stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me somewhat of Jasper Fforde's writing style/stories, especially Shades of Grey, but despite the similarities Daniel Parsons has produced a fresh and unique fantasy. It is pitched as YA, but I was completely unaware of that until after I had finished it, so would say it is suitable for YA and adult alike (not 'children' as although there is no sex, the violence could be pretty scary).
So what did I like about it? The plot is thrilling and intriguing: full of action and mystery; the characters are engaging and real; the setting is fascinating and full of potential (literally a blank canvas in places!); and the writing is light and smooth, with a good balance of humour, pathos, fear and anger: all the colours of the emotional spectrum.
The story builds slowly, layer on layer, from a schoolboy's misdemeanours to a whole community at stake, with the hint that the greater peril is still to come. The propelling plot force is the standard journey of self discovery and growth: the protagonist, Blott, must learn about his mysterious past and powers, how to control them, and whether what he is will define who he will be. At the end of the novel many of these questions are still (at least partially) unanswered, and the burning need to know ensures that I will definitely be waiting impatiently for the sequel.
The difference between this and other coming of age tales is the fantastic world that Parsons has created; the distinct tone and feel of the place, that completely transports the reader to a place where starvation and isolation is the norm and fear stalks the night; where the monsters aren't always what they seem to be, and neither are the champions. I was so immersed in the details of the story that I was shocked when I realised that the erupting of a teenage boy's secret, shameful fluids all over his bedding in the night was played as the stuff of nightmares rather than a comedian's skit, and so well done that I only cottoned on to the (quite obvious) sub-text long after I had put the book down!
The most exciting aspect of the whole novel is the inherent potential. By the end of this initial story arc we have the setting, the cast of characters (good and bad), the magic (also good and bad), and no idea where it could all take us next. Blott's capacity for both dark and light has been established, but we have no concept of the limitations of his power, it's source, and whether it is his, or merely channelled through him (is he the artist, or the brush?). There is magic in the not knowing, and I personally can't wait to see what wonders Daniel Parsons and Blott bring to life next!
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me somewhat of Jasper Fforde's writing style/stories, especially Shades of Grey, but despite the similarities Daniel Parsons has produced a fresh and unique fantasy. It is pitched as YA, but I was completely unaware of that until after I had finished it, so would say it is suitable for YA and adult alike (not 'children' as although there is no sex, the violence could be pretty scary).
So what did I like about it? The plot is thrilling and intriguing: full of action and mystery; the characters are engaging and real; the setting is fascinating and full of potential (literally a blank canvas in places!); and the writing is light and smooth, with a good balance of humour, pathos, fear and anger: all the colours of the emotional spectrum.
The story builds slowly, layer on layer, from a schoolboy's misdemeanours to a whole community at stake, with the hint that the greater peril is still to come. The propelling plot force is the standard journey of self discovery and growth: the protagonist, Blott, must learn about his mysterious past and powers, how to control them, and whether what he is will define who he will be. At the end of the novel many of these questions are still (at least partially) unanswered, and the burning need to know ensures that I will definitely be waiting impatiently for the sequel.
The difference between this and other coming of age tales is the fantastic world that Parsons has created; the distinct tone and feel of the place, that completely transports the reader to a place where starvation and isolation is the norm and fear stalks the night; where the monsters aren't always what they seem to be, and neither are the champions. I was so immersed in the details of the story that I was shocked when I realised that the erupting of a teenage boy's secret, shameful fluids all over his bedding in the night was played as the stuff of nightmares rather than a comedian's skit, and so well done that I only cottoned on to the (quite obvious) sub-text long after I had put the book down!
The most exciting aspect of the whole novel is the inherent potential. By the end of this initial story arc we have the setting, the cast of characters (good and bad), the magic (also good and bad), and no idea where it could all take us next. Blott's capacity for both dark and light has been established, but we have no concept of the limitations of his power, it's source, and whether it is his, or merely channelled through him (is he the artist, or the brush?). There is magic in the not knowing, and I personally can't wait to see what wonders Daniel Parsons and Blott bring to life next!
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