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A review by heatherreadsbooks
Riverkeep by Martin Stewart
3.0
The Danék is a wild, treacherous river, and the Fobisher family has tended it for generations—clearing it of ice and weed, making sure boats can get through, and fishing corpses from its bleak depths. Wulliam’s father, the current Riverkeep, is proud of this work. Wull dreads it. And in one week, when he comes of age, he will have to take over.
Not too keen to take over as it is, Wull's father is pulled under and emerges possessed, no longer himself, and the role of Riverkeep is thrust upon him. He meets a few people along the way to find the cure, and learns a lot about himself, including finding a courage he didn't know he possessed.
You need to bear with Riverkeep for a bit. It's boldly compared to the likes of Wizard of Oz, and Neil Gaiman, which sets expectations that it doesn't immediately meet, but grows into. To get there, you need to sit through lengthy sections that can feel longer than they are, but then get caught up in moments so vivid and grabbing that they flash past you until the next one comes along - partly because some of these are given less page-time than they deserve, and partly because you're turning pages rather furiously.
Wull has a tough time, but you're with him for the long haul, at times rooting for him, at others frustrated with him on his journey. Some characters pass by without a clear point, some sub-plots are left untied, a few little bits you think about and go "What happened there?" later. But as debut's go, this is an ambitious world on the water, with more lurking beneath than most worlds have on the surface.
Stewart's world is vivid, magical, and full of creatures that make his creation that little bit weirder and unique, and Riverkeep is at times engrossing and at others heartbreaking.
Not too keen to take over as it is, Wull's father is pulled under and emerges possessed, no longer himself, and the role of Riverkeep is thrust upon him. He meets a few people along the way to find the cure, and learns a lot about himself, including finding a courage he didn't know he possessed.
You need to bear with Riverkeep for a bit. It's boldly compared to the likes of Wizard of Oz, and Neil Gaiman, which sets expectations that it doesn't immediately meet, but grows into. To get there, you need to sit through lengthy sections that can feel longer than they are, but then get caught up in moments so vivid and grabbing that they flash past you until the next one comes along - partly because some of these are given less page-time than they deserve, and partly because you're turning pages rather furiously.
Wull has a tough time, but you're with him for the long haul, at times rooting for him, at others frustrated with him on his journey. Some characters pass by without a clear point, some sub-plots are left untied, a few little bits you think about and go "What happened there?" later. But as debut's go, this is an ambitious world on the water, with more lurking beneath than most worlds have on the surface.
Stewart's world is vivid, magical, and full of creatures that make his creation that little bit weirder and unique, and Riverkeep is at times engrossing and at others heartbreaking.