Book Review of Once Was Willem by M.R. Carey

   

Name of Book:Once Was Willem

Author: M.R. Carey

ISBN: 9780316505123

Publisher: Orbit 

Type of book: Medieval, England, 1152, fantasy, magic, angels, wizardry, manipulation, villages, kidnapping, shapeshifters, friends 

Year it was published: 2025

Summary:

From the bestselling author M. R. Carey comes an utterly unique and enchantingly dark epic fantasy fable like no other.

This is the tale of Once Was Willem, who - eleven hundred and some years after the death of Christ, in the kingdom that had but recently begun to call itself England - rose from the dead to defeat a great evil facing the humble village of Cosham.

Pennick for all its beauty was ever a place with a dark reputation. The forests of the Chase were said to be home to nixies and boggarts, and there was a common belief, passed down through many generations, that the castle housed an unquiet ghost of terrible and malign power. These rumours I can attest were all true; indeed they fell short of the truth by a long way . . .

Characters:

Main character includes Once Was Willem, a preteen boy that died at a young age but then gets resurrected. There are plenty of secondary characters such as Once Was Willems friends like the shapeshifters Anna and her brother Kel, Unsung Jill, and Morjune. Although The story is from Once Was Willems point of view, I feel that we don't really get to know him as well the other characters. He is definitely wise for his years and isn't big on others suffering. Kel is a shapeshifter from the North who is capable of transforming into a bear and he has strong moral principles about right and wrong. Anna is his half sister but is extremely passionate and devoted to him and his wellbeing. Morjune was a healer and a magician of sorts who is accused of witchcraft. She is also giving and a beautiful soul. There are plenty of other characters and villains but main one is Cain Caradoc a wizard who only cares about himself and is determined to gain power no matter the cost. 

Theme:

Don't judge by looks or reputation 

Plot:

The story was in first person narrative from Once Was Willems point of view, although there is third person narrative from other characters as well. The story, or the yarn rather was entertaining, but I did feel that few things that were revealed at the end should have been in beginning, although I kind of understand that perhaps it's for the tension of the battle. The characters were definitely interesting, and if there will be another story, I would definitely be open to reading it. The story starts in 1152 in England and it details the plot which is quite interesting, and, eventually the main character and his friends. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

Mike Carey is the acclaimed writer of Lucifer and Hellblazer (now filmed as Constantine). He has recently completed a comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and is the current writer on Marvel's X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four. He has also written the screenplay for a movie, Frost Flowers, which is soon to be produced by Hadaly Films and Bluestar Pictures.

Also writes as Mike Carey

Opinion:

I am of mixed opinion when it comes to the book. Did I like it? Later half yes. Did I find it interesting? Later half yes. Was it realistic? While it had magical elements I did find it realistic in telling as well as atmosphere of a g-d forsaken village that Once Was Willem comes from. ( yes it is his real name...) What I think bothered me in beginning is how the heck Willem knew of all the details that were going on in the book ( it does explain it in the end, but didn't make up for frustration of first half.) And whole time I was reading it, all I wondered is whether or not he is a reliable narrator.  I also wondered often what those stories and anecdotes had to do with the main story, or the plot? (Again it's not explained until the end.) 

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.)