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March's End
March's End is a multi-generational portal fantasy of strange magics, epic warfare, and deadly intrigue, in which the personality conflicts and toxic struggles of the Harrow family are reflected in the fantasy world they've sworn to protect.
The Harrows are a typical suburban family who, since time immemorial, have borne a sacred and terrible charge. In the daylight they are teachers, doctors, bartenders and vagrants, but at night they are the rulers and protectors of the March, a fantastical secondary world populated with animate antiquated toys and sentient lichen, a panorama of the impossible where cities are carried on the backs of giant snails, and thunderstorms can be subdued with song.
But beneath this dreamlike exterior lie dark secrets, and for generation after generation the Harrows have defended the March from the perils that wait outside its borders – when they are not consumed in their own bitter internecine quarrels.
In the modern day the Harrow clan are composed of Sophia, the High Queen of the March, a brilliant, calculating matriarch, and her three children – noble Constance, visionary, rebellious Mary Ann, and clever, amoral Will. Moving back and forth between their youth, adolescence, and adulthood, we watch as this family fractures, then reconciles in the face of a conflict endangering not only the existence of the March, but of the ‘real world’ itself.
March’s End is a book about growing up, in which the familial struggles of the Harrows are threaded through the mythic history of the fantastical land they protect. It is a story of failure and redemption, in which the power of love is tested against forces that seek to break it, and the necessity of each generation to recreate itself is asserted.
The Harrows are a typical suburban family who, since time immemorial, have borne a sacred and terrible charge. In the daylight they are teachers, doctors, bartenders and vagrants, but at night they are the rulers and protectors of the March, a fantastical secondary world populated with animate antiquated toys and sentient lichen, a panorama of the impossible where cities are carried on the backs of giant snails, and thunderstorms can be subdued with song.
But beneath this dreamlike exterior lie dark secrets, and for generation after generation the Harrows have defended the March from the perils that wait outside its borders – when they are not consumed in their own bitter internecine quarrels.
In the modern day the Harrow clan are composed of Sophia, the High Queen of the March, a brilliant, calculating matriarch, and her three children – noble Constance, visionary, rebellious Mary Ann, and clever, amoral Will. Moving back and forth between their youth, adolescence, and adulthood, we watch as this family fractures, then reconciles in the face of a conflict endangering not only the existence of the March, but of the ‘real world’ itself.
March’s End is a book about growing up, in which the familial struggles of the Harrows are threaded through the mythic history of the fantastical land they protect. It is a story of failure and redemption, in which the power of love is tested against forces that seek to break it, and the necessity of each generation to recreate itself is asserted.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2023
29 people are currently reading
649 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Polansky
35 books1,248 followersDaniel Polansky is the author of the Low Town trilogy, Empty Throne duology, the Hugo-nominated novella The Builders, and A City Dreaming. He can be found in Los Angeles, mostly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 17, 2023
Another Narniaesque book for adults. Hard going and so confusing . This book could have been so much more but for me it did not deliver.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 16, 2023
3.5/5
In this stand-alone multi-generational portal fantasy, the Harrow family drama intertwines with upheaval in a fantasy world they’ve sworn to protect. As expected from Polansky, things get bleak. Fantastic land populated with animate antiquated toys and sentient lichen gets more terrifying than blissful.
Harrow siblings aren’t close. Their personalities clashed since childhood. An accident divided them even more, disfiguring one of them. Constance (Mama‘s golden girl) has a family and tries to keep things together, Mary Ann (a rebel) drifts through life with no goal, and Jonh... well, all of them are damaged but John most of all. Dark secrets and bitter quarrels fractured familial bonds, and each of them deals with trauma and other significant issues.
The premise is great - a typical suburban family leads a normal life (in various professions) but at night they also rule the March - a secondary world where giant snails carry cities on their backs. Polansky’s imagination shines - the March surprises (and terrifies) on every step. With its diverse and complex society and rules, it continues to surprise readers.
The story jumps in time between the present and past, allowing readers to understand the situation and reasons for the protagonists’ troubled relationships. It also shows how March becomes a dangerous place to be. While I appreciate Polansky’s imagination, I didn’t fully connect to the secondary world plot. I found Jonh and Mary Ann’s arcs much more interesting and personal.
I like antiheroes and morally grey protagonists. People here are complex and I appreciate it. Sadly, they lack the charisma, personality, or agency to make me really care. It’s deeply subjective and I’m sure other readers will identify with them more than I do.
In the end, I have mixed feelings about the book. It’s intelligent, well-thought-out, and hits all the right story beats to make readers care. The real-life arcs of siblings immersed me, however, I didn’t fall in love with the world of March. Yes, I found it fantastical but also tiring. Polansky’s craft is top-notch, so don’t let my review stop you from giving it a go!
ARC through NetGalley
In this stand-alone multi-generational portal fantasy, the Harrow family drama intertwines with upheaval in a fantasy world they’ve sworn to protect. As expected from Polansky, things get bleak. Fantastic land populated with animate antiquated toys and sentient lichen gets more terrifying than blissful.
Harrow siblings aren’t close. Their personalities clashed since childhood. An accident divided them even more, disfiguring one of them. Constance (Mama‘s golden girl) has a family and tries to keep things together, Mary Ann (a rebel) drifts through life with no goal, and Jonh... well, all of them are damaged but John most of all. Dark secrets and bitter quarrels fractured familial bonds, and each of them deals with trauma and other significant issues.
The premise is great - a typical suburban family leads a normal life (in various professions) but at night they also rule the March - a secondary world where giant snails carry cities on their backs. Polansky’s imagination shines - the March surprises (and terrifies) on every step. With its diverse and complex society and rules, it continues to surprise readers.
The story jumps in time between the present and past, allowing readers to understand the situation and reasons for the protagonists’ troubled relationships. It also shows how March becomes a dangerous place to be. While I appreciate Polansky’s imagination, I didn’t fully connect to the secondary world plot. I found Jonh and Mary Ann’s arcs much more interesting and personal.
I like antiheroes and morally grey protagonists. People here are complex and I appreciate it. Sadly, they lack the charisma, personality, or agency to make me really care. It’s deeply subjective and I’m sure other readers will identify with them more than I do.
In the end, I have mixed feelings about the book. It’s intelligent, well-thought-out, and hits all the right story beats to make readers care. The real-life arcs of siblings immersed me, however, I didn’t fall in love with the world of March. Yes, I found it fantastical but also tiring. Polansky’s craft is top-notch, so don’t let my review stop you from giving it a go!
ARC through NetGalley
May 1, 2023
This was an excellent book that I have a major issue with.
Family is complicated. We all get that. It turns out that being part of a family that is also the hereditary rulers of a parallel fantasy universe doesn’t make it any less complicated. Who knew?
The Harrow family rules the March, a fantasy world that has more in common with Fantasia from *The Neverending Story* than anything else. You have the mechanized beings in the Clockwork Republic, the sentient teddy bears and tin soldiers and blankets-with-googly-eyes-on-them of the Toybox, the insect-like beings of the Hive, et cetera. The Harrows stand above it all, protecting and providing for everyone, ensuring peace between the realms, and defending the March against the deadly plague known as the End whenever it appears. This is a kind of contagious madness that affects the residents of the March, corrupting them into mindless beings bent on destruction.
There are four main characters to the book: the matriarch of the family/reigning monarch of the March, and her three children. The book jumps back and forth from when her kids are children and her reign is just beginning, to when her kids are grown up and she is dying, with some midway points as the story is spun out. The main part of the story is the period with her dying. The End is threatening the March, yet the Harrows are estranged from one another.
The story is, in the end, about family. It’s about how they fell apart as a family, and the big question is less about the March and the fight against the End then whether or not they can reconcile and find each other again.
It was, on the whole, an excellent story. All four are very human in their desires and their mistakes. The past doesn’t magically go away, but people can and do grow and move on. All very well done.
So as to my major issue: one of the characters (and we’re supposed to be sympathetic to all of them) does something I regard as an unforgivable crime, and though no one approves of it or anything, there also isn’t really any blowback. About the only thing I can say without spoilers is that it’s not a thing I would provide a trigger warning about. But I found it very hard to move past.
So on the whole: recommended, but with a strong “but.”
My blog
Family is complicated. We all get that. It turns out that being part of a family that is also the hereditary rulers of a parallel fantasy universe doesn’t make it any less complicated. Who knew?
The Harrow family rules the March, a fantasy world that has more in common with Fantasia from *The Neverending Story* than anything else. You have the mechanized beings in the Clockwork Republic, the sentient teddy bears and tin soldiers and blankets-with-googly-eyes-on-them of the Toybox, the insect-like beings of the Hive, et cetera. The Harrows stand above it all, protecting and providing for everyone, ensuring peace between the realms, and defending the March against the deadly plague known as the End whenever it appears. This is a kind of contagious madness that affects the residents of the March, corrupting them into mindless beings bent on destruction.
There are four main characters to the book: the matriarch of the family/reigning monarch of the March, and her three children. The book jumps back and forth from when her kids are children and her reign is just beginning, to when her kids are grown up and she is dying, with some midway points as the story is spun out. The main part of the story is the period with her dying. The End is threatening the March, yet the Harrows are estranged from one another.
The story is, in the end, about family. It’s about how they fell apart as a family, and the big question is less about the March and the fight against the End then whether or not they can reconcile and find each other again.
It was, on the whole, an excellent story. All four are very human in their desires and their mistakes. The past doesn’t magically go away, but people can and do grow and move on. All very well done.
