In three days, Jordan must become a wind driver, a legend and renowned warrior who controls the wind, to defend the world of Elatia from certain destruction. Problem is, not only is he unaware, but he's also trapped in a lucid dream, in a cave, here on Earth... or is he?
In three days, Jordan must become a wind driver, a legend and renowned warrior who controls the wind, to defend the world of Elatia from certain destruction. Problem is, not only is he unaware, but he's also trapped in a lucid dream, in a cave, here on Earth... or is he?
“No! Absolutely not! It’s final. I can’t believe you even have the nerve to ask!” Mom yells.
Storming off she abandons me, frustrated, alone, holding a crumbled paper as she slams her door in my face and on my dreams. Of all times, all times, this is the one favor I’d trade all others to embrace. Tell me no for the rest of my life to hear ‘yes’ just this once. The disappointment. The embarrassment my friends will refuse to let go! Funny thing is, though annoyed and irritated to no end, a small part of me, deep inside is mush. I lean into the thin door, hearing her muffled cries penetrate the pillow burying her face.
Tortured, conscience torn in two, I head to my room. Plopping on my squeaky mattress I stare at the empty consent form. Her absent signature means a world of living a dream, or a suffocated fantasy.
However, a thought crosses my mind. Yeah, that thought. I shouldn’t. She’d kill me. But I can’t resist thinking it. Every kid does this at some point in his life. Why not? I’d cowardly practiced it before but never had the balls to do it. Teacher’s notes, homework assignments, all with a big fat “F” slapped on the top page. “Make sure your mother signs this,” teachers frequently nag.
But this is different. My heart pounds as I sit up in bed. My rebellious side nudges me to act. I slide the black pen and a blank paper from my top drawer, warming my fingers as I scribble that god awful ‘S’ mom jots with such ease.
Five times. Ten times. I think I’m ready. Here goes nothing.
Jordan is determined to follow in his dead fathers footsteps - to become a geologist of great renown. He has the opportunity to embark on a school expedition to a caving system, the only problem, his mother isn't entirely on board. She doesn't want him to go and refuses to sign his permission slip. In an act of rebellion, he forges her signature. The morning of the trip arrives, and Jordan has overslept. He scrambles and drives to the cave system in a desperate rush to catch up. Once there, he finds the school bus and passes the permission slip to the somewhat non-plussed driver and he dives into the caves. While he contemplates which way the class has gone, he chooses the wrong path and becomes stuck when there's a rockfall. He's cold, scared and is beginning to despair when his eyes finally succumb to falling closed.
Jordan finds himself waking up on a sandy shore, bordered by a glittering sea and a verdant jungle. The air is warm and feels strange, and he quickly discovers he can somehow wield it. He plays for a while, enjoying the experience knowing he's asleep, when a pretty girl catches his eye. He chases her into the jungle, before he falls down a pit, and wakes up, back in the cave as he's being rescued.
From here, Jordan fights a battle of trying to return to the beautiful girl, feeling a strong connection to her as well as the world he found himself in. He can't believe it was just a dream, it felt too real. With help from his friend, Nijal, he begins to live a life torn between waking and dreaming as he strives to save the world. He's chased by men in black suits, threatened by government bodies and even his therapist meets a grisly end. He finds an unnerving connection to his father; which only further drives his desperation to help.
J.T. Stadd has built a world that most people would dream of; a world where people live in beautiful treehouses and children can race down rivers on huge lily pads. A world free of pollution and free of electronics; a peaceful haven with no background noises other than birdsong. But this world holds its own secrets, are the occupants as peaceful and harmless as they seem, or are they darker - hiding their true nature in the deep past?
Stadd cleverly brings up a question, which, upon reflection the whole story hangs upon.
“Would it be fair to judge you now based on decisions made as a child?”
It's a fair point, well made. Should past actions, especially those made before one is fully developed, be judged when one is an adult? Should we still condemn those civilisations who caused atrocities against others in centuries past? It's a question that is never more fitting than in todays world.
Although this isn't a five star review, this is still a very good read. The Lore of Wind Drivers: Slaves of the Bijou is well written and makes you not only ponder the power of dreams, it also takes you on a rollercoaster of a journey; questioning what is really happening.
S.A