Borehole Bazaar

by Kendra Namednil

Borehole Bazaar is a Fantasy book set in a world of brutality and inter-species tensions, where the softer, more civilized races sit at the pinnacle of their society while the harder, more feral races are unable to climb above their squalor. The book follows Ptielieren, and elf of the highest lineage, as he and his companions are forcibly brought into the culture and family group of a den of bugbears. His pride and self-righteous wrath are mashed in close to the unforgiving reality of a race known for their mercenaries as he is used to educate the den's cubs on how the softer races think, move and act. Of course, suffering is a prime breeding ground for empathy.

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328 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2018

Reviews

[Peter Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borehole Bazaar is a lush, dark fantasy set in a world where casually brutal slavery is a way of life. The characters are complex, thoughtful and put under immense personal pressure. The main Elf character, Ptielieren, is an overly prideful protector of a young Elf scion, and it was the older Elf’s story I found most compelling. The Bugbears race (the primary antagonists) are, I wanted to say cruel, amoral by our own standards, and the constant battle between Ptielieren’s will and their punishment is the glue that holds this tale together. Namednil has written the beginning of a fantastic series, and it’s a journey I’m looking forward to continuing.

[Susan Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borehole Bazaar is a unique read in the fantasy genre. It is a dark tale of slavery, brutality and the difficult choices that must be made to survive. Namednil’s world-building ability is beyond compare and all of the races in this book (and most of them are non-human) are well-developed and nuanced. There are many parts of this story that are uncomfortable—and frankly, downright brutal—but the author does not shy away from the often-cruel nature of the world she’s created.

This is a wonderful novel, and I highly recommend it to lovers of the fantasy genre. At times it can be hard to read, and you will go through a number of emotions as you do, but I think it is well worth it.

[Michael Haase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is unique, and a brave start to a series. I'll skip the summary and get straight to the meat of it. The story is brutal, but the violence is not purposeless. The writing is on-point, making it easy to be immersed in the story, which should serve as a warning for some, I suppose. But Kendra Namednil has a great writing style and an in-depth talent for storytelling. This book is a study of the effect of trauma on developmental psychology. Sure, it’s dark and the themes and imagery aren’t for the faint-hearted, but what the author has done is brave. This book is equal parts devastating and intriguing, and I have a great feeling about the series as a whole.

[Kaytalin Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal, violent, and heavily detailed in its violence. I'm not saying that as a negative. The writing is lyrical, beautiful, and vivid. This is not a book that just anyone can pick up and enjoy, especially those that I know who shy away from gore or violence. I commend Namednil for exploring and walking a path of writing that few authors have the guts to tread. I, as a writer, am unsure if I could go there as she did. She pulls back the veil of niceties and colorful whimsy so often found in fantasy and shines a bright, beaming light on the brutal nature of creatures that view others as lesser than themselves. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Craig Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that Borehole Bazaar is not an easy read. The themes and events it describes are darker than you’re likely to find in many other books, and Namednil doesn’t shy away from unpleasant details. That being said, the writing is fluid, the characters, their reactions, and the look into the mind of someone living through horrific abuse are all utterly believable, for all that the story is told in the context of a DnD style fantasy world.

[Jeff S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a story that is usually just a small part in a standard fantasy novel. It's well written and had plenty of depth.
There is a bit more exposition than I like, but most of it is done in a quick, accessible way.