So as to my major issue: one of the characters (and we’re supposed to be sympathetic to all of them) does something I regard as an unforgivable crime, and though no one approves of it or anything, there also isn’t really any blowback. About the only thing I can say without spoilers is that it’s not a thing I would provide a trigger warning about. But I found it very hard to move past.
So on the whole: recommended, but with a strong “but.”
My blog
November 19, 2022
I do a lot of freelance copyediting/proofreading for a variety of publishers but I rarely list those books on Goodreads because I consider them to be work rather than reading, and also if I were to list them all I might be less favourable towards some titles which would be wholly unprofessional of me. Suffice to say, I've decided to only list books which I believe I would have sought out and enjoyed independently of 'work' (and I must admit, that number is increasing recently and I might have to amend the word 'rarely' from my stock intro above!).
This book is one of those exceptions. It's an extraordinary piece of work, not simply in the story told - which is engaging, difficult, triumphant and assured - but in the language used in the telling. I've learnt so many new words reading this book, but not in an author-showing-off kind of way, simply a natural fantastical sense of storytelling. And joyously, nothing is explained. Whether the world our protagonists encounters is real, universal or imaginary, is subjective. It matters not, in the end, other than that they believe they are living it. I imagine readers might find comparisons in the Chronicles of Narnia (which I've never read), but I sensed allegiance to the recent works of Jeff Noon and Jeannette Ng (both in the Angry Robot stable), where language is equal to story and is given the same consideration as plot (which the story deserves). So much fantasy is told by rote - and inevitably, some of that is here - but it is rare to get a book which delights in the turning of the page, where you expect the author was equally surprised at the telling as the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and hope others will too. It's relentlessly (re)inventive.
This book is one of those exceptions. It's an extraordinary piece of work, not simply in the story told - which is engaging, difficult, triumphant and assured - but in the language used in the telling. I've learnt so many new words reading this book, but not in an author-showing-off kind of way, simply a natural fantastical sense of storytelling. And joyously, nothing is explained. Whether the world our protagonists encounters is real, universal or imaginary, is subjective. It matters not, in the end, other than that they believe they are living it. I imagine readers might find comparisons in the Chronicles of Narnia (which I've never read), but I sensed allegiance to the recent works of Jeff Noon and Jeannette Ng (both in the Angry Robot stable), where language is equal to story and is given the same consideration as plot (which the story deserves). So much fantasy is told by rote - and inevitably, some of that is here - but it is rare to get a book which delights in the turning of the page, where you expect the author was equally surprised at the telling as the reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and hope others will too. It's relentlessly (re)inventive.
May 9, 2023
March’s End is a standalone Narniaesque portal fantasy story for adults. The Harrow family have ruled, protected and defended the March for generations. Uniting it under one single rule. The March is a kingdom of a thousand people - animate toys, sentient lichen, giant snails, anthropomorphic bees, terrestrial nautili, savage wilderness, and so many others. At a certain age, all Harrows come to the March- and make their place in it.
The world of the March is both wonderous and fantastical. We glimpse all the different types of societies and creatures. The story jumps back and forth between timelines. All very easy enough to follow. The characters for the most part were okay but I never felt completely connected to all of them. The plot was both interesting and full of twists and turns. There are very obvious elusions to Portal fantasies before, both Lewis’s Narnia and Grossman’s Filory. Although Polansky’s creation stands alongside if not above both.
This is an enjoyable, and entertaining read. My thanks to both NetGalley and Angry Robot for an e-arc and an honest opinion.
The world of the March is both wonderous and fantastical. We glimpse all the different types of societies and creatures. The story jumps back and forth between timelines. All very easy enough to follow. The characters for the most part were okay but I never felt completely connected to all of them. The plot was both interesting and full of twists and turns. There are very obvious elusions to Portal fantasies before, both Lewis’s Narnia and Grossman’s Filory. Although Polansky’s creation stands alongside if not above both.
This is an enjoyable, and entertaining read. My thanks to both NetGalley and Angry Robot for an e-arc and an honest opinion.
February 9, 2023
Ominous feels from the opening page.
The Harrows, a family, charged with protecting a unique fantasy world. A tangible family with its own dysfunction, which gives the story line such an authentic feel.
Prophecies, incomparable creatures, personified animals, and soldier toys from a children's toy box, Oh My! This is a book that could have fan fiction spin-offs, maps, and its own creature lore.
The family dynamics, albeit dysfunctional, yet each one is connected through blood lineage and the same experience of guardianship of The March. Inside the fantasy world, the modpodge of creatures, have either a level of veneration and respect for the Harrows or the exact opposite, lending to further drama within the story plot.
The book has its comedic moments, which break up the mystery, drama, and heroics. Quote: "We don't have jubjub birds in humanland." "Humanland sounds like an awfully boring place."
The different lands and cities described has your imagination reeling with excitement. Much like a kid in a fully stocked candy store.
As adults, the siblings, in one way or another, are trying to figure out their own generational curses, their emotional weaknesses, and personality quirks, all the while still being a brave and productive part of the Harrow family. Battling mundane, everyday life in their own time, and the possible collapse of the realm The March. Tension builds with war room negotiations for the realm's cities, adding to gritty interactions.
The battles are enthralling, large or small. Danger here and there. Within the March and in their own world, the peril mounts and stacks like stones and boulders.
Loyal companions inspire a literary sense of faith and hope. Each companion creation has a whimsical and dreamlike feel, which makes this book such an unorthodox horror intermingled with fantasy. This book has something for every emotion.
I give this book a five-star rating as a unique, blended tale of fantasy. Thank you for my advanced reader copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure.
The Harrows, a family, charged with protecting a unique fantasy world. A tangible family with its own dysfunction, which gives the story line such an authentic feel.
Prophecies, incomparable creatures, personified animals, and soldier toys from a children's toy box, Oh My! This is a book that could have fan fiction spin-offs, maps, and its own creature lore.
The family dynamics, albeit dysfunctional, yet each one is connected through blood lineage and the same experience of guardianship of The March. Inside the fantasy world, the modpodge of creatures, have either a level of veneration and respect for the Harrows or the exact opposite, lending to further drama within the story plot.
The book has its comedic moments, which break up the mystery, drama, and heroics. Quote: "We don't have jubjub birds in humanland." "Humanland sounds like an awfully boring place."
The different lands and cities described has your imagination reeling with excitement. Much like a kid in a fully stocked candy store.
As adults, the siblings, in one way or another, are trying to figure out their own generational curses, their emotional weaknesses, and personality quirks, all the while still being a brave and productive part of the Harrow family. Battling mundane, everyday life in their own time, and the possible collapse of the realm The March. Tension builds with war room negotiations for the realm's cities, adding to gritty interactions.
The battles are enthralling, large or small. Danger here and there. Within the March and in their own world, the peril mounts and stacks like stones and boulders.
Loyal companions inspire a literary sense of faith and hope. Each companion creation has a whimsical and dreamlike feel, which makes this book such an unorthodox horror intermingled with fantasy. This book has something for every emotion.
I give this book a five-star rating as a unique, blended tale of fantasy. Thank you for my advanced reader copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure.
September 14, 2023
I read March's End by Daniel Polansky as an ARC via Netgalley. I really didn't know what to expect with this one going in. The dream-like back and forth between the real world and the March and between different periods in time was a little disorienting at first, but I figured I'd go with it, eventually realizing it was a Narnia-like situation but without the heavy-handed religious overtones and a far more damaged family and a far more weird magical realm. There's really not a lot of exposition, and I have a lot of questions about things that I'm not sure if I just missed the first time through or if it's genuinely unclear. The dream-like quality never goes away. The language in this story, especially during passages that take place in the March, is insane. Filled with proper nouns and lesser-known nouns and alliteration and harkening back to an imagination that is much older than the current age. I had to look up a lot of words. I added quite a few words to my 'favourites' in my dictionary app. To be clear, I never felt overwhelmed, rather it created the atmosphere I think/hope the author was going for. Language is probably this book's biggest strength. There were whole passages where, even if I only got the gist of it, sounded cool.
Overall, it's hard to say where I rank this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I can't be too critical of a book that taught me so many interesting words and used them in neat ways. I am not entirely sure I'm satisfied with the ending but I'm not entirely sure I ever fully understood what the hell was going on or even if I was supposed to. I might actually read this book again when it comes out proper. People who really enjoyed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke may be interested in this, it's not totally the same vibe but comparison could be made, vaguely. If you twisted my arm for a rating, I might say 7/10, which I'll round up to 4/5 for Goodreads.
Overall, it's hard to say where I rank this book. I definitely enjoyed it and I can't be too critical of a book that taught me so many interesting words and used them in neat ways. I am not entirely sure I'm satisfied with the ending but I'm not entirely sure I ever fully understood what the hell was going on or even if I was supposed to. I might actually read this book again when it comes out proper. People who really enjoyed Piranesi by Susanna Clarke may be interested in this, it's not totally the same vibe but comparison could be made, vaguely. If you twisted my arm for a rating, I might say 7/10, which I'll round up to 4/5 for Goodreads.
