A review by literaryelle
The West Passage by Jared Pechaček

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The West Passage is a charming debut fantasy that impresses with its prose and creativity. The story follows two characters, Kew and Pell, as they come to terms with their new circumstances and epithets they may or may not be ready to mantle. 

This book encourages you to stretch your imagination to dive headfirst into this whimsical world. Every element of this story, from characters to architecture, is surprising and deeply creative. 

It often feels like the plot is a secondary element to the setting, but in the moments when the story reveals a new element of the mysteries being unraveled, you’re in for a real treat. That being said: come for the vibes, stay for the story. 

The writing itself is reminiscent of classic fantasy stories and is rich with imagery that brings you into the dusty storerooms in Grey to the rancid towers of Yellow. The narration is full of humor and does a great job of pacing the journey that our characters are on. 

Overall, this book really works for me. A classic fantasy journey in an unexpected setting will always hit in my opinion. If you love time-honored fantasy elements but yearn to see them in a new light, this is the book for you. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for an advanced copy!