Book Review of Gods of the Wyrdwood by R.J Barker

 

Name of Book: Gods of the Wyrdwood 

Author: R J Barker 

ISBN: 9780316401586

Publisher: Orbit 

Part of a Series: Forsaken 

Type of book: Forest, village, power, magic, sacrifices, fantasy, magical creatures, sentient beings, kindness, one way or highway, no alternatives, ambition, giving up lives 

Year it was published: 2023

Summary:

In a world locked in eternal winter and haunted by prophecy, a young boy trains for years to become the Chosen One, only for another to rise and claim his place in the start of an unmissable epic from a rising star in fantasy. 

The northlands of Crua are locked in eternal winter, but prophecy tells of the chosen child – who will rule in the name of their God, and take warmth back from the South. Cahal du Nahere was raised to be this person: the Cowl-Rai, the saviour. Taken from his parents and prepared for his destiny.

But his time never came

When he was fifteen he ceased to matter. Another Cowl-Rai had risen, another chosen one, raised in the name of a different God. The years of vicious physical and mental training he had endured, the sacrifice, all for nothing. He became nothing.

Twenty years later, and Cahal lives a life of secrecy on the edges of Crua’s giant forests – hiding what he is, running from what he can do. But when he is forced to reveal his true nature, he sets off a sequence of events that will reveal secrets that will shake the bedrock of his entire world, and expose lies that have persisted for generations.

Characters:

Main character is Cahan Du-Nahere, a clan less young man who wields great power but due to his ugly past, he prefers that he wouldn't wield the power he has. He is at first a bitter man who only wants to be alone and to live in peace without harming and hurting anyone. It is only reluctantly that he joins on several quests. There is also the monk, Udinny, who is complete opposite of Cahan and she is a chatterbox and isn't afraid of doing what is right. Cahan doesn't scare her and she continues to try to penetrate the walls he has built around himself. Cahan finds her both amusing and annoying. Venn is a trion (neither male nor female) who will stick to their principles no matter what but who is also intelligent and has a big heart. 

Theme:

Don't give up so easily

Plot:

The story definitely had an interesting arc: first of all is Cahan Du-Nahere who is written in third person narrative and who focuses on certain moments in the past as well as present. Most of the story takes place in the present as we meet the adult Cahan and begin to learn about what he went through after the events in the prologue. There is also of course Kirven,  mother to Venn who is a trion and who has very high ambitions and a big role to fill. Basically the tale begins with Cahan as a child meeting a monk who takes interest in him and his older sister Nahac, and then first chapter begins with grown up Cahan, a completely different person than what we have met. There are interludes of Kirven as well as Cahan's memories from childhood. Little later on Cahan's world is exposed and the reader learns bits and pieces of what is going on and why, although a lot of patience is required to reach the knowledge. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

N/A

Opinion:

First of all, yes this is the first novel of a trilogy, but reading it was an interesting experience, mainly because I kept getting the feeling that I wasn't seeing the whole picture, but instead only saw either the middle or the end so to speak, although I know that books 2 and 3 will be out one day. The feeling I kept getting is a lot of similarity to Django Wexler's EMPEROR OF RUIN, maybe its because of the unfamiliarity of the world that was thrust upon me. Despite seeing perhaps 1/3 of the picture, I did want to keep reading to understand what was going on and why. For people who are looking for straight out fantasy, I'm not sure this will be a good fit; however if you are seeking a fantasy novel that will have one scratching head, then GODS OF THE WYRDWOOD will definitely be the right fit. 

This was given for review

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)