An unsettling, hard-to-put-down dark fantasy…
Ar-feinial’s latest is a raw and gritty plunge into a dystopian nightmare, taking readers on a young child’s journey of survival. With her father gone, Lira, a vulnerable child, is left to navigate the unforgiving world where violence is rampant and cannibalism is rapidly becoming a norm. As she struggles to scrounge for food, her keen instincts offer little protection against the horrors lurking in the shadows.
Ar-feinial skillfully portrays a broken world where cruelty and survival are inseparable. His characters are depicted with understanding and authenticity. Lira, a child navigating a world where kindness is rare, is sketched with empathy. Ar-feinial refuses to romanticize her sufferings, nor does he glorify her resilience. Through her story, the author paints an unsettling picture of a society where innocence is not merely lost but devoured. Lukam, just like Lira, exists at the edges of survival, his life governed by hunger, brutality, and manipulation. Alkel is depicted with equal authenticity as he is forced to witness the harsh reality of his kingdom’s oppression.
The book doesn’t take a gentle approach when it comes to portraying the characters’ struggles. It refuses to coddle the reader or guide them through a comforting journey. Instead, it challenges them, shaking them out of any sense of complacency and forcing them to see the hideous realities surrounding the characters’ lives. The prose is ragged and yet poignant. Its fragmented style echoes the darkness that dwells in the story. Throughout, the book delves into relevant and complex themes of morality, ignorance, and human anguish.
A relentless journey through a world where pain and suffering are the norm, and survival is an act of rebellion.
Pub date June 6, 2023
Holy Grail Publishing
ISBN 979-8986104171
Price $6.30 (USD) Paperback, $0.99 Kindle edition
