A review by karlakayjenniges
The Road by JJ Carpenter

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 "La vie, c'est comme une bicyclette, il faut advancer pour ne pas perdre l'equilibre."

Charlie has returned to continue her journey as a keeper of the spirits. The mysteries of the spirits become deeper as Charlie must discover more of how to keep the balance. Her encounters begin again as she was taken to the Old Great North Road. A road built by convicts by hand all while shackled. The task was laborious and dangerous. They were treated poorly, often beaten, and starved.
Their spirits linger, tethered to their past, unsettled, and pained. Charlie must figure out who they are and free them so at last they may be at peace. The effects on Charlie are weakening her strength and she is pulled into the dream more often. She must use all of her strength to stay tethered to her friend and the outside world or become lost in the dream world.

The spirits continue to connect to Charlie much more often which has caused her to solve more than one mystery at a time. It has her questioning the connection and the encounters of certain spirits of which she is not familiar. She must protect the balance, for if she fails, it will cause much worse to occur putting her in more danger and possibly the lives of her dearest friends.

Steeped in the deep history of the Old Great North Road and Australia's First Nation People, the story brings us on a dark journey of mystery and pain. The corruption of the corrections treating the convicts as life with no value, overworked, beaten, starved, scourged, and often put to death by hanging. 
Taken back during a time of unrest added a foreboding atmosphere, but also a richness into the history of Australia.

As Charlie delves deeper into the mysteries, the loss and pain can be felt deeply as it unsettles the heart and soul. Emotionally felt moments causing me to take some time to pause and reflect. But there is so much more. Deepened friendships, love, trust, and protection. 

Charlie is a character that is most intriguing as her story is unique and takes us into places of the unknown. It sparks the imagination and stirs the curiosity. 

I have enjoyed book one and book two and I am quite looking forward to book three!