Review: Beautiful, original writing
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2014
I want to start by saying that this novel is not an easy reading, but it is worth your while.I would place this book in the historical fiction genre, with elements of fantasy and mythology. Its title, "Dethalissicus", is the name of the main character - which the author does not give away easily - an intricate name with symbolic references, maybe referring to "death".  Unlike the other names in the book, the main character's name is not explained in the Glossary, the author leaving it surrounded by mystery.The novel has a multitude of characters, most of them only sketched. Chelsea Brooke lets her characters develop by themselves in front of your eyes, through their actions and sometimes dialogue, not influencing you by giving clues. She describes only their physical traits. My favorite character is Amien, in my opinion, the most complex character in the novel, with his ever-changing behavior and temper, and with the many secrets that he keeps.The story line holds a multitude of plots and sub-plots that develop and resolve through the story. It is an open-end book, with the background plot (the parting of the worlds) being left unresolved, the author leaving the possibility for a sequel, or just for our minds to wonder about. We are introduced to the main theme - the battle between good and evil - from the beginning of the narration, and we find the same theme in all the sub-plots. Elements of mystery and suspense are present throughout the story, and accident plays an important role, turning the story line in a different direction from what you expected.But, no matter how intricate and complex the plotting of the novel is, I found it secondary to the setting. The action is set in 5th-6th century post-Roman Britain, during a time of internal wars between tribes. The author tries to imitate the language and vocabulary of those times, making the book a laborious reading, at least for the first chapters, until you get used to it. From a point of view of scenic effects, I consider this book a descriptive novel. The illustration of the hills, plains and forests of old Britain is majestic, full of details and imagery; it is easy to get stolen away from what is happening in the story. I also felt that there is a strong relationship between the events and the scenery: rain starts pouring when the main character is facing some hardship, winter becomes a time of transition, and spring is the time for hope and new adventures.The only critical comment I have refers to the use of dialogue - it is reduced, and I would have liked to see more of it.I recommend this novel to readers of historical fiction and fantasy, and especially to lovers of descriptive writing. It seems to be the author's true calling.