Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy"

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The beginning of an epic fantasy adventure from a master storyteller.

In 'The Gunslinger', Stephen King introduces us to the titular character, Roland, as we meet him on his way through the desert, fairly close to the beginning of his quest to reach the Dark Tower, in pursuit of the Man in Black. We hear the tale of the Gunslinger's stay in a remote village amongst the paranoia and suspicion of its residents; and we see him meet a young boy, Jake, who has somehow ended up lost at a way station in the desert, his last memories of being in New York. Together, they continue across the desert, up and into the mountains, before the Gunslinger finally reaches his confrontation with the Man in Black.

I'm a huge fan of Stephen King, for his work on horror, thriller, and sci-fi, but this was the first time I ventured into his fantasy work. 'The Gunslinger' did not disappoint, providing tantalising glimpses of Roland's past, while encounters with an Oracle and the Man in Black lay the foundations for the rest of the series, leaving you eager to move on to the second novel, 'The Drawing of the Three' as you reach the final pages.

I hugely enjoyable and vididly descriptive novel, I am looking forward to what's to come in the continuing journey to the Dark Tower.



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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The beginning of an epic saga of love and war, set in a hidden world of preternatural creatures with supernatural abilities, steeped in history and secrets.

Diana is a historian, studying the history of science, specifically alchemy, researching texts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. She is also a witch, one determined not to succumb to using her magical abilities or engaging in witchcraft to further her studies or her career, or even to make her life easier. In fact, she is determined to live a human life, much to the chagrin of the witches around her. But her denial of her nature and heritage is threatened when she comes across an ancient manuscript that she realises is enchanted.

Hurriedly, she sends it back, not wishing to study it any further. But it is too late to avoid attracting unwanted attention from multiple people. One of those people is Matthew, a scientist and fellow academic. Matthew is also a vampire. He appears to have developed a great interest in the manuscript and also in Diana herself.

Behind the veneer of ordinary human life hides a world of witches, vampires and daemons – three preternatural creatures which appear human, but are not; their existence hidden behind the myths and folklore that have developed over the millennia. But the attention of all three creatures is now focussed on Diana and the ancient manuscript, which may hold the key to the past and future, and the answers to questions that never cease to be asked.

Unable to deny their instant attraction and burgeoning feelings for each other, Diana and Matthew are drawn closer together and deeper into peril, until there may be no escaping the danger that their relationship and that ancient manuscript immerse them in.

A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking novel, ‘A Discovery of Witches’ begins Deborah Harkness’ ‘All Souls’ trilogy by introducing us to the two central characters and pulling us ever deeper into a world that is hidden all around us. The world-building is superb; no one is unfamiliar with witches, vampires or daemons, but here they are not quite as we recognise them in popular culture. The witches are perhaps the most recognisable, the daemons least so.

I became caught up in Diana and Matthew’s relationship – their forbidden desire for each other as they delve into the mysteries, while enemies circle around them. Each of the large cast of characters is drawn in refined detail, vampire Ysabeau one of my favourites. This is a novel driven in equal parts by character, setting and plot; rich in detail about all three. Harkness expertly crafts a journey that draws you in and refuses to release you from its spell.

The ending leaves us ready to dive headlong into the sequel ‘Shadow of Night’ – which promises to explore the late 16th century time period. ‘A Discovery of Witches’ is a tantalising beginning, leaving you yearning to further explore this world of danger and desire, magic and mystery.



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Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The second installment in the ‘All Souls’ trilogy; a magical journey back to Elizabethan England to uncover the history of the entwined lives of witches, vampires and daemons.

Picking up immediately following the conclusion of ‘A Discovery of Witches’, ‘Shadow of Night’ finds Diana and Matthew in Oxford in 1590, having travelled back into history in order to hunt for the manuscript that they believe holds the key to understanding the origins and evolution of witches, vampires and daemons, and to allow Diana to explore and harness her magic away from the threats of the present day. But the past is not free of dangers, with the added complication that their mere presence threatens to alter the future.

Soon travelling from England to Matthew’s family home in France, bringing Matthew face to face with his vampire father, the couple struggle to adapt to their new places in history. Having displaced his past self in the sixteenth century, Matthew must also ensure that his own timeline is not affected and that past actions continue to be adhered to, something that proves a challenge with his newfound affection for witches.

Returning to London and later journeying to Prague in pursuit of the lost manuscript, they know their time in the past must soon come to an end. Learning more about her powers and finally beginning to embrace them, Diana must face her fears in order to return them home. Enemies – vampire, witch, daemon and human alike – encircle them, as secrets are unveiled and they get ever closer to fulfilling their quest.

