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A review by capt_kirkles
Dreams of the Dying by Nicolas Lietzau
5.0
Oh man, what a beautifully written book. I had to stop and write down several quotes as I read because they were so gorgeously crafted. All of the characters were immensely diverse, and their philosophical debates were very interesting and gave them depth I haven't encountered in novels previously. Jespar as a canonical bi/pansexual character was explored extremely well, and while his relationships are an integral part of the novel, his sexuality didn't feel forced or included for inclusivity sake.
If you're a fan of fantasy, and like it on the darker, grittier side (magic is complex and has real repercussions, gore in some places, and there are many sex references), you owe it to yourself to read this one. Knowledge of the game series it is based upon is not necessary at all, and this book actually rewrites certain aspects of the lore (as is explained in the foreword) so you could argue a fresh reader may be less confused than a returning fan.
Bonus point: I have never been moved to tears by an author's afterword before, but this one hit me in the feels. Well done, Nicolas.
My favourite quote:
“There was something unique about the silence that reigned those nights - a mixture of peace and the haunting but strangely beguiling notion that he was all alone during those nocturnal strolls as if some quiet, otherworldly occurrence had caused everyone but him to peacefully vanish, leaving behind a skeleton world where Jespar was the only person still alive. A boy sleep-walking on the bottom of the ocean.”
If you're a fan of fantasy, and like it on the darker, grittier side (magic is complex and has real repercussions, gore in some places, and there are many sex references), you owe it to yourself to read this one. Knowledge of the game series it is based upon is not necessary at all, and this book actually rewrites certain aspects of the lore (as is explained in the foreword) so you could argue a fresh reader may be less confused than a returning fan.
Bonus point: I have never been moved to tears by an author's afterword before, but this one hit me in the feels. Well done, Nicolas.
My favourite quote:
“There was something unique about the silence that reigned those nights - a mixture of peace and the haunting but strangely beguiling notion that he was all alone during those nocturnal strolls as if some quiet, otherworldly occurrence had caused everyone but him to peacefully vanish, leaving behind a skeleton world where Jespar was the only person still alive. A boy sleep-walking on the bottom of the ocean.”