of decent human behaviour and a well-mannered and civilised society, and the reader is left with the sense that Brightwell truly believes in the nature of the society she has created in a more peaceful parallel universe- one which follows closely to the Q’ehazi people.
An engrossing and thought-provoking read.
