Teenage texts are alive and well. There is such a treasure trove now of books that explore so many different facets of life of teenagehood in such meaningful, and interesting ways. Once the barren land of nothingness, writers like Elisha Kemp have stepped into the breach and managed to create a myriad of opportunities for young readers to completely immerse themselves in the constructed worlds of fantasy, history, supernatural and contemporary life.
The Tobias Finch series by Elisha Kemp is certainly one of the standouts of New Zealand writing that gives readers action and adventure as well as a deep dive into motivations, bravery, strength of character and complex relationships.
Like the first two texts in the series, the focus is on the titular Tobias Finch, a once latent wolf (as per the title of book 1) shifter born with the ability to change into a wolf at will, but lacking the conviction to do so. That latency has now dissipated as we learn of not only his strength in shifting, but his strength as an alpha wolf - the most powerful in the wolf pack. His protective instincts are immense as he learns to band together an unlikely pack of shifters - bears, big cats, and a wolf or two which, without doubt, causes its own dramas and frustrations.
Now, as a firmly established alpha, Tobias now needs to take the fight to the next level. Along with the other characters introduced in the previous couple of novels (many of whom are given more attention in this book which is a wonderful thing - the character development particularly of Jason is magnificent), Tobias undergoes some pretty hefty decision making in order to defend himself and those he cares the most about. As a YA fiction text it really tackles some helpful and thoughtful questions of the coming-of-age era, particularly the relationship between Tobias and Lucy which is respectfully and tactfully done. Letting go of some of their past anxieties, frustrations, and experiences is vital to moving forward, and that message is one that will resonate strongly with audiences.
It’s a plot that engages from page one. It charts a highly action driven path, never letting up on the pace until the very end. The dramatic tension between Tobias and Huxley is riveting, however, there were some times when one just wants to yell at Tobias and act a little more rationally. But then, that’s where the engagement aspect of reading definitely comes in. Previous books had managed to avoid such wrath, but this one felt a little less likely in the natural scheme and order of things
Acknowledging in the author’s notes at the end, Kemp suggests that the Finch story is not complete. Certainly the epilogue of the novel sets up the premise for a number of possible spin offs - all of which will be eagerly anticipated and read with great enthusiasm.
All of the Tobias Series novels have been absolutely gripping, they are highly entertaining, engaging and action driven.
It’s easy to get young students to read when there is such wonderful stories such as the Tobias Finch series available to them.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Self-Published