My Father's Land

by A.C. Wilson

These pirates who just kidnapped Ella seem to think that she knows the location of the Gwambi’s Lost City of Gold. Sure, her father died looking for the Gwambi city, but that doesn’t mean she knows anything about it. Her mother wouldn’t even let her read the one book they owned on the lost Gwambi city. Mind you, she read every other book in the house-every other book in the parish—so she knows a thing or two. The question is, can she do anything with all that head knowledge? I mean, does it matter if she can positively identify the difference between a gnome, a leprechaun, and a nymph, if she can’t defend herself when they are trying to stab her in the gut? And let’s not even start talking about the sorcerer…

With a focus on immersive world-building that features fully developed fantasy races, deeply religious colonists, and labor riots, My Father’s Land draws as much from JRR Tolkien and Indiana Jones as it does from Charles Dickens. “The Gwambi Tetralogy” borders on magical realism, and is a faith-based and character-driven spin on the fantasy genre.

Genres: Fantasy

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2023

Reviews

[iSamwise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nautical fantasy/flintlock fantasy/adventure fantasy is excellent.
If there is one thing missing in modern fantasy it’s swashbuckling adventure! Some of my favorite classic authors like Alexandre Dumas, Robert Louis Stevenson and Mark Twain wrote these type of stories, but it seems like fantasy never adopted this style. That is, until now. This book feels like Tolkien meets Treasure Island with a splash of Indiana Jones. It’s a gripping story about a girl who is kidnapped by pirates, learns of a lost ancient treasure, and of powers in the world that are greater than anyone expects!

There are a few words of praise for Wilson that I’d like to highlight. He writes female characters surprisingly well. They all feel distinct and interesting while still feeling very real. Many of them are the most interesting characters in the story! Another word of recommendation is that Wilson knows pacing. The book is gripping from start to finish and Wilson carries you along at the perfect pace. He knows when to let you breathe and also when to cut to the chase. He also writes in engaging prose that fit the story very well.

I constantly hear people say they love nautical fantasy with series like The Liveship Traders, Gentlemen Bastards, or Tress of the Emerald Sea. If you like those types of stories in a flintlock setting then I’d definitely recommend this book.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty year old Ella lives at Blisa village in the land of Slyzwir with her mother, stepfather, and siblings. Her father had disappeared from the earth after leaving to look for the treasure of the Gwambi city. One night, when she goes to bring some food to an old beggar named Jock, Ella and Jock are kidnapped by pirates, who seem to think that she and Jock know the location of the Gwambi’s Lost City of Gold. After sailing with the pirates across the sea to the coast of Sophez near the country of Llaedhwyth, Ella escapes and finds refuge in the community of Entwerp. She thinks that if she can find the Gwambi treasure she can use it to buy Jock’s freedom from the pirates. Then the pirates attack Entwerp. Does Ella get taken prisoner again or will she escape? What really happened to her father? And is the Gwambi treasure even for real?
Those who like fantasy stories with humans, gnomes, leprechauns, dwarves, faeries, satyrs, elves, nymphs, and griffins should enjoy this book. Some of the descriptions of killing are a little graphic, so I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children, and there are frequent instances of drinking ale, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. At the same time, several references to trusting in and praying to God are found, and an interesting discussion of why God allows evil to happen occurs. The biggest problem is that My Father’s Land is only the first entry in a faith-based series known as “The Gwambi Tetralogy,” so that this exciting adventure leaves the reader hanging by a thread over a cliff. The sequel is My Father’s Ghost. But then there are two more books to complete the story, My Father’s God and My Father’s Will.

[Alyse Laporte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect combination of suspenseful and a cozy read. You never know what's going to happen next, but there is still time for late night campfire conversations and silliness. Growing up, finding YA without suggestive content that was still interesting was almost impossible. Finding Christian fantasy was almost impossible, but this book delivers without ever crossing into being preachy. It is accurate to the experience of Christian teens as they grapple with the coming-of-age struggles of independence, crushes and existential crises. I would wholeheartedly and without caveats recommend My Father's Land to any teen/young adult or adult looking for a new favorite fantasy series.

[Ashwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever wondered what it would be like to amalgamate the universes of the Hobbits, the Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Narnians, look no further! This book is a wonderful start to the journey through the lives of fantastical-yet-relatable characters, set in a landscape of its own. The Tolkienesque work on linguistics is commendable, and while it may seem like a lot initially, it adds substance to the various subjects of focus, and together with the included pronunciation guide, is easy to follow once you get into it. Great read!