TWO 4 Star Reviews for The Galloway Road by Catherine Adams #Ace #Fantasy

From my understanding of this novel it was about a young person coming to terms with their sexuality. However this is the type of novel open to the readers own interpretation.

I really appreciated and admired the way the author used medieval language and even song, along side modern references. Good research was obvious, not only in the language, but, also in reference to the food and attire they wore.

It was indeed a long and at times melancholy road. The descriptions of the dead dire. The gradual acceptance by Renna was slow and at times frustrating.

My main concern with this novel was the lack of humour to counterbalance the sombre and at times gloomy atmosphere and conversation.

Not a overly cheerful book but academically well written and flawless but I would have liked to see a less soulful side of Renna, who only brightened up at the very end. Doubtless this ending was designed by the author but as a reader I would have enjoyed a little more banter and a fraction more levity.

Chris

This is a bit difficult for me to review as a F/F read, or as a specifically asexual read. The reason is that there isn’t much interaction between Renna and any other woman. What we do get is memories of her best friend in university, Naize. We find out that Renna loved her, and that Naize died, but I’m not sure I really get the sense that Renna is female-oriented, or that she had a romantic relationship with Naize that was asexual. Truthfully, it seems as though the story is arguably neither, and if I hadn’t gotten it through Inked, I might not have even given either moniker a thought.

What I can say is that the read is a good fantasy story, with magic, ballads, and mystical places filled with the unrestful dead. It’s a journey that’s a type of coming of age for Renna, where she learns to believe in herself, and the value of her companions. I will say that I never really expected her to become so close to Brett. There was a subtle lesson in that relationship for Renna, and she not only learned it, but it became the basis for what allowed her to enter the dark place and stand tall with resolve and bravery. The confrontation with the magical being who wore Naize’s face allowed Renna to forgive herself, and in doing so, she was able to get past the last blocks to her power.

In all, a pretty good read for me, since I like fantasy books, but again, not really sure there was any overt evidence for the descriptors I was given.

Amy P.