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The Bewilderness #1: [magic realism, weird fantasy]
The Bewilderness is a realm of beings who influence our everyday lives. The Muses, who give us inspiration. The Manglers, who spread misinformation. And the Changers, who travel through time, editing the course of history.
Eli is a Changer, but he also has a family in modern London. When his job as a Changer starts to damage his domestic life, Eli must decide what matters to him most.
Follow Eli through strange circuses, dark London streets, and vast deserts of black sand, as he tries to save his daughter.
Eli is a Changer, but he also has a family in modern London. When his job as a Changer starts to damage his domestic life, Eli must decide what matters to him most.
Follow Eli through strange circuses, dark London streets, and vast deserts of black sand, as he tries to save his daughter.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2021
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 29, 2021
Disclaimer: I’m a big fan of “Ben’s Boring Fact of the Week” from this author’s Youtube channel 21stCenturyWriter, but I’m optimistic that the phenomenal nature of this book makes any sort of subconscious bias irrelevant. Can I give it more than 5 stars? Because that’s what I want to do; to me, this novella is off the charts.
In reading this book, I discovered that I’m a cricket named Akbar. I loved it. Every page entertained me. This was one of those rare books you find, maybe one in a decade, in which you’re copying down quotes from the book just because you think they’re brilliant lines and not because you need to share them out with a book club or anything like that.
I applaud Ben Reeves for taking risks. I feel like they really paid off in The Bewilderness. The author borrows from some of my favorite elements of folklore, but makes it his own reality. This book is like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy hooked up with a guide to the Feywild, had a baby, and that baby grew up to become a companion on Doctor Who that convinced The Doctor to do mushrooms and join the circus. Did I mention that I’m now a cricket named Akbar?
The only possible criticisms I could see of this novella are: (1) the spine of the paperback has the author’s initials instead of his name written out [which is just nitpicking on my part], and (2) if you go into it not realizing it’s part of a continuing series, you might be surprised that the ending leaves you wanting more. Luckily, I saw the big #1 on the cover and was expecting at least somewhat of a cliffhanger; I had also heard the author speak about it being a larger series on his Youtube channel. Still though, I want more. I want it now.
In reading this book, I discovered that I’m a cricket named Akbar. I loved it. Every page entertained me. This was one of those rare books you find, maybe one in a decade, in which you’re copying down quotes from the book just because you think they’re brilliant lines and not because you need to share them out with a book club or anything like that.
I applaud Ben Reeves for taking risks. I feel like they really paid off in The Bewilderness. The author borrows from some of my favorite elements of folklore, but makes it his own reality. This book is like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy hooked up with a guide to the Feywild, had a baby, and that baby grew up to become a companion on Doctor Who that convinced The Doctor to do mushrooms and join the circus. Did I mention that I’m now a cricket named Akbar?
The only possible criticisms I could see of this novella are: (1) the spine of the paperback has the author’s initials instead of his name written out [which is just nitpicking on my part], and (2) if you go into it not realizing it’s part of a continuing series, you might be surprised that the ending leaves you wanting more. Luckily, I saw the big #1 on the cover and was expecting at least somewhat of a cliffhanger; I had also heard the author speak about it being a larger series on his Youtube channel. Still though, I want more. I want it now.
March 22, 2021
I was interested in the author’s approach to writing this as a serial, rather than a traditional series of complete stories or one far book. So this leaves off on a cliff hanger which I don’t usually like, but it’s designed that way and I like that a lot.
The world in this feels pretty sharp fresh and wonderfully weird and colorful. Some of it felt comparable to a Darren Shan story and I loved that about it. I really grew to feel for Eli and his struggles, wondering what choices he would make to fix his problems. I need to know more about DiAvalo, easily the most interesting of the characters
Posing the reader as a shape shifting cricket, Akbar, was an interesting and weird choice. I’d be curious to find out if this starts to affect the plot or story in any way as it goes on—as of now it wouldn’t do much if it was taken out, and that’s the only thing that bothers me.
The world in this feels pretty sharp fresh and wonderfully weird and colorful. Some of it felt comparable to a Darren Shan story and I loved that about it. I really grew to feel for Eli and his struggles, wondering what choices he would make to fix his problems. I need to know more about DiAvalo, easily the most interesting of the characters
Posing the reader as a shape shifting cricket, Akbar, was an interesting and weird choice. I’d be curious to find out if this starts to affect the plot or story in any way as it goes on—as of now it wouldn’t do much if it was taken out, and that’s the only thing that bothers me.
May 12, 2021
A terrifically creative, magical read.
The dialogue is well done, and the descriptions are riveting. The author has a great sense of humor, and it shows countless times through character thoughts and sarcastic or witty one-liners. His creativeness with humor stretches far beyond character voices, as things like the goofy yet believable actions from a chimp, Psycho, to the humorous creation of a certain menu item, all make this novella a fun read.
Di Avolo (love the name) and Indulgence are not only insanely interesting characters, but they're refreshing. You want to know more. The protagonist, Eli, is fairly fleshed-out, and he enlightens you with dry humor and a deeper characterization than perhaps originally thought.
The worlds/reality the author has created are truly enthralling and make you question the real world around you.
A worthwhile read! Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
The dialogue is well done, and the descriptions are riveting. The author has a great sense of humor, and it shows countless times through character thoughts and sarcastic or witty one-liners. His creativeness with humor stretches far beyond character voices, as things like the goofy yet believable actions from a chimp, Psycho, to the humorous creation of a certain menu item, all make this novella a fun read.
Di Avolo (love the name) and Indulgence are not only insanely interesting characters, but they're refreshing. You want to know more. The protagonist, Eli, is fairly fleshed-out, and he enlightens you with dry humor and a deeper characterization than perhaps originally thought.
The worlds/reality the author has created are truly enthralling and make you question the real world around you.
A worthwhile read! Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
July 2, 2024
Entertainingly bewildering! I like the books premise, the story is well told and characters engaging. The time travelling changers is interesting - particularly as I’m reading Stephen King’s ‘11/22/63’ at the same time. Looking forward to part 2.
June 7, 2021
Beautifully written. I’m looking forward to the next bizarre episode in this series of novellas.
August 4, 2021
Every character needs to want something and Eli's is one to pull at any reader's heart strings. Once you begin the journey, you won't want to stop and knowing there are 8 more to follow just makes it all the more intriguing.
December 22, 2021
All I want to say is: give us more! The world and character building is excellent, can't wait to read the next installment in the series.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews