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Tainted Dominion #1
Legacy of the Brightwash
Follow the law and you’ll stay safe. But what if the law is wrong?
Tashué’s faith in the law is beginning to crack.
Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions.
Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her?
Why was he the only one who cared?
Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for?
Tashué’s faith in the law is beginning to crack.
Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions.
Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her?
Why was he the only one who cared?
Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for?
662 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2021
About the author
Krystle Matar
7 books148 followersKrystle Matar has been writing for a long time, but things got serious when Tashué Blackwood walked into her life, an amber-eyed whirlwind. Her debut, Legacy of the Brightwash, is a SPFBO Finalist, an r/Fantasy nominee for Best Debut and Best Indie.
When she isn’t arguing with Tashué or any of his friends, she parents full time. She has a lot of children, too many hobbies, and one very excellent husband.
She is currently working on lots of stories set in the Dominion, is 1/4 of the Swords & Corsets Podcast, and is probably obsessively rewatching BBC’s Ripper Street and/or anything that Dennis Lehane worked on like Apple TV's Blackbird.
When she isn’t arguing with Tashué or any of his friends, she parents full time. She has a lot of children, too many hobbies, and one very excellent husband.
She is currently working on lots of stories set in the Dominion, is 1/4 of the Swords & Corsets Podcast, and is probably obsessively rewatching BBC’s Ripper Street and/or anything that Dennis Lehane worked on like Apple TV's Blackbird.
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March 7, 2023
I thought I would end up disliking Legacy of the Brightwash. I was wrong.
Ah, Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar, the first book in the Tainted Dominion series. This is one of those books you keep hearing great things about for years, but somehow the universe just schemed to stop you from reading it; that's me, I am the universe, and I am responsible for my own delay. As someone who loves reading both traditionally published and self-published fantasy books equally, it is kinda crazy it took me this long to read Matar's debut. And I am surprised by the result. Theoretically, and I will elaborate upon this later, I should not have liked this SPFBO 7 runner-up. But now that I've read it, if it has won the competition, I will say it is well-deserved. I am not saying the winner did not deserve it; I haven't read Reign and Ruin by J. D. Evans, and there is always a possibility I will end up liking that book more than this. But luck, as always, is responsible for how Legacy of the Brightwash did not win the competition. Anyway, enough introduction, onward to the review. Based on my own experience and enjoyment, I will discuss why this book will be, or will not be, for you.
Follow the law and you’ll stay safe. But what if the law is wrong? There are many themes in this novel, but this is the biggest one. Tashue’s faith in the law is beginning to crack. Three years ago, Tashue stood by when the Authority condemned his son to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions. Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her? Why was he the only one who cared? Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for?
From this premise, it will be easy to tell this is a story where the bad guys are the ones in charge of the law. This is not a rare plot occurrence. Countless stories have done this before. But still, Matar executed it so well. I assure you that Legacy of the Brightwash is many things. It is a murder mystery. It is a political fantasy. It is also sprinkled with magic. And romance covers many pages of the book. But more importantly, whether you consider this a grimdark novel or not, Legacy of the Brightwash is a heavily character-driven novel that depicts love, found family, passion, justice, and hope in an unforgiving world and system that is terrible and bleak. And all of these were big positives of the novel for me. Eventually, even the romance.
I am not a romance reader. So many of my favorite fantasy books exhibit love, friendship, hope, found family, and more; they are often essential elements in an incredible story for me. But those with detailed sex scenes or many pages devoted to romance? Yeah. Most of my favorite fantasy books did not fall into the romance genre. I assume many of us (male fantasy readers and myself included as I speak about this) do not tend to consider heavy romances as our preference for escapism. Personally speaking, I found many romances in epic fantasy infuriating—not in a good way—or not well-written. However, I think many fantasy readers (including us who don’t like reading romance in epic fantasy) agree that we do want and need to love or be loved in the real world. Loneliness can be a slow death. Allow me to be sappy a bit. But to love, be loved, and cherish each other, can be a cure for loneliness. It is one of the best strengths or invisible treasures we can have as human being. And the two main characters of Legacy of the Brightwash exemplary displayed these needs in humanity.
That, in my opinion, is the biggest asset of Legacy of the Brigthwash. Not the romance per se, but the characterizations and dialogues. Don't get me wrong, I still don’t click with the many pages of detailed sex scenes. If it were up to me, I would decrease the page count for it out of the book. And it took me about a quarter of the novel, until the fine dining scene, to feel fully invested. Those who have read this will know which specific scene I am talking about. But I cannot dispute how bright the characters, their characterizations, and their gradual development washed over me. Tashue and Stella, the two main characters, are broken and lonely individuals who find their love and need in each other. Their romance is slow-burn and fought for by them and us readers; do not expect the fruition of their relationship to happen quickly, and you will be rewarded. And this is just one example.
I think the first quarter of Legacy of the Brightwash was a "getting used to" section. There were many characters and names introduced here. But rest assured that they're all there for good reasons. I constantly grew to care about the characters more and more as I read through the book. Legacy of the Brightwash utilizes multiple POV chapters, but Tashue certainly dominated the narrative. He, understandably, has the most POV chapters and page count. And I liked the character. I have a soft spot for characters doing the best they can to redeem themselves, and Tashue embodied this. Regardless of the myriad of mistakes he made in the past, and still do in the present timeframe, he never ceases to give up on undoing the damages he caused. The odds are always against Tashue and the protagonists, but despite his fury and frustration with his circumstances, Tashue still tries everything to give his affection and understanding to Stella and Ceridwen, patch things up with Jason, and I liked reading his friendship with Rhodrishi and Kazrani.
It is worth noting that the entire story in this book takes place in the city of Yaelsmuir, and this novel has been marketed and reviewed by many readers as a grimdark fantasy novel. Although I do not consider this a totally grimdark fantasy as I felt the tone of the narrative did not all-consumingly reflect that, and the main characters are relatively kind-hearted people put in desperate situations, my god, as the premise mentioned, with children being mutilated and killed, this is indeed a dark story. But here is what I loved most about Legacy of the Brightwash in addition to the characterizations: hope and courage against overwhelming odds. This is not an overwhelmingly dark novel, in my opinion. And to battle against the darkness, Matar magnificently includes beautiful and soothing moments related to friendship, found family, and parenthood as a contrast and beacon of light in the narrative. And I definitely embraced those moments amid all the unraveling chaos and tension.
It is not a surprise why Legacy of the Brightwash garnered so much positive reception in the self-published fantasy community for the past two years. Even though Matar's debut novel contains elements that weren't my preference for reading, like three detailed sex scenes and a relatively heavier focus on romance, I cannot deny they were well-written. I did not skip reading any of those scenes in the book as I did in Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff, for example. The relationship between the main characters won me over. If you love a slow-burn murder mystery and political fantasy with superbly-written flawed characters, even more so if you love reading romance, too, make sure to read Legacy of the Brightwash. Honestly, I am glad I waited this long before reading it because the ending did end on a mean cliffhanger. The sequel, Legacy of Brick and Bone, will be published next April. I don't have to wait long. And I undoubtedly look forward to reading it as soon as possible.
Side note: There is a character named Petrik in the book, but the author has mentioned this is purely a coincidence. Not based on me.
You can order this book from: Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
“You should still help… Even if you don’t think you’re good at it. The best way to learn something is to not be good at it first.”
Ah, Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar, the first book in the Tainted Dominion series. This is one of those books you keep hearing great things about for years, but somehow the universe just schemed to stop you from reading it; that's me, I am the universe, and I am responsible for my own delay. As someone who loves reading both traditionally published and self-published fantasy books equally, it is kinda crazy it took me this long to read Matar's debut. And I am surprised by the result. Theoretically, and I will elaborate upon this later, I should not have liked this SPFBO 7 runner-up. But now that I've read it, if it has won the competition, I will say it is well-deserved. I am not saying the winner did not deserve it; I haven't read Reign and Ruin by J. D. Evans, and there is always a possibility I will end up liking that book more than this. But luck, as always, is responsible for how Legacy of the Brightwash did not win the competition. Anyway, enough introduction, onward to the review. Based on my own experience and enjoyment, I will discuss why this book will be, or will not be, for you.
“You can drown yourself in all your ‘should’ves… It’s tempting to wallow in all the things you could have done differently, but it helps no one. Learn from it, certainly, but leave yourself room for forgiveness, hey?”
Follow the law and you’ll stay safe. But what if the law is wrong? There are many themes in this novel, but this is the biggest one. Tashue’s faith in the law is beginning to crack. Three years ago, Tashue stood by when the Authority condemned his son to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions. Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her? Why was he the only one who cared? Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for?
“I couldn’t see how killing a child could possibly be the actions of a hero. Heroes don’t murder children and leave them in the ditches for others to find so that others will rise in revolt. Heroes lead the revolts themselves on the merit of their words and their ideas and their strength, without the need to murder infants.”
From this premise, it will be easy to tell this is a story where the bad guys are the ones in charge of the law. This is not a rare plot occurrence. Countless stories have done this before. But still, Matar executed it so well. I assure you that Legacy of the Brightwash is many things. It is a murder mystery. It is a political fantasy. It is also sprinkled with magic. And romance covers many pages of the book. But more importantly, whether you consider this a grimdark novel or not, Legacy of the Brightwash is a heavily character-driven novel that depicts love, found family, passion, justice, and hope in an unforgiving world and system that is terrible and bleak. And all of these were big positives of the novel for me. Eventually, even the romance.
“No matter how miserable things were somewhere, life always managed to go on everywhere else.”
I am not a romance reader. So many of my favorite fantasy books exhibit love, friendship, hope, found family, and more; they are often essential elements in an incredible story for me. But those with detailed sex scenes or many pages devoted to romance? Yeah. Most of my favorite fantasy books did not fall into the romance genre. I assume many of us (male fantasy readers and myself included as I speak about this) do not tend to consider heavy romances as our preference for escapism. Personally speaking, I found many romances in epic fantasy infuriating—not in a good way—or not well-written. However, I think many fantasy readers (including us who don’t like reading romance in epic fantasy) agree that we do want and need to love or be loved in the real world. Loneliness can be a slow death. Allow me to be sappy a bit. But to love, be loved, and cherish each other, can be a cure for loneliness. It is one of the best strengths or invisible treasures we can have as human being. And the two main characters of Legacy of the Brightwash exemplary displayed these needs in humanity.
“How had he picked her out of the chaos and the crowd? But then, she had just done the same. There were some people in your life that you searched for constantly, praying that they would appear just so that you could know they still graced the world.”
That, in my opinion, is the biggest asset of Legacy of the Brigthwash. Not the romance per se, but the characterizations and dialogues. Don't get me wrong, I still don’t click with the many pages of detailed sex scenes. If it were up to me, I would decrease the page count for it out of the book. And it took me about a quarter of the novel, until the fine dining scene, to feel fully invested. Those who have read this will know which specific scene I am talking about. But I cannot dispute how bright the characters, their characterizations, and their gradual development washed over me. Tashue and Stella, the two main characters, are broken and lonely individuals who find their love and need in each other. Their romance is slow-burn and fought for by them and us readers; do not expect the fruition of their relationship to happen quickly, and you will be rewarded. And this is just one example.
“Grief and loss, they’re like the fire that shapes us… Turns us into something better.”
I think the first quarter of Legacy of the Brightwash was a "getting used to" section. There were many characters and names introduced here. But rest assured that they're all there for good reasons. I constantly grew to care about the characters more and more as I read through the book. Legacy of the Brightwash utilizes multiple POV chapters, but Tashue certainly dominated the narrative. He, understandably, has the most POV chapters and page count. And I liked the character. I have a soft spot for characters doing the best they can to redeem themselves, and Tashue embodied this. Regardless of the myriad of mistakes he made in the past, and still do in the present timeframe, he never ceases to give up on undoing the damages he caused. The odds are always against Tashue and the protagonists, but despite his fury and frustration with his circumstances, Tashue still tries everything to give his affection and understanding to Stella and Ceridwen, patch things up with Jason, and I liked reading his friendship with Rhodrishi and Kazrani.
“Watching Ceridwen grow was a joy, and yet it seemed to happen faster and faster these days, time sliding away from her before she could grasp it. And the older Ceridwen got, the more scared Stella was that she would lose her delicate hold on protecting her.”
It is worth noting that the entire story in this book takes place in the city of Yaelsmuir, and this novel has been marketed and reviewed by many readers as a grimdark fantasy novel. Although I do not consider this a totally grimdark fantasy as I felt the tone of the narrative did not all-consumingly reflect that, and the main characters are relatively kind-hearted people put in desperate situations, my god, as the premise mentioned, with children being mutilated and killed, this is indeed a dark story. But here is what I loved most about Legacy of the Brightwash in addition to the characterizations: hope and courage against overwhelming odds. This is not an overwhelmingly dark novel, in my opinion. And to battle against the darkness, Matar magnificently includes beautiful and soothing moments related to friendship, found family, and parenthood as a contrast and beacon of light in the narrative. And I definitely embraced those moments amid all the unraveling chaos and tension.
“I try not to judge people for what I see in their vulnerable moments. We’ve all faced dark days and I’ve yet to meet someone who always made the right choice. That change is not something to be ashamed of and it’s not something you should resist. You can’t be the same woman you were when you woke up this morning. But it’s alright to exist as this new woman, cracked by your rough handling, but still alive.”
It is not a surprise why Legacy of the Brightwash garnered so much positive reception in the self-published fantasy community for the past two years. Even though Matar's debut novel contains elements that weren't my preference for reading, like three detailed sex scenes and a relatively heavier focus on romance, I cannot deny they were well-written. I did not skip reading any of those scenes in the book as I did in Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff, for example. The relationship between the main characters won me over. If you love a slow-burn murder mystery and political fantasy with superbly-written flawed characters, even more so if you love reading romance, too, make sure to read Legacy of the Brightwash. Honestly, I am glad I waited this long before reading it because the ending did end on a mean cliffhanger. The sequel, Legacy of Brick and Bone, will be published next April. I don't have to wait long. And I undoubtedly look forward to reading it as soon as possible.
Side note: There is a character named Petrik in the book, but the author has mentioned this is purely a coincidence. Not based on me.
You can order this book from: Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Barbara, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Michael, Michael, Miracle, Nicholas, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
March 28, 2023
I am completely floored by this indie grimdark fantasy, Krystle Matar's absolutely masterful debut and the second place finisher in the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO7).
Everything about Legacy of the Brightwash is perfect. Tashue is one of the most complicated, compelling main characters of any book, fantasy or otherwise. I also love the gaslamp world of the Dominion and the darkly subtle magic system.
The writing is perfect throughout the book. Every sentence is carefully polished, with Matar's prose soaring to beautiful heights.
Most of all, I love the emotional connection we develop with the characters, especially as the story descends deeper and deeper into darkness and the central mystery of the novel slowly becomes clear.
I don't want to reveal anything specific about the plot. It's so good and will draw you in from the very first sentence.
Five very enthusiastic stars for this indie masterpiece. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Everything about Legacy of the Brightwash is perfect. Tashue is one of the most complicated, compelling main characters of any book, fantasy or otherwise. I also love the gaslamp world of the Dominion and the darkly subtle magic system.
The writing is perfect throughout the book. Every sentence is carefully polished, with Matar's prose soaring to beautiful heights.
Most of all, I love the emotional connection we develop with the characters, especially as the story descends deeper and deeper into darkness and the central mystery of the novel slowly becomes clear.
I don't want to reveal anything specific about the plot. It's so good and will draw you in from the very first sentence.
Five very enthusiastic stars for this indie masterpiece. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 1, 2021
There are good books and then there are books that leave a lasting impression that you can't shake no matter what. I mean, you literally can't avoid the intense emotions that seem to permeate every part of your being after finishing it. That is exactly the type of tome that book one in Krystle Matar's Tainted Dominion series, LEGACY OF THE BRIGHTWASH is.
The story begins ominously enough with a dead girl found washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, a river that runs through the city of Yaelsmuir in the Victorian/gaslamp setting of city states known as The Dominion. The girl is horribly mutilated with a strange numbered tattoo on the back of her neck. Where she could have come from and what caused her to be found there is a mystery. A mystery that becomes the central plot of this magnificently unputdownable book.
Tashue is one of those at the scene when the grisly discovery is made. As a Regulation Officer for the Regulation Authority, he is charged with making sure all of the laws are followed to the letter and those who are "tainted" with the Talent are accounted for and processed accordingly. Part of the process for those blessed (or cursed may be a more apt description) with the Talent is they must register and fall onto the radar of the Authority or be immediately sent to a maximum security facility known as the Rift, located on an island in the middle of the Brightwash. Think of it as a fantasy version of Alcatraz. Nobody knows entirely what takes place deep within the bowels of the Rift, but rumors of evil experiments and awful torture have been whispered on occasion.
Complicating things considerably for Tashue is the fact that his son Jason is one of those being kept in the Rift for the crime of refusing to register with the Regulation Authority. During Tashue's frequent visits he often attempts to convince his son to submit to registering because he is worried that one day Jason may end up a casualty of the rumors circulating about the facility.
As Tashue's thoughts increasingly drift back to the dead girl and her possible identity he is approached by someone who suggests that the girl found on the riverbank may not be an isolated case. Is someone or something mutilating children and tossing them into the Brightwash? And why does the ruling class of the city not seem to care about any of it? The same ruling class who look upon everyone else with utter contempt and view magic as something to be both cleansed and feared.
I try to avoid declarative statements when reviewing any book because I don't want to get in that habit and have it lose its effectiveness should I overdo it. But I really have never experienced a multifaceted book the likes of LEGACY OF THE BRIGHTWASH. This heartbreaking and powerful story affected me so viscerally. This is a book where the characters touch you so deeply, and as a result what happens to them creates a personal investment that not many books can produce. Right from the opening scene there was a connection between myself and Tashue. I felt the torment and conflict seep through his dialogue as it is obvious that he is torn between his dedication to the Regulation Authority and also his loyalty and love for his son Jason. How can the law be right if it is the same law that results in the imprisonment of his son for simply being born with a special gift?
The mystery of the dead tattooed girl is one that haunted me throughout this book, and still does now that I am finished. What is her identity? Who or what killed her? And what is the cryptic tattoo on the back of her neck? The investigation unfolds enticingly and I don't think I've read a 600+ page book as rapidly in my life because of it. Tashue's growing obsession with finding out the truth of her death was entirely equal to mine as the reader. I became so engrossed in the story that I felt actual hatred for the fat cat aristocracy. I so despised them that I almost forgot that they were fictional characters at times. Is there a better endorsement than that?
Another aspect that I really loved was the setting and world-building that Krystle Matar so deftly constructed. The Dominion, and Yaelsmuir in particular, is a very interesting gaslamp-era backdrop. These are some of my favorite types of settings in fantasy and it was a refreshing change from the usual epic and high fantasy worlds with dragons and warring kingdoms. Yes there is magic present and it is an important element of the story. The main driving force however, are the deeply fleshed-out yet flawed characters and the way in which they deal with their particular circumstances. The skillful complexity of Matar's character development is showcased beautifully throughout the book. There's also quite a bit of romance for those who enjoy some sauciness in their reads.
