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A review by sgbrux
Seasons of Albadone by Élan Marché, Christopher Warman
5.0
"If the True One places a helper in your path, don't hesitate to follow."
Wow. This is one of the best works I've read so far this year. Completely and utterly blown away by this world and these characters and their stumbles and stories. Seasons of Albadone shocked and horrified me, wrenched at my heart, filled me with dread and with hope... I experienced the whole gambit with this one.
The prologue hooked me right away—it gives a bit of lore behind this land called Albadone and the creatures we might expect to meet in the story. The writing is rich and visceral and made me feel like I was sitting around a campfire listening to someone tell me the darkest fables. There's almost this dreamlike quality to the storytelling and narrative voice, which I found a particular treat.
This book is essentially comprised of four short stories which, on their own, have fully fleshed out plots and themes and character arcs, but together, deliver a powerful message that closes the loop on what we're introduced to in the prologue. There are a number of character crossovers from season to season, with a certain Mother as the thread that binds each story together. And the foreshadowing! Some really satisfying breadcrumbs in this one.
I loved the notion of enchantresses and runestone magic and chants. I was intrigued by the tragic hero in each story—they were each their own shade of gray, far from perfect, having their own vices and virtues. But damn it all to hell I got attached to every last one of them!!
It's hard to pick which season I enjoyed best. Perhaps each one for a different reason. As far as how I'm feeling right now, I'll go with Summer because I need an ending with more hope in it at this specific point in time. Why did you do this to me?
This was such a dark, beautifully crafted book, and I want to see more stories set in this world by these authors.
"It was only a matter of time—and patience. But a mother would always wait. Yes. That's what she was and forever would be—a mother."
Wow. This is one of the best works I've read so far this year. Completely and utterly blown away by this world and these characters and their stumbles and stories. Seasons of Albadone shocked and horrified me, wrenched at my heart, filled me with dread and with hope... I experienced the whole gambit with this one.
The prologue hooked me right away—it gives a bit of lore behind this land called Albadone and the creatures we might expect to meet in the story. The writing is rich and visceral and made me feel like I was sitting around a campfire listening to someone tell me the darkest fables. There's almost this dreamlike quality to the storytelling and narrative voice, which I found a particular treat.
This book is essentially comprised of four short stories which, on their own, have fully fleshed out plots and themes and character arcs, but together, deliver a powerful message that closes the loop on what we're introduced to in the prologue. There are a number of character crossovers from season to season, with a certain Mother as the thread that binds each story together. And the foreshadowing! Some really satisfying breadcrumbs in this one.
I loved the notion of enchantresses and runestone magic and chants. I was intrigued by the tragic hero in each story—they were each their own shade of gray, far from perfect, having their own vices and virtues. But damn it all to hell I got attached to every last one of them!!
It's hard to pick which season I enjoyed best. Perhaps each one for a different reason. As far as how I'm feeling right now, I'll go with Summer because I need an ending with more hope in it at this specific point in time. Why did you do this to me?
This was such a dark, beautifully crafted book, and I want to see more stories set in this world by these authors.
"It was only a matter of time—and patience. But a mother would always wait. Yes. That's what she was and forever would be—a mother."