Since reading the first novel, I eagerly anticipated delving into this period in British history – fraught with the aftermath of religious upheaval and fears about witchcraft already igniting in neighbouring Scotland. Featuring a cast of historical characters, including cameo appearance from Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare, the novel is a blend of fantasy, historical, and romantic fiction, with a good measure of gothic drama to satisfy lovers of darker tales of witchcraft and vampirism.

Packed with detailed descriptions and vivid imagery of a long ago past, always reaching towards the future, this second novel in an epic saga effectively builds on the mythology of the first novel – a dizzying mix of allusions to history, science and spirituality, literature, art, and architecture; as well as plenty of emotional and dramatic moments, romance and mystery.

In ‘Shadow of Night’ we journey into the past and return to an uncertain future; the finale once again leaving us with tantalising threads that will lead into the conclusion of Diana and Matthew’s trilogy, ‘The Book of Life’.



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Nykur by Gemma Iversen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A folkloric fantasy about friendship, perseverance and the resilience of the human heart.

Teenager Hugh does not have the carefree life of his friends. He has the responsibility of caring for his younger brother, Dylan, while their mother is often bedridden and unable to function on the rare occasions she emerges, suffering with severe depression. Hugh’s existence is a lonely and painful one.

But that changes when he meets a homeless man and his horse in the woods. A bond begins to develop between them, these three lost and broken souls. All the homeless man wishes is for somewhere where he and the horse can live in peace, and Hugh vows to help him.

But as the line between Hugh’s everyday life and his nocturnal escape becomes frayed, he begins to realise that his new friends may not be as they seem. As danger mounts and threatens harm to his friends and family, Hugh strives to find a resolution before it’s too late.

‘Nykur’ is the debut novel by Gemma Iversen, a vividly told tale fraught with emotion, taking inspiration from the imagery and themes of folklore and mythology to create a modern, young-adult fairytale. From the outset, you are immediately immersed in Hugh’s life and you cannot help but feel sorrow for him and his brother and the tragic existence their family endures. Together with Hugh, we meet the homeless Gamel, a mysterious character who appears to have a deep understanding of suffering, but still possesses a kind heart; and the nykur, Sanna, a wild beast with whom Hugh develops a deep connection.

A nykur is a demonic species of water-horse which originated in Scandinavian mythology. They have the reputation of being cruel and malicious, often manipulating their prey by appearing to be tame and gentle until they can snare them and drag them into the depths. Arguably, a nykur doesn’t behave any differently to any wild animal in an everyday battle for survival. And yet, it is with a nykur that Hugh finds peace and freedom.

There were moments when I was reminded of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, perhaps on one level due to the nature of the relationship between a horse and his boy, but also something deeper in the way that fantasy can sometimes observe more keenly the human soul than a genre bound by realism can. At its core, this is a story about love and the pain borne in its absence.

Tragic and heart-warming in equal measure, ‘Nykur’ is a brilliant debut, swirling with poetic prose and vivid imagery. I look forward to diving into the dystopian fantasy of Gemma’s second novel, ‘The Galven Border’.



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When Stars Become Shadows by Emmie Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An erotic, psychological dark fantasy.

Escaping her life of sex slavery and attempting to stow away aboard a ship, Syn discovers her dreams of freedom may be shortlived.

The crew know more about her than they share, while her chemistry with the captain may ignite far more danger than seduction.

In an odyssey across the ocean and into realms of gods and monsters, Syn may just discover the secrets of her destiny.

'When Stars Become Shadows' is the first novel in a duology by fantasy author Emmie Hamilton. Following the story of Emersyn “Syn” Merona, we are plunged straight into action as she makes a daring escape from a brothel that has become her prison, leaving a dead man in her wake. Immersing us in a world seeped in the magical atmosphere of a fairy tale with a shadowy edge of burgeoning desire, Syn takes to the seas with a crew of pirates in a tale of romance, adventure and mystery. Featuring vivid world-building and a depth of lore and history, taking inspiration from classical mythology, every chapter brims with action and erotic tension.

I don't frequently read fantasy, but when I do this is how I love it - dark, psychological themes, layered with eroticism, mythological imagery and creatures, and entwined with adventurous mystery. I found some of the set-pieces reminiscent of TV series ‘Once Upon a Time’; scenes in this vein a delight to read on the page. Flashbacks reveal Syn's backstory and her deep-rooted trauma, as well as how she developed into the feisty, fierce and courageous young woman she's become. Smart, sassy, strong-willed, foul-mouthed, red-headed and exceedingly beautiful - Syn is an entrancing character; one you may find yourself developing a burning crush on. Surrounded by a host of characters, their actions and motives ranging from morally ambiguous to suspicious, Syn is never quite sure whom she can trust and whether they be friend or foe.

