Susan May Warren starts off her Call of the Wild series with Track of Courage. This series centers on our canine friends and while I am not a dedicated dog lover, Caspian, the dog in this book, pretty much stole the show. The book is another one of the many books Warren has penned taking place in the Alaskan wilderness. It is action-packed at some points and like the eye of a storm, the plot swirls slowly around until suddenly the author rockets us back into the fast-paced fury until Warren puts us down a little worn out and wondering exactly what just happened.
If every person’s life was as filled with action, danger and emotional trauma as these characters, it would be impossible for people to function. The story arc seems to be based on seeing how long characters can live with their difficulties before being forced to face them. Even the secondary characters are struggling to face life and all it throws at them. The one bright spot in it all is the somewhat perplexing Caspian. Man’s best friend really has some good instincts.
The small author’s note at the conclusion of the book helps readers to feel additional empathy and understanding. It is nice to see authors being vulnerable and open about why they decide to write about specific topics. Given the size of the book, it is amazing how much of the Alaskan territory and emotional ground are covered. Although a couple of plot points feel a little unrealistic, don’t worry, these can easily be overlooked and the reader will still find satisfaction in seeing how the bad guys receive justice, the good guys find romance and purpose, and eventually, everything is right with the world…until the next book and then who knows what might happen next.
Review of a Digital Advanced Reader’s Copy Provided by the Publisher
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: A character recalls an incident where a 5-year-old is shot and killed, blood is mentioned; several scenes where a person recalls being shot and injured; a plan is hijacked at gun and knife point, blood described; characters fight and shots are fired; a report of a person injuring themselves and bleeding out; a person is kidnapped; people find blood all over and don’t know exactly where it came from.
Sex/Nudity: A character mentions she was pregnant and it is implied she was not married; characters kiss and embrace.
Mature Subjects Matter:
Death of close family members, post-traumatic stress disorder.
Drug/Alcohol Use:
Several references to people being drug traffickers; reference to someone being drunk beside an empty bottle.
