Totem

by Eruch Adams

TOSH CLOUDTREE is a nineteen-year-old art student living in the shadow of his overachieving brother. Tosh loves his brother enough to follow him 1000 miles to Seattle, but couldn’t care less about politics or “native rights”. Tosh is not a traditional Indian, preferring kung fu movies and comic books to Hopi ceremonials and pow wows, so when he starts having vision-like nightmares he doesn’t know what to do except turn them into a series for art class. But Tosh discovers you can’t keep a bad dream down. Peaceful intentions turn riot and Tosh’s world crumbles at the end of a police baton. He compromises to save lives, while navigating the line between taking a stand and becoming a terrorist.

A vision leads him home to Hopi, where his grandfather and the elders agree: the prophesied time of cleansing is at hand. It’s time to initiate a Totem to protect the Hopi . . . they just don’t believe Tosh has what it takes. Which is just fine with Tosh. But when the spirits call Tosh and his friends, they have to answer. Now if he can just convince his elders—while avoiding both militant Indians and corrupt FBI agents—he might actually survive long enough to realize his power, save his brother, and maybe even get the girl.

Kids today aren’t like they used to be. No, they have incredible powers, and they intend to set the world right.

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2015

About the author

Eruch Adams was born in New Mexico to parents who owned a trading post. Native American culture seeped into his world despite the fact that his family proceeded to move around the country no less than 17 times before he reached adulthood. In that time, there were travels to Europe and India, at the expense of school, grades, or any sense of belonging. It was after one such exotic voyage that Eruch was asked to write a story for his high school newspaper about his recent trip to India, which ended up being a two-part epic that launched him into the world of writing with a casual fury. A glib concern. A totalitarian ease, that had nothing to do with his command of English grammar (he’d missed several key weeks of that.)

But dammit, he had passion and a command of the English language that made some laugh, some cry, and the school principal sweat a few times.

Now in the mountains of North Carolina, Eruch has been writing and editing the first three installments of his novel series: TOTEM. He additionally writes short and feature films, short stories, and sci-fi / fantasy for younger audiences. But his primary audience is his loving wife and two boys.

Reviews

[Coranna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique book that blends the modern Indian experience with old magic. Tosh, the main character, is funny and smart, and there's just enough romance to keep drawing me forward. Even more, the book is oddly relevant to this day and time: police brutality, terrorism, and learning to make one's own choices are at the heart of this hero's journey. I don't know if it's a genre, but "Totem" is American fantasy at its best.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed up all night reading this book! It is such a page turner! A very well written well and crafted story. I fell in love with the main character, and might still have nightmares about the villains. I highly recommend this book. It was witty and smart. I feel like it is a great adventure that I just started. I can't wait for book 2!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting edge of the chair perfectly crafted story that I will read over again even knowing the outcome for the sheer enjoyment of it! I am an older reader and not a big fantasy fan per se but the realism of the setting and depth of characters transends any genre. My only complaint, we have to wait for the next volume!