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A review by versmonesprit
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
One thing you should know about me is that when I say I love fantasy, I mean probably 3 or 4 book series at most. I love fantasy only when it’s really good, and anything less feels childish to me.
So when you factor in the fact that The Hexologists is nowhere near the sort of fantasy I love (which is heavily political and 100% medieval-inspired) the picture painted should be worth a thousand words: Josiah Bancroft must be a hexologist himself, because I really enjoyed The Hexologists, and already can’t wait for more books to come!
I read this book for work, and the reason it’s not a 5-star read is because I didn’t feel like I had to stop speed-reading it to revert to my usual, personal snail pace. I think that comes down to the book not being the sort of treacherous fantasy full of either political intrigue or deeper philosophy. Not every book has to be that, and if anything, making me love a book that doesn’t fall into these categories is an even harder feat to accomplish!
The Hexologists comes as a unique example in contemporary fantasy, which has unfortunately been bastardised and undeservingly appropriated by the romance and smut genres, the latter of which is, let’s be fucking real for a second, actually just porn. The main characters are a couple who are in love (and the book is very transparent about that) but never once does Bancroft steer into the territory of romance. Thank you for showing that actual fantasy can be written, and romance is never a necessary component of a story, even when it centres a couple in love! What a much needed breath of fresh air!
Another unique factor comes in the setting, which is fully inspired by steampunk aesthetics. Here too I think there was a slight missed opportunity: while Bancroft’s writing makes his vision clear and obvious, I think there could be more details to make it truly atmospheric. I’ve loved steampunk ever since I was a kid, and the setting of The Hexologists reached into my heart to carve a cosy corner for itself. Steampunk fantasy is definitely something the world needs more of!
The final point in which The Hexologists thankfully differs from the mainstream market books is their pathetic attempt to beg for a movie/TV deal, in which authors will write unnecessary descriptions like a child. The Hexologists gives only what is necessary to paint a scene, and yet, if any contemporary fantasy deserves a cinematic deal, it’s hands down this lovely book! I would gratefully gobble up 24 seasons of a different little adventure each episode! I loved the humour and soft world-building, the characters and their dynamics, maybe even more than the plot. That’s why I would never get tired of this book series, because Bancroft forges a relationship between the reader and the essential elements of a book series, which is never the plot that will inevitably grow and change from book to book, but the lore and the setting and characters you end up personally caring about.
I’m not sure if this would be considered “cosy fantasy,” but it surely filled my heart with the warmth of a hug from a close friend. (For all you map addicts, there’s not only a map but also a chart too!) I need Josiah Bancroft to push out a new Hexologists book every 6 months, please and thank you.
So when you factor in the fact that The Hexologists is nowhere near the sort of fantasy I love (which is heavily political and 100% medieval-inspired) the picture painted should be worth a thousand words: Josiah Bancroft must be a hexologist himself, because I really enjoyed The Hexologists, and already can’t wait for more books to come!
I read this book for work, and the reason it’s not a 5-star read is because I didn’t feel like I had to stop speed-reading it to revert to my usual, personal snail pace. I think that comes down to the book not being the sort of treacherous fantasy full of either political intrigue or deeper philosophy. Not every book has to be that, and if anything, making me love a book that doesn’t fall into these categories is an even harder feat to accomplish!
The Hexologists comes as a unique example in contemporary fantasy, which has unfortunately been bastardised and undeservingly appropriated by the romance and smut genres, the latter of which is, let’s be fucking real for a second, actually just porn. The main characters are a couple who are in love (and the book is very transparent about that) but never once does Bancroft steer into the territory of romance. Thank you for showing that actual fantasy can be written, and romance is never a necessary component of a story, even when it centres a couple in love! What a much needed breath of fresh air!
Another unique factor comes in the setting, which is fully inspired by steampunk aesthetics. Here too I think there was a slight missed opportunity: while Bancroft’s writing makes his vision clear and obvious, I think there could be more details to make it truly atmospheric. I’ve loved steampunk ever since I was a kid, and the setting of The Hexologists reached into my heart to carve a cosy corner for itself. Steampunk fantasy is definitely something the world needs more of!
The final point in which The Hexologists thankfully differs from the mainstream market books is their pathetic attempt to beg for a movie/TV deal, in which authors will write unnecessary descriptions like a child. The Hexologists gives only what is necessary to paint a scene, and yet, if any contemporary fantasy deserves a cinematic deal, it’s hands down this lovely book! I would gratefully gobble up 24 seasons of a different little adventure each episode! I loved the humour and soft world-building, the characters and their dynamics, maybe even more than the plot. That’s why I would never get tired of this book series, because Bancroft forges a relationship between the reader and the essential elements of a book series, which is never the plot that will inevitably grow and change from book to book, but the lore and the setting and characters you end up personally caring about.
I’m not sure if this would be considered “cosy fantasy,” but it surely filled my heart with the warmth of a hug from a close friend. (For all you map addicts, there’s not only a map but also a chart too!) I need Josiah Bancroft to push out a new Hexologists book every 6 months, please and thank you.