‘Driftworld Atlas’ by L. Bell – Book Review

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book blog, Book Review, Books, Fantasy, fiction, Humour, Indie Author

 GIFTED BOOK REVIEW 

‘Driftworld Atlas’ by L Bell.

Big thanks to @lovebookstours and L.Bell (author) for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Please see the photos for the blurb.

MY REVIEW

As an avid reader of fantasy, there are some books that blow my mind when they introduce you to a whole new world that you’ve never experienced before. And then there’s ‘Driftworld Atlas’!

How the author has vividly described the settlements among the high cliffs and vines at the edges of civilisation intrigued me. Reading this book was like nothing I’d read before. I could place myself beside the Lost Traveler as he journeyed through the places described in this book.

There’s a number of familiar fantasy creatures, and plenty of new ones – such as a shape-shifting lady made of paper – that make  this read all the more enthralling. I even found myself having empathy for the main demon character – which is a complete first for me.

This book offers us a snapshot into such a wonderfully created world and characters. I can’t wait to read more as this universe expands in future books.

RATING

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Shadow Shinjuku by Ryu Takeshi

Tags

Book Review, Indie Author, Japan, new author, Shadow Shinjuku, Tokyo, urban fantasy

With thanks to @lovebookstours and @ryutakeshi.official (author) for the free copy of ‘Shadow Shinjuku’ in exchange for my honest review.

Blurb

The streets of Tokyo are different at night. There is darkness behind the glitter and the neon lights, and people who prefer to stay in the shadows, to dwell in the underworld – whores, gangsters, the homeless, the lost. People like Sato. He’s part of this world, he always has been, but a feeling of change is lingering in the heavy air of the bustling city. A feeling brought to life by fateful encounters of solitary souls.

Shadow Shinjuku is a dark, yet magical journey into the depths of Tokyo’s nightlife and the depths of the human soul. Ryu Takeshi’s first novel is both a noir crime thriller and urban fantasy. It’s a unique and mesmerizing blend of the imagery of Japanese animation and film, the colors and details of street photography, and the mystical lyricism of soulful music. But above everything, it is a gripping story that doesn’t let go.

My Review

This urban fantasy thriller is set against the nightlife subculture of Tokyo, and the outsiders who call its streets home. It follows Sato, a loner bodyguard in an organised crime gang, who goes through life-changing experiences enhanced by the power of his dreams, the people he meets and magic.

The author uses internal monologue and flashbacks very well to create a story that is quite philosophical, and provides some insight into culture and myth and how they blend into Tokyo today. These elements combine well to help the plot flow, making this an engaging read.

I would recommend this book to anybody interested in Japanese culture, and for those who love manga and anime.