The Dirt Eaters (part 2) by Dennis Foon

I have just finished The Dirt Eaters by Dennis Foon, and I am very impressed with it. Here's the second entry on this book:

Since last time, much has happened. Roan is on the path of fully realizing his powers by doing some good things including killing some blood-drinkers, completely healing from his infection caused by some thorns and tons of courage and such. It's kind of the typical fantasy book, where the main character gets lots of attention, special powers, and is thrust into this remarkably unique situation. It's still good though.

I really like the way Dennis Foon writes this book. It's not as slow as molasses, but rather, as speedy as newly micro-waved molasses. What I mean by this, is that the book keeps revealing its secrets and twists at a steady rate. It doesn't stay in one specific place for a long time which kept me from getting bored with it. By the end, I was completely integrated with the book. If I was reading it, I was in the book, not worrying or thinking about other things. It's been a long time since a book has had this effect on me! It's a rare gift for an author to be able to pull you in that far, for that long.

As previously mentioned, Roan's character is unique. At the beginning, he is just a wandering soul, worrying desperately what to do after he has lost everything! He then unwisely gets pulled in with Saint. He realizes that this is not the place for him, and that they are just a greedy bunch of pharisees with a freakish lust for blood and power. He then runs away in an attempt to free himself from the insanity. He, along with his newly found friend, Lumpy, have a very good way with words that fends off Saint's men that come looking for Roan. After that kerfuffle, Roan is strong enough to endure getting a lethal poison injection via a thorn he brushes against. He pushes himself through it until he gets fixed up in a nearby village. Here, along with his rebellious doctor, he makes plans to save the children that are getting sold for test-medical-subjects. Roan also makes sure his friend Lumpy gets what he needs while hiding outside the village. Roan is a good friend, and has determination, integrity, and honesty. Dennis Foon has done a very good job in creating and developing him. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

I can also identify with the main character, Roan. He is cautious, but also not the wisest at times with his decisions (at the beginning where Roan goes along hesitantly with Saint to his place). I can be like that to, and not make the wisest decisions (like staying on the computer when I'd rather be reading). Determination. Once Roan has his mind set on something, he doesn't let go of it. That can be me sometimes, like last spring when with the help of the then MLA Maryann Mihychuck, we organized a clean-up of a part of Omand's Creek. This determination helped people out!

The significance of the title if you have been wondering is people called Dirt Eaters. They eat a special kind of dirt, and they can go to special places to help people out, and such. Its kind of like this semi imaginative/real world that they go to. Thats all I know so far.

I would rate this lovely book a 9 out of 10, no joke.

The Dirt Eaters by Dennis Foon

The book I’m reading right now is called the Dirt Eaters. So far I really like it. Here’s a summary created by ME!

I’m about half way done the book, and a lot has happened (no doubt). The book starts off with the main character, Roan sulking because mysterious people on horsebacks have just raided his village of Longlight. Everyone in Longlight has gotten brutally slaughtered except for Roan. Roan goes on wandering in disbelief until a man named Saint finds Roans hiding spot. Roan runs off into the woods, but Saint eventually convinces him that he is harmless and brings the dishevelled Roan to Saint’s village.

Saint’s village is a very religious and spiritual place. There are 75 people named brothers. They teach things to people inside the village, and practice the special religion with Saint very intently. Roan is gratefully brought in to this tight-knit community. They also find out that Roan is extraordinary at swordplay and such everything that they do there! At first, he is suspicious of everyone being so kind and generous to him, but his suspicions get slightly calmed after a year or so.

After a while, Roan starts getting suspicious again, and finds out that it was these seemingly nice people that raided his village! The fury that must not show boils up inside him. In a ceremony dedicated to Roan, he slashes Saint across the neck and drives off on his motorcycle. Currently, Roan is wondering off in the wilderness and has just met odd people that feed on the blood of beasts that they control.

The thing that keeps me reading this awesome book is its sense of adventure. Roan is always willing to do things for the greater good, and is a very interesting character. The author also keeps it interesting by putting segments of Roan’s dreams in, as a different font. This gives you an insight of to what’s happening somewhere else. For instance, Roan’s sister is always contacting him through his dreams. Roan also has a white cricket that stays along with him. He gives Roan advice, and plays tunes with his legs for him. This combination of goodness makes for an awesome story.

Saint’s village is sort of a screwy religious cult. It seems nice on the outside, but in the inner workings, it is crazily screwed up. After Roan escapes from it, Saint peruses him to find Roan and bring him back. Its pretty scary, the way they try to manipulate Roan into staying, so that they can use Roan’s extraordinary combat skills. I think Roan made a good choice by running away from the cursed establishment.

So far, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is OK in the beginning, but right now when I was reading it, it was insanely intriguing. I was COMPLETELY in to the book. Overall so far, I would rate it a 9 out of 10.