Title: Along The Waterways: Dreamtime Mysteries
Author: Jenni Barnett
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 978-1543406535
Pages: 320
Genre: Fiction / Fantasy
Reviewed by: Jennifer Weiss

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Along the Waterways is the second of the Dreamtime Mysteries trilogy by author Jenni Barnett. Rex Graham, a part aboriginal anthropology student, continues to search for clues to his aboriginal history through spiritual communing in the wilderness. Many unanswered questions about his fragmented ancestral past continue to unfold where the first of the Dreamtime Mysteries, Native Companions, ended.

After inheriting an art works created by a long dead tribal elder, Rex is inspired to research the meanings behind the drawings. Inspired by his need to complete his doctorate of indigenous studies in anthropology, his grandmother, Granelda Booran, had shared all she knew about their people, and when she died, she was interred under a sacred tree. Rex envisages her face in the trunk, referring to the tree as Gran Yan. On his second pilgrimage to the lakeside forest, where Rex camps under the tree: while he sleeps, Gran Yan continues her narrations about the Booran clan, who lived in the land of Yaraan Grove.

Along the Waterways describes life at Yaraan Grove during an era when the first arrivals to return to their homeland after a long absence. After many years of struggles to survive in alien desert-lands, their ancestors were forced to migrate during a long drought. Many generations on, their people were given a sign to return to their homeland, guided by an eagle they referred to as Mullawaa.

On their return, the first-born child at Yaraan Grove was named Mullawanda, to honour of the great eagle. The child proves to be gifted beyond the understanding of his people, creating fear amongst hierarchy that he may anger their earth father and bring bad luck to the community. With his superior intelligence and a strong desire and curiosity for adventure, Mullawanda develops a passion for harnessing the elements. Having studied the ability of flying possums to glide on the wind, he attempts to develop his own form of paragliding.

His feats prove hazardous and when he is caught up in a freak tornado, his adventure proves more hazardous than he anticipated. After landing in unfamiliar territory, the youth encounters interesting communities where he learns the answers to his ancestral legends. Lifelong friendships, romance and journeys along the waterways add variety to the story. Mullawaa learns of different cultures and traditions through social gatherings, listening to legends and narrated by tribal priest following their communing with ancestral spirits. Many legends unfold, and unsolved mysteries are resolved about tribal disputes.

The prologue sets the stage for the tale, where readers get a small portion of the legend surrounding Gran Yan, with illustrative imagery. Readers are given a taste of what’s to come within this novel. Each part includes a short list is ancestors, to keep the reader logically connected to the characters involved within each section and how they might relate to one another, simplifying the shifts in storytelling, or change of characters.

Barnett has a lyrical way of writing her stories to compel interest her readers. She draws them into the tale straight from the beginning of the first chapter. Readers are drawn into the histories and legends of each clan, and will be attracted to each story like a moth to a flame. Hand-drawn images are interspersed throughout the chapters which helps break up the stories and provide added imagery for the legends being told.

It is enjoyable to read how each clan learns from one another, building strong kinships. Barnett’s words give readers the feeling that these tales could be true, with legends passed down between generations. Barnett does a wonderful job bringing the land of Yaraan Grove and the Booran clan to life. She breathes life into her characters making them relatable, interesting, and full of depth and personality.

Although it is hard to put this novel down; fortunately, it is separated into seven parts, thus enabling the reader to return to it later without getting lost. Along the Waterways: Dreamtime Mysteries is the perfect book for someone who enjoys legends, mythology, folklore, and tribal history. Honestly, anyone who enjoys a good strong story with enjoyable characters and easy to follow plot would enjoy this novel. It is one that deserves to be read; Its very well written and enjoyable, interesting and creative.