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I wanted to write a tough, scathing character study. This book is not that.
In the midst of doing research for that project, I suddenly had enough of tough and scathing, and put it all aside just to give myself a break. The result was the first of the 'Anya and Corax' mini-series, Vagabond Wind.
Well, it turned out that readers also needed a break. People wanted to read something that charmed them, and who better to do that than Corax, the dog hero? And when I finished that book, the characters insisted on getting together again, so what choice did I have? They badgered me into writing Twist a Rope of Sand, and I hope it gives just as much pleasure. I loved writing it.
The author Madeleine L'Engle advised that, if you want to write a difficult book, don't write it for adults. Write it for children. Well, you need to listen when a prestigious author speaks, don't you? So I did write about children, but more importantly, for the child in all of us.
Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite
In Twist a Rope of Sand by K.M. del Mara, we join Anya and Corax for another adventure. This time we are headed for the Frijoles Canyon in New Mexico with her father, the archaeologist. We are in the year 1933 and it is just before Thanksgiving. Nine-year-old Anya is looking forward to spending some much-needed quality time with her father during the holiday, until he decides to invite her cousin, Robert, along as well. Suddenly Anya is dreading the holiday. While trying to document and preserve the invaluable history of the Anasazi people who lived in the canyon centuries ago, Anya, her father, and everyone at the Ranch of the Ten Elders must contend with graverobbers looking to make quick money. Can Anya and Robert ever heal and move forward? Can they stop the thieves and safeguard the legends of The Old Ones?
This book is saturated in history so rich, it's hard to put down. My curious spirit was once again ignited to gather more information regarding the people this story was based upon. I loved that it could be read apart from Vagabond Wind; however, I find myself eager to read the first book as well. By personifying the grandfather clock, Corax, Felicity, Coyote, and Raven, I feel that the author reached a deeper level of intensity and tied the legends of the Anasazi people with the area of the Frijoles Canyon as well as each of the characters. Character growth itself was quite evident and correlated well with the entire theme. This book is not only suitable for children aged 12 and up but also adult readers who enjoy historical fiction.
