The Cost Of Dreams - Gary Stelzer

The Cost Of Dreams
Gary Stelzer
Decent Hearts Press
Copyright: 2009
978-1936073009

Amazon.com Product Description:

A novel: Flora Enriquez trusts that she has found safe haven for her young family in the remote U.S. Southwest, after fleeing the murderous environs of Central America where her parents were slain in a civil war. Only to find that all of her life's greatest challenges, by far, still lie before her.

 I both liked this book a lot and didn't like it at the same time. Contradictory, I know, but it's true.
The characters, especially Flora, seemed to be very real, and were quite frank about the realities of life, especially life for an illegal immigrant. She's very much a 'do what it takes' kind of person. Flora's story captured me quickly, and I kept turning the pages, wanting to know what happened next.

At the same time, it almost felt like there was too much happening. Characters came on and left again, leaving me wondering "what does this have to do with the story?" Or, at least if it wasn't that there was too much happening, it was happening too quickly, especially as the ending built up. Some of the material seemed to come out of nowhere.

Gary Stelzer has created quite the cast of characters in The Cost Of Dreams, but I don't think it's a book for everybody. If descriptions of violence and injury are not your thing, then stay away. Several of the major plot points hinge on severe injury. On the other hand, there are also some descriptions of incredible beauty. Stelzer has a knack for describing the settings so you almost feel that you are there.

Overall, I'd have to say that this was quite the book. It's certainly one that I can't get out of my head now that I've read it. Like it or not, I think the story and characters of The Cost Of Dreams will make you think. I'm certainly going to keep an eye out for further books from Gary Stelzer, as I'd guess he has a promising career as a writer in front of him.