In The Reeve Book I: From Legend author Ian Lewis introduces us to the compelling character of Logan Hale, a Reeve entrusted with maintaining law and order in the town of Beldenridge. Intriguingly, this narrative is set in a world that has witnessed a dramatic regression, caused by a disastrous alchemical experiment in its past. Evidence of this catastrophe persists in the form of distorted humans and animals, leaving the environment starkly different from what one would anticipate in the stated year, 2017. Hale’s navigation of this world, beset with dangers and mysteries, is guided primarily by Clara, a character with whom he shares an intricate and complex history.

The plot thickens when Hale embarks on an investigation into a mysterious death, opening the door to a perilous journey that underscores the eerie nature of his world. The Reeve Book I: From Legend echoes the stylistic choices of classic Gothic horror, drawing parallels to the works of Algernon Blackwood and Clark Ashton Smith. Lewis’s writing thrives on creating an atmospheric tension that simultaneously captivates and disconcerts readers. The world Hale occupies is oppressively off-balance, and Lewis’s narrative skillfully highlights this aspect.

Punctuating the looming darkness are sequences of action, providing a refreshing break from periods of exposition, though their frequency is perhaps inevitable given this is the opening act of a series. Lewis’s narrative employs a mix of third and first-person perspectives, oscillating between the present and reminiscences of earlier times. This may require some adjustment for readers used to a single narrative voice, yet this is a minor point in an otherwise gripping tale.

Overall, The Reeve Book I: From Legend offers an engaging read, with its protagonist, Hale, being a richly developed character. However, it ends on a suspenseful note, leaving readers inquisitive about his true intentions. This sense of anticipation certainly sparks interest in the forthcoming sequels, promising to unravel more of this intriguing, albeit bleak, world.

Pages: 270 | ASIN: B07PGSDVC9