Tojet

Merkit Terjit is a man uncomfortable in his own skin. Married and a fourth grade teacher at a Catholic school, he wonders why he isn’t more than what he is. When a strange little girl named Tojet shows up at the school, Sister Elizabeth brings her to Merkit and asks if he can take her in. Tojet is excited to live with Merkit because, she says, he is to be her husband. He finds himself taking her into his home. The stories that Tojet tells are fantastic in every sense of the word. Tales of visiting medieval children, learning English from the fairies and trading fairy gold for a cloak are just a few. As time goes on, Merkit finds himself being drawn into her world. He begins to believe her stories of meeting Moses and is strengthening his faith through teaching her about it. The tales become reality as Tojet gives Merkit a medallion.

When both his wife and Tojet leave him, Merkit becomes a shadow floating through life and only the strength of Sister Elizabeth keeps him anchored. As he begins to deal with his grief he retreats to the life of a monk. Life forever changes for him when Tojet enters his life again and he becomes a man turning his back on the mundane.

Tojet is a fantastical tale of a husband promised to a fey child by the fairies. Ms. McCanmore does an amazing job of bringing fantasy and reality together. Tojet grabs you and brings you happily into her world. I found myself waiting on the edge of my chair for a new story to emerge. The story is wonderful and the characters of Merkit and Tojet are endearing; I also found Sister Elizabeth to be an inspiring character. As a self-published book, this is truly amazing. Tojet makes me wonder what other gems are hiding out there missed by traditional publishers.

Reviewed by: Serena