Rotherweird

Rotherweird is the first book in a series by Andrew Caldecott. Originally released in 2017, this re-release from Hatchette on their Jo Fletcher imprint was published 4th July. It's a substantial read, 480 pages, and available in hardcover. Other editions are available in other formats. The illustrations by Sasha Laika are brooding and atmospheric and suit the narrative very well. The typesetting is masterful; a work of art.

Over a week after finishing this book and I'm still at a loss how to review it (that almost never happens). It's got so many characteristics from so many disparate genres that it defies a cubbyhole characterization. It's not an alternate timeline fantasy, but it has elements thereof. It's not a YA novel, there are definitely elements which are more mature. It's not dystopian, but it is brooding. The character and place names are whimsical, to say the least...much more Dickensian than Dickens would've ever dared to be.

I -hate- to compare books to other books but whilst reading, this gave me distinct Gormenghast vibes with some Terribly Serious Darkness thrown in along with a dash of Harry Potter. and a little typesetting help from Miss Peregrine. It's not derivative of any of the above, Caldecott brings his own expertise to the writing, and it is very well written. If forced, I'd say it's the very elaborate end product of a thought experiment which started out as 'what would happen to a population after 550 years of nearly complete isolation from the outside world'.

It's a fantasy, and well written, and I enjoyed reading it and I'm going to read the rest of the (currently extant) trilogy.

Four stars. Worth a look for people who enjoy weird/dark/niche/intelligent character driven fantasy.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes