Review - The Wickwire Watch by Jacquelyn Hagen

 

Review - The Wickwire Watch by Jacquelyn Hagen (Riverfall Chronicles #1)

I finished this book today as part of my ongoing mission to get through more of the SPFBO 9 competition finalist novels. Although I find myself a bit late to reviewing this novel (there are already two sequels out at the time of writing), it's better late than never to write a review.

The setting of this one resembles mid-to-late 19th century Europe, with some subtly defined steampunk elements lurking in the background. After a historical incident in which an important leader was murdered, there is a rift left between the the two main peoples of the story: the Cassians, who rely on mundane technology, engineering and science; and the Entrians, an aloof, erudite people who wield the powers of mysterious magic. 

Inkwell, the most important main character, is a young teenage orphan who has escaped an orphanage when he encounters a group of refugees, the Colonists. He meets them while fleeing a strange happening while investigating an abandoned house, and has discovered an arcane artifact, a pocket watch. From there, he is taken to the hidden, floating community of the Colonists, Riverfall. Here we are introduced to a variety of characters, and Ink comes to question the dire accusations that have previously been made against the Colonists, while he also becomes part of their village. 

I found the characters in Riverfall well-defined, and we get to hear the secrets of Delia, Simon, Erving and others. There are some sections while in Riverfall that resemble a cozy fantasy atmosphere: this is nothing to change or lower the quality of story, but a reader has to be prepared to take on a great slowing of the pace in these domestic sequences. Ink is gradually absorbed into the community of Riverfall, despite his long-held suspicious nature, and he ponders a lot on the reliability of "the truth" as many have understood it. Caradoc is the heroic, strong-willed leader that the Colonists rely on because of a magical attribute he possesses, and Ink finds himself coming to trust him more and more. 

However, things greatly change in the second half of the novel when Inkwell learns more of the secrets and nature of the Spektors, a group of ghostly, cursed creatures who have been pursuing him. I found this latter half more interesting, since the exposition was now over and Ink becomes involved in several escapades that make him question the truths he has understood once more. He must decide whether to believe Caradoc, Seherene (a dedicated Entrian hunter of the Colonists), or a Spektor he finds was once his relative. We see Caradoc exposed as more of a flawed, realistic character, and Ink negotiating his way through the uncertain waters of events.

This was an enjoyable novel, although it was odd to find myself liking the character details and verbal interactions on Riverfall while also being impatient for some more action to commence. Inkwell is a colourful, unpredictable Artful Dodger character and there were some clever fantasy touches. We are left wondering what deal he has worked out with Seherene to continue, and what his agenda will be going forward, and if he can get away with it. The path is open for the sequels, and I hope personally to see more of the steampunk background and elusive, Entrian magic.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

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Book review - A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick

Here we have it: a cosy fantasy by an indie author, which must contain something special in order to make it to the final round of the current SPFBO competition.

 

Review: A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick

A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick is a book which is most attractive because of its general light-heartedness and the engaging, playful interactions between its characters. Two merchants in a fantasy town must learn to co-operate with each other, as part of a joint potion-making project they agree to undertake. There are some misunderstandings, sad personal histories and difficulties that the main characters must overcome. But the support they receive from those close them results in a feel-good tale with some sweet romance and 'Yes!' moments. There's also a novel, curious magical system that seems derived from baking (yes, baking) in the real world.

The story takes place in the area of Rosemond St, where we are introduced to group of shopkeepers who all know and support each other like one big, diverse family. Ambrose is a potion seller and a half-elf, and had been given away by his family at an early age to be an apprentice to an emotionally cold potions master. Because of this, Ambrose was virtually raised by the other merchants of the street. He is scholarly and introverted, preferring to remain isolated in his potions shop. He reacts with upset and suspicion when a stranger moves into the vacant shop across from his. This is Eli, a human from another area, Kolkea, and he quickly comes into competition with Ambrose as he, too, is operating a potions shop.  Eli is his opposite: he is sociable and a lover of sports and adventure. We also meet Dawn the wand maker, Ambrose's overworked and stressed-out best friend.  

At first, Ambrose and Eli take part in a tit-for-tat bitter rivalry to entice the most customers to their own shops. This ruthless competition, instead, merely drains them and their finances. However, they then find they both must agree, because of the financial rewards offered, to a commission that involves working together. They must brew a special, difficult potion for the mayor's daughter, Beatrice, whose birthday wish is to be able to fly like a dragon with purple wings for one day. To complicate matters, Ambrose and his friend, Dawn, have a falling out, and Eli and Ambrose find their feelings for each changing. There is a bit of danger to face several times, and Eli must face against his natural drifter's inclination, and decide on a future career.

What happens next follows basically an enemies-to-lovers trope, as attraction blossoms between Ambrose and Eli. It's a cute romance, as they grow closer together over the course of the commission's challenge. Some of the winning parts of the story are the book's chapter titles, which are cleverly reminiscent of recipe step instructions and provide insight as to the current state of the characters' relationship development. I found the elaborate potion-mixing stages which Eli and Ambrose go through engaging and interesting. The overall tone or story elements made me think of the Dungeons & Dragons world maybe combined with a sweet Hallmark movie. Or something like the new breed of Netflix rom-coms with LGBTQ characters.  

I did find a few of the fantasy concepts slightly awry. For example, characters seemed to be able to just wave (any number of) wands a bit too conveniently in order to solve a problem, or just swig a magic potion. And I would've liked some more lore and background about the characters and location. But my main issue was that the central romance was just too predictable; there were lots of hints given and anyone could see it coming early on. But these are minor concerns.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

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