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Book Review of The Dirt Eaters (The Longlight Legacy)

The Dirt Eaters (The Longlight Legacy)
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It' a delight to discover a series that is not popular but is entertaining and fun to read. Such is Dennis Foon's The Long Light Legacy. I've had The Dirt Eaters on my shelf for some time but the title was not appealing enough to pick it up. Finally, I did.

The story begins with a young boy as the only survivor of his village in a world gone mad where roaming bands kill, maim and kidnap others. True, his sister survives but is kidnapped by the raiders. As he leaves the village, Roan is captured by men who seem to know more about him than he himself does. He does have strange dreams with the same reoccurring creatures who give advice that he senses he must follow. And, a white cricket resides in his pocket guiding his way. When he discovers that the creatures of his dreams are people with whom he is communicating, he begins to understand some of his world.

I found some of the incidents difficult to rationalize. For example, how can one valley by so polluted by toxins that life cannot exist while another is alive, verdant and safe for life. Putting such thoughts aside, the story is complex and exciting. I look forward to the next in the series, Freewalker.