Looking Glass Portal

Reviewed by: Christine I Speakman

Written by: Larriane Wills

Publisher:  Swimming Kangaroo Books www.swimmingkangaroo.com

Genre: Science Fiction

ISBN:  978 1 934041 17 8 (electronic)

978 1 934041 18 5 (paperback)

Pages: 372
Price: $5.99 (electronic) $17.99 (US Print) 15 pounds (UK print)

4 out of 4 roses

Simply Fantastic!

No matter which room I was in “Looking Glass Portal” was with me.  I could not put it down, could not stop reading.  I already miss Garrett, Chief, Glemm, and all the rest.

Ms. Wills has taken a broken-down cowboy, someone who is slowly losing the use of his legs, and has dumped him onto a spaceship filled with either scholars or hunters.  Sink or swim.  Garrett really hopes he’s in some type of coma or even dead, cause this is all just too weird.

Men that look and smell like pigs; giant bumble bees licking and healing wounds; a real Pegasus; let alone a walking fluffy disappearing spider-thing.  And what exactly is a trohog?

One day, Garrett’s just minding his own business mending fencing with his horse, Boss.  While resting he’s shot by a pigman with something that literally punched holes through him.  Now, he’s stuck on a Thornn research spaceship with no way home.  And, due to his confusion, he’s been placed with the hunters…all from different planets.  Doesn’t help his case that he’s protected by the giant bumble bees and seems favoured by Midradina, the only female around who also seems to talk for the unseen Thornns.

Ms. Wills has created a world locked on a spaceship that contains dangers and humour and the underlying need for friendships.  Garrett is quick-witted, sarcastic, baffled, and cares more than he will admit.  His ‘friends’ are distinct and fully developed characters while still containing their own mysteries and objectives.

However, there’s more to this tale than meets the eye.  I never expected the ending.  I was wonderfully and brilliantly blindsided.  Every bit of information was right there in front of me and I never had an inkling to the secret of the “Looking Glass Portal.”

Outstanding!  A Must Read!