The Wilderlands

by R.E. Bellesmith

This story begins as all things In fire.

Soot and sorrow plague the air when a hoard of Wilderfolk fall upon a caravan. Running at the head of that hoard is Knalc, a man hardened by battle and the horrors of the Wilderlands. The screams that rise from the caravan come from Valforians, who hide behind the walls of their five cities, who carry things rare and precious—things of want and need for the Wilderfolk, who live in the ever growing green of the world. In their attack, Knalc and his clan find a Valforian man, all in red and blade bloodied, who can hold his own against Wilderfolk.

This man in red protects a boy who cannot speak and a girl—Dhorena—with more spite than sense. Once Knalc manages to best the man in red, the fate of Red and his wards lies with Knalc.

Through the twisting of fate and the sinister bend of circumstance, Knalc decides to form a ramshackle alliance with the Valforians to bring them back to their city. What lies between are monsters, gods, and the very Wilderlands.

Genres: Fantasy

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

R.E. Bellesmith lives in the American Midwest where he’s probably writing (or sleeping) at this very moment. He has never been transported to a fantastic realm or been the subject of prolific prophecy.

Reviews

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wilderlands is Bellesmith’s masterpiece. He successfully weaves together the style of oral storytelling, worldbuilding, characterizations, character relationships, plot, and writing prowess into a tale of vengeance, heartbreak, survival, companionship with those you least expect, and grief. Once you start this book, you won’t want to put it down because you simply have to see what happens to Knalc, Dhorena, Red, and D’s brother in the Wilderlands. Each has their own reason to get to the Valforian city, and the reveals are earned. If you love Beowulf and other oral storytelling epics, you’ll love this.

[Kelsey Watley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading through this book, and oftentimes couldn't put it down. Bellesmith's writing is unique but very accessible; his style is one of the many things that totally immerses you in the narrative. The world building and descriptions are vivid and visceral. Many times I audibly gasped or cringed, and I definitely got teary eyed once or twice. The Wilderlands really captivated my attention, and I've been recommending it to a lot of my friends!

[Kelly Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright lemme tell ya right off the bat this here ebook wasnt my cup of tea it was all over the dang place I mean shoot there was so much fightin everbody was runnin around hollerin screamin stabbin like a big ol messed up story to me

Now it starts off with fire and smoke and some folks called Wilderfolk bustin up a caravan and right at the front is a feller named Knalc who seen some rough days and got a heart hard as old leather boots now them Wilderfolk go chargin in and run up on this man in red who aint no pushover he holdin his own with a sword slick with blood and he got a mute boy and a feisty girl with him named Dhorena who got more attitude than brains I reckon

And I aint about usin all them fancy words and such like this book tries to throw at ya felt like I needed a dang decoder ring just to keep up and who comes up with character names like Knalc and Dhorena sounds like somethin ya hear shouted across a dirt track when your cousin done crashed the go kart again I mean them names wilder than a family reunion after somebody brings up old grudges and bad potato salad

Well ole Knalc beats Red and kinda decides maybe we dont kill em maybe we make some kinda alliance which dont make a lick of sense but hey who am I to judge then its just a long trip full of monsters and gods and woods that sound like they got teeth and I kept tryin to figure out who was doin what but it kept bouncin all over like a June bug in a mason jar

Look maybe this book just aint for folks like me maybe you gotta be smarter or more into sword swingin than story tellin but I just couldnt follow half of it

I give it 2 outta 5 Catfish

[Tyler Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.E. Bellesmith's sophomore novel, The Wilderlands (2024), is a gripping tale of survival and destiny. Set against a backdrop of chaos and encroaching wilderness, the story follows Knalc, a battle-hardened warrior, and his unlikely companions: a mute boy and a sharp-witted girl named Dhorena. As they journey through a perilous landscape, they confront both external threats and internal struggles. Bellesmith's vivid prose and immersive worldbuilding create a haunting atmosphere, exploring themes of despair, freedom, and the enduring power of hope. The Wilderlands surpasses its predecessor, Light Keeper Chronicle: The Unspoken Prophecy (2022), with its darker tone and more complex characters. This standalone novel is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure.

[Tracey Hamlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my usual genre but I found myself engaged with the characters and wanting to know how they fared. The characters were both likable and unlikeable - as they possessed all the traits that humans have, both good and bad. The difficulty of the world they need to try and live in has a way of pulling them together while keeping them apart and distrusting. The connection between the lack of trust and loneliness is stark.