I received this book for an honest review. All expressed opinions, cynical or otherwise, are my own.
The suspension of disbelief. Fantasy books live by it, and there is a lot that is often explained away under the dubious Deux Ex Machina that is magic. Pretty cut and dry. However, start tacking on sub-genres into your fantasy novel, or maybe dialing back the more magic-like aspects, and you will find yourself having to dodge extra obstacles to maintain that suspension. By the Sea, by Steven Lamperti, is a whimsical fantasy book that at times stumbles when it tries to run.
Chelle is little medieval fishing village going through some challenging times. The fish have stopped coming in, or as Annabelle, the main protagonist, puts it: “the sea has left them.” And now a nobleman named Llyr has come along and throw everything further into disorder at just the right time. Is it a coincidence?
No, obviously not. Yet don’t read this thinking the plot is bland, or predictable – it isn’t. There is a good premise here, and the setting has some wonderful evocative moments. As for the characters, while I can’t say anyone stands out, I also wouldn’t call them one dimensional. Annabelle is the primary focus, and while annoying at times, there is a precise development track therein. Steven Lamperti’s prose is also mature and has a measured amount of flourish.
However, nothing truly stands out. Previously I mentioned that the setting has “evocative moments,” but this usually only applies to the background imagery. Overall, the world lacks depth, and character; as if it is missing noise, or is sterile. And for a piece meant to represent a low-fantasy medieval town, it feels terribly modern; like visiting an old-fashioned movie studio with all the façade buildings. And the dialogue does nothing to help the characterization.
Steven Lamperti’s By the Sea has charm and is entertaining. However, in the end I didn’t feel it was particularly memorable. Still, despite that I did enjoy the book, and would recommend it for light reading.
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