Book Review: An Ogre’s Tale by Lilian Oake

This cover image was taken from Amazon.com for review purposes under fair use doctrine.

Spoiler Free Summary: An Ogre’s Tale by Lilian Oake  is the story of Lyla, who’s mother gains a strange obsession with consuming food and then leaves. When an elf, searching for something, encounters Lyla, they join forces, and Lyla learns a terrible secret.

NOTE: This is a children’s story, and I feel that the audience matters in this case. While some (sometimes unfairly) demand a stories transcend audiences, most authors actually stick to their audience.

Character: Lyla is a sympathetic character. I think young readers will truly connect to her and her challenges. Her story is tragic, and books of this sort usually deliver powerful messages through tragedy, and this story is no different.

Exposition: Oake delivers perfectly here. Young readers demand movement and progression. This short, fast-paced story is perfect for story time (if, perhaps, not right for bed time). Oake wisely backs away from expository setting and scope to move the plot forward.

Worldbuilding:  This is perhaps the biggest area of weakness for me. It felt as though the author minimized this aspect for the same reasons she minimized the exposition. I don’t honestly know as I never sat down to ask her about it. This is just the sense that I got. However, I think a bit more worldbuilding here would have made the book more captivating for children.

Dialogue: There isn’t a ton of interaction here, but it’s effective and helps move the plot forward. The relationship between Lyla and the elf is a good one and adds a nice counterbalance to the cautionary tale that comprises the main plot. The dialogue is the main device to develop that relationship.

Author’s bio image taken from her bio page on her website. Featured image also taken from her website. Please don’t sue me. I have no money.

Description:  I liked it, but I like stories that don’t get bogged down with description. What I’d REALLY love to see is this same story with complete illustrations. That would take a powerful plot and endearing character to the next level. The description of the text is just as it needs to be in my opinion, but I wouldn’t dispute fans of more visceral stories feeling there isn’t enough.

Overall: Ogre’s Tale delivers a powerful message for young readers in a fast-paced manner. While a darker story, it’s main character provides a compelling reason to learn how the story ends and, more importantly, leaves room for discussion afterward.  While perhaps not something adults would enjoy, I do think it’s something adults would enjoy reading to their children, but do so knowing, as I’ve mentioned, it’s a cautionary tale.

Thanks for reading,

Matt