Fantasy, by its very nature, allows us to explore dark themes such as trauma and abuse somewhat through a safety lens, less confrontational than it may be in thriller and horror set in our world. The novel explores the nature of consent, misogyny and exploitation, and the attitudes and expectations of society towards women's relationships with sex and stigma attached to it. Hamilton does a marvellous job of using these heavy themes to evolve Syn's character and encourage empathy with her, exploring her trauma and how it affects her relationships and perceptions, while demonstrating her resilience and fighting spirit - always more a survivor than a victim.

Lustrous and seductive, 'When Stars Become Shadows' is an evocative and titillating fantasy, ending on a delicious cliffhanger; we await, with baited breath, the second part of Syn's story.



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The Foundling by Elizabeth J. Brown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An emotional and gripping prequel to the 'Brimstone Chorus' series.

Following the death of his mother, Edmund's father no longer wishes to care for him and Edmund finds himself abandoned at a Foundling orphanage.

Since he was very young, Edmund has experienced phenomena he does not understand - strange occurrences surrounding him when his emotions run wild.

Finding himself targeted and ostracised, Edmund begins to realise a power may reside within him and, in time, something terrible may reveal his true nature.

'The Foundling' is a prequel novella to the 'Brimstone Chorus' series by Elizabeth J. Brown. Set in 1758, over two centuries before the events of 'The Laughing Policeman', this is a superb introduction to the series, a short prologue introducing us to the series’ magical and otherworldly elements through Edmund's experiences and how he must come to learn to control this volatile power, seeding what is to come in the succeeding centuries.

Well-written and deftly paced, the plot is woven perfectly in development of Edmund's character and allowing us to meet the other characters through his eyes. Throughout you deeply empathise with Edmund - the tragedy of his family life leaves him stranded alone, his situation and his powers making him an outsider amongst his peers. Even as he develops friendships, there remains something other about him, never quite fitting in. Of course, that means he becomes the object of persecution, while some come to fear him.

Neatly concluding this chapter of Edmund's life, the novella leaves us poised and eager for more. I would love to revisit this period in future novels in the series. Reminiscent of a concoction of elements often familiar to dark fantasy and horror for younger readers given an adult edge and blended with a pre-gothic vibe for the Georgian period, this novella - along with the first novel 'The Laughing Policeman' - felt very much in the same vein as the anticipated and abandoned 'Dark Universe' movies - bringing together a breadth of supernatural phenomena and entities into a single world, deliciously dark yet still full of adventure.

The second novel in the series (and third story chronologically), 'The Fractured Few', will be released soon. I'm excited to see where the series will take us as we delve deeper into the magic and the horror!



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Fairy Tale by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A dark and magical storybook fantasy.

Charlie Reade comes to the aid of the reclusive Mr Bowditch when he finds him injured, and quickly forms a bond with the old man and his dog, Radar.

Charlie discovers that Mr Bowditch's property hides a secret - a subterranean passage through which is the gateway to an enchanting and mysterious other world.

As Radar nears the end of her life, Charlie is desperate to find a way to give her more years. He embarks on a perilous journey into this other realm, risking capture by the monstrous evil that has taken hold there.

'Fairy Tale' is an epic character-driven fantasy novel by Stephen King, a captivating and enchanting fairy story for grown-ups. Narrated from the perspective of main character Charlie, we experience the tragedy of his mother's death at an early age and his father's descent into alcoholism before, at seventeen, he meets Mr Bowditch, crotchety and isolated, and Radar. It is these relationships which anchor the tale, the emotional heart around which the otherworldly fairy tale events flourish.

The narrative riffs on many traditional fairy tale themes, melding them together into a shared universe – at times I was reminded of elements of TV series 'Once Upon a Time'. Jam-packed with allusions, nods and references to classic fairy tales, as recorded by the Grimm brothers, the colourful Disney adaptations and inspirations, plus even 'Star Wars' and the Lovecraft universe and much more, this meta approach allows us to explore the notion that our storytelling has been influenced by tales and events from across time and space and from other worlds - absorbed into our mythology and folklore, our religion and our fiction; the magic of storytelling on a spiritual level, timeless stories revisited again and again.

Thrilling and immersive, overflowing with action and exploration, emotional and heart-wrenching moments, and the escalating threat keeping the suspense bubbling as Charlie is pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery, this is a gripping novel that keeps you hooked from the opening chapter to the final moments - a slice of pure escapism, with the nostalgia of familiarity and the suspense of thrilling adventure rolled into one. As with many of King’s novels, the plot and characterisation are on an epic scale, a journey vividly realised through the depth of character development, detailed world-building and fast-moving plot, while, like all the best fairy tales, there is deeper meaning laced between the lines.

A truly magical novel, 'Fairy Tale' is a fantastical thrill-ride that both enthrals and entertains, and proves that we're never too old to go down the rabbit hole.



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Medusa by Jessie Burton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A tragic mythological tale of true humanity and heartbreak.

Hidden from the world in her cave on a secluded rocky island, Medusa feels lonely and isolated and longs for connection.

