Title: Khokhan: The Kid Who Could Be!
Author: George Soy
Publisher: Leadstart publishing
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
First Publication: 2021
Language: English
Book Summary: Khokhan: The Kid Who Could Be! By George Soy
Shipwrecked, 8-year-old Khokhan ends up on a mysterious island where humans can talk with wild animals and use batons to summon anything they want. Waterfalls freeze at night to let people sleep peacefully; wells glow, barren trees protect one from rain and people fly with the help of special shoes! All this makes him wonder, what place this is and whether he is even alive!
But the island is hardly the utopia it seems to be. There is a lurking danger that threatens to topple the lives of the islanders and they superstitiously believe, that now, through Khokhan, they can get themselves redeemed. Pretty soon, Khokhan finds himself encountering a giant snake, a grievous bio-attack that effects his blood, and all sorts of other evil, and he has no idea who is doing this to him or why.
Will Khokhan manage to survive the battle with the unknown enemies? Will he live up to the faith that has been thrust upon him by the despairing islanders without even his knowledge? Or will he simply escape to set out in search of a way to reach his mother?
Only time will tell…
Book Review: Khokhan: The Kid Who Could Be! By George Soy
The book opens with Khokhan, 8-year-old boy, traveling in a giant ship which was caught in a monster storm. Having been shipwrecked, he stranded on a mysterious island. The island is full of magic and wonders where people can talk to wild animals and can summon anything they want with baton. There are waterfalls that freeze at night, wells that glow, barren trees that protect people from rain, and special shoes that enable people to fly! This leaves him wondering what kind of place this is and if he is even alive!
Despite its appearance, the island is hardly Utopian. The islanders are facing a deadly danger and they superstitiously believe that Khokhan can save them from it. After a while, Khokhan finds himself battling a giant snake, being exposed to a bio-attack that results in a severe reaction to his blood, and facing other horrors that are pleading for his death, and he doesn’t have the faintest idea who is doing this to him. The battle with unknown enemies is Khokhan’s greatest challenge yet, he has to face his fears and protect the people of the island.
The characters are so full of life and vigour, and really help to propel the story forward by making you care about them. It was the relationship between Khokan and the people of the island, especially with Adus and Arno, that really stood out for me. It’s a relationship full of joy and a love for each other that’s also tinged with sadness and sentimentality as it develops. It’s a passing of knowledge and stories about the island and their family, told with a sprinkling of magic and mystery. Add to this Khokhan’s desperate longing to get back to his mother, and you get a real sense of love between these characters. Khokhan’s desire to see his mother is built upon to create a wonderful bittersweet moment that is both subtle and elegantly done to such an extent that it took me by surprise, yet was also so obviously meant to happen. The writing really is outstanding.
Khokhan is a remarkable character. He can be a completely charming and funny, and he can be an example of life lessons. The secondary characters we meet throughout the story help support and encourage a feeling of community spirit amongst the islanders. You get the feeling that everyone of the island has a strong familial connection to the area, and will do anything to protect it and their ancient traditions. Any outsider would have a hard time integrating into the island life without a host of eyes casting suspicious glances.
The island itself could also be a character in its own right. Descriptions are vivid, and really big to mind a feral and wild environment that’s filled with hidden beauty and magic, the magic of love, compassion, memories; of storms and sacrifice. It has a personality all of its own that welcomes Khokhan. The descriptions of the magic also add to this overall atmospheric feel, and allow the readers to become deeply involved in the island.
The plot is full of mystery and magic. It’s well paced and the world building is well explored and explained properly. It’s simple, to the point, yet also compelling and believable while retaining a uniqueness about it. The writing carries you through the story as if told by an old friend or relative, with a hint of folktale about it. You could almost imagine it being told over a fire like tales of the past.
This book absolutely sings. It is a tale of a mysterious island and its magical atmosphere that the readers will instantly connect. The author has filled it with such stunning detail and enthralling adventure that it tangibly brings the island and its people to life. With expert language use and sensory detail, author George Soy creates a mood that is eerie, magical and curious, while also revealing genuine joy and humour. ‘Khokhan: The Kid Who Could Be!’ is a rare, beautiful gift: one which can entertain and enlighten both the child and the adult. This is a story that will live on in the imagination long after you’ve put it down.
