Review for "Ethan Wright and the Curse of Silence"

"Ethan Wright: and the Curse of Silence" is the first book in the 'Ethan Wright' series by Kimbro West.

A golden scaly dragon opens its mouth in a silent roar, the folds of its serpentine body writhing in circles in the background. At first glance it looks like the dragon is spitting molten fire into the air causing the intense fiery glow that emanates around and behind it. But on closer inspection a careful onlooker will notice that the creature is not breathing fire but rather inhaling its own tail, the end becoming more and more molten as it descends into the gaping maw.
Ethan Wright is consumed by nightmares of his missing twin brother. A bloody nose, a stretched smokey hungry face. The elements of the dream haunt him only chased away be the beloved purring of his pet cat or the sunrise, whichever comes first. With a missing father, missing brother, and dead mother Ethan has little to occupy his time except wild boyish excursions with his best friend, Auren. When one of their escapades turns from strange to even stranger, Ethan may finally get the answers he's been longing for or become a pawn in a massive chess game led by creatures called Oroborus, tail-devouring serpents of unimaginable power.
What I liked:

• The author makes excellent use of foreshadowing devices without giving away too much info.
• It's been quite a while since I've heard mention of the Oroborus. It's a part of many different mythological pantheons from Egypt to Greece to the the Norse. The Oroborus typically represents rebirth and the cyclical nature of life. The story I remember as child is the one where the snake bites its own tail in order to become a wheel and roll down the hill. I think country folk refer to it as a hoop snake.At any rate it's always exciting to me to see an old legend recreated.
• The addition of alchemy instead of just magic is an interesting take.
• The time difference between the different dimensions while reminding me of Fairy type lore is also unique and offers up a pleathora of outcomes and story telling devices.

What I disliked:

• While the writing was crisp, clear, and consise it was left wanting of anything even remotely resembling pizzaz. It becomes obvious that the author intended this particular book for younger readers fairly quickly. 
• My biggest beef with Ethan Wright is the ending. It seemed more than a little rushed and was quite unsatisfactory as far as happy endings go. In fact I repeatedly attempted to turn the virtual page thinking that there had to be more to it. 
• Next if Ethan ever does find his twin, will Issac have aged appropriately or is aging sort of suspended in this odd land?

 The Ethan Wright series appears to have the potential to become one of the many epic young adult series out there with dozens of 'Ethan Wright and's' to make up the titles. While not nearly as titillating as something like the Harry Potter series it may appeal to the same sect of readers. 'Ethan Wright and the Curse of Silence' is available for the kindle for .99 cents. The second book, 'Ethan Wright and the Alchemist's Order' is not yet available. You can find out more about the series and the author at www.kimbrowest.com

4 out of 5 crowns

Recommended for young adult readers. Younger readers may have trouble with a few of the terms/concepts but will find it enjoyable nonetheless. Older readers will probably enjoy the story too since it is a solid fantasy entry.



Synopsis: "A young boy struggles to find his twin brother who has been missing for three years. Ethan realizes he can travel to a new world through an Oroborus named Dimon where he traces the footprints of a legendary life led by his twin. Facing similar hardships and challenges bestowed before him, Ethan must learn the ways of alchemy or his journey will end in peril."