Scan barcode
A review by twicomb
Fog & Fireflies by T. H. Lehnen
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An ambitious fantasy novel that is so chock-full of creatures, machines, landscapes, and new characters at every turn that it sometimes loses sight of the forest for the trees. I wish the author had broken this up into a trilogy; the story has some natural points where books could have started and ended, and it would have given him more breathing space to try to cram in everything he wants to include. So what are all these things, you ask? Well, here is just a brief sampling: killer fog that can shape itself into animals; levitating fruit that spontaneously combusts; a headless monster with nostrils in the palms of its hands; a giant feathered serpent; people turning into marble statues (that maybe come back to life?); armor made out of a beetle carapace; a magic caster who can dash on gusts of air; tongue tattoos that translate languages instantly; non-concurrent time streams; a communication system made of various bells rung in different ways; shadow people who are faceless and communicate with semaphore; tiny gnomes, one of which is dressed like Michael from Peter Pan (pajamas and a teddy bear); a wizard with amnesia who can blot out the sun; a horse costume woven out of wicker that comes to life when inhabited by its puppeteers; villages that shift location without explanation; an origin legend carved into an ancient bell; and the list goes on, and on, and on. If this sounds both fascinating and overwhelming, then you understand exactly what it's like to read this book.
I desperately want the author to get a great editor who can help him take all of his enthusiasm and energy and creativity, and shape it into a truly coherent story that flows from beginning to end, and doesn't leave the reader wondering about all the macguffins along the way. I love stories that twist and turn, with many different locales and characters along the way, but there needs to be a thread connecting everything all together. After I read a book, I sometimes read the reviews (only after I've read it, and have my own opinion; never before). I noticed many other reviewers making a similar comment. I still really enjoyed this book, and will be watching for the author's next book with the hopes that he'll take these comments to heart and keep working on his craft. He clearly has tremendous creativity and if he can get the story arc and structure work built in a little more firmly, I have no doubt he will excel.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for sheer abundance of creativity that went into this tale on the part of the author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.
I desperately want the author to get a great editor who can help him take all of his enthusiasm and energy and creativity, and shape it into a truly coherent story that flows from beginning to end, and doesn't leave the reader wondering about all the macguffins along the way. I love stories that twist and turn, with many different locales and characters along the way, but there needs to be a thread connecting everything all together. After I read a book, I sometimes read the reviews (only after I've read it, and have my own opinion; never before). I noticed many other reviewers making a similar comment. I still really enjoyed this book, and will be watching for the author's next book with the hopes that he'll take these comments to heart and keep working on his craft. He clearly has tremendous creativity and if he can get the story arc and structure work built in a little more firmly, I have no doubt he will excel.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for sheer abundance of creativity that went into this tale on the part of the author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.