Review: Shaman, Healer, Heretic by M. Terry Green

eBook, 336 pages
Published January 19th 2011 by M. Terry Green
ISBN 13: 9780983292500

Let’s start this off by saying that this book took me to completely new place, and that’s not easy to do these days. I’ve read all different genres, though urban fantasy is my favorite. I’m not sure why the Native American myths are not a favorite of authors, perhaps it doesn’t seem exotic enough. In any case, this was a good solid adventure, taking place across different worlds.

Olivia (Livvy) is a techno shaman, who travels to other planes using a pair of goggles as her transportation medium. I remember thinking that the elimination of mind altering substances might make this novel a possible young adult read, and I can say now that this might be a possible market for this series.

While traveling, Livvy is assisted by spirits, which I will avoid going into to avoid spoiling the fun, but I will say that the mythology is very well done. I am a bit of a geek when it comes to exotic spiritual practice, and never for a moment did I feel as though something was out of place or odd–even though there are monsters and all sorts of oddities, they all fit with the story.

The only faults I can find here are in the area of character development and pacing. I never got a chance to get to know the characters very well, because the action is so fast paced. Livvy is constantly moving. Things happen simultaneously in all worlds, as they should, but that means the reader has to keep up with everything at once. At times it seemed a little tiring, and the traveling a little repetitive. I don’t think it is enough of an issue to keep anyone from reading, though. This book is very well written, and I enjoyed the journey, I just wish there was a bit of sightseeing in between, a chance to admire the beauty and make note of it.