Lost Acre

Rotherweird #3

by Andrew Caldecott

Wynter is here . . .

Geryon Wynter has returned to Rotherweird and has not only taken over the town but is busy destroying the countrysiders' life too.

Can our small band of heroes find a way to outwit a genius whose master plan is five centuries in the making?

Watch this space . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Historical, Science Fiction Fantasy

473 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2019

About the author

Andrew Caldecott is a QC specialising in media, defamation and libel law, as well as a novelist and occasional playwright. He represented the BBC in the Hutton Inquiry (into the death of biological warfare expert and UN weapons inspector David Kelly), the Guardian in the Leveson Inquiry (into the British press following the phone hacking scandal), and supermodel Naomi Campbell in her landmark privacy case, amongst many others.

His first produced play, Higher than Babel, was described as 'Assured and ambitious . . . deeply impressive debut' by Nick Curtis in the Evening Standard and 'Vivid and absorbing and grapples with big ideas without being dry, difficult or patronising' by Sarah Hemming, in the Financial Times, but informed by his love of history, which he studied at New College, Oxford, he was seized by the notion of a city-state hiding a cataclysmic secret: the result, Rotherweird. 'A history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one', says Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall, and 'baroque, Byzantine and beautiful,' according to M.R, Carey, author of The Girl with all the Gifts.

A sequel, Wyntertide, is currently taking shape.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Caldecott concludes his gloriously stellar Rotherweird fantasy series in superb style, however, there is no way you can read this as a standalone, you are going to have go back to the beginning to make sense of this addition. This is hugely imaginative, original and smart storytelling that picks up from the last book which saw the resurrection of the evil, sinister Geryon Wynter and which cost the lives of integral figures fighting against him, such as Fortemain and Hayman Salt. Wynter arrives with a plot and agenda that been 5 centuries in the making to Rotherweird, a place where history is banned, and where the election for mayor ended in failure. A stranger to most, he begins to take over, posing as a mystic, the protector and hero, saving the people from monsters, all foretold by prophecies drawn on ancient coins. He knows all that his assistant Bole knew, ostensibly honours the old Eleusians and their descendents, but what are his nefarious plans?

Caldecott's world building is exquisite, complex and richly detailed in a narrative in which we see Wynter implacably mow down all opposition as he is installed in the now deceased Sir Veronal Slickstone's Manor as the new mayor. He takes advantage of the fear generated by monsters and the deaths of prominent residents to build a heavy and strong defence force, recruiting spies to carry out surveillance to identify all who oppose him with the intention of eliminating them. He lures the likes of born torturer, Carcasey Jack, to his side with money, aided by the likes of his loyal servants, Estella Scry, and Nona who smooth his way to gaining a stranglehold on the town. Wynter proves himself to be a different man from Slickstone who venerated exclusivity, Wynter exudes charm and his intent is to be inclusive, everyone is invited to his Unrecognisable party. In a narrative that is interspersed with Old History, the rebels that include historian Jonah Oblong, the feisty Vixen Valourhand, Tyke, and others work together and individually to do all that they can stand up against Wynter. Will they succeed?

This is not a fantasy and science fiction read to rush through, but to savour, besides which it demands the full attention of the reader with all the intricate and complicated details, not to mention the fact that there is a huge cast of characters to keep up with. I cannot imagine how much time and effort Caldecott put into planning and writing this superior trilogy, but I think it must have taken over his entire life for years. I for one totally appreciated this, I have loved and adored this series, the eccentric characters and their development. However, it will not be for every reader, although if you enjoyed Gormenghast and its ilk, then this is a series that is likely to appeal to you. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Quercus and Jo Fletcher Books for a ARC.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intricate and exciting end to a fabulous and unique series. The characters are unique and the story complicated so this is not one to be a standalone. I’m sorry to see this trilogy come to an end. It’s been quite a ride!

[TS Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read anything like the Rotherweird series, which is original in its own oddball manner and quite unique in its narrative voice. It's without a doubt an intricate and imaginative story that left me confused at times, but kept me engaged nonetheless. On the whole, it is fascinating and enjoyable, and I'm glad that I've read it.

[Hboyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final installment to the trilogy occupied a couple of days of lockdown very nicely. I couldn't put it down, not one moment of it bored me. The characters and the universe are the big draws, well pulled off and three-dimensional. You really care about the people here and they pop out of their funny little stereotypes to endear you to them.
However the flaw here was plot. Although I felt satisfied at the end, it was a massive anti-climax and I didn't really get why we had done all that stuff. How come Wynter, after 2 books' Worth of hype as the big baddie, was so lame in the end? How come the diabolical, unstoppable, all-knowing Calx Bole just fell down a hole? Why did Nona want to rule in the first place -what was she planning to do apart from play at Disney Princesses? And most ridiculously of all, how come all it took to defeat this terrible would-be queen was a bit of music?????!
I wish the hedge-priest had turned up, as he seemed quite interesting.
Again, as before, the writing style really sucks you in, but some descriptions are a little too sparse, so that you don't really get the spatial layout of a key place and get confused and have to go back and puzzle it out to understand what's going on (e.g. "Finch's fastness" and the two shafts, one with stairs that Jones still has to absail down and one without).
Another downfall that marks this trilogy as just a pass-time read, is that it fails to ask any big questions. The power and beauty of nature as opposed to the urban environment could have been better exploited, as that is what most of the plot hinges on. No matter what people plan or do, nature is a greater force. Yet, it's not brought to light in any significant way, perhaps because the main urban environment, Rotherweird, is so stuck in the 40s.
So to conclude, I thouroughly enjoyed reading this trilogy, immersing myself in its universe and meeting these wonderful characters, but ultimately the substance of a good plot and EM Forster's "prophecy" is sadly lacking.
Not badly done for a lawyer though!

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third instalment of the Rotherweird trilogy. Evil is back in Rotherweird and it has a name, Gervon Wynter. As is seen all over this planet, some are charmed by this power and support his masterplan although not many of them have a clear view what this plan exactly represents. And then there is the Resistance,ordinary, well perhaps not so ordinary, townspeople and country people. Of course the weird city of Rotherweird, an Elizabethan anachronism, plays a major role in this story as do many major and minor characters. Still one of the best characters in these stories is the city of Rotherweird. It is slightly gothic,Dickensian, there is a touch of horror in it ,but it is foremost absolutely captivating. This world building ,although complex,is done with great skill and is one(of the many)attractive features. As this is the third part of the trilogy it is fair to warn the readers that this is definitely not a standalone novel. If you have not been introduced to Rotherweird and its quirkiness, nor to some history or characters it is really unreadable. And as with all trilogies, especially fantasy,you are either completely mesmerized by it or you absolutely hate it! Well,I was very happy that I read it as it gave me many hours of sometimes confusing,sometimes marvelous and very often amazing pleasure.

[KateKing58 · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no doubt that this series is an incredibly imaginative and original one. But for me it ends with more of a whimper than a bang.

You have to have your wits about you to remember who knows what, which characters have met and which haven't, and who is collaborating with or working against whom. It would probably help to reread the first 2 books.

Geryon Wynter has returned. A fantastically convoluted scheme, more than four hundred years in the making, is unmade in just 3 months between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's too neat, too quick.

Too many key people and plot devices are introduced at the last minute. The Clauds and their family chapel. The lake of fire and ice. The gnarl and its green opposite. Tyke's powers and motivation. All used with no explanation, nothing to tie them to what has gone before. There is much use of deus ex machina as a plot device.

Although, which god? Graeco-roman mythology nestles up to Norse and Judeo-christian themes, with druids thrown in for good measure. It's a mess.

It is not necessary to provide "happy" endings for key players by having them pair up in conventionally heterosexual couples. And the aspect that made me the most angry and disappointed was the fate of the wonderfully spiky, intelligent and independant Vixen Valourhand. Tamed by her love for an unattainable man. She deserved better. We all did.

[Trish Graboske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn't want this series to end. Fabulous world-building; quirky, sympathetic characters; complex, intelligent plot. Gripping ride! Note: it does demand the reader's full attention; for instance, many characters are actually two different characters. (It will make sense.)

[Irishbookmammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Rotherweird the first book in the series but by the second book Wyntertide I lost track of who was who. There are so many characters who have various aliases and all starting with the letter F. Very confusing. I decided instead of getting the paperback for Lost Acre I'd listen to it on audible to hopefully keep track better 🤷‍♀️ well it didn't work. What I did like was the world building of Rotherweird and Lost Acre and the descriptions of the creatures was amazing. I particularly loved the characters Oblong, Gregorius Jones and Morval whilst others I honestly lost track of who they were. I felt the characters in the story as they span the ages got lost in translation somehow with too many aliases and no clear explanation as to motivation and the big question How???? I felt I was asking How? throughout this book, there were too many unanswered questions and why does everyone have to have a name beginning with F or S vary it a bit please. Some of the main strong characters were lost in the 3rd book like Ferensen, I felt his role was massively diminished and expected more. I don't want to give too much away but like Wyntertide I felt this an exhausting and difficult read. Thank god for long commutes and audiobooks.

