"Marvel and A Wonder" by Joe Meno *****

• Early Review edition for LibraryThing.com
• US author
• Epigraph:  "To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will, And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of Thus conscience does make cowards of us all." --William Shakespeare, "Hamlet"
• Characters:
• Jim Falls, grandfather
• Quentin, 16 year old grandson
• Deirdre, Quentin's mother, drug addict
• Gilby & Edward.....brothers who steal horse
• Rick....evil, sent to buy stolen horse and bring his boss's granddaughter, Rylee, home
• Rylee, troubled teen, a blind grandmother "sees" her
• Notes:
• Unnamed horse...white, symbol of good, valued above all, priceless once loved
• Epic good v. evil battle
• Power of hope and determination
• Grandfather's disillusionment with the world v. his love of grandson
• Love and hope are the antidote to disillusionment
• Review:  I could not put this book down.  It is truly a marvel and a wonder!  Joe Meno has written a novel about family, good v. evil, hope, and above all else, love.  A grandfather and grandson journey to save their unexpected windfall of a racehorse.  Along the way they fight for their very survival.  The plot had me right to the end, the dark aspects were oh so dark, but the glimmer and shine of love and hope are always there, not in a sappy way at all. A marvelous read, a very well-written novel, and maybe even a classic in the making!