Sam didn't want to save the world, just his turtle. But, as Sam discovers, sometimes saving the world can come down to protecting a turtle from dangerous Shadow Faeries.
If you liked I Survived, and Artemis Fowl, you will love The Light of Enki. Readers are calling The Light of Enki: "fun", "uplifting", and "the positivity the world needs right now". Readers looking for a story where real life meets mythology and magic, are looking for The Light of Enki.
On the second anniversary of his dad’s death, Sam and his mom adopt a new pet to prepare for a bigger change in their family. When Sam finds Shelly, a strange turtle, his life is turned upside down by myth, magic and monsters. Can Sam learn to work with his mom’s boyfriend to save his turtle? Or will the Shadow Faeries capture Shelly and throw the world into eternal darkness?
Sam didn't want to save the world, just his turtle. But, as Sam discovers, sometimes saving the world can come down to protecting a turtle from dangerous Shadow Faeries.
If you liked I Survived, and Artemis Fowl, you will love The Light of Enki. Readers are calling The Light of Enki: "fun", "uplifting", and "the positivity the world needs right now". Readers looking for a story where real life meets mythology and magic, are looking for The Light of Enki.
On the second anniversary of his dad’s death, Sam and his mom adopt a new pet to prepare for a bigger change in their family. When Sam finds Shelly, a strange turtle, his life is turned upside down by myth, magic and monsters. Can Sam learn to work with his mom’s boyfriend to save his turtle? Or will the Shadow Faeries capture Shelly and throw the world into eternal darkness?
As Sam walked through the park, he saw a turtle on its back, its little legs squirming helplessly in the air.
“How’d you do that?” Sam asked the struggling turtle as he knelt down to it. The area under the turtle’s shell featured the indent of a weird, eight-pointed star. Based on what he had learned the year before in fifth grade biology, Sam knew this part of the shell was called the plastron and did not usually have a star shape carved in it.
“Did someone knock you over?” Sam picked up the turtle and turned it over. Mud covered the turtle and nestled deep in the spiral scratches all over its shell. The top of the shell was flat and had a star like the one on turtle’s belly, with eight points. Using his shirt, Sam scrubbed the turtle clean and put him down a few steps off the trail.
The turtle looked up at him. Sam thought it was smiling as it scampered away into the woods. Its brown shell stood out in the green summer leaves as it shuffled farther from the path into the mud and underbrush of the woods.
“Find something? Who are you talking to?” Sam’s mom called over to him. She put her hand over her eyes to shield them from the late sun casting orange light through the trees. The other hand was wrapped into her boyfriend, Greg’s arm. Sam glanced at her, saw the entwined hands and looked back for the turtle.
“A turtle,” Sam said.
“Oh, neat! Does he have a name?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Sam replied, wiping the mud from his shirt. It added a fresh streak to an already-impressive collection of mud stains. Sam’s mom sighed.
“Don’t get worked up,” Greg whispered into her ear. She was about to say something about staying clean. “Boys get dirty.” He smiled and laughed. She nodded her head and laughed too.
Sam heard them laughing and looked back. He saw Greg’s arm around his mom and turned back toward the turtle quickly. She was happy, and that made him happy, but Greg wasn’t Dad. Two years ago, Dad and Mom had walked in the woods on this same path, arms around each other and laughing.
“I’m going to name him Shelly,” Sam said as he shifted to watch Shelly walk away. The star made it easy to tell Shelly from other turtles.
“That’s a nice name,” his mom called after him.
“Good turtle name,” Greg said. He came over to Sam and knelt beside him. They both watched the turtle crawl through the trees and eventually vanish. Greg didn’t mind the dirt and mud, which surprised Sam. Greg always dressed so nicely. Sam was a jeans and t-shirt kid, but Greg always wore a suit and tie. Even on weekends.
One time, Sam asked Greg if he was really a spy or something. Greg didn’t laugh at the question and quietly asked, Who told you? Sam got really quiet and worried that he figured Greg out, but Greg laughed and said he liked how it felt to dress nicely. Sam could appreciate that. He didn’t understand it, but he could understand why someone would like to look nice. You didn’t go fishing in a suit and tie. You didn’t go hiking in a suit and tie. But, apparently, Greg did.
“Turtles are cool,” Greg said. “That one’s just a little guy. Probably could fit in your pocket.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Sam said as he walked away. His mind returned to his mom and Greg laughing, their arms around each other. He didn’t want to talk about turtles with Greg. Dad was more of a turtle guy. Greg was more of a computer guy. More into monitors and mice than trees and turtles.
Greg stepped back to Sam’s mom. She frowned, but Greg buried his disappointment in a smile. “It’s going to take time.” Greg rubbed her shoulder. “We need to give him space, Carole.” Greg kissed her cheek.
Sam shivered. He didn’t want his mom to be called Carole.
“Come on, I’ll walk you all home,” Greg said as he wrapped his fingers into Sam’s mom’s hand. They walked away, and Sam followed behind them. He looked back for the turtle, but Shelly was gone.
“You boys want another Star Wars marathon tonight?” Sam’s mom asked. Sam sighed, remembering the marathon last week, and the week before. Mom loved Star Wars, Sam got it, but that didn’t mean he should have to sit through a bazillion hours of movies and shows with her every week.
“Another night?” Greg read Sam’s slumped shoulders and gave Sam’s mom a wink.
Greg and Sam’s mom debated which movie was the best as they kept walking. Sam knew his mom’s answer but wasn’t sure about Greg’s. Mom was all about Empire Strikes Back. Greg probably liked Star Trek, with all the computer stuff.
Sam’s thoughts drifted away from Star Wars and back to the turtle. He stared a moment longer into the woods and saw a hint of sunlight hit something on the forest ground. It glowed brightly in the sunlight and seemed to swirl. The glint of light had streaks of blue coming off it like an eight-sided star. Sam looked harder. A cloud moved in over the sun, blanketing the woods in darkness. The glow was gone.
The Light of Enki pairs a young boy grieving his father's death with a turtle of unusual abilities in an adventure that is not for the faint of heart! Sam named the turtle Shelly and brought him home to live. It was then he discovered it was like no other turtle on earth and someone was trying to steal it. When dark shadows start tormenting Sam, he begins researching more about his unique turtle.
Shelly offers a bright spot in the midst of Sam's lingering grief--especially helpful because Sam's mom, Carole, has also begun dating Greg. That new relationship creates within Sam a lot of conflicting emotions. He doesn't want to disrespect his Dad's memory by welcoming someone else in his place. In the midst of all that confusion, Sam faces dark forces that seek to capture Shelly.
If you have a middle-grade child who enjoys mythology and slightly creepy tales, then The Light of Enki will be just the ticket! I love how Sam and Greg forge a friendship by working together against supernatural forces. Sam discovers that everyone has their own unique strengths--Greg will never replace his dad and that's ok. As Sam finds the courage and determination that he didn't know he possessed, he learns how to stand up to the forces threatening his family's safety.
The author gives an explanation for his pen name and the process by which this book first came into existence. That is also a fascinating story! I trust that this book will encourage children who have faced tragedy by inspiring them to do courageous things and to open their hearts to new experiences and people. We never know who might offer just the help we need!
I recommend this book for middle-grade readers (ages 10 and up). It sensitively presents topics of grief and blended families within a heroic tale of bravery. I think older reluctant readers will also enjoy the story. It's a perfectly spooky read for October! Turtle fans especially will enjoy this creatively creepy tale.
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of "The Light of Enki" through Reedsy Discovery for the purpose of review.