Рецензия на книгу

• 

  JustinCall

  22 мая 2021

  Thoughts from the author

  This is my book (my debut, to be specific). I rather liked writing it. I hope you enjoy reading it.

  Some things that may be helpful to know about this novel, its accompanying series, and my writing process:

  (1) This is crossover fiction – both Adult Epic Fantasy and YA Fantasy. That's a feature (not a flaw); it's meant to appeal to both teens and adults. Tough cookies if you don't like that, but there it is. I tried to write something that both my 13-year-old self and my 30-year-old self would enjoy. I succeeded in doing that, but whether or not the book appeals to you can only be discovered in the reading.

  (2) This book doesn't just drop you into things – it eases you in. It gives you time to learn the world and assemble your knowledge of the world like pieces of a puzzle. Like climbing a mountain one step at a time and then clearing the summit. Some people will call that a "slow burn" and then in the next breath will either praise my novel or curse it for that same effect. That's fine. For myself, I never felt like Master of Sorrows was a "slow burn" because the protagonist moves from one challenge to another with only a few small breaks allowing him to process events. The last third in particular moves at more of a thriller pacing ... but I get it. I understand why many have called it a slow burn and I think the comparison to similar books is merited (The Name of the Wind is the most common of those comparisons, which I am flattered by).

  (3) Despite marketing language, Master of Sorrows is not actually about a hero becoming the dark lord – because that's the pitch for the series (not the first volume of the series). So what is Master of Sorrows? I'll let you decide for yourself, though I've tried to be as honest as possible by saying it is the "origin story" for a dark lord. Enjoy that journey (as ponderous as it may seem), because the series as a whole is about exploring that arc. If, however, you are expecting the main character to become a villain by the end of the first book ... well, let's just say I warned you against that expectation. Perhaps that's a spoiler, but I don't care. I'd rather have someone slightly less excited to read my book than have the grumpy reader finish my book and feel I didn't meet their expectations. I promise if you stick with the series, though, everyone will eventually get what they wanted. Trust in the writing – trust in the trajectory of the story and my ability to tell it correctly with the right pacing – and all will be well.

  (4) Master of Sorrows is the first book in a tetralogy called The Silent Gods ... but I have other books planned (assuming that tetralogy does well). In fact, I have 12 books planned in total (three distinct arcs framed within three sets of four books), but I won't get to tell those other stories unless the first tetralogy does well – so if you like these books, please tell your friends, your foes, and anyone else that respects your opinion as a reader. I've noticed the book does especially well with teens and new adults (as intended), but it's also enjoyed by older, veteran readers. Help spread the word and I'll reward my readers with more books. Fair?

  (5) I play with tropes in my fantasy novels. In doing so, I try to evoke the same feelings I had when reading classic fantasy from my teens and twenties. I also like to play with those tropes and (hopefully) introduce some new themes that are fresh and modern. That sometimes makes my books a little dark (even a little cynical), but my writing is also tinged with hope. Ed McDonald has called this type of writing "Grimheart" (a close relative of the more nihilistic "Grimdark" genre), and I rather like it. You can call it what you like – Dark Fantasy, Grimheart, Grimlight, Epic Fantasy – but it's all the same to me. I'm just trying to tell a good story the best way I know how, one that pays homage to what's come before while adding something uniquely my own. So far, I think I'm succeeding ... but you can judge for yourself. Whatever you do, don't think for a moment that I'm blind to the tropes I've chosen to use. They serve a purpose and are conscious choices. If you still don't like them, well that's fine. You can't please everybody.

  (6) I love chatting with readers, especially those with questions or queries about things hinted at within the series. If you ask me questions about the series, I'll almost always answer them in private (and usually in public, too, though I'll be more conscious of spoilers). It's a joy for me to hear from readers who enjoyed my stories, so don't be shy about reaching out. Likewise, I don't mind being tagged if you write a good review or blog post about my writing. Don't be an ass-hat and tag me for a negative review, though (I'll usually find those on my own and will only choose to read them when I'm feeling especially thick-skinned or masochistic). If you want to contact me about a Q&A or doing an interview or something, I'm also open to those queries. The best way to reach me is on Twitter @JustinTCall ... but if you message me on LiveLib.ru, I'll come running over to this side of the internet and do my best to respond (no doubt using Google to overcome the language barrier), so don't hesitate to write even if it's in Russian.

  22 понравилось

  2

  1,2K