Book Review: LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse

LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse by Pekka Harju-Autti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How would you live your life if you knew exactly the day you would die? This might seem to be too heavy a thought for young adults, but I remember being fourteen and my inner musings weren’t chock full of puppies and kittens. Adulthood was coming into view and with it a lot of expectations and fears. Young adults think about life, a lot.

Author Pekka Harju-Autti has wrapped life’s big questions in a layer of classic storytelling. the story focuses on a father and son who embark on a sea adventure that takes them to an island, where they encounter people and a culture that have been isolated from the rest of the world. Everyone on the island knows precisely the day they will die. It’s literally tattooed on their foreheads.

This premise makes a great springboard to explore what it means to be a mortal being. The island’s society has embraced this knowledge and made it part of their lifestyle. A persons death date becomes part of life’s decisions – who to marry, how to be educated, what vocation to learn. Most importantly though, the stigma and fear of death is almost extinguished. I found comfort and a thoughtful peace in spending time with these island people.

Beyond that huge concept, there’s also the quieter storyline of a father and son spending quality time together. And through each of their journals, we’re privy to their innermost thoughts.

The book isn’t written in a heavy-handed style. It’s simplistic, easy to read and the pages fly by quickly. This helps balance the subject matter and keeps it from becoming overwhelming.

I’m feeling more peaceful about my own inevitable future now. Maybe if you read this book, you will be too. Perhaps you’ll share it with your child. I know I will be recommending it whenever appropriate.