Book Review: To Live Forever by Andra Watkins

Title: To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis
Author: Andra Watkins
Genre: Paranormal Fiction
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Explorer Meriwether Lewis has been stuck in Nowhere since his mysterious death nearly two centuries ago. His last hope for redemption is helping nine-year-old Emmaline Cagney flee her madame mother in New Orleans and find her father in Nashville. To get there, Merry must cross his own grave along the Natchez Trace, where he duels the corrupt Judge, an old foe who has his own despicable plans for Em.

To Live Forever is an inspiring, engaging story about explorer Meriwether Lewis. He’s been stuck in Nowhere since he died over two hundred years ago. He’s on his thirteenth mission to redeem his soul, and is sent to New Orleans of the 1970s where he has to help Emmaline, a 9-year-old girl who was just sold to the highest bidder by her prostitute mother. He offers to help Em finds her father in Nashville. That means crossing his own grave along the Natchez Trace however. Like that’s not bad enough, they’re also chased by the murderous Judge, who has despicable plans for Em.

A lot of things happen along the Natchez Trace, and both Em and Merry grow as characters as the story develops. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Em, Merry and the Judge. This book is a great example of magical realism that works – this is a difficult genre, but Andra Watkins handles it well. The story is intriguing, and the plot develops with some unexpected twists. The characters are great, but Merry was easily my favorite. The story is fast-paced and the settings are described in great detail.

Recommended to anyone looking for something different. This book is a great choice.