I'll conclude by saying that this book destroyed me in all of the best ways. It broke my heart, moved me to moments of intense anger but also hopefulness, and ultimately delivered one of the best stories I've ever read. If you skip this book you are really doing yourself a considerable disservice. Remarkable doesn't even begin to describe the depth and quality of Krystle Matar's LEGACY OF THE BRIGHTWASH. This should end up being THE must-read fantasy book of the year in my opinion.
The story begins ominously enough with a dead girl found washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, a river that runs through the city of Yaelsmuir in the Victorian/gaslamp setting of city states known as The Dominion. The girl is horribly mutilated with a strange numbered tattoo on the back of her neck. Where she could have come from and what caused her to be found there is a mystery. A mystery that becomes the central plot of this magnificently unputdownable book.
Tashue is one of those at the scene when the grisly discovery is made. As a Regulation Officer for the Regulation Authority, he is charged with making sure all of the laws are followed to the letter and those who are "tainted" with the Talent are accounted for and processed accordingly. Part of the process for those blessed (or cursed may be a more apt description) with the Talent is they must register and fall onto the radar of the Authority or be immediately sent to a maximum security facility known as the Rift, located on an island in the middle of the Brightwash. Think of it as a fantasy version of Alcatraz. Nobody knows entirely what takes place deep within the bowels of the Rift, but rumors of evil experiments and awful torture have been whispered on occasion.
Complicating things considerably for Tashue is the fact that his son Jason is one of those being kept in the Rift for the crime of refusing to register with the Regulation Authority. During Tashue's frequent visits he often attempts to convince his son to submit to registering because he is worried that one day Jason may end up a casualty of the rumors circulating about the facility.
As Tashue's thoughts increasingly drift back to the dead girl and her possible identity he is approached by someone who suggests that the girl found on the riverbank may not be an isolated case. Is someone or something mutilating children and tossing them into the Brightwash? And why does the ruling class of the city not seem to care about any of it? The same ruling class who look upon everyone else with utter contempt and view magic as something to be both cleansed and feared.
I try to avoid declarative statements when reviewing any book because I don't want to get in that habit and have it lose its effectiveness should I overdo it. But I really have never experienced a multifaceted book the likes of LEGACY OF THE BRIGHTWASH. This heartbreaking and powerful story affected me so viscerally. This is a book where the characters touch you so deeply, and as a result what happens to them creates a personal investment that not many books can produce. Right from the opening scene there was a connection between myself and Tashue. I felt the torment and conflict seep through his dialogue as it is obvious that he is torn between his dedication to the Regulation Authority and also his loyalty and love for his son Jason. How can the law be right if it is the same law that results in the imprisonment of his son for simply being born with a special gift?
The mystery of the dead tattooed girl is one that haunted me throughout this book, and still does now that I am finished. What is her identity? Who or what killed her? And what is the cryptic tattoo on the back of her neck? The investigation unfolds enticingly and I don't think I've read a 600+ page book as rapidly in my life because of it. Tashue's growing obsession with finding out the truth of her death was entirely equal to mine as the reader. I became so engrossed in the story that I felt actual hatred for the fat cat aristocracy. I so despised them that I almost forgot that they were fictional characters at times. Is there a better endorsement than that?
Another aspect that I really loved was the setting and world-building that Krystle Matar so deftly constructed. The Dominion, and Yaelsmuir in particular, is a very interesting gaslamp-era backdrop. These are some of my favorite types of settings in fantasy and it was a refreshing change from the usual epic and high fantasy worlds with dragons and warring kingdoms. Yes there is magic present and it is an important element of the story. The main driving force however, are the deeply fleshed-out yet flawed characters and the way in which they deal with their particular circumstances. The skillful complexity of Matar's character development is showcased beautifully throughout the book. There's also quite a bit of romance for those who enjoy some sauciness in their reads.
I'll conclude by saying that this book destroyed me in all of the best ways. It broke my heart, moved me to moments of intense anger but also hopefulness, and ultimately delivered one of the best stories I've ever read. If you skip this book you are really doing yourself a considerable disservice. Remarkable doesn't even begin to describe the depth and quality of Krystle Matar's LEGACY OF THE BRIGHTWASH. This should end up being THE must-read fantasy book of the year in my opinion.
December 27, 2021
My rating 4.7
Steam Fantasy novel "Legacy of the Brightwash (Tainted Dominion # 1)" by Krystle Matar is a well-written book that simply draws you into an interesting story through life characters whose destinies run through the interesting Steam fantasy world. The writer to whom this is the first book as far as I know has perfectly brought to life every character that is relevant to the whole story. A super love story between the main characters runs through the book and I really liked it. The world in which the action takes place is vivid and in places where ordinary people live in some places dark. It reminds me very much of Victorian English at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Now a little about the story:
Tashué is a soldier who has returned from the war and is trying to find his place in the post-war world. Tashué becomes a Regulation Officer who oversees people who have tainted (magic) and helps them fit into a society that doesn’t really accept them. Tashué's son and wife who did not want to accept compliance ended up in Rift Prison where the government holds unscrupulous. Tashué blindly believes the authorities to do the right thing and strictly rules the Regulation Officer, but finding a dead girl with torn limbs and a tattooed number on the back of his head on the bank of the Brightwash will change his life. As he continues to investigate the murder of the girl, more and more details will be revealed that something stinks below the surface. The authority to which he was loyal would increasingly reveal his dark side. But the more he discovers the truth, Tashué will create more and more enemies and his peaceful life will turn upside down. Everyone he loves will find themselves in danger and will have to balance on the blade of a knife to be able to save loved ones.
I would recommend the book to all fans of Steam Fantasy and romance.
Steam Fantasy novel "Legacy of the Brightwash (Tainted Dominion # 1)" by Krystle Matar is a well-written book that simply draws you into an interesting story through life characters whose destinies run through the interesting Steam fantasy world. The writer to whom this is the first book as far as I know has perfectly brought to life every character that is relevant to the whole story. A super love story between the main characters runs through the book and I really liked it. The world in which the action takes place is vivid and in places where ordinary people live in some places dark. It reminds me very much of Victorian English at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Now a little about the story:
Tashué is a soldier who has returned from the war and is trying to find his place in the post-war world. Tashué becomes a Regulation Officer who oversees people who have tainted (magic) and helps them fit into a society that doesn’t really accept them. Tashué's son and wife who did not want to accept compliance ended up in Rift Prison where the government holds unscrupulous. Tashué blindly believes the authorities to do the right thing and strictly rules the Regulation Officer, but finding a dead girl with torn limbs and a tattooed number on the back of his head on the bank of the Brightwash will change his life. As he continues to investigate the murder of the girl, more and more details will be revealed that something stinks below the surface. The authority to which he was loyal would increasingly reveal his dark side. But the more he discovers the truth, Tashué will create more and more enemies and his peaceful life will turn upside down. Everyone he loves will find themselves in danger and will have to balance on the blade of a knife to be able to save loved ones.
I would recommend the book to all fans of Steam Fantasy and romance.
April 9, 2023
All the way back in March 2022, I first picked up Legacy of the Brightwash on a complete whim and it became my favourite book of the year. Nothing managed to knock it off that spot for the remainder of the year, there was just something special about this story that stuck with me all that time. And ever since flipping that final page, the urge to re-read this absolute beauty of a book had been ever-increasing. So, with book 2 coming out in only a couple of weeks, I finally came back to this story and wow… this felt like coming home. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love this story even more than I already did, but here we are. This is simply the type of story that reminds me of why I love to read.
While this is a multi-POV fantasy, there’s just no denying that this is first and foremost Tashué Blackwood’s story. Our deeply flawed and complex protagonist has been working as a Regulation Officer for the past 20 or so years, which means it’s his job to look over and process the people with the Talent (or Taint, depending on who you ask). He has always blindly followed the law, but some recent personal life experiences are starting to crack his faith. This story kicks off when Tashué discovers a heavily mutilated corpse of a girl on the shore of the river, which no one but him appears to really care about. He takes it upon himself to investigate the case, but along the way he unearths truths he wasn’t sure he was willing to face.
So, you might think that the murder mystery is what kept me glued to the page, but I would have to say that you’d only be partly right. The slow-burn mystery was very compelling, but I wouldn’t say that it’s the main driving force of the story. Yes, it’s what sets everything in action and it leads to some shocking and heartbreaking revelations, but this book is so much more than ‘just a murder mystery’.
This is a very introspective and character-driven story about the brutality and (ironic) injustice of a justice system, about the cost of convenience, about fighting back against the system, and most of all, it’s a story about love and the hope for redemption.
Surprising absolutely nobody, the character work is my favourite aspect of this book. All of these characters, from the five main POV characters to the most minor side characters, are crafted with incredible emotional depth and complexity. They are all so beautifully and painfully human, which is probably why this story hits so hard. You will be able to see yourself in these characters, probably more than you’d like to admit (even to yourself), and that makes this such a powerful and soul-stirring reading experience. Matar really takes the time to sit in these characters’ feelings, allowing you to soak up their complicated emotions and experience the same emotional rollercoaster that they find themselves on.
And don’t even get me started on the character dynamics… absolutely unmatched, I LIVE FOR THIS LEVEL OF MESSINESS AND LOVE AND EMOTIONAL DESTRUCTION!! All the interpersonal relationships, be they platonic, familial or romantic, are just so unbelievably compelling and realistic. Seriously, this story is filled with love, heartbreak, joy, pain, desire, hurt, regrets... it's all there, ALL THE EMOTIONS.
All of these characters are somehow also just so unfairly sexy in their mannerisms… like, at this point I don’t know if I want to be them or want to be with them. There’s just this air of attraction and delicious sexual tension that I absolutely ate up. These characters live in my heart rent-free!
And for those who like a few spicy romantic scenes in their fantasy works, I can confirm that this has one of the best romances I have ever read... and that is coming from someone who despises romance.
Also, can’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the casual queerness here. You know, this might be a fucking dark and devastating world, but at least there’s no oppression based on sexuality and gender, we love to see it!
Now, while I can see how some people might find the pacing too slow (especially in the beginning), I think it was exactly what was needed to establish these characters and to build up the emotional investment. And then, when everything starts to escalate in the second half of the story, all the emotional gut punches and devastating revelations really land. This book just hurts so good, I love it.
Legacy of the Brightwash is easily one of the most compelling and emotionally engaging books I have ever read. Every single element of this genre-blendy gem of a book just works for me. The gaslamp atmosphere and grimy city setting, the murder mystery, the extremely flawed and complex characters with their messy and complicated relationships, the political scheming, the hard-hitting themes, the slow-burn romance, the found family vibes, the casual queerness, the soul-stirring prose… this book is just perfection to me. Absolute perfection.
So please, if you haven’t already given this book a shot, then do yourself a favour and buy it right now. Even if you think it might not be totally up your alley, I would still recommend just going in with an open mind and giving it a fair shot. I truly think it might just end up being one of the most pleasant surprises you could imagine. This book will be an all-time favourite from now until the day I die. I adore it and can’t recommend it highly enough.
While this is a multi-POV fantasy, there’s just no denying that this is first and foremost Tashué Blackwood’s story. Our deeply flawed and complex protagonist has been working as a Regulation Officer for the past 20 or so years, which means it’s his job to look over and process the people with the Talent (or Taint, depending on who you ask). He has always blindly followed the law, but some recent personal life experiences are starting to crack his faith. This story kicks off when Tashué discovers a heavily mutilated corpse of a girl on the shore of the river, which no one but him appears to really care about. He takes it upon himself to investigate the case, but along the way he unearths truths he wasn’t sure he was willing to face.
So, you might think that the murder mystery is what kept me glued to the page, but I would have to say that you’d only be partly right. The slow-burn mystery was very compelling, but I wouldn’t say that it’s the main driving force of the story. Yes, it’s what sets everything in action and it leads to some shocking and heartbreaking revelations, but this book is so much more than ‘just a murder mystery’.
This is a very introspective and character-driven story about the brutality and (ironic) injustice of a justice system, about the cost of convenience, about fighting back against the system, and most of all, it’s a story about love and the hope for redemption.
Surprising absolutely nobody, the character work is my favourite aspect of this book. All of these characters, from the five main POV characters to the most minor side characters, are crafted with incredible emotional depth and complexity. They are all so beautifully and painfully human, which is probably why this story hits so hard. You will be able to see yourself in these characters, probably more than you’d like to admit (even to yourself), and that makes this such a powerful and soul-stirring reading experience. Matar really takes the time to sit in these characters’ feelings, allowing you to soak up their complicated emotions and experience the same emotional rollercoaster that they find themselves on.
And don’t even get me started on the character dynamics… absolutely unmatched, I LIVE FOR THIS LEVEL OF MESSINESS AND LOVE AND EMOTIONAL DESTRUCTION!! All the interpersonal relationships, be they platonic, familial or romantic, are just so unbelievably compelling and realistic. Seriously, this story is filled with love, heartbreak, joy, pain, desire, hurt, regrets... it's all there, ALL THE EMOTIONS.
All of these characters are somehow also just so unfairly sexy in their mannerisms… like, at this point I don’t know if I want to be them or want to be with them. There’s just this air of attraction and delicious sexual tension that I absolutely ate up. These characters live in my heart rent-free!
And for those who like a few spicy romantic scenes in their fantasy works, I can confirm that this has one of the best romances I have ever read... and that is coming from someone who despises romance.
Also, can’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the casual queerness here. You know, this might be a fucking dark and devastating world, but at least there’s no oppression based on sexuality and gender, we love to see it!
Now, while I can see how some people might find the pacing too slow (especially in the beginning), I think it was exactly what was needed to establish these characters and to build up the emotional investment. And then, when everything starts to escalate in the second half of the story, all the emotional gut punches and devastating revelations really land. This book just hurts so good, I love it.
Legacy of the Brightwash is easily one of the most compelling and emotionally engaging books I have ever read. Every single element of this genre-blendy gem of a book just works for me. The gaslamp atmosphere and grimy city setting, the murder mystery, the extremely flawed and complex characters with their messy and complicated relationships, the political scheming, the hard-hitting themes, the slow-burn romance, the found family vibes, the casual queerness, the soul-stirring prose… this book is just perfection to me. Absolute perfection.
So please, if you haven’t already given this book a shot, then do yourself a favour and buy it right now. Even if you think it might not be totally up your alley, I would still recommend just going in with an open mind and giving it a fair shot. I truly think it might just end up being one of the most pleasant surprises you could imagine. This book will be an all-time favourite from now until the day I die. I adore it and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Read
February 24, 2024
“My son is imprisoned in the Rift, Mr. Finn. I come here three or four times a week to see him and most of the time he has fresh bruises. No new ones this time, thank the North Star. As long as my son is in this place, I don’t have ‘good’ nights.”
I fell face first into this story. I bought it a while back and cheered it on during the SPFBO finals because it just looked SO GOOD, but I haven’t had the time to read it until recently. AND NOW I’M ANNOYED I PUT IT OFF FOR SO LONG. I devoured 150 pages in one day. That rarely happens to me anymore because my attention span is a joke, lmao.
The smoky, magical, grim world of Krystle Matar’s Brightwash is a fitting follow up to my last read, A Handful of Souls (another SPFBO semi-finalist). Like A Handful of Souls, the Dominion Matar’s characters inhabit is a dark, brutal city, filled with oppression, secrets and tragedy. Each character has something to hide, something to run from, someone to protect. These characters are so real and actualised from the onset, and just amazing to read about. I felt like I was tugged into their universe from the very beginning.
“Everyone’s tired, Captain. Everyone is just bones and exhaustion in this city.”
SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE
The story starts with Captain Tashué Blackwood finding the body of a girl on the city’s riverbank and the series of events that follow. As he tries to solve the horrific crime, Tashué begins questioning everything he thought he knew about the world of the Dominion and those they call ‘tainted’ (or, as his son prefers, Talented).
Tashué is exactly the kind of character that I love because he’s so intricately thought out, but I did definitely want to scream at him multiple times throughout. Case in point: after his son Jason failed to register his Talent, he was arrested and thrown in a horrible prison called the Rift where all Talents are suppressed (and all inmates treated abysmally). And, like, UGH. PROTECT JASON AT ALL COSTS.
“His father is a stubborn man who stands by his beliefs, no matter the cost. Jason inherited that. And he believes that the Authority is an evil entity that will strip his humanity from him, so he defied them and got himself sent into the Rift.”
We start the book three years after Tashué watched his son be arrested and did nothing, and the years of Jason in prison have begun eating away at Tashué. He begs Jason to register, Jason refuses. He doesn’t want to sign his name on a document labelling him as ‘bad meat’. (With you, Jason buddy. I’m with you.) I definitely found myself struggling with Tashué’s reasoning and loyalties. It’s so, so clear that he loves his son and yet he JUST KEEPS GASLIGHTING HIMSELF. Not that it’s not believable, just that it’s so heartbreaking. So not what a father should do. Which is, of course, the point.
Every word hit Tashué like a fist. Queen of the common man, maybe, Queen of the ‘regular’ people, but even she clearly believed that people with Talent were people apart. To be managed. Jason had it, all along, back when Tashué still thought the Registration was for safety, to help people. Tainted, bad meat. Jason, I’m so fucking sorry.
And it was this scene that really made me cheer for the character development of Tashué in *checks notes* the first 153 pages. Like, we get such a deep dive into his mental civil wars with himself and I really enjoyed seeing him go from being someone I wanted to scream at to someone I was like YAS GO MY FRIEND, I AM AT YOUR SIDE FOR THE ENSUING SHENANIGANS.But still also kind of wanted to scream at and throw spoons at.
Look, he imagined Rainer saying, the man is so loyal to our ideals that he allowed his own son to be processed for refusing to register. An exemplary Officer, truly.
I really and truly loved the scene where Stella called Tashué out on just how badly he let Jason down. She laid it all out there and I loved her for it. For not letting him try and apologise his way out of it. But what I really loved about the scene was where Tashué broke. I wish, for Jason’s sake, that it had come earlier, but his speech to Stella just SHREDDED ME. He’s the most frustrating and infuriating character at times, but Christ I just loved his development and his angst and his need to fix things. No one was proved more wrong than Tashué and reading how deeply it ripped him apart was harrowing, but just, ugh, amazingly well done. Hats fucking off to Matar because I LOVED EVERY FUCKING WORD OF HIS SPEECH.
“I’ll carve off every piece of my own humanity if I have to, to keep him safe. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same! If you had to sit in front of your child and see how they’d been beaten, to watch the bruises and the cuts come and go and wonder if the next time will kill them, you would do the same fucking thing. You don’t know what it’s like to go into that place and look at your child through that fucking grate and watch them die in front of your eyes, diminishing in front of you. Judge me all you want for all the mistakes I’ve made, fine. Judge me for everything that led me and Jason to this point, fine. But don’t judge me for what I do now to try and undo the damage I’ve done!”
Poor Tashué. Poor, poor Tashué. Lad really needs so many hugs.
