Many years after the downfall of technology, magic has reclaimed its position within Earth’s ecosystem. Over time, the delicate balance of between good and evil has weighed heavily toward the malevolent side, despite attempts at stabilizing the equilibrium.
Two heroes, Franklyn – an adolescent boy, and Chij – his wolf brother, travel the land with a sole purpose of helping those that cannot defend themselves from the creatures that lurk and feed upon the weak. Their carefree travels are unexpectedly given a larger purpose when they are tasked to search for, and destroy, the nefarious being known as Nafets – who was imprisoned many years prior but teeters on the edge of reemergence.
Throughout their journey, Franklyn and Chij encounter heroes of the past that guide them toward the final battle, as well as Atrin - an aspiring adversary that wishes to overthrow Nafets and claim his seat upon the throne of malevolence.
Franklyn and Chij endure an emotional journey filled with blood, tears, and self-discovery as they encounter the unexpected and become entangled in a expedition that will test their abilities and emotions.
Essel Pratt is a master of horror and fantasy, conjuring tales that haunt souls and inspire imagination. As a student of psychology and teller of tales, Essel writes to share the complex nature of his imaginings with the world. His ever-expanding catalog of short stories spans multiple anthologies and collections, ranging from whimsical fantasy to bizarre horror, including everything in between. Dedicated fans have praised his creations, labeling his talents as prolific in substance.
Hailing from Mishawaka, Indiana, his passion for writing began in the early years as his imagination taunted from within, begging for a release. Dabbling in art at first, he found that the stories that pleaded to be told could not be imprisoned by ink and paint alone. His most notable and prevalent accomplishments include Final Reverie, Sharkantula, and the multiple short stories that have garnered a following of their own, such as the adventures of Detective Mansfield.
Inspired by C.S. Lewis, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Harper Lee, William Golding, and many more, Essel doesn't restrain his writings to straight horror. His first Novel, Final Reverie is more Fantasy/Adventure, but does include elements of Horror. His first zombie book, The ABC's of Zombie Friendship, attacks the zombie genre from an alternate perspective. Future books, that are in progress and yet to be imagined, will explore the blurred boundaries of horror within its competing genres, mixing the elements into a literary stew.
Final Reverie, by Essel Pratt, is a quick, fun read with lots of action and characters that are easy to fall in love with. I would actually say it's geared more toward the younger end of the YA spectrum, which didn't really bother me, though when I read YA books I tend to read ones meant for older YA!
The idea of this story is intriguing, though I have to admit I didn't really get how the world ended and magic was introduced. However, I enjoyed the story line and the magic. Also, who wouldn't love a wolf "brother"!
Finally... That ending! I don't want to give anything away, but I was not expecting that at all.
All in all, a solid read, though I feel it would be better appreciated by a younger audience.
The world as humans knew it is a thing of the past. Technology is no more having blown up in a catastrophic explosion and magic has spread across the land. Humans and animals live together as friends with animals having the ability to speak. What a world this has become and it is a world that Essel Pratt so wonderfully describes with his writing! Along the way in this journey we meet Franklin, a young boy off with his “brother” a wolf named Chij who were raised together ever since Franklin was a baby. The two are off on adventures…and what magical adventures they are! They have traveled the land helping those in need and meeting ancient heroes of long ago whose tales will help them when they face their biggest mission of all. Our two heroes are given the task of saving the world from the takeover of evil which is threatening to be unleashed if Nafets is able to escape his magical prison. Can our two heroes prevail? Will evil win over good? Who will be the ones standing at the end of this magnificent journey? What are the strange objects from the past that our Franklin and Chij encounter along the way? I did love the way Mr. Pratt described the everyday things we use and take for granted…letting the reader figure out what they were by his detailed descriptions! Yes…this is a fantastic story that should be read by anyone looking for a magical adventure to enjoy! Kudos to a wonderful author for a well written and enjoyable story!
I am going to start this review by saying that I am a fan of Mr. Pratt's horror writing, and found my way to this novel by that avenue. This is not a horror novel, although it does present some creepy characters along the way. Nefats is one of them, the main antagonist, and a very well developed character as well. There is also the two protaganist, Franklyn and Chij, two very different "brothers" being of different species.
The world is a whole new place from the one we know, and Mr. Pratt did an amazing job building for the reader. A true mark (in my opinion) of a great fantasy writer is one who can build a world the reader can live in through the length of the story. Mr. Pratt slams you right into this "new world" and then lets it all unfold in a natural way, not forcing surroundings on you, or overloading you with unneeded details.
The story unfolds kind of like a good RPG. Little things Franklyn and Chij do along their way set the stage for the end, which does not disappoint.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in fantasy/adventure and a decent vocabulary. Mr. Pratt is a very smart writer.
High Fantasy! And ... What could be better than a wolf brother? Futuristic reverie is not my usual genre, but Pratt only sees that as a challenge to delight us all, rocking readers with this story. FINAL REVERIE is an adventure must-read that will entertain you from the first page. Find yourself submerged in this new world, as Pratt's enchanting words wrap around and pull you in deeply, until the last word.