Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Investor is an historical young adult adventure novel set in the Alaskan Arctic, written by Paul C. Ho. The little village of Noatak was experiencing the massive changes that affected nearly all of Alaska with the discovery of gold. Not only was there the constant presence of prospectors and speculators, but missionaries also moved into the Arctic, determined to impose Christianity upon older cultures that had their own belief systems and culture. Suluk James and his family were Inupiaqs, peoples whose lives would be forever altered by the changes. Suluk’s father abandoned the traditional ways and became a prospector and store owner. Suluk and his brothers and sisters were sent to the church school. The changes from the traditional life of the Inupiaqs were troubling for Suluk’s siblings. They skipped school, and eventually fell prey to the addictions that were beginning to plague other communities like Noatak. One brother killed himself.

Suluk felt most akin to his father, and he was thrilled to be able to accompany him on his prospecting trips. They became much closer than the other members of the family and were soon recognized in the region as a father and son team. John James had big plans to make a family business based on prospecting, and he discussed with Suluk the need for investors and financial backing to make a business enterprise work. These Western economic concepts were alien to the traditional ways of self-reliance and living off the land, but John thought he could make them work. He also had a map for the legendary Jade Mountain, which no one had successfully rediscovered. Suluk’s world quite literally fell apart when John died while he was out exploring. Suluk decided that he would continue his father’s quest for the Jade Mountain and he would embark on a life-changing adventure.

Paul C. Ho’s young adult historical adventure tale, The Investor, is a fast-paced and thrilling story about a young boy’s coming of age out in the Arctic wilderness. Ho was a volunteer medical student who worked with the US Indian Health Service in Nome, Alaska, and during his service, he worked in Inuit villages and became fascinated with their culture. His experiences give this story a real sense of authenticity and immediacy. Suluk is a fascinating character, and seeing as he grows to understand and appreciate his culture is infinitely rewarding. His experiences on the trail are beautifully portrayed and recalled to me the harshness and grandeur of the Arctic wilderness that is found in Jack London’s works. While The Investor is geared toward a young adult audience, preteens and adults, who are as fascinated by the Arctic as I am, will find this book as rewarding and enlightening an experience as I did. The Investor is most highly recommended.