The Voice of the Tree

Robert Holland has once again written a story that delves deep into a place where many authors will refuse to go: teenage school life. This book somehow weaves many topics, including hockey, prep school life, medical ethics, and even ancient healing history and methods, into a beautiful story. Eddie Phelps is a great up-and-coming hockey player, except that he can't hit a good slapshot to save his life. That, and many other aspects of his life, changes when he discovers that he is descended from two groups of ancient healers, giving him unbelievable powers. When tragedy strikes at a hockey game, will Eddie win the race against time to save a friend and his own future? Although the language in this book can be rather rough at times, it does give an accurate look as to how boys and girls of this age talk, and nothing beyond a few relatively tame four-letter words is used. Overall, this is a book with a solid storyline and believable characters. The only thing I did not like is something that Eddie himself wondered about: was he really a gifted hockey player and student, or was everything just an accident of birth? In a way, this question casts a shadow over what is otherwise an outstanding book.

The Voice of the Tree was just the book I have been waiting for, it blended mystical history and adventure perfectly. I also loved the relation to hockey!

This is a great book for boys and girls of all ages, the story is interesting and fun, this is one of the best books I've ever read.