When a young man, Perseus, moors in the cove beneath the cave, Medusa cannot resist reaching out to him.

Hidden from view, they connect on a deeper level as they share their stories of what led them here, to a fateful day neither could have anticipated.

'Medusa' is a novella by Jessie Burton, based on the Greek myth of the monstrous gorgon with living snakes for hair, one glance from whom will turn you to stone. But this time, the tale is told from the perspective of Medusa herself - a sweet-natured and beautiful young woman, cursed and shunned and having fled from society. Not only a tale of myth and heroism, 'Medusa' is a love story, a coming-of-age story - beautifully written, poetic, almost sensual and musical in its prose.

Spellbinding from the opening sentence to the very last, the story touches on many universal and important themes through the telling of Medusa and Perseus' stories, exploring expectations placed on young women and young men - in how they should look, how they should behave, who they should be; and the masks people wear for the world, often forming in our teenage years. The narrative ponders on the burden of physical beauty; whether it is a blessing or a curse and how others wish to claim possession of it - especially if you are female. We also witness horrific abuse of power; how that can manifest as coercion, control and sexual violence.

Like all the best myths and legends, fables and fairy tales, there are messages and lessons woven into the story - and while they may be as old as time, they still feel fresh and sharp. In 'Medusa', they are heartbreaking, delivering such incredibly important messages, for people young and old alike. Ultimately, this is a story that holds up a mirror and shows us how true beauty comes from deep within the soul, how we all long to be seen and desire to be loved.

A tale of inner strength and overcoming diversity, ‘Medusa’ is a timely and thought-provoking retelling of a timeless tale.



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Blood Coven by Sabrina Voerman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A bewitching tale of empowerment and vengeance.

Red lives trapped by her family's abuse, only ever venturing outside to visit her grandmother's house deep in the forest.

Meeting a coven of young witches, Red realises there is far more to the world than her confinement, their allure hinting that her dreams of escape may be possible.

But when an ancient curse is enacted to sacrifice her to the werewolf of legend, Red finds herself colliding with her own destiny, faced with a fight to decide if she emerges as victim or survivor.

‘Blood Coven’ is the debut novel by Sabrina Voerman and the first in the ‘Blood Bound’ series. A dark fantasy reimagining of the classic fairy tale of Red Riding Hood, with a heart of feminist steel, we follow dual timelines - one in Red's contemporary Year of the Moon, and other four hundred years earlier in the Year of the Curse. Primarily we follow the narratives of Red and Matthias in each respective timeline, with other character perspectives at points adding to the account of the beginning and the culmination of a curse that spans generations.

Through lush and poetic gothic prose, conjuring the themes of witchcraft and the dark, brooding origins of our most beloved fairy stories, Voerman crafts an entrancing tale of deceit and revenge, of trauma and self-empowerment. Vivid descriptions draw us in from the first page, an aura of mystery and a twisting plot enrapturing us throughout. Bloodthirsty and emotive, evoking an underlying sensuality and connection with nature, as if the craft oozes between each line, there are elements reminiscent of Anne Rice’s ‘Tales of the Mayfair Witches’, and vibes of the TV series ‘Once Upon a Time’, while simultaneously building its own unique world.

The way the enchantment works out in unexpected ways for the coven is especially well done; the dynamic between Red and the Wolf leads to some thought-provoking discussion; and that hint of how love could come into Red's life, something she's never truly experienced, makes the tragedy ever more piquant. Following astutely developed characters and richly described settings, the non-linear plot maintains the pace and keeps us rivetted until the final pieces fall into place, telling a tale of victims reclaiming their own stories and fighting back against their abusers.

'Blood Coven' is a superb debut novel and opening chapter to the series; I'm very much looking forward to reading the second novel, ‘Ashen Heart’.



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Galatea by Madeline Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A mythological tale of captivity and vengeance...

'Galatea' is a short story by Madeline Miller, based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who, so horrified by prostitutes, rejects all female companionship and instead carves his own perfect woman of ivory, becoming besotted with her beauty and ultimately praying to the goddess Aphrodite to breathe life into her.

Through the ages the tale has been interpreted in romantic terms; the artist who falls in love with his art and the two lovers discovering blissful existence. Miller turns the story on its head, imagining it from the perspective of the woman (who was originally nameless) who was once made of stone and has found herself conscious and in the possession of her creator, exploring themes of freedom and consent, with implications of misogyny and patriarchal dominance. In fear and desperation, Galatea is moved to act in order to attempt escape, driven to protect her child from the same fate that has befallen her, sacrifice perhaps the only path she has available.

Powerful and moving, 'Galalea' is a beautifully written and tragic short story, one that asks you to look beneath the surface and consider the world from another perspective. This is the first book I've read by Madeline Miller and I shall be eagerly reading her novels in the future!



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