May 18, 2023
Daniel Polansky is an acquired taste. what can i say, i've acquired it. every book he writes is very different from every other. none of them fit neatly into categories. sometimes, the author seems self-indulgent. often, he's brilliant and frustrating at the same time. this one happens to be hiding in the shape of a portal fantasy, after Lewis's Narnia: set in a dystopian present-day world, with a failing high fantasy world on the other side of the wardrobe. growing up can be hard, and this is a very grown-up world without blinders on. the family, dysfunctional of course, needs an escape hatch, but doesn't want (being relentlessly modern in outlook) the responsibility of being depended on by the Other Side. in the structure of the book, the failing of the C.S. Lewis ideal and the British Empire both is mirrored in the other-worldly events, which begin to lean towards apocalypse. there's a fictional solution at the end. but is that a reasonable resolution of the subject matter? opinions may differ. there are some big ideas, and wonderful passages of prose. it's probably Polansky's best book so far. whatever will Polansky choose to write next? onward, with or without the stuffed toy knights with their Rudyard Kipling ideas! i'm in! bring it on!
April 29, 2023
6.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
The Harrows are your typical suburban family. They’re your lawyers, your landscapers, your teachers, your postal workers, your drug-dealers, your students, your friends, your neighbors—everyone you know and love, and everyone you love to hate. They throw the best parties and have place family above all else.
Behind the veil that separates this world from the next, the Harrows rule and protect the March, a kingdom of a thousand peoples—animate toys, sentient lichen, giant snails, anthropomorphic bees, terrestrial nautili, savage wilders, and so many others. Though none can tell you how or why or when they discovered the March, the Harrows have ruled and defended the land for generations, uniting it under a single rule. At a certain age, all Harrows come to the March—and make their place in it.
In the past, the March saw all Harrows make their way through the kingdom, but in the modern day, the clan only consists of two: matriarch Sophia, and her heir-apparent, Constance. Yet two more Harrows exist and have visited the March, but have long since ceased their involvement in such matters; the rebellious Mary Ann, and black-sheep John. However, when Sophia lies on her deathbed, and the March is in danger, all the siblings must return to the fold to defend it. And to uncover the horrible truth lurking in its history.
Each sibling is in it for their own reasons, but all are after the power at the heart of the March, putting them all in competition for its crown. First, however, they must unite to save it. After all, The End is coming, and it will not be stopped by anything less than a miracle.
—
To love someone is to want them so bad that you would swallow them and carry them in your stomach rather than have them ever go away.
—
March’s End is one of your old-fashioned through-the-looking-glass fantasies, a world where the rules regarding entry are loose and the bloodlines that govern it are a family affair. It is very much like a dark glimpse into Narnia at its lowest; a place where children go to grow up quickly, not a world where children learn through adventures and friendship. John hasn’t returned to the March since he was a child, Mary Ann since the incident that has defined her entire life. Both have their reasons, and both have avoided the realm to make their way in the real world.
Not that their lives are any better for it. One is borderline delusional, the other an addict flirting with suicide. Constance is the only constant—who stayed when her family needed her, the heir-apparent, who has thrown away her entire life (and marriage) for service to the March. As characters, each is flawed in their own (human) way. Such is each intriguing in their own right. Though some are more resistant than others, all eventually come back to the fold when their mother falls ill. And all return to the March. Constance is known, loved and feared in equal measure, the March’s protector and champion. John is the wildcard—possessed of a strange magic that lets him wield darkness as a cloak. And Mary Ann couldn’t stay away even if she wanted, coming and going from the March practically at will—but even worse, involuntarily, sleeping and waking, at all hours and for any reason. They make for an interesting mix, each bringing a different approach to the same problem.
March’s End is told in two parts: one, in the present day, 2023; the other starting in 2000 and continuing to jump forward through the Harrow children from there on. In general, this made for a rather dry opening, though matters do quickly heat up. Not everything in either timeline involves the March. There are parties to attend, schoolwork to do, jobs and lives and relationships to maintain. We catch glimpses of the outside world and its (mostly vague, unimportant) residents. We focus on their outside lives at first, Mary Ann and John especially. We accompany the children on their introductions to the March, and see the place through their eyes. In addition to them, however, we also gain the insight of Sophia’s husband, brother, and mother from the histories, before coming back to the present to see just how that certain fallout has affected their lives, and the world of the March.
As a kind of dark Narnia, March’s End works quite well—until it doesn’t.
See, imagine trying to distill the magic of C.S. Lewis into a single entry—one not even 500 pages at that. Now imagine trying to put your own personal spin on that, again without lengthening the book at all. Sounds kinda hard, right? I mean, to tell a story under such restraints, you’d have to gloss over… kind of a lot. Which we definitely do. From the inner workings of the March to its boundaries, from even the most basic descriptions of its denizens to the first thing about its ancient evil. Really any kind of pre-2000 history, like, at all. And if you thought the buildup was a bit light on material, the afterword isn’t any better. Let’s say the ancient evil is defeated—well, how? And what was it, anyway? You’d think we would learn at some point. Okay, so let’s say the evil fully engulfs the land, driving the Harrows from it. What then? What’s next for a family torn between worlds, a family that apparently knows know other existence? Again, you’d think we’d find out, but we don’t. Obviously, only one of these comes to pass—and as a dark fantasy, it really could be either one. But the amount of detail the reader receives upon completion of the plot leaves quite a lot to be desired.
It took me a little to get into the the story, but once I did—while disappointed by the overall world-building and lack of lore behind it—I managed to get relatively invested in the tale. But come the end, we are given a skeleton crew, the rough designs for a dhow, and told to sail into the setting sun. Quickly. While the story does technically fulfill its brief, it is only very brief in its fulfillment—and ends up leaving a bitter taste even weeks after completion. There’s just so very little that we’re granted, instead allowed to draw our own conclusions—more forced to draw our own conclusions about so many things that the book just never got around to telling us. Yes, there is a decent ending. Yes, it does a decent job of tying up loose ends. But it is sudden, at best. I had so many more questions about the March, about the Harrows, that were just never answered. Mostly, they weren’t even addressed at any point. Like John’s strange shadow power, they’re often simply taken for granted and not even questioned once.
TL;DR
March’s End is a kind of dark Narnia style through-the-looking-glass fantasy, distilled down into one, relatively succinct, book. If that sounds hard, there’s a reason. It glosses over so much, particularly so much of the world-building, often taking even obscure things as rote, or for granted. While March’s End does tell a complete, even somewhat powerful, dark fantasy tale—it leaves a lot to be desired along the way. The Harrows are what make the March exceptional, at least in so much as anything in the March can be called exceptional. And it kills me to say such a thing about a magic fantasy world. The characters and their interactions are what the book does best, the story itself a bit of an afterthought. The world and its ill-formed creatures are merely forgettable, and anything more about the March is bare-bones at best—a menagerie of half-finished sketches and stick-figures on smudged, paper napkins. Come to the March for the story, for the characters, stay for nothing more.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
The Harrows are your typical suburban family. They’re your lawyers, your landscapers, your teachers, your postal workers, your drug-dealers, your students, your friends, your neighbors—everyone you know and love, and everyone you love to hate. They throw the best parties and have place family above all else.
Behind the veil that separates this world from the next, the Harrows rule and protect the March, a kingdom of a thousand peoples—animate toys, sentient lichen, giant snails, anthropomorphic bees, terrestrial nautili, savage wilders, and so many others. Though none can tell you how or why or when they discovered the March, the Harrows have ruled and defended the land for generations, uniting it under a single rule. At a certain age, all Harrows come to the March—and make their place in it.
In the past, the March saw all Harrows make their way through the kingdom, but in the modern day, the clan only consists of two: matriarch Sophia, and her heir-apparent, Constance. Yet two more Harrows exist and have visited the March, but have long since ceased their involvement in such matters; the rebellious Mary Ann, and black-sheep John. However, when Sophia lies on her deathbed, and the March is in danger, all the siblings must return to the fold to defend it. And to uncover the horrible truth lurking in its history.
Each sibling is in it for their own reasons, but all are after the power at the heart of the March, putting them all in competition for its crown. First, however, they must unite to save it. After all, The End is coming, and it will not be stopped by anything less than a miracle.
—
To love someone is to want them so bad that you would swallow them and carry them in your stomach rather than have them ever go away.
—
March’s End is one of your old-fashioned through-the-looking-glass fantasies, a world where the rules regarding entry are loose and the bloodlines that govern it are a family affair. It is very much like a dark glimpse into Narnia at its lowest; a place where children go to grow up quickly, not a world where children learn through adventures and friendship. John hasn’t returned to the March since he was a child, Mary Ann since the incident that has defined her entire life. Both have their reasons, and both have avoided the realm to make their way in the real world.
Not that their lives are any better for it. One is borderline delusional, the other an addict flirting with suicide. Constance is the only constant—who stayed when her family needed her, the heir-apparent, who has thrown away her entire life (and marriage) for service to the March. As characters, each is flawed in their own (human) way. Such is each intriguing in their own right. Though some are more resistant than others, all eventually come back to the fold when their mother falls ill. And all return to the March. Constance is known, loved and feared in equal measure, the March’s protector and champion. John is the wildcard—possessed of a strange magic that lets him wield darkness as a cloak. And Mary Ann couldn’t stay away even if she wanted, coming and going from the March practically at will—but even worse, involuntarily, sleeping and waking, at all hours and for any reason. They make for an interesting mix, each bringing a different approach to the same problem.
March’s End is told in two parts: one, in the present day, 2023; the other starting in 2000 and continuing to jump forward through the Harrow children from there on. In general, this made for a rather dry opening, though matters do quickly heat up. Not everything in either timeline involves the March. There are parties to attend, schoolwork to do, jobs and lives and relationships to maintain. We catch glimpses of the outside world and its (mostly vague, unimportant) residents. We focus on their outside lives at first, Mary Ann and John especially. We accompany the children on their introductions to the March, and see the place through their eyes. In addition to them, however, we also gain the insight of Sophia’s husband, brother, and mother from the histories, before coming back to the present to see just how that certain fallout has affected their lives, and the world of the March.