[Faith Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rotherweird. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it will change your life. Okay, it probably won’t perform any of those plastic airport clichés but I wouldn't be reading it if it did. This series it is a photogenic little ramble through the mind of a writer who intended the most audacious thing an author can do – give us a new legend. Is it eccentric enough to earn that though?

Firstly, the author: Andrew Caldecott is a retired QC (senior legal mind in the UK system) with a good vocabulary who seems to have picked up the pen as a hobby to keep his brain buzzing. He’s clearly a classicist and a puzzle solver, so if the blurb had said this was the first literary outing of the crossword compiler ‘Cyclops’, I would have believed that too, without question. He’s also, very obviously, deeply influenced by Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast trilogy. He’s not on the wrong path. Anecdote warning. There was once a woman who watched a terrible play and said to a television producer “I could write a play as good as that”, which she went on to do, then no one wanted to make it and she had no idea why. The thing is, we shouldn’t aspire to be slightly better than the worst; we should try to be up there with the most descriptive, imaginative and emotive writers of all time. Then, when we inevitably fall slightly short, on account of being mortal, what’s on paper is still something to be proud of.

I read all three books in this series (Rotherweird, Wyntertide, Lost Acre) and could misremember which scene was in which, so I’ll generalise. The author’s professional background is reflected in structure, as the autonomous town of Rotherweird (within England) is a manifestation of the concept of a legal loophole. The place has its own laws and independence, which the nation around it could be expected to threaten under normal conditions but does not do so because an Elizabethan queen has granted them exclusive status under a Royal Charter. This is a toy train set concept, where if a writer makes and claims their own place (e.g. Pratchett owned Discworld), where they can set the rules without anyone else putting their hand up and saying “actually that’s not how it’s done because I spent last weekend there, glamping”. Fantasy needs a concept setting and this is one.

The other legally-minded thing that happens a lot in this book is the very English pattern of resolution being achieved by gathering the town together, listening to speakers putting cases for and against a proposal, then voting on it. In the long run, money and threats are not as effective as public consensus. Although loser’s consent is a principle which has collapsed badly in recent times, the passive systems of progression through an impasse under ‘the right way of doing things’ assumes everyone has the same respect for procedure that the legal profession adheres to. Maybe people with the intelligence to read will be reliable and fair too – but the rest of society has learned from politics the somewhat murky matter of the midnight moving of goal posts. Take me back to simpler times.

Okay, so we’ve got a town in a valley that is within but not administratively part of a host country. There are too many characters, I have to say (more than the Iliad), making it hard to follow each of their motivations. There’s not just an Amber and an Ember but a couple of the shape-shifting characters go through 3 and in one case 5 personas. If you want to understand the story accurately, a notebook and pencil would help. If you subscribe to the Rotherweird = Gormenghast motif, I counted no less than 5 Steerpikes (separate murderous antagonists). There’s one everyman character (reactor), who matures only slightly over the course of the series and, duck, three dangerously capable women. Valourhand is the most inspiring for me, a gifted opponent/ally who propels herself around town with a vaulting pole. Now that’s a memorable image.

All three books are very well copy edited, credit due, with nothing annoying left undetected to interrupt the daydream. Being picky, there was a ‘Hayman Salts’ (unnecessary plural) toward the end but it’s amazing to find so few typos in about 1,200 pages. There’s a scene, in I think book 2, where an ice dragon swoops to strafe two characters then no more is said about it. It is very dissatisfying because it feels to the reader like there was further material on the escape from peril which got snipped out of the approved draft. The creature turns up much later and more information becomes available but if you encounter this section in a linear progression, as for the first time, it’s as if an event started and then – blink – the problem has vanished and let’s pour tea. As an editor, I would have told him to write another page to satisfy it. Also, what happened to the comet? Did it just evaporate? Why did I prefer Rotherweird and Lost Acre to the bridging book Wyntertide? Probably because of this cauterised scene.

I would recommend that people buy, borrow and read this series because it is an attempt to be unique (which should always be encouraged), written with some intelligence and originality (even better for the mind candy). You have to be the kind of person who doesn’t mind a cat’s cradle of a tale though, where the plot makes sense to the author but doesn’t fit neatly into an ordinary, predictable narrative arc. Like the town it portrays, Rotherweird’s story and that of its people has grown organically and you get the sense this has happened over the span of hundreds of years, so of course the journey has to be complex to convey this feeling; you just have to keep up. I kept thinking things were red herrings or Chekov’s guns, but they weren’t because the characters would then go on to use them. You can’t read this without the feeling that the story is running ahead of you, digging strange new tunnels, only debatably under control, and then the mole trap goes off and we find the plot lined up again.

