When the idea for a "Young Whit" book series was first announced, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. After all, one of the best things about the character of Mr. Whittaker is that his past has remained a bit of a mystery throughout the length of the audio series, with information slowly provided to us in morcels. We discovered in one episode, for instance, that he dreamed of becoming a screenwriter, and, in another, that he secretly worked for the government, and, in another, that he stole Jack Allen's girlfriend in college. The number of surprising revelations about his past seem endless. So, wouldn't a series of books about Whit's early life take away opportunities for the show to provide us with surprising information? Do we really need such a large portion of his life literally spelled out to us?
After reading Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure, I say, resoundingly, "Yes!"
Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure focuses on the time of Whit's life shortly after his family moved to the town of Provenance. Whit soon discovers a mystery involving confederate gold and how his ancestors were involved with its disappearance. The book can be best described as a mystery, but it's helpful to know that it shares the tone and feel of the Adventures in Odyssey episode "Blackbeard's Treasure"; in other words, it isn't afraid of placing its young protagonists in high-stakes and dangerous situations.
The novel also, quite unexpectedly, discusses events of the Civil War in great depth, including dates and genealogies, and simultaneously juggling heavier subject matter such as slavery, grief, and guilt. There's certainly a lot going on here for a book that's said to have a "2-3 grade" reading level.
What surprises me the most about Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure is just how good it is. Despite its short length, the story feels surprisingly rich. The novel does not feel like a cheap and quickly written supplemental to the world of Odyssey; it's its own entity, with its own interesting setting and endearing characters. It's a substantially more accessible series for casual and non-fans of Adventures in Odyssey than the concurrent book series, The Blackguard Chronicles, which takes fans' knowledge of the audio series for granted and often skimps on description and characterization.
That said, long-time fans will still find significant satisfaction in discovering new information about Whit's past. Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure sheds light on his home-life, accentuating Whit's father's coldness more than previously seen, providing us with scenes with Charlotte (a character the audio series forgot about for nearly 30 years), and showing some of the complexities of Whit having a step-mother -- a pre-blind Fiona. Without spoiling too much, the reader will also pleasantly discover just how ingenious and inventive Whit was as a child. Furthermore, the book references the audio series in ways the reader may not even realize, at one point referencing Whit's dog, McDuff, who was only mentioned in a line or two of dialogue on the show.
In preparation for this review, I brushed up on AIO episodes such as "Thank You, God," "Blackbeard's Treasure," "Great Expectations," "The Journal of John Avery Whittaker," and "No Friend Like an Old Friend," and the events within the novel feel mostly consistent/accurate with the information provided to us about Whit's childhood in those episodes. However, fans may notice one particular "inconsistency"; in the novel, Wilson Knox is depicted as a bully who regularly bullies Whit, while in the episode "No Friend Like an Old Friend" he's portrayed as being bullied by Whit. Since the events in Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure occur before "No Friend like an Old Friend," it's entirely possible Wilson Knox's personality will eventually match the personality depicted in the audio series. As is stands, fans may be surprised to read that the two characters are somewhat different.
Like the audio show that inspired it, Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure will appeal to all ages. While the town of Odyssey is nowhere to be seen, the lovely town of Provenance helps us not to miss it. Authors Phil Lollar and Dave Arnold fill this small, cozy town with a vibrant assortment of new characters that will make you come back for more. And considering this particular story ends on a rather ominous -- and creepy -- cliffhanger, there's no doubt that you'll run, not walk, to buy the next one.
You can purchase "Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure" here
After reading Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure, I say, resoundingly, "Yes!"
Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure focuses on the time of Whit's life shortly after his family moved to the town of Provenance. Whit soon discovers a mystery involving confederate gold and how his ancestors were involved with its disappearance. The book can be best described as a mystery, but it's helpful to know that it shares the tone and feel of the Adventures in Odyssey episode "Blackbeard's Treasure"; in other words, it isn't afraid of placing its young protagonists in high-stakes and dangerous situations.
The novel also, quite unexpectedly, discusses events of the Civil War in great depth, including dates and genealogies, and simultaneously juggling heavier subject matter such as slavery, grief, and guilt. There's certainly a lot going on here for a book that's said to have a "2-3 grade" reading level.
What surprises me the most about Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure is just how good it is. Despite its short length, the story feels surprisingly rich. The novel does not feel like a cheap and quickly written supplemental to the world of Odyssey; it's its own entity, with its own interesting setting and endearing characters. It's a substantially more accessible series for casual and non-fans of Adventures in Odyssey than the concurrent book series, The Blackguard Chronicles, which takes fans' knowledge of the audio series for granted and often skimps on description and characterization.
That said, long-time fans will still find significant satisfaction in discovering new information about Whit's past. Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure sheds light on his home-life, accentuating Whit's father's coldness more than previously seen, providing us with scenes with Charlotte (a character the audio series forgot about for nearly 30 years), and showing some of the complexities of Whit having a step-mother -- a pre-blind Fiona. Without spoiling too much, the reader will also pleasantly discover just how ingenious and inventive Whit was as a child. Furthermore, the book references the audio series in ways the reader may not even realize, at one point referencing Whit's dog, McDuff, who was only mentioned in a line or two of dialogue on the show.
In preparation for this review, I brushed up on AIO episodes such as "Thank You, God," "Blackbeard's Treasure," "Great Expectations," "The Journal of John Avery Whittaker," and "No Friend Like an Old Friend," and the events within the novel feel mostly consistent/accurate with the information provided to us about Whit's childhood in those episodes. However, fans may notice one particular "inconsistency"; in the novel, Wilson Knox is depicted as a bully who regularly bullies Whit, while in the episode "No Friend Like an Old Friend" he's portrayed as being bullied by Whit. Since the events in Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure occur before "No Friend like an Old Friend," it's entirely possible Wilson Knox's personality will eventually match the personality depicted in the audio series. As is stands, fans may be surprised to read that the two characters are somewhat different.
Like the audio show that inspired it, Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure will appeal to all ages. While the town of Odyssey is nowhere to be seen, the lovely town of Provenance helps us not to miss it. Authors Phil Lollar and Dave Arnold fill this small, cozy town with a vibrant assortment of new characters that will make you come back for more. And considering this particular story ends on a rather ominous -- and creepy -- cliffhanger, there's no doubt that you'll run, not walk, to buy the next one.
You can purchase "Young Whit and the Traitor's Treasure" here
