Title: Paradigm Lost
Author: R. Roderick Rowe
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-543415773
Pages: 258
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Reviewed By: Jennifer Weiss
Pacific Book Review
Jamari is expected to be a powerful shaman, but in order to achieve this expectation he needs to learn the necessary skills to be a successful member of Elk Creek Tribe community, so he begins his Manhood Rites training regime that comes with challenges and trials to help him grow stronger and become the man he needs to be. He takes on a journey across Oregon to obtain salt for the tribe. Not only will this travel test him physically, but also test his emotional and spiritual limitations. The people he meets along the way help with this trial, sometimes good and sometimes bad. This is a journey where he will learn new things about his tribe, the world around him, and himself. Once he returns home, he will no longer Jamari a man, but Jamari Shaman one of the strongest and respected spiritual leaders of his clan.
A story when the main character goes out on a journey of self-awareness, whether that is his intention or not, always seems to have a lot of depth and profoundness to them. “Paradigm Lost” is no different. As readers progress through the novel they begin to feel a change within themselves, even just for a moment. ”Paradigm Lost” is the second book in the Elk Creek tribe series, but readers don’t need to read the first book to understand what is happening in this one. All the important information like the Manhood Rites are touched upon early in the novel and are explained very clearly. It is incredibly easy to relate to Jamari and feel a sense of kinship with him. Readers will find themselves getting attached to him from the beginning of the novel all the way to the end.
It should be noted his novel has a strong focus on homosexual relationships, although it is not so much an erotic aspect of the novel as it is about admiring the beauty and joy of love and sex with those you want to share with regardless of gender, and the boundaries that come along with it. It is not an overpowering element, in fact it adds a different quality to the novel than if the relationships were primarily heterosexual, but it is an aspect readers should take into account when preparing to read this book. That being said, “Paradigm Lost” is a great novel that explores various aspects of life and learning how to be the person you are meant to be, whomever that is. There is not an outright central antagonist, but Jamari is seen to be at odds with himself at times. Many readers may feel as if an antagonist is needed to make a compelling book, but it is not always the case and Rowe proves just that point in his novel.
This tale was beautifully crafted and interesting to read. I would suggest it to those who enjoy a good self-aware novel, romance, adventure, but would caution those who are opposed to certain topics to go into this novel with the understanding that “conventional” ideas are not addressed in this story.