All in all, I liked the imaginative quality and the tying-up between the world of Celtic/Norse myth and the new reality. The idea you can pass through an interface into ‘the other side of the glass’ is two thousand years old now (at least) but it still holds its appeal when presented slightly differently. I had to suspend disbelief that a secret of this magnitude could be kept for so long and the last battle appeared as if to fulfil an expectation of the publishing industry (fear of the trees and locations inverting would have been enough) but I can see that palpable catastrophic danger is the regular way to conclude thrillers.

Probably the most glorious thing I can say in its favour is that Rotherweird is unlike any other place in fiction. It is layered real but unreal. I could make an oblique comparison to Atlantis or Gormenghast as other fantasy independent states, but Rotherweird had a civilised ‘home counties’ sense to it, with the pub and a pint of Sturdy as the centre of community, which the aforementioned flights of conception lacked. Rotherweird is certainly a place you could move to and never want to leave, but outsiders would soon spoil the magic, wouldn’t they? I can see why Queen Bess would want to keep it safe. She was a smart bitch, that one.

[Phil Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

About to start as it arrived today. After 'Rotherweird' and 'Wyntertide', I'm really looking forward to losing myself in Andrew Caldecott's world(s) once more.

Loved it, as I had the first two in the trilogy. You have to read the first two in the trilogy to understand fully the characters, events and locations within 'Lost Acre' but that "have to" is the key to a joyous experience, immersing yourself within the strange independent state within a state (Britain) that Caldecott creates, utterly convincingly and with a real eye for detail. There are new characters within this third book but the vast majority are familiar from the first two. The naming of characters is inspired and has a real Dickensian quality about it: Carcasey Jack is pure genius and truly lives down to the implications of the nomenclature.

If you are willing to suspend disbelief, join the author on his journey through a brilliantly-built world where the wondrous merges pretty much seamlessly with elements of our recognisable reality. Every location is credible, as is their connections with each other. The same is true of the characters. There is a lot of inter-cutting between locations in time and, particularly, place but this is never confusing.

All I have to do now, despite the many books that I still have to read, is to decide how long to leave before starting again from the beginning … assuming, that is, that I can prise the first two back from my similarly hooked daughter.

[Anwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last of a whimsical and wacky fantasy trilogy. The final book is definitely the strongest of the Rotherweird series, but I did find myself a bit disappointed by the anticlimax of its ending (minus Gregorius Jones, my king). It also felt it was left a bit open-noted for future books/a spin-off, which is not particularly surprising in the fantasy realm, but leaves you a bit disappointed that the series can’t just stand on its own two feet.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Likeable characters and adequately compelling mysteries led me to believe finishing the series would be worth my time. I was mistaken. Ended up skimming my way through a fair amount since it was a dull climax. Each book suffered from sudden resolutions and unceremonious character deaths that lacked impact.

To say something nice for the series, I did enjoy the first and second books and was only irritated by awkward action and confusing writing. I appreciated the cozy feeling of characters gathering to plainly lay out clues. It provided some necessary clarity, and really felt like a forging of meaningful friendships between practical strangers.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duration: 15 hrs 27 mins.
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books.

Lost Acre, Rotherweird Book 3 by Andrew Caldecott.

Audible Summary: "Wynter is here.... Geryon Wynter has returned to Rotherweird and has not only taken over the town but is busy destroying the countrysiders' life too.

Can our small band of heroes find a way to outwit a genius whose master plan is five centuries in the making? Watch this space....

©2019 Andrew Caldecott (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited."

In our final visit to Caldecott's fantastical realm, Lost Acre's very existence is under threat from its own ancient history. As Rotherweirdian's past and present unite to save the town and its people, Bolitho's chosen few must learn to trust each other's strengths if they are to defeat Wynter and his acolytes. Who those enemies are, and when they will reveal themselves, remains unpredictable to the last.

As with Rotherweird and Wyntertide before it, the conclusion to the trilogy is not an audiobook you can play in the background while doing other things and still expect to follow the plot. With more twists and turns than a game of Snakes and Ladders played on a helter-skelter, it requires one's full attention. The story more than earns your assiduity, immersing the listener in a richly detailed world full of extraordinary characters; many of whom have double (or even quintuple) personas to keep track of across the centuries. This is easier in the print and ebooks, which list the principal characters and sort them into their main groups - such as Outsiders, Townsfolk, and Countrysiders - and also keeps track of characters from the most significant historical eras, and those now deceased. In audio there are none of these cue's, with the listener reliant upon their memory and the author's evocative descriptions to follow the adventure. One of the reasons that my review will not go into too much detail about the plot (aside from wanting to avoid spoilers) is that I cannot even begin to guess at the spelling of most of the characters' names. Of all the audiobooks I have listened to, this series is the one that most makes me wish I had a physical book to refer to as I listen.