As a kind of dark Narnia, March’s End works quite well—until it doesn’t.
See, imagine trying to distill the magic of C.S. Lewis into a single entry—one not even 500 pages at that. Now imagine trying to put your own personal spin on that, again without lengthening the book at all. Sounds kinda hard, right? I mean, to tell a story under such restraints, you’d have to gloss over… kind of a lot. Which we definitely do. From the inner workings of the March to its boundaries, from even the most basic descriptions of its denizens to the first thing about its ancient evil. Really any kind of pre-2000 history, like, at all. And if you thought the buildup was a bit light on material, the afterword isn’t any better. Let’s say the ancient evil is defeated—well, how? And what was it, anyway? You’d think we would learn at some point. Okay, so let’s say the evil fully engulfs the land, driving the Harrows from it. What then? What’s next for a family torn between worlds, a family that apparently knows know other existence? Again, you’d think we’d find out, but we don’t. Obviously, only one of these comes to pass—and as a dark fantasy, it really could be either one. But the amount of detail the reader receives upon completion of the plot leaves quite a lot to be desired.
It took me a little to get into the the story, but once I did—while disappointed by the overall world-building and lack of lore behind it—I managed to get relatively invested in the tale. But come the end, we are given a skeleton crew, the rough designs for a dhow, and told to sail into the setting sun. Quickly. While the story does technically fulfill its brief, it is only very brief in its fulfillment—and ends up leaving a bitter taste even weeks after completion. There’s just so very little that we’re granted, instead allowed to draw our own conclusions—more forced to draw our own conclusions about so many things that the book just never got around to telling us. Yes, there is a decent ending. Yes, it does a decent job of tying up loose ends. But it is sudden, at best. I had so many more questions about the March, about the Harrows, that were just never answered. Mostly, they weren’t even addressed at any point. Like John’s strange shadow power, they’re often simply taken for granted and not even questioned once.
TL;DR
March’s End is a kind of dark Narnia style through-the-looking-glass fantasy, distilled down into one, relatively succinct, book. If that sounds hard, there’s a reason. It glosses over so much, particularly so much of the world-building, often taking even obscure things as rote, or for granted. While March’s End does tell a complete, even somewhat powerful, dark fantasy tale—it leaves a lot to be desired along the way. The Harrows are what make the March exceptional, at least in so much as anything in the March can be called exceptional. And it kills me to say such a thing about a magic fantasy world. The characters and their interactions are what the book does best, the story itself a bit of an afterthought. The world and its ill-formed creatures are merely forgettable, and anything more about the March is bare-bones at best—a menagerie of half-finished sketches and stick-figures on smudged, paper napkins. Come to the March for the story, for the characters, stay for nothing more.
March 24, 2025
An interesting fantasy novel, spilt between our reality and that of the March - where all the things you believed in as a child are alive and well. I really wanted to devour this, but it was one to read in pieces. I did enjoy the writing style: in the chapters based in our world, the prose was - well, prosaic, and how you would expect an easy to read novel would be; the chapters set in the March had some amazing purple Victorian prose, and sent me scurrying for a dictionary. Loved that!
Blurb:
By day, the Harrows are teachers, doctors, bartenders and vagrants. By night, they are the rulers and protectors of the March - a fantasy realm where antique toys march to battle, cities are carried on the backs of giant snails and thunderstorms can be subdued with a song.
For generations the Harrows stood unified, but years of bitter secrets have fractured the family and left their realm at war.
Now, calculating High Queen Sophia, and her three children - noble Constance, rebellious Mary Ann, tortured Will - must reunite in the face of a danger which threatens to destroy both the March and the mundane world. But the ties of blood are bitter, and hate is strongest when born of love.
Will the Harrow children save the March?
Or damn it?
I am still pondering exactly what my take-away for this novel is, a day or so after finishing it. It definitely is about family relationships, and how appearances can be deceiving (everyone has a different view on the perfect family, and the perfect family never is). But it's also about a creeping End to the world, where everything goes mad and destroys itself. A truer description of our world? Well, it's definitely got a lot of truth in it, and is pretty prescient in its predictions. But there is always hope to shed a bit of light into the most dire of situations. Isn't there?
A couple of paragraphs of the book sums it up (and there aren't any spoilers):
"In the first light of Christmas Morning, beneath a cold, clear winter sun, while children waited fitfully for the start of the festivities and their parents hoped vainly for a few more hours of sleep, an old man stepped out onto the Harrow's front lawn. He felt the soft crunch of the hibernal grass below his feet, noticed a grackle perched on a tree branch, heard a dog bark. He smiled. Then he died."
WTF did I just read? Gorgeous picture painted, with an unexpected ending. The whole novel is a bit like that! If you want something lovely and disturbing at the same time, this might be the read for you. Disturbing not in a psychological horror novel, but one that gives you a growing sense of unease and an awareness that not all is right with the world...
Another from my Box of Stories subscription - and I'm very pleased to have read it. Not sure if it's a keeper - will ponder on that further.
Blurb:
By day, the Harrows are teachers, doctors, bartenders and vagrants. By night, they are the rulers and protectors of the March - a fantasy realm where antique toys march to battle, cities are carried on the backs of giant snails and thunderstorms can be subdued with a song.
For generations the Harrows stood unified, but years of bitter secrets have fractured the family and left their realm at war.
Now, calculating High Queen Sophia, and her three children - noble Constance, rebellious Mary Ann, tortured Will - must reunite in the face of a danger which threatens to destroy both the March and the mundane world. But the ties of blood are bitter, and hate is strongest when born of love.
Will the Harrow children save the March?
Or damn it?
I am still pondering exactly what my take-away for this novel is, a day or so after finishing it. It definitely is about family relationships, and how appearances can be deceiving (everyone has a different view on the perfect family, and the perfect family never is). But it's also about a creeping End to the world, where everything goes mad and destroys itself. A truer description of our world? Well, it's definitely got a lot of truth in it, and is pretty prescient in its predictions. But there is always hope to shed a bit of light into the most dire of situations. Isn't there?
A couple of paragraphs of the book sums it up (and there aren't any spoilers):
"In the first light of Christmas Morning, beneath a cold, clear winter sun, while children waited fitfully for the start of the festivities and their parents hoped vainly for a few more hours of sleep, an old man stepped out onto the Harrow's front lawn. He felt the soft crunch of the hibernal grass below his feet, noticed a grackle perched on a tree branch, heard a dog bark. He smiled. Then he died."
WTF did I just read? Gorgeous picture painted, with an unexpected ending. The whole novel is a bit like that! If you want something lovely and disturbing at the same time, this might be the read for you. Disturbing not in a psychological horror novel, but one that gives you a growing sense of unease and an awareness that not all is right with the world...
Another from my Box of Stories subscription - and I'm very pleased to have read it. Not sure if it's a keeper - will ponder on that further.
July 26, 2023
Daniel Polansky plays with a darker, more dangerous version of Narnia, populated by not only talking animals, but also live, stuffed creatures and other kinds of toys, constructed beings with a steampunk vibe, creatures made of water, and many more. Like Narnia, this other world has human rulers, the Harrow family who in Baltimore in the US, but transit to the March, usually when they sleep.
The current ruler Queen Sophia is dying, and her three grown up children return home to discover that with Sophia’s waning power, a malignant power, the End, is threatening all of the March. The End is advancing, and creatures are fleeing before it. Sophia has been protecting March for years, and it’s taken a physical toll on her.
Sophia's adult children are not happy to be reunited, as their childhood was not the warmest. Sophia’s harsh and uncompromising ways are fine as a ruler in a land where force and violence are seen as right, but are detrimental to raising a healthy family. The trio's childhood tensions and differences were exacerbated as they grew up, and now they must figure out how to protect and save the March while resolving their problems.
There is also a movement amongst some of the people of the the March: they want to get rid of the Harrows and rule themselves. Of course Sophia is against this, and her children hold conflicting views about their family's role in the land. And everything comes to a head as the End advances on the Harrow's seat of power.
I loved all the ideas in this book, and the sheer variety of beings Polansky populates this other world with. I also liked how we went back and forth in time to see how the Harrow family ended up so divided, angry, and conflicted.
However, I found that this book dragged for me. Polansky spends a lot of prose describing the many types of people and the land, and I found that the pacing came to a halt while I digested the worldbuilding.
The family members' pain was well handled, no one is particularly likeable or right, and I actually enjoyed the earth-set scenes more than those in the March. I wanted to love this book, but I did not.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Angry Robot for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The current ruler Queen Sophia is dying, and her three grown up children return home to discover that with Sophia’s waning power, a malignant power, the End, is threatening all of the March. The End is advancing, and creatures are fleeing before it. Sophia has been protecting March for years, and it’s taken a physical toll on her.
Sophia's adult children are not happy to be reunited, as their childhood was not the warmest. Sophia’s harsh and uncompromising ways are fine as a ruler in a land where force and violence are seen as right, but are detrimental to raising a healthy family. The trio's childhood tensions and differences were exacerbated as they grew up, and now they must figure out how to protect and save the March while resolving their problems.
There is also a movement amongst some of the people of the the March: they want to get rid of the Harrows and rule themselves. Of course Sophia is against this, and her children hold conflicting views about their family's role in the land. And everything comes to a head as the End advances on the Harrow's seat of power.