Hugs for the lot of them, really. I wanted to hug and protect Jason in every scene (and when he was off page! I wanted more of his POV!). He’s twenty years old, his father’s turned him in, he’s being beaten and starved - just PROTECT JASON AT ALL COSTS OKAY?!
And Lorne. Oh my gosh, Lorne. His devotion to Jason and Tashué is just wonderful to read about and I WANT ONLY GOOD THINGS FOR HIM. I have a terrible feeling that something bad is going to happen to one of them and it’s making for STRESSFUL READING. I adored Lorne and I really hope we get more of his POV in the next book. Him and Jason both.
GIVE THEM THEIR HAPPY ENDING.
Every shred of him got so hot in a fight that he was convinced part of his soul burned away. And in the quiet moments after, when he was trying to sleep and his whole body ached, his mind flashed him through all the fights he could still remember.
Now, Stella I loved from page one. Stella is Tashué’s latest charge to monitor on the register, and she’s full of secrets, and I just loved reading her POV. Her and her daughter are just precious. Stella works helping people, healing them magically undercover where and when she can. It’s easy to see why Tashué falls so fast for her.
What world was it if she let [the boy] die only because she was afraid for her own life? Living longer was not a good enough gift, not when an innocent child was in front of her and she had to choose.
And I totally shipped her and Tashué from the start. (Matar does an excellent job of showing Tashué’s inner turmoil regarding their power dynamic.) Stella is just such a good person through and through. And her scenes with Tashué were so adorable and wholesome. I really hope they get more happiness in the next book!
As for Illea ... From the get go I’ve been like,
Like, AT ALL. I am curious to see where the next book takes her, and what happens with her and Ishmael, but honestly I just want Ishmael to get on Team Leave the Fucking Dominion. Frustrating as he could be in places (WHERE WERE YOU AT THE END, DUDE?!!?) I adored Ishmael overall. He had a quiet presence despite being one of the most brazen and outspoken of the cast, and I loved his love for Tashué. (Which it doesn’t seem like Tashué appreciates? lmao. Cos his whole speech about Ishmael not loving anyone is a bit funny cos it’s obvious to EVERYONE that Ishmael loves him. Oi vey, someone hit Tashué with the awareness stick.
“Fuck them and their manners and their etiquette. I won’t diminish myself for their approval. I am who I am and I’m sitting at their fucking table anyway, aren’t I? And when the Queen wanted company last night, she sent for me.”
And the moments and exchanges between him and Tashué were filled with so much meaning and hinted-at history - I really hope we get more focus on their past in the next book. I HAVE QUESTIONS AND REQUIRE THESE TWO TO SORT THEIR STUFF OUT.
If you can’t tell by now, I adored the book. Characters that make me want to throw the book across the room because I want them to find joy are the best characters, honestly. \o/ And there are so many to love, root for and scream at in Brightwash.
Overall, the setting of this world is so unique and the take on fantasy and politics is both familiar and fresh. It’s a murder mystery set in a dark, gritty world that grows into something much bigger. The horrific opening act reveals something far, far worse lurking inside the Dominion and I’m really curious to see where it’ll go in the next book. Further, something I’m unflinchingly picky about is character development and relationships, and what I loved about Brightwash is how much time you get to spend getting to know the characters and the world. It’s a BIG CHONKY TOME of a novel and yet it reads quickly, never feeling heavy with info or taking too much time to get to the next point.
As magical and mysterious as Carnival Row, as upsetting and filled with warning as 1984, as harrowing and heartbreaking as The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, as powerful and painful as V For Vendetta, and as dark and twisty as The Alienist, Brightwash honestly blew me away.
☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆
I fell face first into this story. I bought it a while back and cheered it on during the SPFBO finals because it just looked SO GOOD, but I haven’t had the time to read it until recently. AND NOW I’M ANNOYED I PUT IT OFF FOR SO LONG. I devoured 150 pages in one day. That rarely happens to me anymore because my attention span is a joke, lmao.
The smoky, magical, grim world of Krystle Matar’s Brightwash is a fitting follow up to my last read, A Handful of Souls (another SPFBO semi-finalist). Like A Handful of Souls, the Dominion Matar’s characters inhabit is a dark, brutal city, filled with oppression, secrets and tragedy. Each character has something to hide, something to run from, someone to protect. These characters are so real and actualised from the onset, and just amazing to read about. I felt like I was tugged into their universe from the very beginning.
“Everyone’s tired, Captain. Everyone is just bones and exhaustion in this city.”
SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE
The story starts with Captain Tashué Blackwood finding the body of a girl on the city’s riverbank and the series of events that follow. As he tries to solve the horrific crime, Tashué begins questioning everything he thought he knew about the world of the Dominion and those they call ‘tainted’ (or, as his son prefers, Talented).
Tashué is exactly the kind of character that I love because he’s so intricately thought out, but I did definitely want to scream at him multiple times throughout. Case in point: after his son Jason failed to register his Talent, he was arrested and thrown in a horrible prison called the Rift where all Talents are suppressed (and all inmates treated abysmally). And, like, UGH. PROTECT JASON AT ALL COSTS.
“His father is a stubborn man who stands by his beliefs, no matter the cost. Jason inherited that. And he believes that the Authority is an evil entity that will strip his humanity from him, so he defied them and got himself sent into the Rift.”
We start the book three years after Tashué watched his son be arrested and did nothing, and the years of Jason in prison have begun eating away at Tashué. He begs Jason to register, Jason refuses. He doesn’t want to sign his name on a document labelling him as ‘bad meat’. (With you, Jason buddy. I’m with you.) I definitely found myself struggling with Tashué’s reasoning and loyalties. It’s so, so clear that he loves his son and yet he JUST KEEPS GASLIGHTING HIMSELF. Not that it’s not believable, just that it’s so heartbreaking. So not what a father should do. Which is, of course, the point.
Every word hit Tashué like a fist. Queen of the common man, maybe, Queen of the ‘regular’ people, but even she clearly believed that people with Talent were people apart. To be managed. Jason had it, all along, back when Tashué still thought the Registration was for safety, to help people. Tainted, bad meat. Jason, I’m so fucking sorry.
And it was this scene that really made me cheer for the character development of Tashué in *checks notes* the first 153 pages. Like, we get such a deep dive into his mental civil wars with himself and I really enjoyed seeing him go from being someone I wanted to scream at to someone I was like YAS GO MY FRIEND, I AM AT YOUR SIDE FOR THE ENSUING SHENANIGANS.
Look, he imagined Rainer saying, the man is so loyal to our ideals that he allowed his own son to be processed for refusing to register. An exemplary Officer, truly.
I really and truly loved the scene where Stella called Tashué out on just how badly he let Jason down. She laid it all out there and I loved her for it. For not letting him try and apologise his way out of it. But what I really loved about the scene was where Tashué broke. I wish, for Jason’s sake, that it had come earlier, but his speech to Stella just SHREDDED ME. He’s the most frustrating and infuriating character at times, but Christ I just loved his development and his angst and his need to fix things. No one was proved more wrong than Tashué and reading how deeply it ripped him apart was harrowing, but just, ugh, amazingly well done. Hats fucking off to Matar because I LOVED EVERY FUCKING WORD OF HIS SPEECH.
“I’ll carve off every piece of my own humanity if I have to, to keep him safe. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same! If you had to sit in front of your child and see how they’d been beaten, to watch the bruises and the cuts come and go and wonder if the next time will kill them, you would do the same fucking thing. You don’t know what it’s like to go into that place and look at your child through that fucking grate and watch them die in front of your eyes, diminishing in front of you. Judge me all you want for all the mistakes I’ve made, fine. Judge me for everything that led me and Jason to this point, fine. But don’t judge me for what I do now to try and undo the damage I’ve done!”
Poor Tashué. Poor, poor Tashué. Lad really needs so many hugs.
Hugs for the lot of them, really. I wanted to hug and protect Jason in every scene (and when he was off page! I wanted more of his POV!). He’s twenty years old, his father’s turned him in, he’s being beaten and starved - just PROTECT JASON AT ALL COSTS OKAY?!
And Lorne. Oh my gosh, Lorne. His devotion to Jason and Tashué is just wonderful to read about and I WANT ONLY GOOD THINGS FOR HIM. I have a terrible feeling that something bad is going to happen to one of them and it’s making for STRESSFUL READING. I adored Lorne and I really hope we get more of his POV in the next book. Him and Jason both.
GIVE THEM THEIR HAPPY ENDING.
Every shred of him got so hot in a fight that he was convinced part of his soul burned away. And in the quiet moments after, when he was trying to sleep and his whole body ached, his mind flashed him through all the fights he could still remember.
Now, Stella I loved from page one. Stella is Tashué’s latest charge to monitor on the register, and she’s full of secrets, and I just loved reading her POV. Her and her daughter are just precious. Stella works helping people, healing them magically undercover where and when she can. It’s easy to see why Tashué falls so fast for her.
What world was it if she let [the boy] die only because she was afraid for her own life? Living longer was not a good enough gift, not when an innocent child was in front of her and she had to choose.
And I totally shipped her and Tashué from the start. (Matar does an excellent job of showing Tashué’s inner turmoil regarding their power dynamic.) Stella is just such a good person through and through. And her scenes with Tashué were so adorable and wholesome. I really hope they get more happiness in the next book!
As for Illea ... From the get go I’ve been like,
Like, AT ALL. I am curious to see where the next book takes her, and what happens with her and Ishmael, but honestly I just want Ishmael to get on Team Leave the Fucking Dominion. Frustrating as he could be in places (WHERE WERE YOU AT THE END, DUDE?!!?) I adored Ishmael overall. He had a quiet presence despite being one of the most brazen and outspoken of the cast, and I loved his love for Tashué. (Which it doesn’t seem like Tashué appreciates? lmao. Cos his whole speech about Ishmael not loving anyone is a bit funny cos it’s obvious to EVERYONE that Ishmael loves him. Oi vey, someone hit Tashué with the awareness stick.
“Fuck them and their manners and their etiquette. I won’t diminish myself for their approval. I am who I am and I’m sitting at their fucking table anyway, aren’t I? And when the Queen wanted company last night, she sent for me.”
And the moments and exchanges between him and Tashué were filled with so much meaning and hinted-at history - I really hope we get more focus on their past in the next book. I HAVE QUESTIONS AND REQUIRE THESE TWO TO SORT THEIR STUFF OUT.
If you can’t tell by now, I adored the book. Characters that make me want to throw the book across the room because I want them to find joy are the best characters, honestly. \o/ And there are so many to love, root for and scream at in Brightwash.
Overall, the setting of this world is so unique and the take on fantasy and politics is both familiar and fresh. It’s a murder mystery set in a dark, gritty world that grows into something much bigger. The horrific opening act reveals something far, far worse lurking inside the Dominion and I’m really curious to see where it’ll go in the next book. Further, something I’m unflinchingly picky about is character development and relationships, and what I loved about Brightwash is how much time you get to spend getting to know the characters and the world. It’s a BIG CHONKY TOME of a novel and yet it reads quickly, never feeling heavy with info or taking too much time to get to the next point.
As magical and mysterious as Carnival Row, as upsetting and filled with warning as 1984, as harrowing and heartbreaking as The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, as powerful and painful as V For Vendetta, and as dark and twisty as The Alienist, Brightwash honestly blew me away.
☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆
May 4, 2022
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Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
It is my first time ever as a judge for SPFBO. I am not new to self published books as I have been reading them for the last few years. This was the last book I read for the competition so I feel I should say something about this whole thing. (Stick with me, I promise to get to the book eventually.)
When I first got into the reading world. I was one of those people who thought that self published books aren’t that good. A fact that I learned is very wrong since then and in fact, my favorite book of all time is a self published one! Nowadays the borders between self published and traditionally published books are disappearing. Sanderson’s latest kick-starter is just a huge proof of that.
I think there is a vehement risk taking that the author did with this book. It was a breath of fresh air. There is not anything typical about this book. I kept it for last because it is a chonky book (Some would argue it serves as a coaster too) and I heard mixed things about it. The book is just a mishmash of genres including fantasy, romance, mystery thriller and even politics and the author does her best to commit to all of these genres!
The prose is great. I found myself stopping at sentences and just wishing I could write as eloquently as Matar does. The writing is poetic but without overdoing it. The book is a big one but it was so easy to get into. There was a small part around 30-40% where things slowed down and I felt things needed to pick up soon or I would be bored but fortunately they did after that and I wasn’t bored at all. Actually, when I was reading the last chapter, I wanted more and did not want the book to really end.
I think what makes this book glow is really the characterization and the situations the chaarcters are put into. There is always a dilemma that reflects real life situation specially when it comes to the politics. Tashué is a very unique protagonist, he is a bit older than your typical hero, he is flawed and made a lot of mistakes in the past that he is willing to pay for. And it doesn’t stop at Tashué because the secondary characters are all fleshed out, from his broken son to the chaotic Ishamel and his addicted wife. There was a plethora of awesome characters throughout this book.
The book does have multiple plot threads and it sometimes jumps between them but I think it is all important to weave the final product and some of the acts seemed excessive until all it came together at a later point and gave me that “Aha” moment and thought it is just brilliant!
Summary: Is the Brightwash a good book? It is an absolute yes from me. I liked the writing, the characters and the plot lines and even that damned cliffhanger. I am happy -and perhaps this is a great thing about the competition- that we can always give points for trying new things!
Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7.
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
“It’s easy to say ‘should have’ once it’s already too late, isn’t it?”
It is my first time ever as a judge for SPFBO. I am not new to self published books as I have been reading them for the last few years. This was the last book I read for the competition so I feel I should say something about this whole thing. (Stick with me, I promise to get to the book eventually.)
When I first got into the reading world. I was one of those people who thought that self published books aren’t that good. A fact that I learned is very wrong since then and in fact, my favorite book of all time is a self published one! Nowadays the borders between self published and traditionally published books are disappearing. Sanderson’s latest kick-starter is just a huge proof of that.
I think there is a vehement risk taking that the author did with this book. It was a breath of fresh air. There is not anything typical about this book. I kept it for last because it is a chonky book (Some would argue it serves as a coaster too) and I heard mixed things about it. The book is just a mishmash of genres including fantasy, romance, mystery thriller and even politics and the author does her best to commit to all of these genres!
The prose is great. I found myself stopping at sentences and just wishing I could write as eloquently as Matar does. The writing is poetic but without overdoing it. The book is a big one but it was so easy to get into. There was a small part around 30-40% where things slowed down and I felt things needed to pick up soon or I would be bored but fortunately they did after that and I wasn’t bored at all. Actually, when I was reading the last chapter, I wanted more and did not want the book to really end.
“Some orders— some laws— aren’t worth the paper they’re written on, or the men and women who have to pay the price for them.”
I think what makes this book glow is really the characterization and the situations the chaarcters are put into. There is always a dilemma that reflects real life situation specially when it comes to the politics. Tashué is a very unique protagonist, he is a bit older than your typical hero, he is flawed and made a lot of mistakes in the past that he is willing to pay for. And it doesn’t stop at Tashué because the secondary characters are all fleshed out, from his broken son to the chaotic Ishamel and his addicted wife. There was a plethora of awesome characters throughout this book.
The book does have multiple plot threads and it sometimes jumps between them but I think it is all important to weave the final product and some of the acts seemed excessive until all it came together at a later point and gave me that “Aha” moment and thought it is just brilliant!
“Ishmael was so ridiculous. Were it not for the fact that he’d seen the deep well of darkness in the man himself, he would have thought that Ishmael didn’t take anything seriously. But he took everything seriously, and the charm and the jokes and the endless snacks were just his way to protect himself from his own anger.”
Summary: Is the Brightwash a good book? It is an absolute yes from me. I liked the writing, the characters and the plot lines and even that damned cliffhanger. I am happy -and perhaps this is a great thing about the competition- that we can always give points for trying new things!
Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7.
March 10, 2021
CW: Miscarriage, Addiction, Substance abuse, Prisoner abuse, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Police brutality, Racism, Torture
A body of a dead girl has washed up on the river bank, visibly mutilated. Her hair shaved close to the scalp with numbers tattooed on the back of her neck.
It isn't the job of Tashué Blackwood to investigate this case, he has his hands full with plenty of work and cases already as a Regulations officer for the Authority. It is his job as a tinman to make sure the "Tainted" are kept in their place, and if they aren't compliant it's off to the Rift, (The Residential Institute for Feral Tainted and Non Compliant) a place he knows too well as his son is locked away inside for not wanting to register is Talent.
But there is something about this girl and what has happened to her that eats at him. And no one else seems to care.
"What comfort was there to have a world where children has been abused so horribly and then discarded, and no one else seemed to care."
Tashué for nineteen years has been working this job and for nineteen years he has believed in all the things that the Authority stood for, but now he's not so sure.
"How was I suppose to know? My mother told me all my life follow the laws and you'll be safe"
Legacy of the Brightwash is a gritty and dark multiple point of view gaslight fantasy with a mystery through out. It is also a debut novel and if this quality of story and writing is a debut, I just have to say look out fantasy readers we are in for a treat with Krystle Matar.
The story from the start keeps you hooked. As you get sucked in the quicker you go through the pages and you don't realize that in the real world time has passed you by because you are too absorbed in the action, the lives of the characters and the story over all. Matar's writing both story and pacing is combination that keeps you turning the pages and wanting more.
Matar has written her characters very well. They are interesting, broken, full of emotion and they all have something that drives them. They way the author weaves the worldbuilding into the story paints a clear yet bleak picture.
I wish I had this in a physical format, it would be tabbed up so I can go back and re-read some of the beautiful quotes that I came across. The writing in this book is some of the best I've read. There are moments through out this book that I FELT. Krystle Matar knows how to write. The raw emotions that jumped from the page, the fire and passion, the force at which banter and other exchanges where being made. The characters feelings came across so powerful. They weren't just words on a page but feelings brought to life.
I cried, I gasped, laughed and I felt the fear, disgust and despair.
Bravo
Come check out my tour stop @ICanHasBooks? and enter to win a hardcover copy! Open International!!
A body of a dead girl has washed up on the river bank, visibly mutilated. Her hair shaved close to the scalp with numbers tattooed on the back of her neck.
It isn't the job of Tashué Blackwood to investigate this case, he has his hands full with plenty of work and cases already as a Regulations officer for the Authority. It is his job as a tinman to make sure the "Tainted" are kept in their place, and if they aren't compliant it's off to the Rift, (The Residential Institute for Feral Tainted and Non Compliant) a place he knows too well as his son is locked away inside for not wanting to register is Talent.
But there is something about this girl and what has happened to her that eats at him. And no one else seems to care.
"What comfort was there to have a world where children has been abused so horribly and then discarded, and no one else seemed to care."
Tashué for nineteen years has been working this job and for nineteen years he has believed in all the things that the Authority stood for, but now he's not so sure.
"How was I suppose to know? My mother told me all my life follow the laws and you'll be safe"
Legacy of the Brightwash is a gritty and dark multiple point of view gaslight fantasy with a mystery through out. It is also a debut novel and if this quality of story and writing is a debut, I just have to say look out fantasy readers we are in for a treat with Krystle Matar.
