An illuminating adventure story with strong themes of friendship.
The small town of Danville Heights boasts lovely scenery, spirited Friday night football games, a robust sense of community, and a complicated history. Though generally viewed as a great place to put down roots and raise a family, the town is not without its dark secrets. At the periphery of Danville Heights is a beautiful nature preserve, one that is off-limits and is shrouded in mystery and rumors. After endless warnings from parents, all the kids in town know to avoid the area, but the reasons for the prohibition remain unclear. With the adrenaline still pumping after a stunning football win, a group of friends muster the courage to venture into the verdant woods. No immediate harm comes to the boys, but that doesn’t mean there are no consequences. Bound together like never before, these friends begin exhibiting unusually heightened senses and other unpredictable changes. A dark threat to the town draws near, and what has happened within the sanctuary, both recently and decades earlier, will become the key to saving Danville Heights.
Discovery of the Five Senses is an illuminating adventure story with strong themes of friendship, loyalty and selflessness. The plot is unique, and the story features plenty of uncomplicated action scenes, drawing in even the most reluctant reader. More a literary experience than a one-dimensional story, K.N. Smith’s otherworldly coming-of-age novel will broaden the horizons of any young reader. At first glance, the ornate prose seems out of place in a buddy-book featuring rowdy teenage boys coming to terms with newfound special abilities. But once you adjust to the tastefully poetic writing style, the sophistication warms the tone of the novel. As the pages march forward, a soothing rhythm emerges, lulling readers into a state of calm, when in reality, danger is lurking in the shadows. Transcending the genre, Discovery of the Five Senses presents a satisfying struggle between good and evil that demonstrates what it truly means to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
