Post by sturgeon on Nov 1, 2021 13:36:18 GMT
Now, here's a cap about a gang of murderous, Satan-worshipping slavers that hole up in an abandoned inn, visited by four naïve and fragile faerie-folk that have no idea they're about to get kidnapped and sold to the highest bidder. A conceit that allows for a decent amount of tension and a sprinkling of humour.
The characters talk in olde-worlde dialect that would be a red flag if it wasn't handled so well. As it was, I enjoyed the style - it was playful and clever and atmospheric without ever obscuring meaning. The gang of crooks are individually distinct, especially their strigine leader. And the epicene, sexual faerie-folk are a creature type I've not seen before, which helped keep the stakes high since I had no idea of what they were capable of.
The only place I faltered was the big fight - I lost track of who was where, and found myself wanting to skip ahead. And the ending switched focus away from the evil gang to such an extent that we don't even know their fate, which left me feeling a little cheated. But I'm more than willing to forgive such pecadillos in a tale so enjoyably written. I don't read much fantasy, but if I did, I would want it to be like this.
A yes from me.
The characters talk in olde-worlde dialect that would be a red flag if it wasn't handled so well. As it was, I enjoyed the style - it was playful and clever and atmospheric without ever obscuring meaning. The gang of crooks are individually distinct, especially their strigine leader. And the epicene, sexual faerie-folk are a creature type I've not seen before, which helped keep the stakes high since I had no idea of what they were capable of.
The only place I faltered was the big fight - I lost track of who was where, and found myself wanting to skip ahead. And the ending switched focus away from the evil gang to such an extent that we don't even know their fate, which left me feeling a little cheated. But I'm more than willing to forgive such pecadillos in a tale so enjoyably written. I don't read much fantasy, but if I did, I would want it to be like this.
A yes from me.
