Title: Native Companions: Dreamtime Mysteries
Author: Jenni Barnett
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 9781984500519
Pages: 288
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

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Native Companions: Dreamtime Mysteries is an epic tale broken into six books which explore various dreamtime stories which bring to life a fictional and stunning Australian Aboriginal history. After the loss of his Gran, anthropology student Rex Graham is determined to find the key to his Gran’s great-grandfather’s dreamtime mysteries. As he falls asleep underneath the tree of memories, he sees a stunning history unfold filled with endearing characters, magical moments, and heroic journeys.

Rex is passionate about history and learning about Aboriginal culture which is seen in what drives his own personal search for his own family history. Exploring Aboriginal history is at the root of the story with Rex’s journey into his own personal history helping to guide uncovering the mysteries of the past. His passion for anthropology is at the core of who he is which adds passion to the writing and drives the story forward as each new mystery is unlocked. The characters within the dreamtime mysteries have innocent and trusting natures, being truly good, which is seen through Wiliwanda who trusts strangers in a canoe. Several characters are the focus of various stories with significant ones being twins Brolga and Kaii, and hero Wiliwanda. Their journeys are the legends and hold answers which are slowly revealed while also exploring a fictional look at life during this time. One of the stories that stands out is the adventure of Wiliwanda who transforms into a bird and helps save people from a flood in this adventure filled with wonder and magic.

Rex’s Gran acts as a catalyst for an added push for Rex to seeking out the tree of memories which is where the dreamtime mysteries occur. The bond between Rex and his Gran is only briefly seen, but is a bond that is deeply felt and Gran remains a presence throughout which is reflected in the tree called Gran Yan. Rex’s connection to the tree is a poignant aspect of the story as it’s this tree that brings out the mysteries that Gran wants Rex to uncover. The stories from dreamtime include traditional legendary characters such as the bunyip and magic moments which often play into transitioning the characters into the next steps of their journeys. The style of the dreamtime stories is reminiscent to the style of epic legends of heroes with lovely descriptions with specific words that jump out with a meaningful visual. Phrases like”regenerating forest“ and „cluster of seedlings“ add a natural beauty to the storieswhich fits the history and memory of what Rex seeks.

Nature is a key component in the stories and in Rex’s own journey which uses Gran Yan as his guide to see bring forth these memories. Rex loves nature, even choosing to spend time under his favorite tree instead of attending a party and his connection to the tree is what springs the stories forward. The characters in the dreamtime stories are also deeply connected to nature as each connects with nature in some way, whether through a trek or a literal transformation. Twins Brolga and Kaii go on a survival trek which is reflective of Rex’s walkabout, giving both a modern and historical perspective. Wiliwanda’s connection is the strongest, not because of his transformation, but his bond with Merri, his dog, who is his confidant. Their bond also explores the relationship between human and animal as Barnett captures perfectly this dynamic and the loyalty between them. Native Companions: Dreamtime Mysteries explores a fictional history of Aboriginal culture with stunning characters, magical elements, and legends which come to life to explore the mysteries of the past through Rex’s desire for knowledge.