Aeros is the Wayfarer, of that much he is certain. The rest of his life? Well, that is slipping away. He doesn’t know when the forgetting began, but the Shadow – a doppelganger only he can see – does. Only by following its nebulous compulsion to move on, can his memory supposedly be restored. What follows is an immersive literary fantasy that will eat all your time. So, send all complaints from your boss to author Zachary Kekac.
It is rare to come across a writer who understands the importance of wonder. And Kekac is instinctively able to balance the reach of a strong character against the crush of myth and legend, and in doing has created a world that is weighty, endearing. Real, and visceral. Indeed, strong (and at times moving) dialogue, exquisite prose, a riveting plotline, and characters whose presence and believability will follow you out of the book and into your imaginations and dreaming, further cement my opinion here.
There is one caveat: this was not a light read. For starters the writing style is wonderfully archaic and descriptive (though I believe, never to a fault). This is a treat if you love authors such as Tolkien or Martin. Readers who want a simpler affair may find it a slog. And since the characters are complex, and plotline information is rationed out at time subtly, you most definitely cannot skim. Perhaps somewhere in there lays this book’s one fault; maybe too many characters wax wise.
That is still a weak knock though, and indeed this sort of atmospheric novel is a difficult one for a reviewer like me to balance. The Wayfarer is complex, deep and subtle. And though it’s main protagonist won’t recall their time with you, dear reader, I am sure this gem of a book will leave you with fond memories.
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