Lute

 Shirley J.                                  Adult Fiction                          Pagan Ways vs. Modern Day

Lute by Jennifer Thorne         288 pages

This story very much reminds me of, "The Wicker Man," with its pagan past and customs still acknowledged by the folks in the modern day.  It takes place on the island of Lute where Lord Treadwell brings his wife, Nina to enjoy their life together but when Nina arrives she is introduced to a long celebrated pagan custom carried down through the centuries - every seven years, seven people die in order for the surving celebrants to continue enjoying prosperity.  Whaaaaaaaaat?   Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's, "The Lottery," the sacrificial atonees may not have liked their role, but, when it is your turn....Excuse me?    O.K., they live well, they don't have any enemies though everyone seems to be fighting each other around them.   Life is pretty much utopia so the tithe must be paid to continue having such a wonderful life.   Nina thinks, "Seriously?"  She is in denial thinking it is just an old legend to keep the tourists at bay.  Or is it?    Interesting book that plays with lots of themes from previous works.  Well done in its own right.   I recommend this one to adults on up it might be too slow for teens.