Running Through a Dark Place

Running Through a Dark Place

by Michael J. Bowler

published by author

May 2014

ISBN 9780990306306

Why Read?: Review

Challenges: E-Book, YA Mythology, 100 Books in a Year

Michael J. Bowler picks up the second book in his Knight Cycle, Running Through a Dark Place, right where the first book, Children of the Knight, leaves off.  (I do not want to give any major spoilers for the first book, so I am not going to go into too much detail about the plot, as it would give too much away.)  After the success of his first campaign, Arthur wants to fight for more rights for the youth of Los Angeles who are treated as adults only in criminal matters.  Once again, he and his Knights have a tough battle ahead of them, and there is a lot of growth along the way.  Oh, and Merlin has finally appeared!

Taking a historical figure made mythological and imagining what his crusade would be in today's age is really ingenious, and is a testament to Michael J. Bowler's skill, but hat I like best about his writing is that he does not pull any punches.  He lays the tough issues out there as they are and shows his characters' struggles in tackling these issues.  While many of his characters are what would be considered at-risk youth, Running Through a Dark Place, and the rest of Michael J. Bowler's Knight Cycle, will appeal to all youth and those adults who work with youth.  

Rating 4/5