In this final story we discover the true identities and allegiances of the few characters who remained mysterious in the wake of book two, and the balance of the battle swung wildly from one chapter to the next. Rotherweird's fate was in jeopardy to the last, and not all of my favourites made it to the end as they fought the ancient, sinister forces seeking to take over the land.

The narrator, Kris Dyer, was an asset to the series, juggling the anglicised names and their more unusual companions without pause, creating clear, distinct voices for each character, and remaining engaging throughout. His voice has a pleasant tone and his pace was gentle without ever feeling slow. I have enjoyed other audiobooks he has narrated, but will forever associate his now-familiar tones with the eccentric inhabitants of Rotherweird.

For me, the series as a whole is best summarised by loyal, steadfast Gregorious Jones, when he said: "Before a decisive battle, ask only for the company of friends."

Lost Acre is a fitting end to a fantastical trilogy, and I will be sad to see my time in Rotherweird end.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed the first two books in the series, Rotherweird and Wyntertide, as it is too intricately-scripted to work as a stand-alone.

*I received this audiobook from the publisher free of charge in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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[Leonie Hinch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Quercus Books and Andrew Caldecott for my arc of Lost Acre in exchange for an honest review.


Spoiler warning, as this is the third book in the series this review will inevitably contain spoilers for books 1 & 2.

Synopsis: Geryon Wynter has returned to Rotherweird and it's time to pick a side. Some of the townsfolk are drawn to his power and charisma, others remember the foul deeds he has done and reject him. But Wynter's on a mission, not only has he taken over the town, he's determined to ruin the lives of the countrysider's too. With a master plan 500 years in the making can the town's heroes save the day?

The Rotherweird series is definitely a marmite series. I've found that people either love it or hate it. It's complex, intriguing and you have to pay attention to what's going on. For me I've loved it! I found Wyntertide the most difficult of the three but I've definitely loved the series as a whole. There is a large cast of characters with very similar names so it can get confusing in part but for me this just adds to the wonderful complexity of the series. It's definitely ambitious but it does work! It's very original and nothing like I've seen before.

[Barry Mulvany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall a brilliant read, though slightly let down by the very end.

Last book of the series so can't really go into too much detail. Let's just say that all the characters have to deal with the consequences of the end of the last book and things get even more weird and mysterious.

Most of the characters are back and there are a few new ones thrown in for good measure. We finally (mostly) find out what was really the plan overall. A lot of people die, though not as much as I was expecting, and most mysteries are revealed. These are such strange books, I was absolutely riveted for the whole book but it's already been hard recalling exactly what happened and I only finished it a couple of weeks ago.

I'll be honest the actual end was a bit of a letdown. It happened fairly randomly and didn't even make a lot of sense. I also wasn't a huge fan of the happy endings most people got, especially for the brilliant Valourhand, it came from nowhere and was completely out of character. There are also still a fair amount of stuff unexplained. Like there was all this talk about the hedge priests and druids and whole areas of Lost Acre that were mentioned but just left there. Is the author planning more novels in this universe?

Even with these fairly major criticisms I did love this book and the whole series. It was so different than most things I read that it was refreshing. To steal a line from another series, journey before destination, and the journey was great. I will definitely be keeping an eye out on future releases by the author.

Please see this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/

[Clare Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could, it is so nearly a 5 star book for me. I loved Rotherweird and read Wyntertide and then Lost Acre straight after. I think this final book is my favourite of the three and is a wonderful finale to the trilogy. The climax to the epic battle for Rotherweird and Lost Acre is so absorbing, with all the characters playing their part. I must admit to crying at the end, with happiness for some of the characters and with sadness that I now had to leave this special place.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent finish to this wonderful quirky series of books, it’s not your standard fantasy or either standard urban fantasy.

It’s fully of quirky and unique characters with plenty of charm and great strength and courage even the villains have this. Great use of history in this.

Must say that the the town of rotherweird is a wonderful creative work of fiction and is a major star in its own right.

[G.R. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. Its well written with an excellent command of the language which draws you in and creates the eerie atmosphere, the juxtaposition of the old and new so you're never quite sure when you are - it really develops the concept of a town in England yet outside of it - isolated.

Nice ending to wrap up all the plans and machinations.

