Book Review for Chaste: Tales of Perilisc by Jesse Teller
Chaste: A Tale from Perilisc, by Jesse Teller, is a dark fantasy novel that deals with difficult issues through complex character dynamics, such as staying true to yourself, and having faith and hope in difficult times.
The book introduces several characters; Cheryl, the young barmaid who is being abused by her spouse; our adventurers, Sob, Sai, Ruther, Trevonne, and Ambul; and two supposedly religious men, both of whom have been corrupted by a mysterious, malicious monster during their travels. These characters’ interactions and development revolve around Chaste, a once faithful town now devolved into a place filled with decadence and decay. When Ambul is taken, the adventurers decide to investigate his disappearance. However, what they hoped to find was their friend, they only see scandals filled with murder, blood, and sacrifice. Cheryl, meanwhile, decides to seek out the truth behind Chaste’s taint, and as the story progresses, discovers that during difficult times, she needs to stand up for what she believes in, even if no one will.
Teller weaves a masterful tale that combines excellent imagery and character dynamics. The relationships between the adventurers are incredibly strong, so much so that when one is corrupted, they all fall. Though each is beset with their own problems, in the end, they still come back to each other. The closeness between Ambul and Sai is especially gratifying, which shows just how much they rely on one another to get through troubled times. This sharply contrasts to Timothy and Frank; though they were just as close, Teller clearly illustrates how much their relationship has degraded. It gets worse and worse for Timothy until finally, Frank inevitably sacrifices the boy for his own gain, as he allows his own demons and his obsession for power to cloud his judgements.
What I also liked about the book is Cheryl’s development. As the story progresses, she realizes the importance of having faith and hope, as well as believing oneself. Teller describes, in stunning detail, the downfall of the once holy Chaste. The dilapidated buildings, the haunting settings, the mobs, even the character’s mental states and the sins surrounding them; he establishes these constants so well I remembered being frightened at times. However, Cheryl still continues to brave this. Despite her suffering, she manages to fight back against the priest, not only by offering refuge to the town’s residents. She is an admirable character, and though she may not fit in with the rest of the adventurers, she is a hero in her own right.
Personally, I loved the book. Teller gave an eerily beautiful feeling about the strange world Chaste was in, as well as the horrifying sense of the darkness within. He illustrated the characters and themes proudly, both their strengths and weaknesses, and though the ending was bittersweet, the book captivated me. Overall, I would give this story a rating of a 4.8/5 stars, and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, and horror.