I loved all the ideas in this book, and the sheer variety of beings Polansky populates this other world with. I also liked how we went back and forth in time to see how the Harrow family ended up so divided, angry, and conflicted.
However, I found that this book dragged for me. Polansky spends a lot of prose describing the many types of people and the land, and I found that the pacing came to a halt while I digested the worldbuilding.
The family members' pain was well handled, no one is particularly likeable or right, and I actually enjoyed the earth-set scenes more than those in the March. I wanted to love this book, but I did not.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Angry Robot for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 15, 2023
I really enjoyed Daniel Polansky’s Empty Throne books so I was really intrigued to try something else from them. March’s End is a Narnia style story which follows the Harrow family who on the surface look like a normal, everyday family but are also the rulers of a magical world known as the March. When the March is threatened by the End, the Harrow siblings must reconcile their differences and work together to stop the End not only destroying the March but spilling to the human world too.
March’s End has a really intriguing premise and the story is a compelling one, however, the story does skip around quite a bit, following Sophia, Constance, Mary-Ann and John in the past and present as well as in the real world and in the March. I found all the jumping around a bit difficult to follow and that meant I was less invested in the story. Polansky has a really engaging writing style and I was fascinated by the world of the March and the wide variety of creatures that made up this world.
The thing I found most compelling about March’s End wasn’t so much the magical world and the battle against the End, but the siblings and their family dynamics. Constance, Mary-Ann and John are fascinating characters, each having a coming of age story as they deal with growing up in the real world and the expectations of being a Harrow of the March. I really liked how the dynamics of the siblings changed as the story progressed, particularly as John attempts to rival Constance for the throne.
March’s End is a clever story and one I think fantasy fans will really enjoy. March’s End is definitely a fresh take on the Narnia tale and while it wasn’t a new favourite I am definitely keen to read more from Daniel Polansky.
March’s End has a really intriguing premise and the story is a compelling one, however, the story does skip around quite a bit, following Sophia, Constance, Mary-Ann and John in the past and present as well as in the real world and in the March. I found all the jumping around a bit difficult to follow and that meant I was less invested in the story. Polansky has a really engaging writing style and I was fascinated by the world of the March and the wide variety of creatures that made up this world.
The thing I found most compelling about March’s End wasn’t so much the magical world and the battle against the End, but the siblings and their family dynamics. Constance, Mary-Ann and John are fascinating characters, each having a coming of age story as they deal with growing up in the real world and the expectations of being a Harrow of the March. I really liked how the dynamics of the siblings changed as the story progressed, particularly as John attempts to rival Constance for the throne.
March’s End is a clever story and one I think fantasy fans will really enjoy. March’s End is definitely a fresh take on the Narnia tale and while it wasn’t a new favourite I am definitely keen to read more from Daniel Polansky.
June 26, 2024
I kept feeling like this was a sequel and I'd missed the first book or something that explained the world of March
May 8, 2023
For generations, the Harrow family have been caretakers and rules of the magical land of The March - but, only in their sleeping hours, as by day they have 'normal', suburban lives to lead. We follow one generation - Constance, Mary Ann, and John - back and forth at various points of their lives, as March faces it's biggest danger yet.
There are a lot of really great ideas in here, and I was very keen on the idea of exploring the effects on adults who have this portal fantasy life thing in their youth. It doesn't quite hit every mark for me, alas, feeling a bit 'lit fic does fantasy' and leaving a few too many hints rather than solid answers.
You can read a longer version of my waffly thoughts on my blog, LittleFrogScribbles, with thanks for the traffic.
There are a lot of really great ideas in here, and I was very keen on the idea of exploring the effects on adults who have this portal fantasy life thing in their youth. It doesn't quite hit every mark for me, alas, feeling a bit 'lit fic does fantasy' and leaving a few too many hints rather than solid answers.
You can read a longer version of my waffly thoughts on my blog, LittleFrogScribbles, with thanks for the traffic.
May 11, 2023
TL;DR
March’s End is Polansky at peak form; he’s a writer who improves with each book; and he’s a writer you should be reading. Highly Recommended
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: March’s End by Daniel Polansky
Home authors are an automatic read for me, even if I don’t know what the book is about. Any work by Daniel Polansky will catch my attention. Ever since I read Low Town , I’ve tried to read Polansky’s work. Each time I pick up a book by him, I know it’ll be good. The Seventh Perfection was an outstanding novella in an imaginative world; The Builders was a gritty Western with animals for the main characters. March’s End by Daniel Polansky continues in that tradition. It features a wounded family seeking healing in duty while trying to save the fantastical world they rule.
Before getting to the review proper, I have to get it out of the way. March’s End by Daniel Polansky is a descendant of The Chronicles of Narnia. But it is much more than that. It’s more adult in that it deals in moral grays; things are complicated, complex, and much more interesting. It seems to me to be an homage to Narnia while also pointing out its flaws and shortcomings. While March’s End stands on its own, I kept coming back to the Narnia comparison. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantastic book, and March’s End is better.
The Harrows protect the March, a fantastical land that they travel to at night when they should be sleeping. At least, according to the Harrows, they protect the March. Some residents of that land disagree. In addition, the End, a mysterious force that seems to infect March residents, drives people from their homes toward the center, the Tower, which is the seat of the Harrow. Constance, Sophia’s oldest child, is the most responsible. She feels a duty to the March and to her family. Mary Ann, the middle child, is haunted by guilt and a drinking problem. John, poor, scarred John, is broken inside and out. Like all families, the three fight, hurt, and protect each other. But some fights just keep happening and may get pushed below the surface without resolution. As the three age, Constance stays near her parents while Mary Ann moves to Hollywood and John to New York City. The petty jealousies of childhood, amplified by the March, persist between the three even when Constance lets them know their mother is dying. With Sophia’s illness, Mary Ann and John begin to notice the borders between the real and the fantastical world are blurring. Can the three siblings reunite to save the March and possibly the real world as well?
March’s End by Daniel Polansky is a third person point of view novel mainly from the perspective of Sophia’s three kids: Mary Ann, John, and Constance. Though there plenty of chapters in which they’re adults as well. Polansky also gives readers some chapters from Sophia’s perspective. While these chapters were essential, they weren’t as effective as the kids. March’s End flits back and forth through time. It’s timeline is nonlinear, flashing back and forth, which was a little confusing, at first, but readers will adapt quickly. Once adjusted to the structure, reader’s won’t want to put the book down.
The March
The March is a neat place. Polansky fills it with imaginative creatures, some of whom make for fun characters. While describing the creatures of the March, Polansky taught me several new words, like xerophile. There are creatures that wear masks, and when they trade masks, they trade souls.
The March can be a little cutesy, like the Merrilings of Toyland. But it has a darker side as Constance learns when she and her father battle a monster from the depths. Overall, Polansky walks the line between creating an interesting realm and making it so neat that you skip all the non-March passages. While I wanted to explore the March, I wanted to explore it through the Harrow characters. Or, in other words, the setting is fantastic, but it doesn’t outshine the characters.
I’ve always wanted Polansky to write a sequel to The Builders. I think the March is as close as I’m likely to get. Also, if you haven’t, check out The Builders.
The Harrow Family
I loved and hated the Harrow family; so, Polansky hit the right notes on character creation. Each of them have such responsibility riding upon them as the ruling family of a land. Part of their childhood is dedicated to preparation to protect a land of fantastical creatures. They have a book that as children they have to memorize; it contains the various factions and peoples of the March. At night they visit the land with all its delights and its dangers. Despite it being a fantasy land, the dangers are quite real and injuries sustained in the March are permanent.
It’s hard to say which of the three I liked best. First it was a toss up between John and Mary Ann, but as the book progressed, Constance grew on me. Each of the three are flawed, conflicted, and uncertain. Sophia, their mother, had an iron will throughout the book. She was certain that what she was doing was the right thing for her family and for the March. That type of certainty is something I’ve learned to be wary of. If we don’t have the ability to ask ourselves if we’re wrong, then we don’t have the ability to ask how things can be better. After all, Sophia is certain that rule by the Harrow is good for the March. Those who disagree are simply rebels to her; she does not, even once, consider that they may have a point. But then colonizers always believe their rule benefits everyone whether it’s wanted or not. Sophia’s certainty didn’t sit right with me. But the kids, they questioned themselves, and I like that in the characters I read. We often dismiss that uncertainty in ourselves as a flaw. We think everyone else has it together, knows what they’re doing, or just has a better life than us. Of course, that’s not true. Everyone’s doing the best they can with the situation they were born into. We don’t know if any decision we make is the right one, and I like characters that feel the same. It allows them to exist in a morally gray area, but it also allows them to challenge themselves and grow, as the Harrow kids do. Whether for the better, I leave that up to you.
The Storytelling
March’s End by Daniel Polansky has a nonlinear timeline. Readers flit back and forth between the three Harrow kids’ childhood and adulthood. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it. The timeline reveals bits and pieces of the story while relying on the reader to piece it together. Polansky tells the story smoothly enough that it’s not work, it’s an enjoyable puzzle.
Conclusion
Daniel Polansky’s March’s End is a wonderful family drama built against the background of a portal fantasy. The world, the characters, the story, all fit together to make a special novel. From Daniel Polansky, I would expect nothing less. Highly recommended.