[Sonny Peart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but less compelling than the earlier instalments. It was always going to be tricky to wrangle the vast cast of characters to a satisfactory conclusion in the third book of this series. The whimsical Town of Rotherweird and its eccentric inhabitants was still endearing, but the jeopardy of global apocalypse was unconvincing.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An fantastic contemporary urban fantasy, highly recommended for all lovers of weird fantasy.

This is a fantastic trilogy, well written full of fun and interesting characters who keep you guessing as the storyline continues right till the end.

[April Andruszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy

[Cathy McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good finish to the trilogy but wished I’d read this one sooner. Too much of a gap between the first two meant I spent most of the time flicking forwards trying to remember who everyone was.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With great characters and an interesting plot I've really enjoyed this series. Sadly, the conclusion of some of the plot threads were a bit of an anticlimax so it's only 4 stars from me.

[Kacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, so very convoluted, so dark, and utterly brilliant. I had to read the last thirty pages twice. So many loose ends... Will we return to Rotherweird again?

[Michael Cattigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Lost Acre, Andrew Caldecott

Posted by THE BOOK LOVER'S SANCTUARY onJUL 16, 2019


This is a deliciously quirky trilogy of novels! Many many things in the books, Rotherweirdand Wyntertyde should not work, and yet they somehow do.
Gosh! Wyntertyde had left us on a cliffhanger: a second mixing point was discovered; Bolitho was revealed as Fortemain and then dispatched; the vile Calx Bole had succeeded in resurrecting his master, Geryon Wynter, after five hundred years dead.
We return in this, the third and final book in the series, to the secluded and very British valley town of Rotherweird, cut off from the rest of England and its own history by a series of legal and historical precedents. A seclusion build on hidden secrets which the series has already generally revealed: Elizabethan child prodigies (note how I avoid the challenge of pluralising the word “genius”!) known as the Eleusians; Lost Acre, the other place, a mysterious alternate universe of wild and hybrid creatures and the ‘mixing point’ in which chimera and monsters can be created of animal and people and apparently eternal life granted; the sinister mystic, scientist, megalomaniac, monomaniac Geryon Wynter, reincarnated and returned at the conclusion of Wyntertyde through the service and sacrifice of his shape shifting colleague and Calx Bole.
Wynter’s renaissance somewhat eclipses the chaos of the election of mayor in the previous book and he slowly ingratiates himself into society, prominence and power. Some of our main point of view characters start to question the narrative which places Wynter in the villain’s mantle. Has he been misunderstood? Misrepresented?
Ranged against Wynter and his army of apothecaries and followers are a ragtag ensemble: Jonah Oblong, a gangly and socially awkward historian and outsider who struggled to find a niche in Rotherweird for two books and doesn’t seem to have much more success in this one; Gorhambury, the fastidious and particular town clerk; Vixen Valourhand, a scientist and somewhat rogue character vaulting around the rooftops of the town; Gregorius Jones, a PE Teacher whose role increases significantly in this novel; the mysterious Ferensen, previously Hieronymous Seer and his sister (and erstwhile spider-hybrid beast, now in recovery) and artist, Morval Seer; and Orelia Roc, local shopowner and mayoral candidate and the closest the series has to a hero. Maybe. And Tyke: immortal, enigmatic, innocent and Christ-like.
None of the characters particularly take prominence and it is hard to identify a protagonist of any of them; and none of them feel terribly fleshed out and at least partially identifiable as tropes. This is no Stoker-esque band of light to set against the dark but a fractured and fractious group of individuals with separate agenda and only occasionally working together – and even then a little suspicious of each other. And they seem to do a lot of waiting. Perhaps “agency” is the word I’m striving for: very few of the characters possessed agency. Events happened to them, more often than not; they didn’t particularly work towards an end point. And as for the more secondary characters, I’m not entirely able, even after three novels, to separate some of them – Smiths and Strimmers and Snorkels. As a teacher, as a reviewer, I wantto describe them as thin or two-dimensional…. and yet I still ended up caring for them and liking them. Roc – possibly underused – and Oblong perhaps had the strongest journey; and thankfully the romantic subplot trope between them was avoided – although some love interests were a little clumsily shoe-horned into the final chapters.
The central character in the novel and in the series, however, is the town of Rotherweird itself: Gothic and Dickensian and … Gormenghast-ly. Towering rickety buildings, dark alleyways, hidden catacombs, aerial walkways. Strange and arcane traditions which are both sinister and delightful. Town and country divisions and tensions strangely resonant with current politics.
There is an intellectual and erudite mind behind these books: dare I say the mind of a geek and a puzzle enthusiast. Which is not unexpected as the author is also a barrister. Mythology is entwined through and redolent within the pages of the novel in a way reminiscent of a crossword. Central images of trees and the alternative reality of Lost Acre recalled the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and explicitly Yggdrasil. Some characters consciously drew from myths: harpies and chimeras, Persephone. Christ. Nothing that required knowledge of the mythology to grasp, but enough that it sparked off those little connections – glints of light as other stories slide through the narrative warp and weft of this one.
The writing is decent – albeit on occasion with slightly dizzying shifts in narrative points of view so that it can become a little confusing whose point of view you are being presented with. But I had a few gripes: description and atmosphere was at times sacrificed for plot and I personally would have liked to have spent more time in the eponymous Lost Acre.
In short, a clever, quirky and enjoyable jaunt into a gothic mystery spanning the millenia between Roman invasions (Gregorius), the Elizabethans (Bole and Wynter, Ferensen and the Seers) and the modern day. The word that comes to mind in retrospect is perhaps charming…
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review. And apologies to Jo Fletcher, the publisher, that I did not get a review up earlier: as a teacher June and July are in the middle of exam marking period! Sorry!
Ratings:
Overall: 
Characters: 
Plot / Pace: 
Language: 
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Date: 25th July 2019
Available: Amazon

