A review by storyorc
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

dark emotional inspiring tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

As should be expected from an author famous for their classic D&D art, the writing is very visual. It paints a clear picture of everything from honey to torture. The creature design is also wonderfully creepy. Brom's website includes art of his monstrous 'wildfolk' too - my favourite is the fish with the face of a child between its teeth.

The plot owes its bite to its human villain, Wallace. It was such a delight to hate that man that I had no choice but to root for Abitha. However, I was surprised to see 50% of the book remaining at the point I felt ready to round up.

Without a Wallace for the half of the plot surrounding 'Slewfoot's' identity crisis, it dragged. It also reminded me how horror films lose something when you see the whole monster. Perhaps that half would have felt more vital if it also involved Abitha (by some Pequot heritage? Since they
play a big role in the mystery of Samson
). As it was, I was checked out by the time the climactic
revenge fantasy
hit.

Still, this book does deliver well on both the chills and Good For Her/Support Women's Wrongs fronts. (Although, if ever there were a time for
monsterfucking
, surely this is it? You can't tell me there's not a draft out there somewhere with it.)
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