‘We are all of us but parts of a pattern not of our own making.’

Stevan Allred’s new book promises much, but does it deliver? This is the story of an unnamed fisherman who learns of his wife’s death and sets off to the Isle of the Dead to find her soul and bring her home. Here be shape-shifting bird deities, a usurping Crow who acts as despot, and as the tale develops we are bombarded by any amount of myths and allusions which direct the action. Eastern and Western mythologies combine: we have a ‘pilgrim’ descending into an underworld, tales of creation, goddesses, Edenic existence and a ‘fall’, a war to rival Milton’s War in Heaven or Tolkien’s great battle scenes… Into all of this mix Allred throws humorous footnotes and bawdy – even explicit – sexual encounters.

Does it all work? I’m so far out of my comfort zone with a book like this – it is not what I usually read, but isn’t it good to try something different? If you like fantasy novels I can see this appealing to you – although some reviews I have read said people were expecting a world like Terry Pratchett’s but were disappointed. There are plenty of references to other literatures and philosophies that it can be quite rewarding to recognise some as they come along. But, as a whole, I was left wondering if it all amounted to more or less of the sum of the parts and, to be honest, I thought it was OK, but just OK. I didn’t care enough for the central characters of the fisherman and his wife, and while it could be read as a novel reflecting some issues of our turbulent times I felt that the author perhaps tried too hard to throw everything but the kitchen sink to make his point.

I’m glad I read it, and I would encourage others to do so, but I can only rate it 3 stars I think, given my reservations.

(With thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.) ( )

https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2019/01/201902-alehouse-at-end-of-world-stevan.ht... ( )

Stevan Allred is one of the most imaginative writers around. His new novel, The Alehouse at the End of the World, follows the hero on a quest to find his beloved on the Isle of the Dead. It takes place in the sixteenth century, sort of, in a world filled with myth, lore, bird gods, adventures, and a very sexy goddess. For lovers of very creative stories looking for a book to get lost in! ( )

This is one of those hard to review books especially because we don't have an option for half stars. I do enjoy off the wall books and this definitely qualifies. We also get the classic tale of the lengths one will go to for the love of their life. Then we get the not so great things. It does go on a bit longer than it needed for me. Lastly are the somewhat creepy sex scenes which will limit who I would recommend this too. It definitely will leave an impression on you after you finish! ( )