March’s End is Polansky at peak form; he’s a writer who improves with each book; and he’s a writer you should be reading. Highly Recommended
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: March’s End by Daniel Polansky
Home authors are an automatic read for me, even if I don’t know what the book is about. Any work by Daniel Polansky will catch my attention. Ever since I read Low Town , I’ve tried to read Polansky’s work. Each time I pick up a book by him, I know it’ll be good. The Seventh Perfection was an outstanding novella in an imaginative world; The Builders was a gritty Western with animals for the main characters. March’s End by Daniel Polansky continues in that tradition. It features a wounded family seeking healing in duty while trying to save the fantastical world they rule.
Before getting to the review proper, I have to get it out of the way. March’s End by Daniel Polansky is a descendant of The Chronicles of Narnia. But it is much more than that. It’s more adult in that it deals in moral grays; things are complicated, complex, and much more interesting. It seems to me to be an homage to Narnia while also pointing out its flaws and shortcomings. While March’s End stands on its own, I kept coming back to the Narnia comparison. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantastic book, and March’s End is better.
The Harrows protect the March, a fantastical land that they travel to at night when they should be sleeping. At least, according to the Harrows, they protect the March. Some residents of that land disagree. In addition, the End, a mysterious force that seems to infect March residents, drives people from their homes toward the center, the Tower, which is the seat of the Harrow. Constance, Sophia’s oldest child, is the most responsible. She feels a duty to the March and to her family. Mary Ann, the middle child, is haunted by guilt and a drinking problem. John, poor, scarred John, is broken inside and out. Like all families, the three fight, hurt, and protect each other. But some fights just keep happening and may get pushed below the surface without resolution. As the three age, Constance stays near her parents while Mary Ann moves to Hollywood and John to New York City. The petty jealousies of childhood, amplified by the March, persist between the three even when Constance lets them know their mother is dying. With Sophia’s illness, Mary Ann and John begin to notice the borders between the real and the fantastical world are blurring. Can the three siblings reunite to save the March and possibly the real world as well?
March’s End by Daniel Polansky is a third person point of view novel mainly from the perspective of Sophia’s three kids: Mary Ann, John, and Constance. Though there plenty of chapters in which they’re adults as well. Polansky also gives readers some chapters from Sophia’s perspective. While these chapters were essential, they weren’t as effective as the kids. March’s End flits back and forth through time. It’s timeline is nonlinear, flashing back and forth, which was a little confusing, at first, but readers will adapt quickly. Once adjusted to the structure, reader’s won’t want to put the book down.
The March
The March is a neat place. Polansky fills it with imaginative creatures, some of whom make for fun characters. While describing the creatures of the March, Polansky taught me several new words, like xerophile. There are creatures that wear masks, and when they trade masks, they trade souls.
The March can be a little cutesy, like the Merrilings of Toyland. But it has a darker side as Constance learns when she and her father battle a monster from the depths. Overall, Polansky walks the line between creating an interesting realm and making it so neat that you skip all the non-March passages. While I wanted to explore the March, I wanted to explore it through the Harrow characters. Or, in other words, the setting is fantastic, but it doesn’t outshine the characters.
I’ve always wanted Polansky to write a sequel to The Builders. I think the March is as close as I’m likely to get. Also, if you haven’t, check out The Builders.
The Harrow Family
I loved and hated the Harrow family; so, Polansky hit the right notes on character creation. Each of them have such responsibility riding upon them as the ruling family of a land. Part of their childhood is dedicated to preparation to protect a land of fantastical creatures. They have a book that as children they have to memorize; it contains the various factions and peoples of the March. At night they visit the land with all its delights and its dangers. Despite it being a fantasy land, the dangers are quite real and injuries sustained in the March are permanent.
It’s hard to say which of the three I liked best. First it was a toss up between John and Mary Ann, but as the book progressed, Constance grew on me. Each of the three are flawed, conflicted, and uncertain. Sophia, their mother, had an iron will throughout the book. She was certain that what she was doing was the right thing for her family and for the March. That type of certainty is something I’ve learned to be wary of. If we don’t have the ability to ask ourselves if we’re wrong, then we don’t have the ability to ask how things can be better. After all, Sophia is certain that rule by the Harrow is good for the March. Those who disagree are simply rebels to her; she does not, even once, consider that they may have a point. But then colonizers always believe their rule benefits everyone whether it’s wanted or not. Sophia’s certainty didn’t sit right with me. But the kids, they questioned themselves, and I like that in the characters I read. We often dismiss that uncertainty in ourselves as a flaw. We think everyone else has it together, knows what they’re doing, or just has a better life than us. Of course, that’s not true. Everyone’s doing the best they can with the situation they were born into. We don’t know if any decision we make is the right one, and I like characters that feel the same. It allows them to exist in a morally gray area, but it also allows them to challenge themselves and grow, as the Harrow kids do. Whether for the better, I leave that up to you.
The Storytelling
March’s End by Daniel Polansky has a nonlinear timeline. Readers flit back and forth between the three Harrow kids’ childhood and adulthood. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s worth it. The timeline reveals bits and pieces of the story while relying on the reader to piece it together. Polansky tells the story smoothly enough that it’s not work, it’s an enjoyable puzzle.
Conclusion
Daniel Polansky’s March’s End is a wonderful family drama built against the background of a portal fantasy. The world, the characters, the story, all fit together to make a special novel. From Daniel Polansky, I would expect nothing less. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2023
This review was originally published at the Before We Go Blog
I am admittedly a bit late in writing this review, and this might be one of my longest gaps between reading a book and writing the review. In this case, however, I think that the time to reflect on March’s End has really shown me how strong of a book this one really is and how prescient and powerful its messages resonated with me.
To put it simply, March’s End is another entry in the growing subgenre of adult portal fantasies that explore the darker side of children’s fantasy books. It joins Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and Adrian Tchaikovsky’s And Put Away Childish Things in critiquing some of the naiveté of children’s portal fantasies by pulling back the curtain on the reality of falling down the rabbit hole or walking through a wardrobe. What results is probably the darkest and bleakest of any of the books that mentioned, which might turn off some readers. However, if you are one to really dig into complex character arcs that explore the outcomes of childhood trauma, March’s End is a book to keep your eye on.
Polansky explores the trauma that the children in portal fantasies face through these fantastical experiences and the expectations placed upon them. Portal fantasies (think Narnia or the original Oz books) tend to valorize the hero’s journey; young children embark on unexpected adventures in magical worlds, often becoming the leaders and decision makers of peoples, lands, and events that they previously could only have dreamed of. These children of celebrated for their intelligence, bravery, and might….all despite that fact that they are everyday children that are forced to confront unimaginably violent scenarios.
When we are first introduced to our main characters, they are adults dealing with the aftermath of their fantasy-world adventuring. They are the three Harrow siblings, whose family is the “protector” of the magical realm of March, and they have had radically different experiences as they have grown up both in March and the “real” world. Constance is the eldest and the heir apparent to leading March; a queer woman, she has an estranged wife and two children. Mary Ann, who was an insecure child, has no stable family life and no genuine accomplishments; she is a drifter. John, the youngest, is probably the most damaged from his youth, and may be way beyond the point of repair.
Polansky introduces us to the Harrow family using a dual timeline approach, jumping back and forth between their childhood adventures and their adult lives. In doing so, Polansky beautifully contrasts the childhood innocence of discovery with the jaded, broken, and defeating nature of adulthood. Jumping back and forth allows us to see how the Harrow children grew up to be the adults that they became, and how the world has shattered them. Defeating evil and becoming full-fledged members of a ruling family is no easy task, especially for young children going through the more “normal” trials of young adulthood. What ultimately emerges is a fascinating character study that examines the consequences of fantasy adventures without shying away from all of the darker elements.
March’s End is a “character book” through and through. Readers looking for a new portal fantasy world to explore may be a bit disappointed in what March’s End has to offer. The world of March has a dark and magical aura surrounding it, but it simultaneously feels a bit shallow and confusing. Polansky doesn’t spend too much time giving vivid descriptions of his various fantastical creatures, or delving too far into the politics of March, because the purpose of this book is to look at the longstanding consequences of childhood trauma. It is the three Harrow siblings and their journeys which are the true stars of this book, and the book is all the stronger for it.
When I normally read portal fantasy books like this, or really engage with any kind of fiction that has both a “real world” and a “fantasy world”, I am usually bored to tears by the “real world” stuff and just want to get to the magic. I had the complete opposite experience with March’s End. While Polansky does some really interesting things with magic and fantasy here, I could not wait to return to the Harrow children in their adult domestic lives. This is where March’s End really shines as we look to how hard Constance tries to be the “perfect” wife/mother while preparing to be the perfect queen of March, while her other siblings rebel against their situations both past and present. We don’t often get to see these issues really dissected in portal fantasies, making this a true standout.
If you are looking for a book that acts as a commentary on common tropes in children’s fantasy, but that isn’t quite as whiny as The Magicians, check out March’s End. It is a fantastic character examination wrapped up in a succinct standalone package that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Concluding Thoughts: Dark, adult reexaminations of childhood portal fantasies are becoming increasingly common, and March’s End is a worthy new addition. An examination of the long term familial trauma that portal fantasy adventures inflict on young bodies, Polansky introduces us to a trio of siblings with immense character depth and nuance that you cannot help but feel drawn to. The characters definitely outshine the fantasy, but this made for a much richer reading experience. It’s dark and at times a brutal read, but the journey is worth it.
I am admittedly a bit late in writing this review, and this might be one of my longest gaps between reading a book and writing the review. In this case, however, I think that the time to reflect on March’s End has really shown me how strong of a book this one really is and how prescient and powerful its messages resonated with me.
