I have apparently never read fantasy before The Wilderlands by R.E. Bellesmith (November 2024). I didn’t know that. I thought the various books I read involving magic and the like were fantasy. Apparently there are levels. For folks like me who see themselves more often reading literary fiction, I hope this review will act as a bit of a primer.
Fantasy authors don’t just world build — they invent language styles. When I started The Wilderlands I felt like I had stepped into a storybook (note: this is absolutely not for little ones) because the language is so rhythmic and dynamic. Also, because the narrator addresses the audience as though we are gathered together in close proximity to hear this story: “Come away from the freezing walls. Gather harthward, hold close those you love, fill your cup. I have an oft told tale from the far west that can spin you away from warsome winter and the howl-hungry things at our doors. Attend me now, while my bones can still bear it.”
It took some time to get accustomed to the language, as some words and many cultures were invented for the story, but I was invested enough in the characters and movement of the plot that I didn’t notice when I quit having to work to understand pieces…