The story from the start keeps you hooked. As you get sucked in the quicker you go through the pages and you don't realize that in the real world time has passed you by because you are too absorbed in the action, the lives of the characters and the story over all. Matar's writing both story and pacing is combination that keeps you turning the pages and wanting more.
Matar has written her characters very well. They are interesting, broken, full of emotion and they all have something that drives them. They way the author weaves the worldbuilding into the story paints a clear yet bleak picture.
I wish I had this in a physical format, it would be tabbed up so I can go back and re-read some of the beautiful quotes that I came across. The writing in this book is some of the best I've read. There are moments through out this book that I FELT. Krystle Matar knows how to write. The raw emotions that jumped from the page, the fire and passion, the force at which banter and other exchanges where being made. The characters feelings came across so powerful. They weren't just words on a page but feelings brought to life.
I cried, I gasped, laughed and I felt the fear, disgust and despair.
Bravo
Come check out my tour stop @ICanHasBooks? and enter to win a hardcover copy! Open International!!
Read
October 29, 2021I haven't read this yet, but it has been chosen as one of 10 finalists from 300 entries to the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off ... so it must be good!
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https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Check it out.
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January 12, 2022
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2022/01...
I’ve been meaning to write this review for about a hundred years, so I apologize for the delay, but better late than never, right?
The Legacy of the Brightwash is a book I wasn’t sure I was going to like, and while I will say it’s not perfect (What is? Also, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: Perfect is boring.) it far exceeded my expectations, especially with characterization. I can see why it made the SPFBO finalist pool, and I’m glad it is getting the praise it is receiving.
As I mentioned, characterization is really where this book shines, sometimes at the cost of other elements, but honestly, that didn’t bother me in the least. To me, the most interesting stories are about people, and the best emotions are the raw ones, and this book really nails both of those aspects. In fact, I’ve already told a few of my authors I edit for to read this book as a great example of characterization. Even the secondary characters shine. It’s obvious that Matar’s primary focus are the people experiencing the events that transpire here. No detail is too small, nothing is overlooked. Everyone is real and vivid, complex, three-dimensional and full of emotional notes that are so raw and real, they breathe on and off the page.
This is a darker read, with a lot of trigger-potential here in the form of substance abuse, addiction and the like. Matar doesn’t hide from the harsh truths of life, the ugly, raw qualities or the dark depths the soul can travel to in times of greatest need. Her world is equally dark, and the atmosphere was spot on. I felt at once the beauty and possibility in her world, but also the darker currents that are pulling everything apart, fraying it all at the seams. This tug-of-war was at times subtle and spectacular. The creeping ominous sense of something is going to happen and it’s going to be massive was so real and pervasive it almost became a character all on its own.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is probably the one thing that I felt left the stage for a while in the book, but I also don’t really see how it could have been any other way, considering. That being said, I found it really fascinating how many different ways Matar connected people and events, strengthening and fraying bonds, using the past and the future to establish the now. I also loved how she thrust moral quandaries on her characters that had no clear or neat answer, and let those situations not only add depth to her characters, but to her world as well. So, if the mystery felt a little forgotten at points, I think we ultimately gained more for it and I was happy to sit back and just experience the characters as they lived, struggled, loved.
One of my favorite things is a careful pairing of beauty and pain. I love dark stories told lyrically, and that’s what you get here. The story is harrowing, and personal, and it will likely make you inspect the characters and yourself as you read. It’s the kind of book that opens you up until your soul pours out, and yet it never became overwhelming, likely because of that delicate balance between beauty and pain that that Matar struck so well. Stunning prose are married with elements of wonder, moments of deep, profound love and connection. The aspects of humanity that pull us through the dark times and make us keep going despite how low we feel. This silver lining is the balance this book needed to bring it from a good story, to a marvelous one.
In a lot of ways, this is both a story all on its own but also a setup for the rest of the series. There are enough questions answered to leave me feeling satisfied, and enough left hanging to keep me engaged and eagerly waiting for the rest of the series. I will say that readers who are more plot oriented might want to make note: This book does have plot, but it’s more a story about people, and if that sort of thing bothers you, go into this knowing what you are getting. There were times when I felt scenes went on a touch too long, or the plot was overlooked in favor of the characters. Ultimately, I think those were conscious decisions the author made, and they really worked for me because it felt true to the story she was telling (more, her love for her story really came through). If you’re more of a plot reader than a character one, though, that might bother you.
Ultimately, this book blew my socks off. It’s the exact kind of story I love to read and is probably one of the strongest debuts I’ve come across with characters that were so real, they became part of me.
I can’t wait for more.
I’ve been meaning to write this review for about a hundred years, so I apologize for the delay, but better late than never, right?
The Legacy of the Brightwash is a book I wasn’t sure I was going to like, and while I will say it’s not perfect (What is? Also, if I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: Perfect is boring.) it far exceeded my expectations, especially with characterization. I can see why it made the SPFBO finalist pool, and I’m glad it is getting the praise it is receiving.
As I mentioned, characterization is really where this book shines, sometimes at the cost of other elements, but honestly, that didn’t bother me in the least. To me, the most interesting stories are about people, and the best emotions are the raw ones, and this book really nails both of those aspects. In fact, I’ve already told a few of my authors I edit for to read this book as a great example of characterization. Even the secondary characters shine. It’s obvious that Matar’s primary focus are the people experiencing the events that transpire here. No detail is too small, nothing is overlooked. Everyone is real and vivid, complex, three-dimensional and full of emotional notes that are so raw and real, they breathe on and off the page.
This is a darker read, with a lot of trigger-potential here in the form of substance abuse, addiction and the like. Matar doesn’t hide from the harsh truths of life, the ugly, raw qualities or the dark depths the soul can travel to in times of greatest need. Her world is equally dark, and the atmosphere was spot on. I felt at once the beauty and possibility in her world, but also the darker currents that are pulling everything apart, fraying it all at the seams. This tug-of-war was at times subtle and spectacular. The creeping ominous sense of something is going to happen and it’s going to be massive was so real and pervasive it almost became a character all on its own.
The mystery at the heart of the novel is probably the one thing that I felt left the stage for a while in the book, but I also don’t really see how it could have been any other way, considering. That being said, I found it really fascinating how many different ways Matar connected people and events, strengthening and fraying bonds, using the past and the future to establish the now. I also loved how she thrust moral quandaries on her characters that had no clear or neat answer, and let those situations not only add depth to her characters, but to her world as well. So, if the mystery felt a little forgotten at points, I think we ultimately gained more for it and I was happy to sit back and just experience the characters as they lived, struggled, loved.
One of my favorite things is a careful pairing of beauty and pain. I love dark stories told lyrically, and that’s what you get here. The story is harrowing, and personal, and it will likely make you inspect the characters and yourself as you read. It’s the kind of book that opens you up until your soul pours out, and yet it never became overwhelming, likely because of that delicate balance between beauty and pain that that Matar struck so well. Stunning prose are married with elements of wonder, moments of deep, profound love and connection. The aspects of humanity that pull us through the dark times and make us keep going despite how low we feel. This silver lining is the balance this book needed to bring it from a good story, to a marvelous one.
In a lot of ways, this is both a story all on its own but also a setup for the rest of the series. There are enough questions answered to leave me feeling satisfied, and enough left hanging to keep me engaged and eagerly waiting for the rest of the series. I will say that readers who are more plot oriented might want to make note: This book does have plot, but it’s more a story about people, and if that sort of thing bothers you, go into this knowing what you are getting. There were times when I felt scenes went on a touch too long, or the plot was overlooked in favor of the characters. Ultimately, I think those were conscious decisions the author made, and they really worked for me because it felt true to the story she was telling (more, her love for her story really came through). If you’re more of a plot reader than a character one, though, that might bother you.
Ultimately, this book blew my socks off. It’s the exact kind of story I love to read and is probably one of the strongest debuts I’ve come across with characters that were so real, they became part of me.
I can’t wait for more.
September 8, 2021
Legacy of The Brightwash is an impressive debut. It blends elements of dark fantasy and romance with the murder mystery. Tashué Blackwood has been working as Regulation Officer for years, no questions asked. Even when the Authority condemned his son Jason for refusing to register as tainted, he did nothing. However, when a dead girl washes up on the banks of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated, something breaks in him. He starts looking for answers.
Need I add he does not like the answers?
Matar has created a dark world and an even darker story. Pain, grief, and despair affect Tashué’s actions and development. But so does love. For his son, his friends, and the woman he would do anything to protect. Even in his darkest moments, Tashué can rely on others. Which is interesting, because most (if not all) of the characters in Legacy are deeply hurt and angry people with tragic pasts. I appreciated they could find some peace just by being together and caring for each other.
There is no single antagonist in the book. The system is rotten and the desire to change it puts Tashue on a collision course with the National Tainted Registration Authority, powerful (and power-hungry) politicians, and the prejudices of the world he lives in. This makes his change much more difficult. Instead of simply kicking the bad guy, he has to rethink everything he used to believe in.
At its core, Legacy of The Brightwash is a devastating tale about love, sacrifice, and how indifference and prejudice can shape a community and set the lives of others on dark paths. Systematic oppression turned gifted with Talent into second-class citizens. Most people label them as tainted and don’t trust them. Forced to register with the Authority, they have limited freedoms and even fewer possibilities. They’re used as assets to develop Dominion and that’s it.
Matar’s writing style is elegant and rich. Even when she describes the gruesome details, she does so with sensitivity - the book is never exploitative.
I heartily recommend the novel. It’s intense, violent, and leaves a long-lasting impression. It makes the reader ask what comes next and when can they have it?
Need I add he does not like the answers?
Matar has created a dark world and an even darker story. Pain, grief, and despair affect Tashué’s actions and development. But so does love. For his son, his friends, and the woman he would do anything to protect. Even in his darkest moments, Tashué can rely on others. Which is interesting, because most (if not all) of the characters in Legacy are deeply hurt and angry people with tragic pasts. I appreciated they could find some peace just by being together and caring for each other.
There is no single antagonist in the book. The system is rotten and the desire to change it puts Tashue on a collision course with the National Tainted Registration Authority, powerful (and power-hungry) politicians, and the prejudices of the world he lives in. This makes his change much more difficult. Instead of simply kicking the bad guy, he has to rethink everything he used to believe in.
At its core, Legacy of The Brightwash is a devastating tale about love, sacrifice, and how indifference and prejudice can shape a community and set the lives of others on dark paths. Systematic oppression turned gifted with Talent into second-class citizens. Most people label them as tainted and don’t trust them. Forced to register with the Authority, they have limited freedoms and even fewer possibilities. They’re used as assets to develop Dominion and that’s it.
Matar’s writing style is elegant and rich. Even when she describes the gruesome details, she does so with sensitivity - the book is never exploitative.
I heartily recommend the novel. It’s intense, violent, and leaves a long-lasting impression. It makes the reader ask what comes next and when can they have it?
April 29, 2022
5 stars.
Holy shit this was so good. I try to use more "professional" language in my reviews, but I don't have other words to describe my feelings for this book. The writing was incredible...I've highlighted SO MANY passages in this book and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can tab them all and see them physically.
I feel like this book simply spoke to my soul. I cried, I laughed, and I felt extremely immersed in the world every time I picked it up. Themes of government power, insidious laws, and the struggle of those trying to survive combined with a main character on a journey to find their own moral compass and lots of whiskey had me hooked from page one. This is a book that will make you look inwards at yourself and question what it means to give or receive justice. All of the characters in this book are deeply flawed and beautifully crafted; I feel like I know them personally. Which made it even harder as they go through some harrowing experiences and some of the scenes of suffering are etched into my brain. However, these are balanced by small pockets of joy and a beautifully written romance, so you always feel that glimmer of hope hovering amid the darkness of this world.
The political machinations were also extremely well executed and I found myself shocked by quite a few of the reveals at the end. Speaking of the ending, I am DISTRAUGHT. I must know what happens next immediately...the next installment cant come quick enough!
If you don't have this book on your radar, you need to. I will be yelling at everyone to pick this up until it gets the recognition it deserves.
NOTE; A BIG trigger warning for death and harm to children.
Holy shit this was so good. I try to use more "professional" language in my reviews, but I don't have other words to describe my feelings for this book. The writing was incredible...I've highlighted SO MANY passages in this book and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can tab them all and see them physically.
I feel like this book simply spoke to my soul. I cried, I laughed, and I felt extremely immersed in the world every time I picked it up. Themes of government power, insidious laws, and the struggle of those trying to survive combined with a main character on a journey to find their own moral compass and lots of whiskey had me hooked from page one. This is a book that will make you look inwards at yourself and question what it means to give or receive justice. All of the characters in this book are deeply flawed and beautifully crafted; I feel like I know them personally. Which made it even harder as they go through some harrowing experiences and some of the scenes of suffering are etched into my brain. However, these are balanced by small pockets of joy and a beautifully written romance, so you always feel that glimmer of hope hovering amid the darkness of this world.
The political machinations were also extremely well executed and I found myself shocked by quite a few of the reveals at the end. Speaking of the ending, I am DISTRAUGHT. I must know what happens next immediately...the next installment cant come quick enough!
If you don't have this book on your radar, you need to. I will be yelling at everyone to pick this up until it gets the recognition it deserves.
NOTE; A BIG trigger warning for death and harm to children.
January 29, 2021
Absolutely fantastic! An absorbing work of urban fantasy, crime, everyday struggles and many other things! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading, it easily gets my seal of approval! Yaelsmuir is an amazing creation, populated by some endearing and wonderful characters and what a fine example of character driven fantasy awaits you! A full review will be on my blog soon.
March 11, 2021
Krystle Matar's debut has been garnering much attention in the book community of late, with everyone raving about how good this book is. So, when you come to a book that has had so much positive attention, there is a little trepidation, hoping that as a reviewer, you are going to find the same positive aspects of the book
However, after finishing the book, I can see why there have been so many positive reviews of 'The Legacy of the Brightwash'. It is an exceptional debut that brings something that I have not seen previously to the fantasy genre, and I have to say that Krystle Matar has done something that I didn’t quite expect. She surprised me! Now, let me tell you, I have been reading fantasy since I was a teen, so without giving my age away, that is a pretty long time, and one of the downfalls of reading fantasy for an extensive amount of time is that you tend to see the echoes of other authors or the influence of such and such. However, I didn't get this with Legacy of the Brightwash.
Legacy of the Brightwash is a mixture of crime novel and fantasy set in the Victorian City of Yaelsmuir, that seemed to me to be a mixture of Victorian London, but also brought to my mind a Canadian frontiership.
I like this world that Kyrstle Matar has built in the book. I like it a lot! It’s harsh and unforgiving, but additionally Krystle Matar has built it with such precision that she knows every blade of grass in the world. On the one hand she will show the disparity between the opulent ruling classes and then switch to the hand to mouth environment of the poor of the city. It is such a well constructed environment. So well constructed that you can smell the spices of the sausages in the market that Tashue and Stella eat when they visit the market place in the book, to the sweat and blood of the fighting pits.
And that brings me to the characters. As you can guess, the two main characters are Tahsue and Stella. However, there is a full supporting cast in the book and at times we follow their point of view, like Ishmael or Tashue’s son, Jason, but the main points of view revolve around Tashue and Stella. I have to say that Krystle Matar does not waste a single character in the book. Each individual is fully fleshed out and seems like a real person. In all honesty, all the characters were so well crafted that they simply walked off the page and took up residence in my imagination.
The plot of the book is excellent. Like I said,it’s a mixture of crime drama and fantasy, and to be honest this works immensely well. The story starts with the washed up body of a dismembered child on the banks of the Brightwash of the story. It seems that dead bodies washing up on the banks of the river are not particularly uncommon and the girl is treated the same as the regular flotsam and jetson that is generally washed up. Initially, there is a crowd watching the proceedings, but you get the feeling that no - one actually cares, even the local constabulary, that is until Captain Tashue Blackwood of the National Tainted Registration Authority takes charge of the investigation, even though it is not his job, against the advice of his lieutenant, Kazrani.
This leads him to investigate the death of this young girl, and he becomes involved in an investigation that could lead him to the higher echelons of the Dominion, the cruel and oppressive government of Yaelsmuir.
On top of that, Tashue is railroaded into the political machinations of local politician in his run for mayor which leads him to become involved with femme fatal Illea Winter, who along with Tahue’s former military commander, Nathaniel Wolfe believes that Tashue’s exemplary mitlatry background would help bolster the career of Illea’s husband.
You get the feeling that when we start the book, that whilst Tashue is an individual that can take care of himself, he is a bit of a bystander in his own life. He seems to go where the situation leads him, but he has no real convictions. He seems a bit lost, and it is not until he becomes involved with Stella that he actually starts to come to life.
Phew, that’s enough for one book isn’t it. But not for Krystle Matar, because she introduces one of the most interesting aspects of the book that really intrigued me.
Obviously, this is fantasy, and any good fantasy needs some magic. And Krystle Matar does something quite interesting with the magic. Whilst at this precise time, the magic system is not particularly intricate. However, the Dominion uses the magic of the tainted (the magic users of the book) as the literal battery of the Dominion Empire, powering engines and vehicles etc. People who use magic are seen as subhuman and if they do not register as magic users are thrown into jail, much like Tashue’s son Jason. In addition to this, they are forced into breeding programs or if they are free, they are monitored to make sure they are following the rules that are assigned by the Dominion. Throughout the story, people with magic are treated awfully, and the vile attitudes of the Dominion are so pervasive they seep into the foundations of the city. I mean, there are obvious real world connotations in this aspect of the story. However, Krystle Matar handles this with care and sensitivity, without failing to highlight the brutality and the hypocrisy of these attitudes.
Now my final point to make, is the romance. Yes, there is romance in the book, and it can get quite steamy at times. Let me tell, generally, when it comes to romance, I will generally run the other way. However, I didn’t mind this aspect of the story and it adds to the depth of the characters.
I think you can guess I like this book, I like this book a helluva lot and it is definitely up there as one of my favorite books of the year. I simply cannot believe that this book is a debut, as Krystle Matar’s writing is so accomplished it is ridiculous. There is such a depth to her prose! Goodness knows what she is going to do next but I will be jostling my way through the multitude of admirers to get to the front and get my copy.
However, after finishing the book, I can see why there have been so many positive reviews of 'The Legacy of the Brightwash'. It is an exceptional debut that brings something that I have not seen previously to the fantasy genre, and I have to say that Krystle Matar has done something that I didn’t quite expect. She surprised me! Now, let me tell you, I have been reading fantasy since I was a teen, so without giving my age away, that is a pretty long time, and one of the downfalls of reading fantasy for an extensive amount of time is that you tend to see the echoes of other authors or the influence of such and such. However, I didn't get this with Legacy of the Brightwash.
Legacy of the Brightwash is a mixture of crime novel and fantasy set in the Victorian City of Yaelsmuir, that seemed to me to be a mixture of Victorian London, but also brought to my mind a Canadian frontiership.