To put it simply, March’s End is another entry in the growing subgenre of adult portal fantasies that explore the darker side of children’s fantasy books. It joins Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and Adrian Tchaikovsky’s And Put Away Childish Things in critiquing some of the naiveté of children’s portal fantasies by pulling back the curtain on the reality of falling down the rabbit hole or walking through a wardrobe. What results is probably the darkest and bleakest of any of the books that mentioned, which might turn off some readers. However, if you are one to really dig into complex character arcs that explore the outcomes of childhood trauma, March’s End is a book to keep your eye on.
Polansky explores the trauma that the children in portal fantasies face through these fantastical experiences and the expectations placed upon them. Portal fantasies (think Narnia or the original Oz books) tend to valorize the hero’s journey; young children embark on unexpected adventures in magical worlds, often becoming the leaders and decision makers of peoples, lands, and events that they previously could only have dreamed of. These children of celebrated for their intelligence, bravery, and might….all despite that fact that they are everyday children that are forced to confront unimaginably violent scenarios.
When we are first introduced to our main characters, they are adults dealing with the aftermath of their fantasy-world adventuring. They are the three Harrow siblings, whose family is the “protector” of the magical realm of March, and they have had radically different experiences as they have grown up both in March and the “real” world. Constance is the eldest and the heir apparent to leading March; a queer woman, she has an estranged wife and two children. Mary Ann, who was an insecure child, has no stable family life and no genuine accomplishments; she is a drifter. John, the youngest, is probably the most damaged from his youth, and may be way beyond the point of repair.
Polansky introduces us to the Harrow family using a dual timeline approach, jumping back and forth between their childhood adventures and their adult lives. In doing so, Polansky beautifully contrasts the childhood innocence of discovery with the jaded, broken, and defeating nature of adulthood. Jumping back and forth allows us to see how the Harrow children grew up to be the adults that they became, and how the world has shattered them. Defeating evil and becoming full-fledged members of a ruling family is no easy task, especially for young children going through the more “normal” trials of young adulthood. What ultimately emerges is a fascinating character study that examines the consequences of fantasy adventures without shying away from all of the darker elements.
March’s End is a “character book” through and through. Readers looking for a new portal fantasy world to explore may be a bit disappointed in what March’s End has to offer. The world of March has a dark and magical aura surrounding it, but it simultaneously feels a bit shallow and confusing. Polansky doesn’t spend too much time giving vivid descriptions of his various fantastical creatures, or delving too far into the politics of March, because the purpose of this book is to look at the longstanding consequences of childhood trauma. It is the three Harrow siblings and their journeys which are the true stars of this book, and the book is all the stronger for it.
When I normally read portal fantasy books like this, or really engage with any kind of fiction that has both a “real world” and a “fantasy world”, I am usually bored to tears by the “real world” stuff and just want to get to the magic. I had the complete opposite experience with March’s End. While Polansky does some really interesting things with magic and fantasy here, I could not wait to return to the Harrow children in their adult domestic lives. This is where March’s End really shines as we look to how hard Constance tries to be the “perfect” wife/mother while preparing to be the perfect queen of March, while her other siblings rebel against their situations both past and present. We don’t often get to see these issues really dissected in portal fantasies, making this a true standout.
If you are looking for a book that acts as a commentary on common tropes in children’s fantasy, but that isn’t quite as whiny as The Magicians, check out March’s End. It is a fantastic character examination wrapped up in a succinct standalone package that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Concluding Thoughts: Dark, adult reexaminations of childhood portal fantasies are becoming increasingly common, and March’s End is a worthy new addition. An examination of the long term familial trauma that portal fantasy adventures inflict on young bodies, Polansky introduces us to a trio of siblings with immense character depth and nuance that you cannot help but feel drawn to. The characters definitely outshine the fantasy, but this made for a much richer reading experience. It’s dark and at times a brutal read, but the journey is worth it.
March 3, 2023
7/10 stars
My full review on my blog.
[...]
Polansky’s new book offers his trademark blend of gritty realism and fantastic flights of fancy. It’s casually cruel, in love with the melody of its own language, melancholy and tender at times, but mostly, and always – beautifully, clinically detached.
Polansky is sharp. All sharp edges, short witty remarks, quick, astute observations. I do wonder if he fences; those books of his that I have read certainly remind me of fencing – finding the opponent’s weak spot and lunging, without hesitation or remorse. There is certain urgency in his writing, a particular blend of ruthlessness and vulnerability that demands to be read. I enjoy it; it is rather unique in our times of effusive wordy diarrhoea, of sickly sweetness and hand-holding, back-patting cosiness and hidden feelings of authorial superiority. Yup, Polanski is none of those things, thank goodness. His unique second-person-perspective narrative in The Seventh Perfection made that book one of my favourites of 2020, but March’s End is closer in theme and mood to the novella The Builders.
March’s End is a chronicle of four generations of the Harrow family, who during the day live normal suburban lives but at night dream not the American Dream but March – a fantastical land full of strange races and beings, where they rule with an iron fist gloved in velvet. Sacrifice and duty go hand in hand with hereditary privilege; Lewis’s Narnian sketch of the mediaeval concept of a kingdom is utilised here with intriguing results. March is indeed like the barely mapped terrain of our subconscious; the further from the central spire of the Tower, where Harrows rule, the more unreal and improbable creatures, phenomena and features can be found within March. But there is rot in there, too – something dark and corrupting, zombifying everything it touches with unthinking hunger. Even though we nominally meet four generations of Harrows, only one can be truly considered the protagonists: the siblings Constance, Mary Ann, and John. Describing the dysfunctions of this family would take a book on its own; here, their various inadequacies, petty conflicts and resentments, the slow decomposition of familial ties is mapped onto the history of March. Polansky deftly plays with the mediaeval concept of the body politic where king was the microcosmic representation of his kingdom; in this reasoning, the king’s body, his bodily fluids, had a special power dependent on the king’s state – but not only that, the king’s wellbeing was bound with the wellbeing of his kingdom. It is actually a very old concept, present in all those old mythologies and rites where the king was chosen for a year and afterwards slaughtered as a sacrifice to ensure constant virility and wellbeing of his land. Polansky reaches to those, as well, and his March’s End ends up reading at times more like an erudite private play with words and ideas than like a proper fantasy novel.
The fault for this may be put largely at the story itself, which is relatively simple, short and somewhat undemanding. March’s End is a short book, full of descriptions, and busy with jumping between two timelines, trying to cover up the scarcity of the plot with the jumbled fragments of the protagonists’ lives. It ends abruptly, too, after a lengthy buildup everything concludes neatly within a few pages. The characters, with their myriad of dysfunctions and flaws, are hard to like and root for – at least at the beginning. But what March’s End lacks in the narrative department, as well as in character development, it makes up for with the imagination. The fantasy elements here are very strong, even over the top at times. The various life-forms, their biomes and ways of living are depicted with almost childlike enthusiasm, in stark contrast with the descriptions of hte boring, faulty humans. The conversation with the concept and lore of Narnia seems to be at the centre of this novel and informs the plot in interesting, sometimes twisty ways. I can freely admit I like Polansky’s take on the problem of Narnia much better than Grossman’s one – not only is the former much less slavishly attached to Lewis’s formula and structure, but it’s also less childishly malicious when tackling the undeniable influence of this staple of children’s literature. That is not to say that March isn’t suitably darker, grimmer and way more brutal than Narnia – it is, many times over. But Polansky isn’t interested in tearing down Lewis’s Narnian edifice, he’s much more interested in creating his own, with his own host of strange, fantastical creatures, edging boldly into horror territory, playing with words, concepts, and children’s ideas of life, even in – or maybe especially in – inanimate objects.
It’s not a flawless masterpiece, far from it. But it’s enjoyable, erudite, ambivalent and entertaining. It’s an invitation to play along, explore and discuss the ideas, scoff or snort at the alliterations and extravagant words gleefully sprinkled within the text for the pleasure of the writer and the reader both. It’s short, and fairly unique.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.
My full review on my blog.
[...]
Polansky’s new book offers his trademark blend of gritty realism and fantastic flights of fancy. It’s casually cruel, in love with the melody of its own language, melancholy and tender at times, but mostly, and always – beautifully, clinically detached.
Polansky is sharp. All sharp edges, short witty remarks, quick, astute observations. I do wonder if he fences; those books of his that I have read certainly remind me of fencing – finding the opponent’s weak spot and lunging, without hesitation or remorse. There is certain urgency in his writing, a particular blend of ruthlessness and vulnerability that demands to be read. I enjoy it; it is rather unique in our times of effusive wordy diarrhoea, of sickly sweetness and hand-holding, back-patting cosiness and hidden feelings of authorial superiority. Yup, Polanski is none of those things, thank goodness. His unique second-person-perspective narrative in The Seventh Perfection made that book one of my favourites of 2020, but March’s End is closer in theme and mood to the novella The Builders.
