In Book 2 of the Wake-Robin Ridge series, Marcia Meara, author of Swamp Ghosts and Finding Hunter, returns to the rugged beauty of the North Carolina mountains, introducing a little boy whose remarkable gift will change the world for everyone he meets.“Evil’s comin’, boy…comin’ fast. Look for the man with eyes like winter skies, and hair like a crow’s wing. He’s the one you gotta find.”The remote … gotta find.”
The remote mountain wilderness of North Carolina swallowed up the ten-year-old boy as he made his way down from the primitive camp where his grandparents had kept him hidden all his life. His dying grandmother, gifted with the Sight, set him on a quest to find the Good People, and though he is filled with fear and wary of civilization, Rabbit is determined to keep his promise to her. When he crosses paths with Sarah and MacKenzie Cole, neither their lives nor his, are ever the same again.
The extraordinary little boy called Rabbit has the power light up the darkness, and the resourcefulness to save himself from the one person his grandparents had hoped would never find him. His dangerous and bittersweet journey will touch you in unexpected ways, and once you’ve let Rabbit into your heart, you’ll never forget him.
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Having met Sarah and MacKenzie Cole in the first book I was looking forward to catching up with them, and having read the reviews for the second book, I knew that I was in for something special.
The blurb can often be misleading for a book, but in this case when the author promised that this little boy would touch us in unexpected ways and find a place in your heart, it was true. She has created a wonderful character who despite a different and challenging start in life, blossoms before our eyes. He has a gift that will transform lives and he is also the gift. And for Sarah and Mac a chance for healing and completion.
As with any good story, the road is not all plain sailing, with danger hovering to take advantage and ruin the sense of belonging Rabbit is desperate for. Mystery surrounds his origins. It takes a great deal of research to unravel the evil that resulted in his upbringing with his grandparents in the isolated wilderness of the North Carolina mountains. An upbringing that has prepared this ten year old to survive on the land, even when threatened, and the ability to give love in abundance.
The element of the paranormal in the story is subtle and believable, especially when in the context of the region and its acceptance of special people. The characters of Sarah and Mac develop through the book and events reach a climax that end this particular episode in their lives very satisfactorily. There is an epilogue which hints at the next phase in the story of this wonderful family, and I am looking forward to finding out how. I recommend that you do begin with Wake-Robin Ridge so that you don’t miss out on another terrific read.
I read the first Wake-Robin Ridge book and had been looking forward to continuing with the series. It was good to see Mac and Sarah back, but the new character, Rabbit, stole my heart. I fell in love with his innocence and wisdom. If I could have reached into the book and hugged him, I would have. The world, through his eyes, is a place I want to live. He was raised away from the world, in the woods, by his grandparents. He believed people were evil, but on his grandmother’s deathbed, she let him know there are good people too. She sent him on a quest to find one of those good people. His growth inspired me as much as it inspired those he encountered. There were some heart-wrenching parts along with some endearing ones, and I deeply felt each one. I highly recommend this book and look forward to continuing the journey with Rabbit.
Is it possible to join a fictional family? I’d love to join this one and live in the mountains of NC.
Several other readers’ reviews have mentioned how Rabbit stole their heart – I’m no exception. He’s such a wonderful character – wise beyond his years despite his limited education, empathetic, loving, appreciative, and an excellent judge of character. He’s an old soul in the body of a 10-year-old boy, and I just wanted to hug him and protect him from the world.
I was so excited to be back with Mac and Sarah, who I got to know in the first book, as well as Rosheen and Handsome. They’re two of my favorite furry characters, and I adored how quickly Rosheen took to Rabbit and felt so protective of him.
Parts of Rabbit’s story are tragic, but overall, this is a heart-warming, feel-good read with some pretty suspenseful moments and magnificent character development. I can’t wait to continue the series.
I fell in love with a little boy named Rabbit. OMG. This book is so wonderful, I can’t recommend it enough. Rabbit is ten years old, and for his entire life, he’s lived in the deep forest of the Blue Ridge Mountains with his grandparents. They took him there when he was a baby to keep him safe from the “bad people.” When his grandparents die, he starts a solo journey to find a place he belongs.
Rabbit enters the lives of Sarah and Mac Cole and what follows is a story of love, loss, and discovery as Rabbit learns about a whole new world. He’s never seen electricity in action or ridden in a car or listened to music! He’s an amazing character—inquisitive, funny, heartbroken, and wise beyond his years. As Rabbit transforms, the characters around him transform as well.
There’s danger in this book, a bit of paranormal “sight,” and kindness galore. My investment in Rabbit was intense, and I couldn’t stop rooting for him. Though Rabbit is the star of this literary show, the other characters are well-rounded and emotionally authentic. The writing is exceptional with spot-on dialog and an excellent pace. I couldn’t put the book down and got all teary with happiness at the end.
Though this is Book 2 in the Wake-Robin Ridge series, I’m not sure it’s necessary to read Book 1 first, though it wouldn’t hurt. I enjoyed that book too. Interested in something thoroughly original, engaging, and tender? A Boy Named Rabbit will steal your heart.