The Sacrificial Wood (The Faithwalker Series: Book II)

Darryl Markowitz
FaithWalker Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9780981846903
Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (2/09)


Stephanie has just been sent to live with her father and his “other” family.  The life of Cinderella-like Stephanie is none-too-pleasant as her father seems almost emotionless and fires the hired help the day she arrives.  She is tossed into the life of a maid.  As she begins school, her stepmother, who is not that bad, does try to have a positive relationship with Stephanie.  Stephanie’s only real light is the love of Vaughn who is away at the State Labor Farm for those children who are orphans.  It is her love of Vaughn that keeps her going through her daily life of hell.

When Stephanie finally makes a friend, Arlupo, who is a member of the Appendaho tribe, she finds that “forces” are trying to use her for their own cause.  This is where I became very confused.  I had not read the previous book; “Call of the Tree” which was one of five semi-finalists in Reader Views 2007 Literary Awards for Teen Fiction so I did not have the background or history needed to fully understand this continuation of the story.  I do feel that the story was very thought-provoking and a great love story in its own way, but highly recommend that a reader go in order beginning with “Call of the Tree.”  As in real life, things do not always happen as we want them to and this is constant throughout the book.  Although I do admit to being confused, I couldn’t put “The Sacrificial Wood” by Darryl Markowitz down once I started.  I will be searching for a copy of “Call of the Tree” and start over with book one.

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