Based on a Dungeons and Dragon character the author developed as a youth, THE GOOD LUCK CHILD is the story of Dasmondh and his family, specifically his parents, and the drastic changes both their individual home and larger country faces. Set in an Italy that has parallels although no direct historical connection to the earth’s Medieval period, the story opens with a seemingly pleasant, fairybook-tale harmonious familial life. Dasmondh’s parents tell him fables about a so-called “Stone Wurm” and a good luck child, so named because he saved his community from great harm. The family is also aware, if distantly, of battle farther away in the kingdom. However, one evening the battle is brought home rather abruptly; three Orc Warriors attack the family, forcing them to flee to Naples. Unfortunately, this is only the start of their troubles. The Stone Wurm, along with Dasmondh’s true identity, makes a dramatic appearance. Will Dasmondh be able to protect his family and become the man he is meant to be?
Mayhew’s familiarity with this world is evident by the ease and warmth of her prose. He injects humor and a sense of childlike wonder into his characters, which helps them overcome significant mystical obstacles. However, he can occasionally belabor points with expository dialogue. “My mother was murdered, my father is missing, then these pirates lock me up in a crate, and now that every last one of them is wounded they’re going to die a slow death!”
THE GOOD LUCK CHILD delivers on its promise to create a richly told, deeply layered, and fundamentally warm fantasy tale of a young man’s battles with a wild and unpredictable world.
~IndieReader.