I like this world that Kyrstle Matar has built in the book. I like it a lot! It’s harsh and unforgiving, but additionally Krystle Matar has built it with such precision that she knows every blade of grass in the world. On the one hand she will show the disparity between the opulent ruling classes and then switch to the hand to mouth environment of the poor of the city. It is such a well constructed environment. So well constructed that you can smell the spices of the sausages in the market that Tashue and Stella eat when they visit the market place in the book, to the sweat and blood of the fighting pits.
And that brings me to the characters. As you can guess, the two main characters are Tahsue and Stella. However, there is a full supporting cast in the book and at times we follow their point of view, like Ishmael or Tashue’s son, Jason, but the main points of view revolve around Tashue and Stella. I have to say that Krystle Matar does not waste a single character in the book. Each individual is fully fleshed out and seems like a real person. In all honesty, all the characters were so well crafted that they simply walked off the page and took up residence in my imagination.
The plot of the book is excellent. Like I said,it’s a mixture of crime drama and fantasy, and to be honest this works immensely well. The story starts with the washed up body of a dismembered child on the banks of the Brightwash of the story. It seems that dead bodies washing up on the banks of the river are not particularly uncommon and the girl is treated the same as the regular flotsam and jetson that is generally washed up. Initially, there is a crowd watching the proceedings, but you get the feeling that no - one actually cares, even the local constabulary, that is until Captain Tashue Blackwood of the National Tainted Registration Authority takes charge of the investigation, even though it is not his job, against the advice of his lieutenant, Kazrani.
This leads him to investigate the death of this young girl, and he becomes involved in an investigation that could lead him to the higher echelons of the Dominion, the cruel and oppressive government of Yaelsmuir.
On top of that, Tashue is railroaded into the political machinations of local politician in his run for mayor which leads him to become involved with femme fatal Illea Winter, who along with Tahue’s former military commander, Nathaniel Wolfe believes that Tashue’s exemplary mitlatry background would help bolster the career of Illea’s husband.
You get the feeling that when we start the book, that whilst Tashue is an individual that can take care of himself, he is a bit of a bystander in his own life. He seems to go where the situation leads him, but he has no real convictions. He seems a bit lost, and it is not until he becomes involved with Stella that he actually starts to come to life.
Phew, that’s enough for one book isn’t it. But not for Krystle Matar, because she introduces one of the most interesting aspects of the book that really intrigued me.
Obviously, this is fantasy, and any good fantasy needs some magic. And Krystle Matar does something quite interesting with the magic. Whilst at this precise time, the magic system is not particularly intricate. However, the Dominion uses the magic of the tainted (the magic users of the book) as the literal battery of the Dominion Empire, powering engines and vehicles etc. People who use magic are seen as subhuman and if they do not register as magic users are thrown into jail, much like Tashue’s son Jason. In addition to this, they are forced into breeding programs or if they are free, they are monitored to make sure they are following the rules that are assigned by the Dominion. Throughout the story, people with magic are treated awfully, and the vile attitudes of the Dominion are so pervasive they seep into the foundations of the city. I mean, there are obvious real world connotations in this aspect of the story. However, Krystle Matar handles this with care and sensitivity, without failing to highlight the brutality and the hypocrisy of these attitudes.
Now my final point to make, is the romance. Yes, there is romance in the book, and it can get quite steamy at times. Let me tell, generally, when it comes to romance, I will generally run the other way. However, I didn’t mind this aspect of the story and it adds to the depth of the characters.
I think you can guess I like this book, I like this book a helluva lot and it is definitely up there as one of my favorite books of the year. I simply cannot believe that this book is a debut, as Krystle Matar’s writing is so accomplished it is ridiculous. There is such a depth to her prose! Goodness knows what she is going to do next but I will be jostling my way through the multitude of admirers to get to the front and get my copy.
July 19, 2024
Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar
4/5 stars
Legacy of the Brightwash is the brilliant debut book of Krystle Matar. She truly wrote one heck of a book. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a book that has so much heart. It's a fantasy twisted with a murder mystery. It's about finding out who you are at your core and how far you are willing to go to get to the truth. I absolutely loved that.
In LOTB we follow Tashué Blackwood, he is a Regulation Officer. 3 years ago he stood by while his son was condemned for non compliance and sent to the Rift. And that had a huge impact on him. He desperately wants his son to admit he is tainted and get a job. But Jason is strong and fierce and he doesn't want to sell his soul to the devil. While his son has strong convictions Tashué believes in the system and is a proud officer who loves his job and loves spending time with his co-workers to make the world a better and more balanced place.
But everything changes when a mutilated body of a young girl washes ashore on the Brightwash. Her arms and legs are cut off and she has deep festering wounds. She also has a number tattooed on the back of her neck. Tashué instantly wants to take control of the scene and figure out what happened to the young girl. The patrollers arrive. They have jurisdiction over the body and want to handle is quickly without any investigation. Only Jonhan Kiplar listens to Tashué and together they question some of the bystanders. But they don't get far because the patrollers refuse to investigate. But Tashué cannot leave it alone and it lingers in his mind.
LOTB is written with multiple points of view. And I really liked that a lot. We get to know Stella and her daughter Ceridwen. They live next to Tashué and the three of them have a special bond. Something blossoms between Stella and Tashué, but Tashué is afraid to give in. He wants to protect them above all. But he freely gives his all to 10 year old Ceridwen. Right from the get go he is a father figure to her. And their bond throughout the book was one of my favorites to follow.
We also follow Jason's story. My heart broke every time Tashué came to visit. Everytime his son was beaten up while denying everything. Not giving in and sticking to his morals. I admire his strong soul so much. And even though he is locked up. The bond he has with Lorne was so strong and beautiful to read.
Jason's mother Keoh is locked up in the breeding program. She gave birth to several living children. But also had a lot of miscarriages in a row. Keoh has always been addicted to opiods. And even though she is in the breeding program, they also feed her opioids that are killing her slowly.
We also have chapters through the eyes of some of his co-workers. And some other characters. I really loved all the insights and details those chapters provided. But we predominantly read through Tashué's eyes.
When Tashué gets a promotion. Very reluctantly. Things change quickly. He starts to doubt the system that is in place the further he investigates the death of the girl. He gets in touch with a reporter. And finds out another body was found a month earlier.
The deeper he gets in the investigation the more my heart broke.
The plot is heartbreaking and so freaking gruesome.
But he doesn't only find out what happened to the children. He also learns a lot from Stella's story and her character arc. The world isn't what it seems. And his views change completely.
I love the entire journey Tashué went on. And this debut novel is so good! The writing style was so inviting and it was so easy to get lost in the story. And the ending! Man! I really want to read the second one straight away to see where this story goes and how it all develops further.
The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the overall pacing of the book. I absolutely loved the ending and the pace the last 100 pages had. But the start of the book was rather slow. It's a big and thick book. And while I don't mind those kinds of books (I love the Outlander books and The Name of the Wind) I wish the pacing at the start of the book was a bit quicker. I think less details and more story driven chapters would have benefitted the pace of the story. At the start I could put the book down easily. And I got a bit lost with all the names and how the whole system worked at first. So personally I would have loved to see the book shortened down a bit at the start to improve the pace and the murder mystery. But once the ball got rolling I got swept up in the story and I just couldn't put it down!
So 4 huge stars from me for this brilliant book!
4/5 stars
Legacy of the Brightwash is the brilliant debut book of Krystle Matar. She truly wrote one heck of a book. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a book that has so much heart. It's a fantasy twisted with a murder mystery. It's about finding out who you are at your core and how far you are willing to go to get to the truth. I absolutely loved that.
In LOTB we follow Tashué Blackwood, he is a Regulation Officer. 3 years ago he stood by while his son was condemned for non compliance and sent to the Rift. And that had a huge impact on him. He desperately wants his son to admit he is tainted and get a job. But Jason is strong and fierce and he doesn't want to sell his soul to the devil. While his son has strong convictions Tashué believes in the system and is a proud officer who loves his job and loves spending time with his co-workers to make the world a better and more balanced place.
But everything changes when a mutilated body of a young girl washes ashore on the Brightwash. Her arms and legs are cut off and she has deep festering wounds. She also has a number tattooed on the back of her neck. Tashué instantly wants to take control of the scene and figure out what happened to the young girl. The patrollers arrive. They have jurisdiction over the body and want to handle is quickly without any investigation. Only Jonhan Kiplar listens to Tashué and together they question some of the bystanders. But they don't get far because the patrollers refuse to investigate. But Tashué cannot leave it alone and it lingers in his mind.
LOTB is written with multiple points of view. And I really liked that a lot. We get to know Stella and her daughter Ceridwen. They live next to Tashué and the three of them have a special bond. Something blossoms between Stella and Tashué, but Tashué is afraid to give in. He wants to protect them above all. But he freely gives his all to 10 year old Ceridwen. Right from the get go he is a father figure to her. And their bond throughout the book was one of my favorites to follow.
We also follow Jason's story. My heart broke every time Tashué came to visit. Everytime his son was beaten up while denying everything. Not giving in and sticking to his morals. I admire his strong soul so much. And even though he is locked up. The bond he has with Lorne was so strong and beautiful to read.
Jason's mother Keoh is locked up in the breeding program. She gave birth to several living children. But also had a lot of miscarriages in a row. Keoh has always been addicted to opiods. And even though she is in the breeding program, they also feed her opioids that are killing her slowly.
We also have chapters through the eyes of some of his co-workers. And some other characters. I really loved all the insights and details those chapters provided. But we predominantly read through Tashué's eyes.
When Tashué gets a promotion. Very reluctantly. Things change quickly. He starts to doubt the system that is in place the further he investigates the death of the girl. He gets in touch with a reporter. And finds out another body was found a month earlier.
The deeper he gets in the investigation the more my heart broke.
The plot is heartbreaking and so freaking gruesome.
But he doesn't only find out what happened to the children. He also learns a lot from Stella's story and her character arc. The world isn't what it seems. And his views change completely.
I love the entire journey Tashué went on. And this debut novel is so good! The writing style was so inviting and it was so easy to get lost in the story. And the ending! Man! I really want to read the second one straight away to see where this story goes and how it all develops further.
The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the overall pacing of the book. I absolutely loved the ending and the pace the last 100 pages had. But the start of the book was rather slow. It's a big and thick book. And while I don't mind those kinds of books (I love the Outlander books and The Name of the Wind) I wish the pacing at the start of the book was a bit quicker. I think less details and more story driven chapters would have benefitted the pace of the story. At the start I could put the book down easily. And I got a bit lost with all the names and how the whole system worked at first. So personally I would have loved to see the book shortened down a bit at the start to improve the pace and the murder mystery. But once the ball got rolling I got swept up in the story and I just couldn't put it down!
So 4 huge stars from me for this brilliant book!
March 16, 2021
A person without scars is a person who hasn’t lived much.
It has taken me a while to compose myself long enough to sit down and write this review. There is so much that I could say about Legacy of the Brightwash, so many things that I absolutely adored, and it’s not often that I am moved to silence by something. Krystle Matar has written something truly magical, a tour de force of character building which makes me yearn to be in her world, if only to meet Tashué and crew personally.
The characterization on display throughout Legacy of the Brightwash is some of the best that I have ever seen. The entire cast, down to the characters with the least amount of page time, feel like real people. Krystle has managed to breathe actual life into her world and I truly feel like I know Tashué, Stella, Jason, and all the rest. The interpersonal relationships are filled with nuance and history, and often pathos. Tashué is not a young man when we meet him. He has lived a life full of hardship, heartbreak, and loss, and so have many of the other characters. Our heroes show their scars, from the grizzled war hero to the single mother on the run from her past to the son paying for the mistakes of his father. Innocence flows from the world as swiftly as the currents of the Brightwash flow through the city of Yaelsmuir. One thing that I found really refreshing is the absence of the militant revolutionary from humble beginnings, rising up to take the fight to the bourgeoisie. Tashué is a cog in the machine of empire, a loyal G-man, and yet when he finds out that the government which he gave so much of himself to is not as infallible as he once believed, he doesn’t take out his gun and assassinate the rulers, he goes to the press. There is something to be admired there, I think.
Stella knew enough about loss and grief to know that you never really recovered, so much as you learnt to go on living even though you were falling apart.
The world that our characters inhabit influences them as much as the things they have lived through. Yaelsmuir, the Victorian-esque gaslamp city in which the story takes place, and the Dominion proper is one of those eerily prescient constructs in fantasy that mirror real life in so many ways that you wonder if the author has some foreknowledge of what is to come. A bureaucratic, imperialist nightmare constantly taking from the poor to fund their foreign wars of expansion, and yet also one in which genuinely good people work to try to fix things. Laws are written and rewritten, politicians jostle for ranking, and crime syndicates undermine everything while favors are traded for a blind eye.
While a lot of the some 700 pages of Legacy of the Brightwash are taken up by exposition and dialogue, there is also plenty of action and quite a bit of steaminess between various characters. This is not a boring book, with new revelations and twists flying at you at every turn. Most of the action comes in the form of pugilistic scraps, gunfire, city-wide foot chases, and one particularly spectacular explosion. It also features one of the most believable romances that I’ve ever read. I don’t normally “go��� for romance in fantasy, as it’s often cheesy or unrealistic, but Krystle handles it with deftness and grace. Tashué and Stella can sit proudly next to the best of the best.
There were some people in your life that you searched for constantly, praying that they would appear just so that you could know they still graced the world.
I also want to mention some of the social commentary that is woven into the story. A lot of narrative focus is placed on the other. Front and foremost are the Tainted, or the Talented depending on who you ask. These are the people who are born with magic and have “quickened”, or reached magical maturity. Talent/Taint can be bent to many things depending on skill, training, and raw potential, such as healing or even powering the different technologies that the Dominion relies on (i.e., the brights, a type of clean burning light source, and the powered train the runs through Yaelsmuir.) Even so, the talented are officially known as the Tainted and are required to register with the Regulation Authority, the branch of government whose sole purpose is to control them, after which they have their own personal Regulation Officer (like Tashué) assigned to watch their every move to ensure that they are always in compliance with the law. They are not allowed to have unapproved use of their magic, they are forbidden from unapproved fraternization, and they must always perform the job they were assigned. Failure to comply leads to imprisonment in the Rift, the Residential Institute for Feral Tainted, a sort of Alcatraz style stone fortress in the middle of the Brightwash, or maybe the Directed Breeding Program, where the powerful are forced to pump out child after child for the Dominion to take and bend to their will. The Talented/Tainted are thus dehumanized, made less than so that the Authority can exploit their abilities for their gain. More subtly though, Krystle tackles issues of race, colonialism, cultural identity, and non-heteronormativity.
This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story full of pain, betrayal, love and found family and friendship, of sacrifice and reclamation, and of what depths a parent will reach to protect their child. Not a word is wasted here, with everything written lending a depth of character and storytelling that I don’t often see. Books like this make me believe in the magic of storytelling, cementing in me the idea that reading can be a transformative experience. Legacy of the Brightwash is as close to perfection as a book can get.
And in the quiet moments after, when he was trying to sleep and his whole body ached, his mind flashed him through all the fights he could still remember. But instead of clear pictures and rational thoughts, it was just a jumble of pain and blood and guilt. Because the fights in Cattle Bone Bay ended with a count and the ring of a bell. The fights before ended in graves.
You can read this and other reviews (and more!) at FanFiAddict.com.
It has taken me a while to compose myself long enough to sit down and write this review. There is so much that I could say about Legacy of the Brightwash, so many things that I absolutely adored, and it’s not often that I am moved to silence by something. Krystle Matar has written something truly magical, a tour de force of character building which makes me yearn to be in her world, if only to meet Tashué and crew personally.
The characterization on display throughout Legacy of the Brightwash is some of the best that I have ever seen. The entire cast, down to the characters with the least amount of page time, feel like real people. Krystle has managed to breathe actual life into her world and I truly feel like I know Tashué, Stella, Jason, and all the rest. The interpersonal relationships are filled with nuance and history, and often pathos. Tashué is not a young man when we meet him. He has lived a life full of hardship, heartbreak, and loss, and so have many of the other characters. Our heroes show their scars, from the grizzled war hero to the single mother on the run from her past to the son paying for the mistakes of his father. Innocence flows from the world as swiftly as the currents of the Brightwash flow through the city of Yaelsmuir. One thing that I found really refreshing is the absence of the militant revolutionary from humble beginnings, rising up to take the fight to the bourgeoisie. Tashué is a cog in the machine of empire, a loyal G-man, and yet when he finds out that the government which he gave so much of himself to is not as infallible as he once believed, he doesn’t take out his gun and assassinate the rulers, he goes to the press. There is something to be admired there, I think.
Stella knew enough about loss and grief to know that you never really recovered, so much as you learnt to go on living even though you were falling apart.
The world that our characters inhabit influences them as much as the things they have lived through. Yaelsmuir, the Victorian-esque gaslamp city in which the story takes place, and the Dominion proper is one of those eerily prescient constructs in fantasy that mirror real life in so many ways that you wonder if the author has some foreknowledge of what is to come. A bureaucratic, imperialist nightmare constantly taking from the poor to fund their foreign wars of expansion, and yet also one in which genuinely good people work to try to fix things. Laws are written and rewritten, politicians jostle for ranking, and crime syndicates undermine everything while favors are traded for a blind eye.
While a lot of the some 700 pages of Legacy of the Brightwash are taken up by exposition and dialogue, there is also plenty of action and quite a bit of steaminess between various characters. This is not a boring book, with new revelations and twists flying at you at every turn. Most of the action comes in the form of pugilistic scraps, gunfire, city-wide foot chases, and one particularly spectacular explosion. It also features one of the most believable romances that I’ve ever read. I don’t normally “go��� for romance in fantasy, as it’s often cheesy or unrealistic, but Krystle handles it with deftness and grace. Tashué and Stella can sit proudly next to the best of the best.
There were some people in your life that you searched for constantly, praying that they would appear just so that you could know they still graced the world.
I also want to mention some of the social commentary that is woven into the story. A lot of narrative focus is placed on the other. Front and foremost are the Tainted, or the Talented depending on who you ask. These are the people who are born with magic and have “quickened”, or reached magical maturity. Talent/Taint can be bent to many things depending on skill, training, and raw potential, such as healing or even powering the different technologies that the Dominion relies on (i.e., the brights, a type of clean burning light source, and the powered train the runs through Yaelsmuir.) Even so, the talented are officially known as the Tainted and are required to register with the Regulation Authority, the branch of government whose sole purpose is to control them, after which they have their own personal Regulation Officer (like Tashué) assigned to watch their every move to ensure that they are always in compliance with the law. They are not allowed to have unapproved use of their magic, they are forbidden from unapproved fraternization, and they must always perform the job they were assigned. Failure to comply leads to imprisonment in the Rift, the Residential Institute for Feral Tainted, a sort of Alcatraz style stone fortress in the middle of the Brightwash, or maybe the Directed Breeding Program, where the powerful are forced to pump out child after child for the Dominion to take and bend to their will. The Talented/Tainted are thus dehumanized, made less than so that the Authority can exploit their abilities for their gain. More subtly though, Krystle tackles issues of race, colonialism, cultural identity, and non-heteronormativity.
