A review by elusivity
Kell's Legend by Andy Remic

2.0

Basic but serviceable plot, basic but serviceable characters, written in such a way as to maximize emotional reaction. Crude effort, but effective. The author repeatedly sets up a character, described with over-wrought prose as noble or kind or carefree or whatever self-possessed quality, and thereafter 180s them to utter hopelessness and helplessness. Characters are so cardboard that they do not come off as real people, but simply convenient objects for the plot to hang on. Women existed to be threatened with real or actual rape, graphically described. Men existed to be beaten, have pieces of their body hacked off or various other parts crushed or severed. There is a real relish in describing degradation throughout this novel.. Nothing worthwhile or spiritually redeeming exists in this world.

Not a typical fantasy novel, but one tightly merged with the nihilism of the horror genre. Read if this doesn't put you off.