2019ARCCalx BoleEleusiansFerensenGeryon WynterGorhamburyGormenghastGothicGregorius JonesHieronymous SeerJesus ChristJonah OblongMorval SeerOrelia RocRotherweirdThe Garden of EdenThe Tree of Knowledge of Good and EvilTykeVixen Valourhandwyntertyde

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[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Acre’s predecessors, Rotherweird and Wyntertide, were an absolute delight from beginning to end, and this final book in the series is the icing on a perfect cake. This series has been such a delight, I’m going to miss it. I will reign in my heartbreak, power through the grief, and endeavour to convey some semblance of professionalism. Please note however, that what follows is written by a broken man with a heavy heart.

When we last left England’s only isolationist independent city state, things were not good. The outcome of the mayoral election has left the town split down the middle. The meddlesome Guild of Apothecaries were in ascendancy, busying themselves by sowing the seeds of discontent. For your average Rotherweirder, confusion abounds. Apparently, country-siders, those living within Rotherweird valley but outside of the town proper, are no longer to be trusted.

Geryon Wynter has arrived and, using all his charm and devilish cunning, seized control almost overnight. Things do indeed look pretty grim. The various factions standing against the new ‘emergency’ mayor are struggling to keep up. Not a huge surprise really, Wynter’s nefarious schemes have been centuries in the making, so of course our heroes are on the back foot. The final battle for Rotherwierd has begun and it is up to a mismatched group of oddballs, eccentrics, shapeshifters and a permanently confused history teacher to save the day.

As you would expect from the final book in a trilogy, there are revelations a plenty. The author is obviously having a ball delivering his endgame. My advice is pay close attention. Clues about what is what and who is who are there if you look for them!

The narrative is peppered with some subtle, and not so subtle, allusions to the current state of the British political landscape. I’ve become more than a little jaded by all the madness we’ve experienced over the last few years so it’s a great deal of fun watching a writer lampooning it so mercilessly. The various forms of economic and political suicide our glorious leader is contemplating are completely nonsensical, it seems only sensible that it should be mocked at every opportunity.

There are rare occasions when I enjoy a series so much I get genuinely despondent when I know it is drawing to an end. This is such a case. I’m going to miss this weird little town. Rotherweird is such a blissfully unique creation. It manages to be strange and otherworldly but also familiar and comforting at the same time. I’ve come to the conclusion that Rotherweird is essentially a slightly skewed microcosm of the country I call home. The best and the worst of United Kingdom are captured in this satirical fantasy and it provokes a myriad of emotional responses. Caldecott proves time and time again through his subtle humour and insightful characterisation that he knows exactly what makes this stupid little island nation tick.

I know this trilogy isn’t going to be for everyone. Things are often surreal, and the premise is undoubtedly odd. The characters are somewhere beyond strange and far out the other side. Personally, I loved it.

I don’t really think there is much more I can say, I feel so bereft. If you’re contemplating purchasing Lost Acre, then chances are you have already read what has come before. You’ll know exactly what to expect. The good news is book three delivers at every turn. Lost Acre is the perfect swansong to the wonderfully executed series of books.

[Jess C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Geryon Wynter is back, and he’s building up a loyal following. But what does this evil genius want now? Why has he returned and what’s his big plan? Despite his historical atrocities, some of the city’s inhabitants are happy to side with him – while the others must band together to stop him.