This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story full of pain, betrayal, love and found family and friendship, of sacrifice and reclamation, and of what depths a parent will reach to protect their child. Not a word is wasted here, with everything written lending a depth of character and storytelling that I don’t often see. Books like this make me believe in the magic of storytelling, cementing in me the idea that reading can be a transformative experience. Legacy of the Brightwash is as close to perfection as a book can get.
And in the quiet moments after, when he was trying to sleep and his whole body ached, his mind flashed him through all the fights he could still remember. But instead of clear pictures and rational thoughts, it was just a jumble of pain and blood and guilt. Because the fights in Cattle Bone Bay ended with a count and the ring of a bell. The fights before ended in graves.
You can read this and other reviews (and more!) at FanFiAddict.com.
May 30, 2023
Legacy of the Brightwash draws you in slowly but surely. Written with extreme care and attention to detail, it immerses you in the story and world, whilst tugging at your heart strings.
It has one of the most authentic worlds I've encountered - a Grimdark, gaslamp fantasy with a dystopian feel that I absolutely love.
The story is fantastic too - a murder mystery that goes deeper into the underbelly of the world and the corruption of the authorities. The story tackles difficult themes and explores the deepest darkest parts of humanity.
The characters are phenomenal and so brilliantly developed. Tashué, in particular, is intriguing from page one. I related to him so much, and his words and emotions lifted from the page. You really do feel the words in this book, it's emotional even when it's not; with a tangible intimacy and emotional connection between characters that is second to none, it has some of the most human characters you'll find - raw, flawed, and broken.
Despite the drak themes and desperate predicament of characters, it's not all dark. The moments friends, lovers, and colleagues are genuinely heart-warming. And the relationship between Ceredwen and Tashué is so wholesome. The balance is perfect.
Legacy of the Brightwash is Grimdark with a beating heart so strong you will feel the desperate yearning of its characters in your bones.
At times I forgot I was reading a fantasy novel. Krystle Matar has managed to write a love letter to fantasy that transcends the usual bounds of its genre.
A sublime debut that absolutely needs to be read.
It has one of the most authentic worlds I've encountered - a Grimdark, gaslamp fantasy with a dystopian feel that I absolutely love.
The story is fantastic too - a murder mystery that goes deeper into the underbelly of the world and the corruption of the authorities. The story tackles difficult themes and explores the deepest darkest parts of humanity.
The characters are phenomenal and so brilliantly developed. Tashué, in particular, is intriguing from page one. I related to him so much, and his words and emotions lifted from the page. You really do feel the words in this book, it's emotional even when it's not; with a tangible intimacy and emotional connection between characters that is second to none, it has some of the most human characters you'll find - raw, flawed, and broken.
Despite the drak themes and desperate predicament of characters, it's not all dark. The moments friends, lovers, and colleagues are genuinely heart-warming. And the relationship between Ceredwen and Tashué is so wholesome. The balance is perfect.
Legacy of the Brightwash is Grimdark with a beating heart so strong you will feel the desperate yearning of its characters in your bones.
At times I forgot I was reading a fantasy novel. Krystle Matar has managed to write a love letter to fantasy that transcends the usual bounds of its genre.
A sublime debut that absolutely needs to be read.
August 15, 2023
Brutally, beautifully human.
Matar stuns in this wonderful exploration of humanity. The subjects are dark, but oh so real. The discussions surrounding trauma, PTSD, love, loss, authority, trust, right verses wrong were all incredible.
I’m at a loss for words with how much this book made me feel. One of the most unique fantasy stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Watch out for a full review over on my YT channel and Epicindie.net in the coming weeks!
Matar stuns in this wonderful exploration of humanity. The subjects are dark, but oh so real. The discussions surrounding trauma, PTSD, love, loss, authority, trust, right verses wrong were all incredible.
I’m at a loss for words with how much this book made me feel. One of the most unique fantasy stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Watch out for a full review over on my YT channel and Epicindie.net in the coming weeks!
January 28, 2024
Where do I start? I'm obsessed. How about there?
This book gives off a steampunk, Bladerunner, Snowpiercer, Downtown Abby, and Peaky Blinders mashup vibe.
Fluffy Grimdarks is my personality. Something about the weak spark of love trying to ignite in a world of hopelessness makes me kick my kick and squeal like a pre-teen girl at a boyband concert. The author, I believe, finds evil enjoyment in making us cringe, wince, rage, and swoon as we sit back helplessly and watch these characters do everything in their power to do the right thing while getting kicked every time they're down.
A war veteran working as an agent responsible for monitoring individuals who have power, aka talent, discovers the mutilated body of a young girl washed up on the river. With just a sketch and a tattoo on the girl's neck, Tashué decides to take on investigating her death even though it's not his jurisdiction, nor will anyone help him. Due to his war hero status, he finds himself the figurehead in a corrupt government campaign, a messy affair, and in the sights of a ruthless crime boss.
Tashué might be the greatest male character ever imagined, not because he's perfect, but rather because he is real. He is real in the sense that a man of his upbringing and struggles and mistakes reacts the way you'd expect. He doesn't have some miraculous character arc where he makes everything right, no matter how desperately he wants to. Instead, he does the best that he can and still makes mistakes. But he wants to do right by his family and the woman he loves.
I am off to start the second book, which I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready for.
This book gives off a steampunk, Bladerunner, Snowpiercer, Downtown Abby, and Peaky Blinders mashup vibe.
Fluffy Grimdarks is my personality. Something about the weak spark of love trying to ignite in a world of hopelessness makes me kick my kick and squeal like a pre-teen girl at a boyband concert. The author, I believe, finds evil enjoyment in making us cringe, wince, rage, and swoon as we sit back helplessly and watch these characters do everything in their power to do the right thing while getting kicked every time they're down.
A war veteran working as an agent responsible for monitoring individuals who have power, aka talent, discovers the mutilated body of a young girl washed up on the river. With just a sketch and a tattoo on the girl's neck, Tashué decides to take on investigating her death even though it's not his jurisdiction, nor will anyone help him. Due to his war hero status, he finds himself the figurehead in a corrupt government campaign, a messy affair, and in the sights of a ruthless crime boss.
Tashué might be the greatest male character ever imagined, not because he's perfect, but rather because he is real. He is real in the sense that a man of his upbringing and struggles and mistakes reacts the way you'd expect. He doesn't have some miraculous character arc where he makes everything right, no matter how desperately he wants to. Instead, he does the best that he can and still makes mistakes. But he wants to do right by his family and the woman he loves.
I am off to start the second book, which I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready for.
May 27, 2021
Please forgive me in advance how effusive the praise is going to be for “Legacy of the Brightwash”, Book One of “Tainted Dominion”. I have read many outstanding books in my lifetime. For example, just the last four or five books I read were, in my opinion, amazing, five-star reads. Each book, of course, has it’s own unique merits. But “Legacy of the Brightwash” transcends being a great read.
This book has catapulted into my personal top one hundred books of all-time. To put this in perspective, less than a quarter of the famous authors whose books are on my top one hundred books list are NOT long-dead luminaries. Thankfully, Matar is young, very much alive, and well. Let’s wish her a long life of continued writing brilliance, because I need at least another fifty or so books from her to come close to being satisfied.
One of the things that I am stuck on about this book is that I can’t easily categorize exactly “what” this book really is in terms of genre. I bought the book primarily on the recommendation of another fantastic author, who kept insisting how good it was, and because of all the hype and buzz about Matar’s writing. But when I bought it, I was expecting a more easily-defined work. I bought it expecting, primarily, grimdark fantasy.
Matar mixes and blends genres so adeptly, there is no point in trying. “Legacy of the Brightwash” has elements of police procedural, mystery, grimdark fantasy, gaslamp fantasy, military fantasy, steampunk fantasy, romantic fantasy, pure romance novel, social commentary novel, and more. So let’s just leave it as: an incredible book, rather than attempting to classify it.
So, in failing to be able to categorize it, let’s speak a bit about what the book is about. In a nutshell, for me, though it’s so much more than this, the book is - to over-simplify - a fantasy-murder “who-dun-it”.
The beating heart of this book is it’s main character, a man named Tashué, who gets most of the POV chapters in the book. Tashué is a decorated military veteran and hero, who comes with a lot of gravitas to his job as Regulation Officer for “The Authority” for the “Dominion”. He’s a seasoned, highly-respected, law enforcement supervisory-level Officer of two decades experience.
The Authority is essentially a police / probation and parole type service that has been created to control those in society who are blessed (or cursed) with magical powers. The dichotomy and irony of the blessed versus cursed viewpoint will not be lost on the reader. Some see the people Tashué is duty-bound to monitor as “Talented”, while other see them as “Tainted.” Tashué himself is one with such latent abilities, as do many in the world Matar has created.
Despite this, Tashué’s role is to keep “Tainted” from allowing their unfettered powers to wreak havoc in “decent” society. As all Regulation Officers, he has a case-load of Tainted assigned to him. Those Tainted who cannot comply with the rules imposed on them, can receive various sanctions and punishments. The most severe punishment reserved for Tainted is to be sent to “The Rift”. And Tashué is one of the people responsible for these types of incarcerations.
The Rift is an acronym that stands for “The Residential Institute for Feral Tainted and Non-Compliant”. If this sounds like a brutal, repressive, and inhumane prison, that’s because it is. The life expectancy for those confined to the Rift is short. Conditions are horrible. Either the authorities within, or the other inmates, will eventually kill those imprisoned there. And astoundingly for the reader, we quickly learn that Tashué’s own son is a Rift prisoner, due to the contravention of being unwilling to register his Talent.
Besides agonizing over his son’s safety, Tashué’s life is complicated on numerous fronts. He’s starting to develop feeling for one of his cases, and a fatherly attachment to the daughter of that case. An alluring, ambitious, socialite has her own designs – both romantic and political – on Tashué. Other influential forces - both legitimate and illegitimate - in the Dominion want to use Tashué for their own ends. As much as he inspires loyalty and devotion from his colleagues, Tashué has disloyal and dangerous officers working beneath him that threaten catastrophic consequences.
Perhaps most distressingly for the lawman, is that all his tribulations are leading him to question everything he believes in, and why he is an officer in the first place.
The final complication is that a mutilated child is found murdered. While the case is not in Tashué’s jurisdiction, and most people seem ambivalent to the horrible killing, he becomes obsessed with solving the crime.
I typically don’t reveal much of the plot in my reviews, and this is not going to change with this review. Besides potential spoilers, I don’t want to do anything that might take away from the fact you, dear reader, NEED to read this book and find out for yourself how good it is.
No secret, amazing characterization over amazing plot is my preference. This book has both in spades, but I need to pay homage here to how ridiculously well-written Matar’s characters are. This is a character-driven book. And Matar’s principal character is completely unforgettable. Make no mistake, in Tashué, Matar has created someone who I believe will go down (in due time) in the annals as one of fantasy fiction’s most iconic characters. Right up there with Aragorn, Geralt, San dan Glokta, and others.
In Tashué, Matar has designed a protagonist that many of us wish we could be. He’s a great leader, charismatic, smart, tough, brave, passionate, dedicated, has integrity, and a kind heart. He is also very flawed. He is a person who is imperfect, but good at their core, with the ability to evolve, change, see things from a different perspective, and stand with integrity and principle behind the new perspective, no matter the cost. Tashué does not take the easy road. But he understands what the right road looks like, and when the time comes, he takes it.
I don’t even want to spoil how astounding the cast surrounding Tashué is by speaking too much about them either. Let’s just say, they are among the best characters I have EVER read. They range from ones who are courageous, loving, abused, broken, entitled, spoiled, arrogant, witty, cunning, predatory, depraved, amoral. Some have ALL or MOST those characteristics wrapped up in them. In other words, compelling. “Good” characters, whom the reader will love, will espouse narrow-minded, even racist views. “Bad” characters will show a nobility and fairness that will surprise us. Few authors can write characters with such intense depth, and such believable humanity, that Matar can.
The plot is flawless. The slow-burn pacing was spot-on. For a 700-ish-page book, this makes great pacing an even more astounding feat. I hope I have not given the impression thus far in the review that “Legacy of the Brightwash” is all character exposition, or that one could ever grow bored.
What a plot!!! There are heart-stopping gun battles, MMA style pugilistic ring-matches, bar fights, throat-cutting murders, and that is just what the “good” characters are up to. The political intrigue, back-stabbing, and jockeying for social standing and influence were some of my favorite parts of the book. The explosions, chases, and other action sequences will surely thrill any fiction fan.
This book had everything I could want in a novel. For such a lengthy, detailed, and comprehensive book, the reader will feel like they are reading a novella. It’s gripping, it’s page-turning, it’s simply a knock-out plot!
There is also a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end of the book, and I love the risk of somewhat unresolved endings. I know this bothers some readers, but I am not one of them: I applaud it! The way things end will undoubtedly leave the reader absolutely clamouring for the next book in the series, as I am!
I should take a moment to speak about the romance aspect of the novel. Unlike many fantasy fans, I am also a big romance fan. For me, romance is integral to any well-written novel, as it’s an essential aspect of the human condition.
Matar’s wonderful writing skill is on full display with how she treats the romantic tension, sense of angst and longing, titillation, confusion, and hope for reciprocation of feelings. There is more excruciating build-up than actual love scenes. Still, there are certainly enough steamy moments of fruition, tenderness, and ardour to satisfy any who like their fantasy spiced up with love, yearning, and desire.
Moreover, this is one of the few books I have ever written where the worldbuilding was so effortlessly woven into overall fabric of the book that I realized after-the-fact that I had a complete picture of what all the settings looked like in my head, though I couldn’t recall Matar describing them. But she did, of course. Everything was so subtle, and expertly-done.
I adored what Matar did in terms of magic in “Legacy of the Brightwash”. Once more, my predilection for “soft” magic systems was satiated in the book. Dragons, mages, and lighting bolts being thrown around will always be cool. But Matar’s magic elements reside with the hereditary, distinctive, and unpredictable powers of the Tainted, who are quite human, and fallible. The magic is confined to those who are born with it, and it can be used to heal, or to harm.
Beyond all what I have already said in lionizing this book, I must address how it struck me on a personal level. The aspect of a law enforcement officer having to truly examine the laws they must enforce, whether all those laws are “just”, whether any of those laws can be a detriment, rather than a stabilizing force for good, and how they can reconcile their sworn duty with their morals, is heart-wrenching.
Personal experience aside, I am certain many law enforcement officers have also grappled with this issue, while they do their duty, to the best of their ability. In addition, many law enforcers have unfortunately faced the challenge, despite all their efforts at parenting, that their children end up seemingly on “the other side of the law”. This could only potentially exacerbate a feeling of “failure” for a law enforcement officer, and even a sense of shame and denial. No matter their vocation, parents often blame themselves for the perceived “failings” of their children.
I could feel Tashué’s rage, sense of impotence, guilt, frustration with both his son, and the system that imprisoned him – it was palpable. What was also appreciable, was the sense that Tashué’s son was wrongfully locked up by a system that, despite good intentions, had gotten things wrong, and that it was the son, rather than the father, who was showing a greater moral courage that would not be compromised. I found this aspect fascinating, brutally realistic, and the whole thing brought out strong emotions in me. Matar’s dazzling prose, and insightful commentary, only accentuated my feelings.
The line in “Legacy of the Brightwash”: "How was I suppose to know? My mother told me all my life follow the laws and you'll be safe...", will be with me, FOREVER. It is just a tiny example of numerous fantastic lines in the book.
I should conclude the strict “review” part here with the warning that, as evidenced by my last few comments, this book is very disturbing, and grim. Matar hits hard with themes of torture, child mutilation, abuse, addiction, racism, repression, and more. There is an ultimate sense of hope, and optimism, but there will be pain to get there. I shed tears over parts of this book. Part of it brought out feelings of anguish I was unprepared for. The journey was worth it, but for me, like Tashué, it was not always easy. That said, I read this book in the space of two days. I was completely addicted to it, and literally could not break away. Such a compulsive read I have rarely experienced.
Therefore, I won’t be so punctilious as to offer criticisms of this book. I would sound carping by pointing out microscopic imperfections on a masterpiece. People don’t speak of what’s wrong with Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel. There are no weak elements of this book worth mentioning. I must throw out the “five-star’ rating system for this one.
Simply put: “Legacy of the Brightwash” deserves to win every award for best debut novel, best fantasy novel, best novel period for 2021 that I can think of.
To conclude, I am raising three-fingers worth of Glenfiddich to Krystle Matar. Congratulations Krystle, you have written a paragon of fiction that people will be talking about for a long, long time.
This book has catapulted into my personal top one hundred books of all-time. To put this in perspective, less than a quarter of the famous authors whose books are on my top one hundred books list are NOT long-dead luminaries. Thankfully, Matar is young, very much alive, and well. Let’s wish her a long life of continued writing brilliance, because I need at least another fifty or so books from her to come close to being satisfied.
One of the things that I am stuck on about this book is that I can’t easily categorize exactly “what” this book really is in terms of genre. I bought the book primarily on the recommendation of another fantastic author, who kept insisting how good it was, and because of all the hype and buzz about Matar’s writing. But when I bought it, I was expecting a more easily-defined work. I bought it expecting, primarily, grimdark fantasy.
Matar mixes and blends genres so adeptly, there is no point in trying. “Legacy of the Brightwash” has elements of police procedural, mystery, grimdark fantasy, gaslamp fantasy, military fantasy, steampunk fantasy, romantic fantasy, pure romance novel, social commentary novel, and more. So let’s just leave it as: an incredible book, rather than attempting to classify it.
So, in failing to be able to categorize it, let’s speak a bit about what the book is about. In a nutshell, for me, though it’s so much more than this, the book is - to over-simplify - a fantasy-murder “who-dun-it”.
The beating heart of this book is it’s main character, a man named Tashué, who gets most of the POV chapters in the book. Tashué is a decorated military veteran and hero, who comes with a lot of gravitas to his job as Regulation Officer for “The Authority” for the “Dominion”. He’s a seasoned, highly-respected, law enforcement supervisory-level Officer of two decades experience.
The Authority is essentially a police / probation and parole type service that has been created to control those in society who are blessed (or cursed) with magical powers. The dichotomy and irony of the blessed versus cursed viewpoint will not be lost on the reader. Some see the people Tashué is duty-bound to monitor as “Talented”, while other see them as “Tainted.” Tashué himself is one with such latent abilities, as do many in the world Matar has created.
Despite this, Tashué’s role is to keep “Tainted” from allowing their unfettered powers to wreak havoc in “decent” society. As all Regulation Officers, he has a case-load of Tainted assigned to him. Those Tainted who cannot comply with the rules imposed on them, can receive various sanctions and punishments. The most severe punishment reserved for Tainted is to be sent to “The Rift”. And Tashué is one of the people responsible for these types of incarcerations.
The Rift is an acronym that stands for “The Residential Institute for Feral Tainted and Non-Compliant”. If this sounds like a brutal, repressive, and inhumane prison, that’s because it is. The life expectancy for those confined to the Rift is short. Conditions are horrible. Either the authorities within, or the other inmates, will eventually kill those imprisoned there. And astoundingly for the reader, we quickly learn that Tashué’s own son is a Rift prisoner, due to the contravention of being unwilling to register his Talent.
