Reviews

Malarkoi by Alex Pheby

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fabulousdave's review against another edition

5.0

An excellent follow-up to Mordew! Pheby does a brilliant job of building out the world and mythology while still keeping the action moving forward. I appreciated the recap of the previous book and dramatis personae of this book, which teased without giving too much away. The only thing that didn't connect with me were the appendices. So much happened in the story proper and it ends on an exciting note that the appendices dialed things back a bit too much. They added nuance to side characters which was good to know but some of the information felt like plot points I had already assumed to be true. In any case, loved the book and very excited to see how the trilogy ends!

kateofmind's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

dillonpopat's review

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medium-paced

3.25

7susanne7's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kitisreadinggbooks's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

sambora's review

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5.0

Reading Malarkoi was a truly astounding experience. Much like Mordew before it, this was quite unlike anything I've read before.

With his beautiful and intelligent writing, and an awesome imagination and wit, Alex Pheby has very quickly become one of my favourite authors.

Thank you to Galley Begger Press for the review copy. Malarkoi is set to release on the 8th September.

*This will be a spoiler-free review, but it does very lightly touch on character POVs, so if you are wanting to go into this absolutely blind then just know that I adored this book and read no further.*

Malarkoi starts with a selection of chapters that take place within the timeline of the first book, from the point of view of a variety of characters. Seeing these key events from perspectives other than that of Nathan, our primary protagonist in Mordew, was not only setting the tone for the rest of this book amazingly well, but it gave us our first big look behind the curtain of how this world works on a fundamental level.
The world-building, the new perspective (and better understanding) of the magic, and the answers to certain mysteries left unanswered in the first book was a superb way to start Malarkoi and it got me engaged immediately.

"The Cities of the Weft are like long tapestries: the disparate parts of them cannot be viewed all at once, but that does not mean they are not made of the same cloth, or that they do not tell the same story.
Weft or warp, long or short, eventually everything reaches an ending. We know this, and need only wait."

After the "Secret History" style Part 1, naturally follows Part 2, which progresses the story forward past the ending of Mordew and into new territory.
The story uses many more perspectives than the first book did, and each of those featured here are significantly different from each other, as well as from the one we got prior from young Nathan Treeves.
Witnessing Pheby flex his ability to write incredibly intelligent characters and unfathomable concepts, whilst simultaneously building upon the world and the magic at such a steady pace was an absolute joy, one that I haven't experienced whilst reading anything else. It is truly masterful.

I wish to tell you a little about these characters and perspectives without spoiling anything, so pardon my upcoming vagaries - I simply wish to intrigue you without robbing you of the raw experience that is this book.
Bare in mind, this gets very weird, and I wont lie - it is weird, even in it's full context. But it is also incredibly exciting, well crafted, and it all builds towards one of the most mind-bending, unnerving and complex pieces of art I have ever had the good fortune to be immersed in.

The Master of Mordew has a recurring POV, through which we see him dabble, tinker and manipulate the Weft (the name for the magic) in an attempt to get back what he lost in the first book, and try to control what he gained in it's conclusion.
Despite these being the slower portions of the book, the science and magic and the sheer amount we learn from it all kept me strapped in the whole time.

"His ears rang, his teeth tasted of fear, and the pressure of the world as it pushed up against his body threatened to break him into pieces."

Anaximander and Sirius, a pair of magical dogs both get their own perspectives in Malarkoi.
In Mordew we are shown their abilities in use as the perfect pair.
One, Anaximander, can talk/vocalise and has the ability to think and act rationally, philosophise as well as use reason to determine the best course of action.
The other, Sirius, has a magical organ that can sense magic, but is otherwise a lot more dog-like in behaviour than his counterpart, still smart, but definitely predominantly controlled by instinct and reaction.
When with each other, their communication, understanding and abilities are able to help them overcome many an obstacle, but here in Malarkoi we see them unwillingly split up, and boy when I tell you that seeing various parts and elements of the world from these two incredibly unique (yet still connected) perspectives is a ride, I mean that to say I was blown away again and again and again. It is outstanding.

"In that case,' the dog went on, 'may I request a different tale? I find fantastical nonsense of this kind irksome and superfluous. Why populate narratives with things that do not exist when there are so many things that do? Moreover, it is easier to hold one's interest in things that are familiar and relevant to the world as one knows it..."

Now, onto the key pillar of the story - the journey, the quest.
The quest in question (sorry I couldn't help it, it sounded good in my head) is for a trio of characters (who shall remain nameless for spoiler reasons) to find a powerful woman - the Mistress of Malarkoi.
To do so they must travel to her pyramid across the sea, and ascend it's levels, each of which house a pocket dimension of sorts, a realm created by the Mistress - each home to a bizarre, freighting, hilarious and often awe-inspiring collection of cultures, races and biomes. Each of them is broken in one way or another, or at least not functioning as it should.
From the relatively mindless cattle-headed people that are overbreeding, and religious person-headed snakes than are on the brink of a civil war/jihad, to a realm of dying dragons and of druids trapped in endless death by the wolves that have taken over their forested world...
I told you it was weird! But heed me when I say; this is but the tiniest glimpse of the sheer face that is Pheby's creative and imaginative ability. There is no predicting where we'll go next when we put ourselves in his oh-so-capable hands.

"Why should a goddess recognise a human child? Why should she have sympathy for her, even if she loves her? She is not obliged to reciprocate.
Dashini sang on silently, even if Japalura didn't hear her. True love does not require reciprocation, it does not expect the reward of recognition, it is a gift, not an exchange. Dashini lay herself flat across the dragon, pressed cheek on her warmth, her mouth touching her, and the silent words of her song were spoken on her lips."

Pheby hides within Malarkoi some wonderfully clever easter eggs and literary references, only a few of which I caught but I am certain there were many more.
Also the geography of the world and realms found therein is starting to come together and it paints a surprisingly recognisable - although somewhat still obscured - picture.

There is also a group of assassins, a talking book, naval POVs, ghosts, the very literal face of God, and a truly wonderful and intriguing set up for the final book in the trilogy, which is, without a doubt, my now most anticipated release. I know it's a way off, but my lord I am hooked.
This book also contains maps, a glossary, a dramatis personae, a recap of the first book and multiple appendices for those that enjoy or require such things.
I for one very much appreciated them.

If you have read Mordew I should not have to impress further upon you just how worth it it is to pick this up as soon as possible, because it is outstanding.
If you are reading this and haven't read Mordew and you have a hankering for a beautifully written epic gothic fantasy, chock full of some of the most creative concepts and engaging characters being written this side of the millennium, then look no further than this series.
I would be very surprised if this trilogy doesn't become an absolute phenomenon upon it's completion (if not before), because it certainly deserves to!

"To know things only magically, and from books, he thought, is to scarcely know them at all, except for the purposes of recognition. Recognition is only the beginning of knowledge and is no substitute for comprehension."

Pheby is an incredible talented artist and these books are now some of my all time favourites, there is no question about it.

This book is released on September 8th. Do yourself a favour a get yourself a copy and enjoy.
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Thank you for reading my review.