Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In David Fitz-Gerald’s Rathuun: King of the Prairie, the titular Rathuun is born on the prairie into a buffalo brum, whose safety depends on old migration paths. As a calf, he is saved by Na-Muh, a human boy whose kindness marks him for life. Years later, the same open country becomes a killing ground when hunters use cliffs, rifles, and wagons against the buffalo. Drumm, the ruling bull, answers each threat too late, so Rathuun begins to believe their survival requires a new kind of leader. He rises from a grieving son to a protector, challenging Drumm for the right to guide the brum. As rival bull Drekk draws the frightened buffalo toward a northern legend, Rathuun searches for the lost route to Hruun-thurakk, the birthplace that may hold the last chance for his brum.

David Fitz-Gerald’s Rathuun is an absolutely gorgeous story that follows the life of a buffalo and his pursuit of survival. This is an extremely thoughtful novel and unique in that its point of view is through Rathuun, giving us a non-human perspective that names elements like human hunters as 'striders', and railroads as 'fire-snorters'. Rathuun is easy to like because he is strong, but his strength has tenderness. He accepts his newborn sister Ashuun despite the grief for his dead twin Ruz, then offers a beaten rival a path back if he can serve the brum. I love Branneth, a cow. She is encouraging and honest, gently nudging Rathuun to greet his first calf, Huruuk, then later expressing her desire to follow the path set by Shaa-Luun, the buffalo deity. The narrative shines brightest in the scene setting, from Mammoth Hot Springs rising in steam beside mineral terraces to a square-built prairie town with a white church and bells that ring across the plain. Well written and immersive, I desperately want to read more of this type of inventive storytelling. I am now a true fan. This is the best book I have read all year. Very highly recommended.