Besides agonizing over his son’s safety, Tashué’s life is complicated on numerous fronts. He’s starting to develop feeling for one of his cases, and a fatherly attachment to the daughter of that case. An alluring, ambitious, socialite has her own designs – both romantic and political – on Tashué. Other influential forces - both legitimate and illegitimate - in the Dominion want to use Tashué for their own ends. As much as he inspires loyalty and devotion from his colleagues, Tashué has disloyal and dangerous officers working beneath him that threaten catastrophic consequences.
Perhaps most distressingly for the lawman, is that all his tribulations are leading him to question everything he believes in, and why he is an officer in the first place.
The final complication is that a mutilated child is found murdered. While the case is not in Tashué’s jurisdiction, and most people seem ambivalent to the horrible killing, he becomes obsessed with solving the crime.
I typically don’t reveal much of the plot in my reviews, and this is not going to change with this review. Besides potential spoilers, I don’t want to do anything that might take away from the fact you, dear reader, NEED to read this book and find out for yourself how good it is.
No secret, amazing characterization over amazing plot is my preference. This book has both in spades, but I need to pay homage here to how ridiculously well-written Matar’s characters are. This is a character-driven book. And Matar’s principal character is completely unforgettable. Make no mistake, in Tashué, Matar has created someone who I believe will go down (in due time) in the annals as one of fantasy fiction’s most iconic characters. Right up there with Aragorn, Geralt, San dan Glokta, and others.
In Tashué, Matar has designed a protagonist that many of us wish we could be. He’s a great leader, charismatic, smart, tough, brave, passionate, dedicated, has integrity, and a kind heart. He is also very flawed. He is a person who is imperfect, but good at their core, with the ability to evolve, change, see things from a different perspective, and stand with integrity and principle behind the new perspective, no matter the cost. Tashué does not take the easy road. But he understands what the right road looks like, and when the time comes, he takes it.
I don’t even want to spoil how astounding the cast surrounding Tashué is by speaking too much about them either. Let’s just say, they are among the best characters I have EVER read. They range from ones who are courageous, loving, abused, broken, entitled, spoiled, arrogant, witty, cunning, predatory, depraved, amoral. Some have ALL or MOST those characteristics wrapped up in them. In other words, compelling. “Good” characters, whom the reader will love, will espouse narrow-minded, even racist views. “Bad” characters will show a nobility and fairness that will surprise us. Few authors can write characters with such intense depth, and such believable humanity, that Matar can.
The plot is flawless. The slow-burn pacing was spot-on. For a 700-ish-page book, this makes great pacing an even more astounding feat. I hope I have not given the impression thus far in the review that “Legacy of the Brightwash” is all character exposition, or that one could ever grow bored.
What a plot!!! There are heart-stopping gun battles, MMA style pugilistic ring-matches, bar fights, throat-cutting murders, and that is just what the “good” characters are up to. The political intrigue, back-stabbing, and jockeying for social standing and influence were some of my favorite parts of the book. The explosions, chases, and other action sequences will surely thrill any fiction fan.
This book had everything I could want in a novel. For such a lengthy, detailed, and comprehensive book, the reader will feel like they are reading a novella. It’s gripping, it’s page-turning, it’s simply a knock-out plot!
There is also a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end of the book, and I love the risk of somewhat unresolved endings. I know this bothers some readers, but I am not one of them: I applaud it! The way things end will undoubtedly leave the reader absolutely clamouring for the next book in the series, as I am!
I should take a moment to speak about the romance aspect of the novel. Unlike many fantasy fans, I am also a big romance fan. For me, romance is integral to any well-written novel, as it’s an essential aspect of the human condition.
Matar’s wonderful writing skill is on full display with how she treats the romantic tension, sense of angst and longing, titillation, confusion, and hope for reciprocation of feelings. There is more excruciating build-up than actual love scenes. Still, there are certainly enough steamy moments of fruition, tenderness, and ardour to satisfy any who like their fantasy spiced up with love, yearning, and desire.
Moreover, this is one of the few books I have ever written where the worldbuilding was so effortlessly woven into overall fabric of the book that I realized after-the-fact that I had a complete picture of what all the settings looked like in my head, though I couldn’t recall Matar describing them. But she did, of course. Everything was so subtle, and expertly-done.
I adored what Matar did in terms of magic in “Legacy of the Brightwash”. Once more, my predilection for “soft” magic systems was satiated in the book. Dragons, mages, and lighting bolts being thrown around will always be cool. But Matar’s magic elements reside with the hereditary, distinctive, and unpredictable powers of the Tainted, who are quite human, and fallible. The magic is confined to those who are born with it, and it can be used to heal, or to harm.
Beyond all what I have already said in lionizing this book, I must address how it struck me on a personal level. The aspect of a law enforcement officer having to truly examine the laws they must enforce, whether all those laws are “just”, whether any of those laws can be a detriment, rather than a stabilizing force for good, and how they can reconcile their sworn duty with their morals, is heart-wrenching.
Personal experience aside, I am certain many law enforcement officers have also grappled with this issue, while they do their duty, to the best of their ability. In addition, many law enforcers have unfortunately faced the challenge, despite all their efforts at parenting, that their children end up seemingly on “the other side of the law”. This could only potentially exacerbate a feeling of “failure” for a law enforcement officer, and even a sense of shame and denial. No matter their vocation, parents often blame themselves for the perceived “failings” of their children.
I could feel Tashué’s rage, sense of impotence, guilt, frustration with both his son, and the system that imprisoned him – it was palpable. What was also appreciable, was the sense that Tashué’s son was wrongfully locked up by a system that, despite good intentions, had gotten things wrong, and that it was the son, rather than the father, who was showing a greater moral courage that would not be compromised. I found this aspect fascinating, brutally realistic, and the whole thing brought out strong emotions in me. Matar’s dazzling prose, and insightful commentary, only accentuated my feelings.
The line in “Legacy of the Brightwash”: "How was I suppose to know? My mother told me all my life follow the laws and you'll be safe...", will be with me, FOREVER. It is just a tiny example of numerous fantastic lines in the book.
I should conclude the strict “review” part here with the warning that, as evidenced by my last few comments, this book is very disturbing, and grim. Matar hits hard with themes of torture, child mutilation, abuse, addiction, racism, repression, and more. There is an ultimate sense of hope, and optimism, but there will be pain to get there. I shed tears over parts of this book. Part of it brought out feelings of anguish I was unprepared for. The journey was worth it, but for me, like Tashué, it was not always easy. That said, I read this book in the space of two days. I was completely addicted to it, and literally could not break away. Such a compulsive read I have rarely experienced.
Therefore, I won’t be so punctilious as to offer criticisms of this book. I would sound carping by pointing out microscopic imperfections on a masterpiece. People don’t speak of what’s wrong with Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel. There are no weak elements of this book worth mentioning. I must throw out the “five-star’ rating system for this one.
Simply put: “Legacy of the Brightwash” deserves to win every award for best debut novel, best fantasy novel, best novel period for 2021 that I can think of.
To conclude, I am raising three-fingers worth of Glenfiddich to Krystle Matar. Congratulations Krystle, you have written a paragon of fiction that people will be talking about for a long, long time.
January 3, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/legacy-o...
Legacy of the Brightwash is such a special book, the debut novel of Krystle Matar, SPFBO7 finalist, and with several r/fantasy Stabby nominations; it sat on my TBR for more time than I would like to admit, because after having read it, I can say that it's a book that has left a big impression on me, transcending and becoming one of my favourite books.
In this story, we get to know Tashué Blackwood, an old soldier, who works as part of a Regulation Office, taking notes and registering those who have Talent (magical abilities in this world, or so), and also arresting those who refuse to get registered as "tainted". Tashué is somebody who trusts in the Authority, the Government that has control over the Dominion; he even let them arrest Jason, his son, as he refused to register as tainted, being imprisoned in the Rift. To be fair, Tashué hasn't had an easy life, so for him trusting a superior authority helps to make his life more manageable.
Really early into the novel, he discovers the heavily mutilated corpse of a girl on the shore of the river, with some numbers tattooed on the neck; and as nobody seems to care about the girl, he takes the duty of investigating what lies behind this finding. While searching for the truth of what happened and who was the deceased girl, he might uncover some baffling truths about the Dominion.
At the same time, he gets chosen as the perfect person to make some kind of career in politics by the powerful, entangling this simple man into the machinations of more powerful people, who treat this as a game. At least, not all is so dark in the life of Tashué, as he meets Stella Whiterock, a Whisperer (a sort of low-level tainted, whose job is making sweeter the death of people), who is one of the few Tashué can talk and connect. Stella takes care of a girl, Ceridwen, and soon, a bond is developed between Tashué and Stella, starting a romantic relationship after a time, becoming one of the pillars where Tashué can sustain him.
While uncovering the truth of what happened with the corpse on the river, Tashué starts unveiling some truths that start breaking his faith in the law and in the authority; and more traumatic events while doing his job make him reconsider his priorities and what he really believes. What if the law is wrong? Blindly following it doesn't seem enough for him now. What Matar does with this character is certainly impressive, deconstructing him into pieces to later form a totally different person. Stella acts as a catalyzer of this change, giving him another reason to behave differently, to become a better person, and to go outside of the well he was in.
The rest of the character cast is also memorable, with characters that leave an impression on the reader, such as Ishmael and Lorne, having this last one of the subplots that I personally enjoyed reading. How the powerful people play with others as they are their pawns, how Ilea just plays with Tashué, how the general is just looking for a
The world painted by Matar is a dark world, one that can be defined by the word "miserable". The Dominion is not a friendly place for those that are weak, that will eat you if it has the minimum opportunity. It is controlled by a strong authority, with suffocating laws, where control over the low classes is imposed by the force. Hope is not really an option for most people, surviving is enough.
Writing also deserves a mention, as the craft and use of words are great, transmitting perfectly the sensations (and ironically, I'm really bad at transmitting how good it is). Matar is a brilliant writer, able to blend several genres without problem, making them work together perfectly.
Legacy of the Brightwash has become one of my favourite books ever. I can't recommend it enough, because it's an excellent novel, dark and gritty, but perfect to provoke emotions in you. The second book in this series can't come fast enough!
Legacy of the Brightwash is such a special book, the debut novel of Krystle Matar, SPFBO7 finalist, and with several r/fantasy Stabby nominations; it sat on my TBR for more time than I would like to admit, because after having read it, I can say that it's a book that has left a big impression on me, transcending and becoming one of my favourite books.
In this story, we get to know Tashué Blackwood, an old soldier, who works as part of a Regulation Office, taking notes and registering those who have Talent (magical abilities in this world, or so), and also arresting those who refuse to get registered as "tainted". Tashué is somebody who trusts in the Authority, the Government that has control over the Dominion; he even let them arrest Jason, his son, as he refused to register as tainted, being imprisoned in the Rift. To be fair, Tashué hasn't had an easy life, so for him trusting a superior authority helps to make his life more manageable.
Really early into the novel, he discovers the heavily mutilated corpse of a girl on the shore of the river, with some numbers tattooed on the neck; and as nobody seems to care about the girl, he takes the duty of investigating what lies behind this finding. While searching for the truth of what happened and who was the deceased girl, he might uncover some baffling truths about the Dominion.
At the same time, he gets chosen as the perfect person to make some kind of career in politics by the powerful, entangling this simple man into the machinations of more powerful people, who treat this as a game. At least, not all is so dark in the life of Tashué, as he meets Stella Whiterock, a Whisperer (a sort of low-level tainted, whose job is making sweeter the death of people), who is one of the few Tashué can talk and connect. Stella takes care of a girl, Ceridwen, and soon, a bond is developed between Tashué and Stella, starting a romantic relationship after a time, becoming one of the pillars where Tashué can sustain him.
While uncovering the truth of what happened with the corpse on the river, Tashué starts unveiling some truths that start breaking his faith in the law and in the authority; and more traumatic events while doing his job make him reconsider his priorities and what he really believes. What if the law is wrong? Blindly following it doesn't seem enough for him now. What Matar does with this character is certainly impressive, deconstructing him into pieces to later form a totally different person. Stella acts as a catalyzer of this change, giving him another reason to behave differently, to become a better person, and to go outside of the well he was in.
The rest of the character cast is also memorable, with characters that leave an impression on the reader, such as Ishmael and Lorne, having this last one of the subplots that I personally enjoyed reading. How the powerful people play with others as they are their pawns, how Ilea just plays with Tashué, how the general is just looking for a
The world painted by Matar is a dark world, one that can be defined by the word "miserable". The Dominion is not a friendly place for those that are weak, that will eat you if it has the minimum opportunity. It is controlled by a strong authority, with suffocating laws, where control over the low classes is imposed by the force. Hope is not really an option for most people, surviving is enough.
Writing also deserves a mention, as the craft and use of words are great, transmitting perfectly the sensations (and ironically, I'm really bad at transmitting how good it is). Matar is a brilliant writer, able to blend several genres without problem, making them work together perfectly.
Legacy of the Brightwash has become one of my favourite books ever. I can't recommend it enough, because it's an excellent novel, dark and gritty, but perfect to provoke emotions in you. The second book in this series can't come fast enough!
Read
September 20, 2021The choices we make are complex, and our reasons for making them sometimes understood, sometimes not. We are influenced by our upbringing, our society and its place in it; by an immediate situation. Sometimes no choice is right, or safe, or even moral: like Odysseus, we are caught between Scylla and Charybdis, deciding which choice leads to the least grief.
Tashué Blackwood, the protagonist of Legacy of the Brightwash, is a man who has had to make such a choice. In a complex world of power and subservience, Tashué walks carefully, following the law and staying safe, even through the imprisonment of his son for refusing to give in to the laws of the Authority and register his Talent; even through seeing his son’s mother taken to a breeding program to give more children with Talent to the Authority.
But all men have a breaking point. For Tashué, it is the discovery of a mutilated child’s body on the banks of the Brightwash, a child with an unfamiliar tattoo on its neck. Torn by offered power and influence; by a woman whose love is forbidden to him; by his love for his son and by his own conscience, Tashué is a man fighting not only a corrupt society, but his own past.
Krystle Matar’s debut novel has both outstanding world-building and character development. There is nothing superficial or stereotypical about either her world or the people in it. While clear parallels can be drawn between Matar’s fictional world and our own, it stands as a unique creation. We are shown pieces of its structure, but like a partially completed jigsaw puzzle the outline is there, and some parts are more complete than others, but it’s not a finished picture – just like most of us don’t have a thorough picture of our own histories, either personal or of the world in which we live. Instead we have hints, echoes, memories, allowing the reader to slowly build a concept of what has shaped both the world and its inhabitants.
It’s an immersive world: Matar uses all our senses to evoke luxury, horror, pain, exhaustion, love. Characters’ thoughts are shown to us, their fears and obsessions, their momentary joys, their disgust and doubts. That Tashué is a tormented man is made abundantly clear. In Matar's writing words and sentences and paragraphs flow, show, sometimes overwhelm the reader with sensation and emotion.
The magic – Talent – is nearly irrelevant to the book, except as a metaphor for difference, for something that can be used to separate one group of people from another, to control and degrade – and sometimes because of that constant debasement, explode. The truth behind the mutilated child is both horrifying and a logical extension of the arrogance and privilege of the ruling class who see only themselves as truly human.
Legacy of the Brightwash isn’t an easy book; it raises many questions that resonate in our current world. Its ending raises more questions than it answers: mysteries have been solved, but Tashué is far from being free of conflict – nor is he likely to be. Truly a magnificent first novel. I look forward to its sequel.
Tashué Blackwood, the protagonist of Legacy of the Brightwash, is a man who has had to make such a choice. In a complex world of power and subservience, Tashué walks carefully, following the law and staying safe, even through the imprisonment of his son for refusing to give in to the laws of the Authority and register his Talent; even through seeing his son’s mother taken to a breeding program to give more children with Talent to the Authority.
But all men have a breaking point. For Tashué, it is the discovery of a mutilated child’s body on the banks of the Brightwash, a child with an unfamiliar tattoo on its neck. Torn by offered power and influence; by a woman whose love is forbidden to him; by his love for his son and by his own conscience, Tashué is a man fighting not only a corrupt society, but his own past.
Krystle Matar’s debut novel has both outstanding world-building and character development. There is nothing superficial or stereotypical about either her world or the people in it. While clear parallels can be drawn between Matar’s fictional world and our own, it stands as a unique creation. We are shown pieces of its structure, but like a partially completed jigsaw puzzle the outline is there, and some parts are more complete than others, but it’s not a finished picture – just like most of us don’t have a thorough picture of our own histories, either personal or of the world in which we live. Instead we have hints, echoes, memories, allowing the reader to slowly build a concept of what has shaped both the world and its inhabitants.
It’s an immersive world: Matar uses all our senses to evoke luxury, horror, pain, exhaustion, love. Characters’ thoughts are shown to us, their fears and obsessions, their momentary joys, their disgust and doubts. That Tashué is a tormented man is made abundantly clear. In Matar's writing words and sentences and paragraphs flow, show, sometimes overwhelm the reader with sensation and emotion.
The magic – Talent – is nearly irrelevant to the book, except as a metaphor for difference, for something that can be used to separate one group of people from another, to control and degrade – and sometimes because of that constant debasement, explode. The truth behind the mutilated child is both horrifying and a logical extension of the arrogance and privilege of the ruling class who see only themselves as truly human.
Legacy of the Brightwash isn’t an easy book; it raises many questions that resonate in our current world. Its ending raises more questions than it answers: mysteries have been solved, but Tashué is far from being free of conflict – nor is he likely to be. Truly a magnificent first novel. I look forward to its sequel.
December 15, 2021
Legacy of the Brightwash is a self-published giant that reaches for the stars with a world that rivals massive sci-fi epics. If you liked The Sword of Kaigen, this is a must-read.
Overview:
👍 Sci-Fi Fantasy
👍 Retrofuturism
👍 Byronic hero
👍 A murder conspiracy
👍 Queer rep
🆗 Romance
🆗 Slow Burn
Krystle Matar is a phenomenal writer and managed to bust out a magical epic with the same scope as a high-budget published title. The story centers around Tashue- an officer responsible for controlling the tainted population- folks with unique magical gifts. He has loyally followed orders for many years, even after his family was taken and imprisoned for their talent- but he starts to question everything when he finds a limbless, tattooed girl dead.
Brightwash is part conspiracy tale, part urban steampunk epic- with a decent but not unmanageable cast of POV characters- from the mysterious and kind Stella to Jason; Tashue's firey son who has been imprisoned for many years now.
This book is massive and moves slowly, inching out every aspect of the world and society surrounding it. The world-building is top tier, with tons of care invested in setting a tone of urban dread in a society full of secrets. The mystery take time to unravel itself- but hits quite hard in the third act as all of the pieces start coming together and Tashue is pressured to ask some of the big questions.