The stakes are high: if Wynter isn’t stopped, it won’t just be the future of Rotherweird that comes under threat.

Review:
I can’t believe we’ve finally reached the final of the Rotherweird trilogy! These novels are a masterpiece in world-building, and Lost Acre is no different

As with the other two books, Lost Acre can be difficult to read at times. I’ve found that you really need to dedicate time and attention to get the most enjoyment from it. This isn’t necessarily a book you can pick up and put down for ten minutes at a time – you need to submerge yourself into this mysterious world and stay there for a couple of hours. Caldecott keeps you on your toes right until the very end – and expect plenty of sharp twists and turns along the way.

Both the characters and the world are three-dimensional and feel believably real. Caldecott’s attention to detail is unrivalled: he paints such a vivid picture in your mind that it’s impossible to forget this town and its inhabitants. From the history to the folklore to the geography, every single aspect of Rotherweird is plotted out and shown to the reader. It’s one of the few fantasy worlds that I often find myself thinking about in quite random situations – every now and again, the concept will pop into my head.

Out of the three books, Lost Acre is the one that stands out. To say this series finishes on a high is an understatement: the characters become even more developed, the plot is dark, witty and unpredictable, and Caldecott’s writing is superb.

Lost Acre wraps up this ambitious piece of work in the way it truly deserves. I’d advise barring yourself away from the real world and losing yourself in this intricate story.

Thanks to Netgalley, Quercus Books, Jo Fletcher Books and Andrew Caldecott for my ARC of Lost Acre in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in a series is often the one that you're looking forward and the one that will not met you expectations.
This means that I had high expectations for Last Acre and was afraid to be disappointed.
I was wrong, the magic of this series worked again and I think this is the best one in this series.
Mr Caldecott style of writing always works a sort of magic that keeps you hooked and turning pages even when you're feeling overwhelmed and overloaded by beauty and the high numbers of characters.
You cannot put it down and you cannot read too fast because it's a kind of beauty you have to enjoy slowly.
This book, as the other in the series, is complex, multilayered and well developed.
There's a lot going on and all the pieces will fall into place in a fast paced and amazing end.
As usual the lines between good and bad guys is a bit blurred, this is not one of those fantasy books where there's a quest and the good guys are so good and the bad ones so bad.
The cast of characters is well written and there's a lot of character development.
The amazing style of writing and the humour are amongst the things that made me love this series.
It's a great reading experience, I'm sad to leave Rotherweird and curious about what will be next.
Please not that there is no way to read this book as a standalone.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the Quercus Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you attempt to read this before the previous two in the series, you will be utterly confused. So don’t do it! Go back and read the others first to understand who the characters are, how the worlds fit together and what on earth has led us to this point. Not only will you then have the advantage of knowing what is going on, but also you’ll have read two additional amazing books to boot. In fact I wish I’d reread the previous ones to get me up to speed quicker.
Lost Acre brings the series to a close in the most brilliant way. It’s not all sweetness and light, usually quite the opposite. Evil has arrived in Rotherweird and Ragnarok is just around the corner. The mixture of mythology, history of literature and botany, not to mention astrophysics, pyrotechnics and home-brewing all meld into a fantastical cornucopia. At times I found it slow going as I wanted to digest the information fully to give it it’s proper due, conversely towards the end I romped through it and found myself laughing out loud which I don’t recall earlier in the series. I think, due to the sheer scale of the trilogy, the number of characters and the vast array of backstories, this may be a bit of a marmite series – you do have to put the work in to fully appreciate it. Luckily, I absolutely loved it. Thanks Mr Caldecott for producing such a masterpiece.

[Emmanuel Gustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series, of which I have read the first, but did not find the second in a store yet: Clearly a disadvantage as this book depends greatly on the earlier ones. It certainly cannot be read on its own. And that may bias me a bit against it.

That aside: There is much that I appreciate about the book. Caldecott has a rich imagination, he writes in a baroque yet very accessible style, and he has a sense of humour among the horror. Certainly in this third book, he gets close to Pratchett in ambition, without actually ascending to the same heights.

There are traps in having a fertile imagination, however. As Goethe put it, the master reveals himself by his constraint. Caldecott knows too little constraint. He continuously branches off into new ideas, which can be wild fun to watch, but the result is that there are far too many McGuffins in his plot. And his use of them in the endgame has too little internal logic to it. Perhaps the author tried to stuff too many ideas within the boundaries of this final book.

Caldecott must love the process of writing, and he does that very well. But what streams from his pen is more a series of events than a satisfactory story. Fireworks, but it left me a bit disappointed.