Joanne has a ferret for a pet. Slightly unusual but as she lives in an apartment it kind of makes sense. Rascal, said ferret, was a normal, sleepy animal who loved to explore and root around Joanne’s place until three days earlier. Following a visit to the vet and an overnight stay, Rascal is no more an ordinary ferret. Earth Log by Blaine C. Readler tells the story of Rascal and his heightened intelligence. Joanne is worried about her pet but her personal life distracts her, and her boyfriend Craig is creating problems that exceed her worries about Rascal. Following a harrowing experience with Craig, Rascal finds himself outside the confines of the apartment and alone in a strange world. Not everyone is as friendly as Joanne and Rascal experience some hostile behavior and some seedy characters. Finding his way back to Joanne is imperative but he will have to use his new-found intelligence wisely and not alert those around him to his abilities. Will he get back to Joanne and can he help her find love along the way?

Wow. What a great read. Joanne and her friend Trixie are great characters and the love of Rascal is one that anybody who has loved a pet will recognize immediately. The adventures described by Blaine C. Readler in Earth Log will have you gripped. From the first sentence to the last, I was firmly entrenched in Rascal's world and willing him to get home safely. The intelligent dialogue and genuinely believable characters make this a book for everyone. Rascal will have you Googling “ferrets as pets” before you know it and dreaming of your very own Rascal. The book does mention the connection to Lassie-type scenarios, but I would go one better. This is Lassie for grown-ups; cuter, sassier and just an all-round great pet. Rascal will steal your heart, guaranteed!

Earth Log by Blaine C. Readler is the story of a ferret called Rascal who seems to become self-aware in a sense when he wakes up in his cage one day. Over time he observes his owner Joanne and everything she goes through on a daily basis. She is in a bad relationship which Rascal learns about through Joanne's interactions with her friend Trixie. The story was unusual. I can honestly say I have not read a story like it before. While it is a little strange to begin with, the further into the story you get, you will become hooked on finding out what will happen to the characters and the truth behind Rascal's change. I would class it as a quick read, but I managed to read it in one sitting, in a few hours, but I do read quite quickly.

Blaine C. Readler has created an unusual and interesting story with Earth Log. As it is in the science fiction category, you do form your own opinions as to what is going on in the beginning. The story moves along at a good pace and I liked learning things from Rascal's point of view. He is curious and develops a bond with Joanne. His hatred of her boyfriend is justified and I like how the story unfolded. I think it may be hard to place on the market, but that it would be well received if it finds its niche. I would certainly recommend it to science fiction fans.