The results of the story are very dark. This book is at heart a harsh magical dystopia drowning in political games and the brutal oppression of its magical underclass. The characters are all profoundly broken people whose stories are beautifully interwoven. One of my single criticisms of the book was I did not particularly like any of the established romances, but I think many people will enjoy them.
Matar does a great job refreshing some classic SFF tropes and making them new again. For those looking for a big epic and unique story full of lovable characters and dystopian harshness through an adult story, this one is for you. If you don't normally read self-pub and indie and want to get an idea of what this 'genre' looks like at its best, look no further.
Overview:
👍 Sci-Fi Fantasy
👍 Retrofuturism
👍 Byronic hero
👍 A murder conspiracy
👍 Queer rep
🆗 Romance
🆗 Slow Burn
Krystle Matar is a phenomenal writer and managed to bust out a magical epic with the same scope as a high-budget published title. The story centers around Tashue- an officer responsible for controlling the tainted population- folks with unique magical gifts. He has loyally followed orders for many years, even after his family was taken and imprisoned for their talent- but he starts to question everything when he finds a limbless, tattooed girl dead.
Brightwash is part conspiracy tale, part urban steampunk epic- with a decent but not unmanageable cast of POV characters- from the mysterious and kind Stella to Jason; Tashue's firey son who has been imprisoned for many years now.
This book is massive and moves slowly, inching out every aspect of the world and society surrounding it. The world-building is top tier, with tons of care invested in setting a tone of urban dread in a society full of secrets. The mystery take time to unravel itself- but hits quite hard in the third act as all of the pieces start coming together and Tashue is pressured to ask some of the big questions.
The results of the story are very dark. This book is at heart a harsh magical dystopia drowning in political games and the brutal oppression of its magical underclass. The characters are all profoundly broken people whose stories are beautifully interwoven. One of my single criticisms of the book was I did not particularly like any of the established romances, but I think many people will enjoy them.
Matar does a great job refreshing some classic SFF tropes and making them new again. For those looking for a big epic and unique story full of lovable characters and dystopian harshness through an adult story, this one is for you. If you don't normally read self-pub and indie and want to get an idea of what this 'genre' looks like at its best, look no further.
December 28, 2022
I have read this book twice in 3 months it is that good!!! Tashue is possibly my favourite character ever. Read this book!!
Full review to come once thoughts about this are semi coherent and not just a squeal and me throwing this brick at people
Full review to come once thoughts about this are semi coherent and not just a squeal and me throwing this brick at people
January 14, 2022
I read this for SPFBO. More about the contest and links at the bottom.
This book has been on my radar since its release- it was impossible to miss the buzz around it last spring. At 650 pages, it’s a daunting read and probably the only thing that kept me from jumping on it before now. The story has several plotlines weaving through that keep your attention so the pages, for the most part, go by fairly quickly.
World Building-
Brightwash is a Gaslamp fantasy. The surrounding Dominion and especially the city of Yaelsmuir is full of life. The characters interact with each other in and around the city, moving between work and after-hours activities, everything from fight clubs to high-end parties making the world alive and active.
I personally liked the quiet scenes the best; sitting on the steps in front of the building Tashue and Stella lived in, with people pushing by them, for making me feel a part of the story.
The Magic-
Is utilized to power various things from lights to the tram-ways. Not all are created equally when it comes to magic and its use, as some people never quicken and can never access their skills to do much more than recognize when it is present, while other users are very strong.There are ways to block or subdue a person’s talent, which is how they are able to keep the non-compliant users in prison.
I am looking forward to seeing how this part of the story plays out in the next book. There were a few developments that promise for some fun roads ahead.
The Mystery-
Tashue’s investigation into the origins of the body found by the banks, was a part of the story I enjoyed. I liked how it became a bigger part of the issues that are being dealt with by our characters kind of tying it all together. But I did wish that it was not pushed so much into the background for so much of the book. That said, by the end, it did feel a little like the tip of the iceberg got uncovered and that in the grand scheme of things, it was not meant to be more than a jumping off place for the characters and the story.
I felt the pacing could have been a better, especially of the mystery parts of the story and of the Red Army. The lead-in trail/foreshadowing of them, though it was enough to keep us from being blindsided by them later, also didn’t seem like quite enough either.
The Characters- are richly detailed and the attention that is paid to them is what helps this story to stand out.
Tashue is a man who is coming to see that everything he has stood up for over the years isn’t what he believed it to be. As a regulation officer whose son resides in prison for the crime of refusing to register as a tainted- something that Tashue himself, firmly believes in- he comes across as very rigid at first. After we meet his son, Jason, I thought to myself- what kind of man is ok with this? Am I going to be able to root for this guy? But we are meeting him when he is finally starting to unfold from that rigidity and we do see a man who deeply cares for his son, while also learning about why and how things got to this point for him in his life.
A lot of that part of him we see through his friendships (I loved Ismael) and the beginnings of his relationship with Stella. She is the one that helped let me learn to love him. And their slow burn build of friendship to romance is a huge part of the story. I enjoyed them together. Stella is a great character who holds her own through this story and I would love to talk more about them and the rest of the great characters but this review is going to be long enough.
My favourite scene was with Tashue and Jason- I am adlibbing here but it was when Jason is angrily asking his dad, why now? why not a week ago? or a month ago? My heart hurt so much for Jason.
Best scene in the book imo and I felt every emotion that was intended from it.
A lot of the characters have history together, and there is this easy feel to their relationships and the discussion- which help fill in the details of their pasts. They never felt like, ‘Hey, remember when we did this…insert needed information?’.
That smoothness to them and their conversations is something that I liked a lot. And also, how little things were tied together and help build the world and their lives through those conversations. The off-hand comment about a scar on Tashue’s arm, that later confirms injury damage when he has difficulties taking off his buttons at the tailor, or the conversation about grass vodka that later fills in a picture of where Stella or someone had lived etc.
Some of the other characters, I did start to lose track of after they weren’t on screen for awhile. The book was very full all around, and I am terrible with huge casts- some of which I wasn’t sure just how needed they were, but just the fact that I can remember so many of their names without notes says a lot about how impactful most of these people were to me.
There are very few books that tip the scales in the page count like this one does, that I can say needed all those words to tell the story it was telling, and Legacy of Brightwash is no different in that respect. I think it could have lost a hundred-plus pages to tighten it up, which is a pretty common complaint for me in a debut novel of any book of this size really. (I think its a debut I might be wrong)
The short version-because this review got out of hand.
I enjoyed this story. The world, the characters, the friendships, and the slow build romance- I am invested enough in them all, to want to come back and see how things proceed.
spfbo score 8 or a high 4 stars
I read this for SPFBO. To find out more about the SPFBO contest and to see the participating bloggers/authors and reviews follow the links below
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Finalist board is here
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
This book has been on my radar since its release- it was impossible to miss the buzz around it last spring. At 650 pages, it’s a daunting read and probably the only thing that kept me from jumping on it before now. The story has several plotlines weaving through that keep your attention so the pages, for the most part, go by fairly quickly.
World Building-
Brightwash is a Gaslamp fantasy. The surrounding Dominion and especially the city of Yaelsmuir is full of life. The characters interact with each other in and around the city, moving between work and after-hours activities, everything from fight clubs to high-end parties making the world alive and active.
I personally liked the quiet scenes the best; sitting on the steps in front of the building Tashue and Stella lived in, with people pushing by them, for making me feel a part of the story.
The Magic-
Is utilized to power various things from lights to the tram-ways. Not all are created equally when it comes to magic and its use, as some people never quicken and can never access their skills to do much more than recognize when it is present, while other users are very strong.There are ways to block or subdue a person’s talent, which is how they are able to keep the non-compliant users in prison.
I am looking forward to seeing how this part of the story plays out in the next book. There were a few developments that promise for some fun roads ahead.
The Mystery-
Tashue’s investigation into the origins of the body found by the banks, was a part of the story I enjoyed. I liked how it became a bigger part of the issues that are being dealt with by our characters kind of tying it all together. But I did wish that it was not pushed so much into the background for so much of the book. That said, by the end, it did feel a little like the tip of the iceberg got uncovered and that in the grand scheme of things, it was not meant to be more than a jumping off place for the characters and the story.
I felt the pacing could have been a better, especially of the mystery parts of the story and of the Red Army. The lead-in trail/foreshadowing of them, though it was enough to keep us from being blindsided by them later, also didn’t seem like quite enough either.
The Characters- are richly detailed and the attention that is paid to them is what helps this story to stand out.
Tashue is a man who is coming to see that everything he has stood up for over the years isn’t what he believed it to be. As a regulation officer whose son resides in prison for the crime of refusing to register as a tainted- something that Tashue himself, firmly believes in- he comes across as very rigid at first. After we meet his son, Jason, I thought to myself- what kind of man is ok with this? Am I going to be able to root for this guy? But we are meeting him when he is finally starting to unfold from that rigidity and we do see a man who deeply cares for his son, while also learning about why and how things got to this point for him in his life.
A lot of that part of him we see through his friendships (I loved Ismael) and the beginnings of his relationship with Stella. She is the one that helped let me learn to love him. And their slow burn build of friendship to romance is a huge part of the story. I enjoyed them together. Stella is a great character who holds her own through this story and I would love to talk more about them and the rest of the great characters but this review is going to be long enough.
My favourite scene was with Tashue and Jason- I am adlibbing here but it was when Jason is angrily asking his dad, why now? why not a week ago? or a month ago? My heart hurt so much for Jason.
Best scene in the book imo and I felt every emotion that was intended from it.
A lot of the characters have history together, and there is this easy feel to their relationships and the discussion- which help fill in the details of their pasts. They never felt like, ‘Hey, remember when we did this…insert needed information?’.
That smoothness to them and their conversations is something that I liked a lot. And also, how little things were tied together and help build the world and their lives through those conversations. The off-hand comment about a scar on Tashue’s arm, that later confirms injury damage when he has difficulties taking off his buttons at the tailor, or the conversation about grass vodka that later fills in a picture of where Stella or someone had lived etc.
Some of the other characters, I did start to lose track of after they weren’t on screen for awhile. The book was very full all around, and I am terrible with huge casts- some of which I wasn’t sure just how needed they were, but just the fact that I can remember so many of their names without notes says a lot about how impactful most of these people were to me.
There are very few books that tip the scales in the page count like this one does, that I can say needed all those words to tell the story it was telling, and Legacy of Brightwash is no different in that respect. I think it could have lost a hundred-plus pages to tighten it up, which is a pretty common complaint for me in a debut novel of any book of this size really. (I think its a debut I might be wrong)
The short version-because this review got out of hand.
I enjoyed this story. The world, the characters, the friendships, and the slow build romance- I am invested enough in them all, to want to come back and see how things proceed.
spfbo score 8 or a high 4 stars
I read this for SPFBO. To find out more about the SPFBO contest and to see the participating bloggers/authors and reviews follow the links below
Phase one is here-
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
Finalist board is here
https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/...
April 28, 2022
This is a story about the truths you see when you finally look at the wounds of your past and reconcile them with your actions in the present—and about the light that can shine through the cracks when you break.
This is the story about letting others think for you… until you don’t.
In this well-crafted story, we get to know Tashué Blackwood through his habits—his compulsive, self-soothing fiddling with his cigarillo case; his penchant for the whiskey that numbs the psychic pain of his past; his sense of loyalty and honor to his beliefs, his people, and to those he loves. We see a fierce former warrior, who is yet a tender man who sees the humanity in every person he encounters as he performs his duties. Everyone knows Tashué. Everyone trusts Tashué.
What breaks this mountain of a man are not the fights he always seems to get into, but the loss of his 20-year-old belief system—his faith in the correctness of what he has been doing. He believed his mother. He believed the Authority—so deeply that he allowed his only son and son’s mother to be locked up in an unimaginably horrid prison (the Rift, the “breeding program”), and enforced laws that he was told were good and right. Laws that were forged in the ugly fear of otherness and are recently revealed to be perpetuating truly horrifying exploitation.
In addition to Tashué, there were many well-drawn characters in this book: Ishmael Saeati (intensely loyal, self-destructive, no doubt hiding subversive activities behind snark and charm), Illea Winter (who knows quite well how to create diversions that cause people to dangerously underestimate her), Ceridwen (a brilliant beam of childish joy in an otherwise dark place, and the one who most reveals Tashué’s tenderness and care), and Stella (the mama bear who braves terrific danger to protect Ceridwen, and whose love and truths help Tashué truly see the contorted outlines of the cruel system he works within). Every hero needs rocks upon which he grounds himself—shoulders of giants upon which to stand—and Kazrani, Nathanial Wolfe and Rhodrishi Kheir are they who do that for Tashué.
I was left wondering how the icons of industry (Imburleigh, Winter) will deal with the ugly truth that Tashué is determined to reveal and set right. Do they already know? Will they fight to undermine his efforts, or use their power and influence to support him?
To unfold this allegorical story, the author recognizes all the moving parts that create or dismantle injustice: The architects, the complicit, the cogs, the silently accepting, the fearful, those that wish to preserve the status quo, those with money on the table, the resisters, the town criers, the enforcers… you’ll find them all here.
This is the story about letting others think for you… until you don’t.
In this well-crafted story, we get to know Tashué Blackwood through his habits—his compulsive, self-soothing fiddling with his cigarillo case; his penchant for the whiskey that numbs the psychic pain of his past; his sense of loyalty and honor to his beliefs, his people, and to those he loves. We see a fierce former warrior, who is yet a tender man who sees the humanity in every person he encounters as he performs his duties. Everyone knows Tashué. Everyone trusts Tashué.
What breaks this mountain of a man are not the fights he always seems to get into, but the loss of his 20-year-old belief system—his faith in the correctness of what he has been doing. He believed his mother. He believed the Authority—so deeply that he allowed his only son and son’s mother to be locked up in an unimaginably horrid prison (the Rift, the “breeding program”), and enforced laws that he was told were good and right. Laws that were forged in the ugly fear of otherness and are recently revealed to be perpetuating truly horrifying exploitation.
In addition to Tashué, there were many well-drawn characters in this book: Ishmael Saeati (intensely loyal, self-destructive, no doubt hiding subversive activities behind snark and charm), Illea Winter (who knows quite well how to create diversions that cause people to dangerously underestimate her), Ceridwen (a brilliant beam of childish joy in an otherwise dark place, and the one who most reveals Tashué’s tenderness and care), and Stella (the mama bear who braves terrific danger to protect Ceridwen, and whose love and truths help Tashué truly see the contorted outlines of the cruel system he works within). Every hero needs rocks upon which he grounds himself—shoulders of giants upon which to stand—and Kazrani, Nathanial Wolfe and Rhodrishi Kheir are they who do that for Tashué.
I was left wondering how the icons of industry (Imburleigh, Winter) will deal with the ugly truth that Tashué is determined to reveal and set right. Do they already know? Will they fight to undermine his efforts, or use their power and influence to support him?
To unfold this allegorical story, the author recognizes all the moving parts that create or dismantle injustice: The architects, the complicit, the cogs, the silently accepting, the fearful, those that wish to preserve the status quo, those with money on the table, the resisters, the town criers, the enforcers… you’ll find them all here.
Want to read
September 10, 2023A deft blend of dystopia, colonial oppression, ethnic bigotry and class stratification, told from the point of view of a PTSD war veteran upholding the Authority that records, oversees, and ultimiately oppresses people born with 'talent' - power that civilized society both fears, and requires to keep an emerging industrial economy functional. The dark tone of this novel, and its well realized poor quarter is brilliantly woven and fastened by the glue of human relationships, affairs of the heart, and a stunningly depicted romantic attraction between characters and their various friends, children, and the intricate relationships with each other, and with the well realized (if bleak) setting.
A tour de force marred only by the sticker shock of a cliffhanger ending that, full stop, sheared the story at what amounts to a lit fuse on an emotional powder keg...I recommend the book with that caveat: if you read through a third of this story, and don't want to be dangled by the throat at the finish, grab the sequel to have on hand to mitigate the jolt encountered at the last page.
Without knowing how many more books are to come in this series, or if volume two may finish in the same manner, no guarantees where to place trust on a last page perhaps less abrupt.
Nonetheless, the story and characters commanded my attention with a mastery of detail seldom found. It was a joy to encounter such depth and dimension. On its merits and by the pure impetus of invention, this book kept me riveted and turning the pages, the frustrated dent in my wall notwithstanding, for my well documented response to cliffhangers.
A tour de force marred only by the sticker shock of a cliffhanger ending that, full stop, sheared the story at what amounts to a lit fuse on an emotional powder keg...I recommend the book with that caveat: if you read through a third of this story, and don't want to be dangled by the throat at the finish, grab the sequel to have on hand to mitigate the jolt encountered at the last page.
Without knowing how many more books are to come in this series, or if volume two may finish in the same manner, no guarantees where to place trust on a last page perhaps less abrupt.
Nonetheless, the story and characters commanded my attention with a mastery of detail seldom found. It was a joy to encounter such depth and dimension. On its merits and by the pure impetus of invention, this book kept me riveted and turning the pages, the frustrated dent in my wall notwithstanding, for my well documented response to cliffhangers.
Read
March 16, 2022Read this book entry finalist for the SPFBO7 contest as part of the last remaining ten novels for phase two to be read.
My review will be part of the judges panel when we post it on THE FANTASY HIVE in a few weeks.
My review will be part of the judges panel when we post it on THE FANTASY HIVE in a few weeks.
October 15, 2022
4.5 rounded to 5.
What a wonderful book. An incredible indie book and well worth it's 2nd place in the SPFBO7 final . (I am currently reading all finalists to decide on my winner)
As this is part of a longer series I don't want to give away too many spoilers with my review.
What I will say, is the character writing in this book is top top tier. It is right up there with my favourite authors in Hobb, Martin and Iggulden. I have been utterly blown away by the emotional depth and development of the characters through this book. It truly is the winning feature in this novel
The plot is of a slower pace, which is my preferred style. We get opportunities to understand why the characters do what they do and feel what they feel. And my gosh do you get to feel during this book!!!
The politics side of the book wasn't my favourite part, but it did tie really nicely into the more detective portion of the story.
I am super excited to pick up the next book in this series
What a wonderful book. An incredible indie book and well worth it's 2nd place in the SPFBO7 final . (I am currently reading all finalists to decide on my winner)
As this is part of a longer series I don't want to give away too many spoilers with my review.
What I will say, is the character writing in this book is top top tier. It is right up there with my favourite authors in Hobb, Martin and Iggulden. I have been utterly blown away by the emotional depth and development of the characters through this book. It truly is the winning feature in this novel
The plot is of a slower pace, which is my preferred style. We get opportunities to understand why the characters do what they do and feel what they feel. And my gosh do you get to feel during this book!!!
The politics side of the book wasn't my favourite part, but it did tie really nicely into the more detective portion of the story.
I am super excited to pick up the next book in this series
July 16, 2024
A girls mutilated corpse is discovered in the Brightwash. The events that follow will have a startling and horrific effect on one regulation officer. Questioning all he believed in.
Such a dark, grimy fully realized world. Seedy characters abound.
Such a dark, grimy fully realized world. Seedy characters abound.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews