Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key by S. D. Smith
MG Fantasy. 304 Pages. 4 Stars
Synopsis:
From the creator of the million-plus selling Green Ember series comes a brand new story with an old soul—the can’t-miss first adventure in a thrilling new series.
Escape Into Reality.
Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key is an enchanting adventure in the tradition of Tolkien and Lewis, as well as Spielberg and Lucas. But this fantastical journey launches in rural West Virginia in the eighties, with a half-Appalachian, half-African kid trying to escape the town he sees defining his small, sad life. Jack discovers a gate hiding a city between twelve realms, and finds out where he truly belongs in a surprising, satisfying adventure.
My Review:
Jack Zulu is a slow burn fantasy adventure with a dash of 80s charm. An invitation to a slower time where sunshine and friends occupied our days mashed up with the wonder of discovering new realms in your own backyard.
I loved the dynamic between Jack and Benny. Jack has the chosen one vibes, but he’s got his own personality and struggles that bring him to life. His love and worry for his mother and his respect for others give him a nobility readers can look up to. And Benny’s no worries attitude was refreshing in the face of the school bully, but my favorite characteristic of Benny is his undying loyalty to Jack, no matter what.
While Jack is the athletic baseball player, Benny is the comic best friend with a family pizzeria. I loved watching Benny begin to find his own interests in the Wayland by the end of the story and hope to see more development from him in other stories. Wheeler was also fun. We love a competent mentor with an epic, mysterious past and respectable skills.
Having so many different places to go in the story lent to the adventurous spirit of the story. Different places in the town of Myrtle and the fantastical sights and cultures of the Wayland keep the reader engaged. I enjoyed the small town, laid back vibe of Myrtle. It was fun to feel like a kid who could bike through neighborhoods again, another reminder of a simpler time. The Wayland promises many more adventures to come and I’m excited to learn about some of the other cultures, lands, and people in future stories.
I wouldn’t call the story a page-turner. It took me a little while to buy in, but by the end, I did really find the story quite a sweet one with themes of home, friendship, and family. The story deals with the difficulty of lost loved ones and trusting in God through hard seasons. I believe kids need stories that deal with hard things like grief and sickness with the light of truth and hope. And this story does just that.
It’s a charming little read with some throwback references for the adults and light fantasy adventure for the kiddos. There are some mildly creepy bits, but it follows the classic good vs. evil with man and monsters surrounded by solid character dynamics and relationships set in a homey, small town.
Content: no swearing, some mild fantasy violence, and nothing more than a light middle grade school crush. Parents should be cognizant that the story does touch on cancer, but it is gently done. I’d feel comfortable giving this one to a preteen.
More:
Book 1 of the Jack Zulu series is Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key (4 Stars)
Book 2 is untitled, but I’ll come back and update when there’s more info out.
Check out the links to learn more on GR! This series should be read in order.