March’s End is a chronicle of four generations of the Harrow family, who during the day live normal suburban lives but at night dream not the American Dream but March – a fantastical land full of strange races and beings, where they rule with an iron fist gloved in velvet. Sacrifice and duty go hand in hand with hereditary privilege; Lewis’s Narnian sketch of the mediaeval concept of a kingdom is utilised here with intriguing results. March is indeed like the barely mapped terrain of our subconscious; the further from the central spire of the Tower, where Harrows rule, the more unreal and improbable creatures, phenomena and features can be found within March. But there is rot in there, too – something dark and corrupting, zombifying everything it touches with unthinking hunger. Even though we nominally meet four generations of Harrows, only one can be truly considered the protagonists: the siblings Constance, Mary Ann, and John. Describing the dysfunctions of this family would take a book on its own; here, their various inadequacies, petty conflicts and resentments, the slow decomposition of familial ties is mapped onto the history of March. Polansky deftly plays with the mediaeval concept of the body politic where king was the microcosmic representation of his kingdom; in this reasoning, the king’s body, his bodily fluids, had a special power dependent on the king’s state – but not only that, the king’s wellbeing was bound with the wellbeing of his kingdom. It is actually a very old concept, present in all those old mythologies and rites where the king was chosen for a year and afterwards slaughtered as a sacrifice to ensure constant virility and wellbeing of his land. Polansky reaches to those, as well, and his March’s End ends up reading at times more like an erudite private play with words and ideas than like a proper fantasy novel.
The fault for this may be put largely at the story itself, which is relatively simple, short and somewhat undemanding. March’s End is a short book, full of descriptions, and busy with jumping between two timelines, trying to cover up the scarcity of the plot with the jumbled fragments of the protagonists’ lives. It ends abruptly, too, after a lengthy buildup everything concludes neatly within a few pages. The characters, with their myriad of dysfunctions and flaws, are hard to like and root for – at least at the beginning. But what March’s End lacks in the narrative department, as well as in character development, it makes up for with the imagination. The fantasy elements here are very strong, even over the top at times. The various life-forms, their biomes and ways of living are depicted with almost childlike enthusiasm, in stark contrast with the descriptions of hte boring, faulty humans. The conversation with the concept and lore of Narnia seems to be at the centre of this novel and informs the plot in interesting, sometimes twisty ways. I can freely admit I like Polansky’s take on the problem of Narnia much better than Grossman’s one – not only is the former much less slavishly attached to Lewis’s formula and structure, but it’s also less childishly malicious when tackling the undeniable influence of this staple of children’s literature. That is not to say that March isn’t suitably darker, grimmer and way more brutal than Narnia – it is, many times over. But Polansky isn’t interested in tearing down Lewis’s Narnian edifice, he’s much more interested in creating his own, with his own host of strange, fantastical creatures, edging boldly into horror territory, playing with words, concepts, and children’s ideas of life, even in – or maybe especially in – inanimate objects.
It’s not a flawless masterpiece, far from it. But it’s enjoyable, erudite, ambivalent and entertaining. It’s an invitation to play along, explore and discuss the ideas, scoff or snort at the alliterations and extravagant words gleefully sprinkled within the text for the pleasure of the writer and the reader both. It’s short, and fairly unique.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.
July 31, 2023
Polansky is an essential writer of fantasy fiction. This wasn't my favorite of his novels, but the craftsmanship was, as always, superb. Polansky writes "adult" fantasy fiction: literary themes and complex character development abounds. I can't get enough of it.
September 11, 2023
Pointless. No likable characters - I mean, none. Reads like a bunch of short stories strung together. And, unnecessary overuse of words from advanced spelling bees and Nonsense-land.
June 6, 2023
So… think of the Narnia books, but with a squabbling family in charge of keeping Mr Tumnus et al safe from all threats. It’s an intriguing premise. Polansky opts for a fractured narrative timeline, which means that we are constantly flipping from the current crisis, where everything is starting to fall apart, back to various scenes from the past, presumably to give us insights into why the current generation is in such a mess.
This approach gives us a front row seat into some of the faultlines that fracture the family. The terrible childhood accident that defines John’s behaviour and an ill-advised teenage romance by Mary Ann with shocking consequences drive home that the March isn’t some whimsical playground where youngsters can parade their fantastical alter egos. It’s a dangerous place peopled by a variety of entirely different creatures, with differing cultures and customs. What unites the majority is their allegiance to the Harrow family as their lords and protectors. I felt there were some high points where the family scenes worked really well in pinpointing those fracture lines. However, there are also quite a few – especially featuring Constance, Mary Ann and John as youngsters – where I didn’t feel we get as much insight as we really need to fully bond with the main characters. It’s always a tricky balance to snag the reader’s sympathy when protagonists are shown to be constantly battling each other – and I didn’t care for any of them. Which proved to be an ongoing problem, especially at the end.
Frustratingly, I also felt there are vital scenes missing. I wanted to see that scene between Sophie and Will, instead of hearing Sophie merely allude to it. Because it clearly changed everything. While we learn a great deal about John’s feelings about his scarring, there is nothing about how he gained his formidable powers.
What is undeniable is the vividness and sheer variety of the creatures within the March. Polansky’s writing pings off the page when he’s describing those scenes and I found I wanted more. Instead of merely being the backdrop to the Harrow’s family conflicts, I wished we spent more time there with at least one viewpoint character.
I’m aware this book can also be read as an uncomfortable allegory about the way we’re all being led over a cliff regarding the environmental timebomb now ticking. If you replace the Harrows with the inept politicians around the world taken up with concerns that will shortly fade into the furniture once climate change really gets going – and the rest of us throughout the world in all its variety as the March, then it’s clear Polansky doesn’t hold out much hope for our current leadership ultimately saving humanity from the threat facing us.
This is an unusual read that required constant concentration due to the fractured narrative – and ultimately, I felt that it somehow missed being a fantastic book by a frustratingly narrow margin. Recommended for fans of portal fantasy adventures with a difference.
7/10
This approach gives us a front row seat into some of the faultlines that fracture the family. The terrible childhood accident that defines John’s behaviour and an ill-advised teenage romance by Mary Ann with shocking consequences drive home that the March isn’t some whimsical playground where youngsters can parade their fantastical alter egos. It’s a dangerous place peopled by a variety of entirely different creatures, with differing cultures and customs. What unites the majority is their allegiance to the Harrow family as their lords and protectors. I felt there were some high points where the family scenes worked really well in pinpointing those fracture lines. However, there are also quite a few – especially featuring Constance, Mary Ann and John as youngsters – where I didn’t feel we get as much insight as we really need to fully bond with the main characters. It’s always a tricky balance to snag the reader’s sympathy when protagonists are shown to be constantly battling each other – and I didn’t care for any of them. Which proved to be an ongoing problem, especially at the end.
Frustratingly, I also felt there are vital scenes missing. I wanted to see that scene between Sophie and Will, instead of hearing Sophie merely allude to it. Because it clearly changed everything. While we learn a great deal about John’s feelings about his scarring, there is nothing about how he gained his formidable powers.
What is undeniable is the vividness and sheer variety of the creatures within the March. Polansky’s writing pings off the page when he’s describing those scenes and I found I wanted more. Instead of merely being the backdrop to the Harrow’s family conflicts, I wished we spent more time there with at least one viewpoint character.
I’m aware this book can also be read as an uncomfortable allegory about the way we’re all being led over a cliff regarding the environmental timebomb now ticking. If you replace the Harrows with the inept politicians around the world taken up with concerns that will shortly fade into the furniture once climate change really gets going – and the rest of us throughout the world in all its variety as the March, then it’s clear Polansky doesn’t hold out much hope for our current leadership ultimately saving humanity from the threat facing us.
This is an unusual read that required constant concentration due to the fractured narrative – and ultimately, I felt that it somehow missed being a fantastic book by a frustratingly narrow margin. Recommended for fans of portal fantasy adventures with a difference.
7/10
May 16, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/marchs-e...
March's End is the new portal fantasy novel by the American writer Daniel Polansky. Pitched initially as Narnia meets The Magicians, I was super excited to read this book, as it seemed perfect for me. A story that spans the life of two generations of the Harrow family; March, a world where antiquated toys and sentient lichen are its inhabitants, and an outside danger that threats to make March disappear unless the Harrow assume and fulfill their role as its protector are some of the elements that appear in this novel.
Through the history of March, Polansky interweaves a complex family drama that ends up affecting both worlds, March and the overworld. Harrow siblings weren't close, as their personalities are extremely different and tend to clash, but an accident disfigure this relationship even more.
Secrets and the idea of concealing all that happened just end up creating a dysfunctional family relationship. While Sophia, the matriarch, is trying to keep the family joint, each of the siblings has their own problems, and each one of them has developed some kind of trauma; Constance was able to raise her own family, but Mary Ann lives without a goal, and John is irremediably marked by the past.
Using a dual timeline, we get to know more about our characters through their past, and how March has always been a part of their life. Our characters have grown being linked to March, and the End is threatening one more time.
However, some things in March have changed, internal conflicts are rising among the different territories and even a revolution against the Harrow is starting. For once, their status as the rulers and protectors of this magical land is in doubt.
Getting a look at the worldbuilding, March as an idea is really original, and Polansky has put much attention to the details that make it feel alive. Different kingdoms have been formed, and some of them have disappeared in the time covered by the novel, and their past influences their relationship with the Harrows.
Despite being a story about the family, we also have space for plenty of epic battles and conflict, as the End threat is forcing many of the Thousand People to fight against it, creating some of the most memorable scenes in this book.
While the pacing is slightly affected by the dual timeline, I would say that it helps to make some parts of the plot impact harder, as we are slowly building a really complete image of our characters and their motivations. As in other Polanksy books, we have some dark moments but they work really well when you have the context.
March's End is an excellent standalone novel, perfect for those that look for some fantasy in secondary world intertwined with the complexity of family. If you are a fan of Narnia, but are looking for something more adult, don't hesitate to pick this book, as Polansky has shown his quality as an author.
March's End is the new portal fantasy novel by the American writer Daniel Polansky. Pitched initially as Narnia meets The Magicians, I was super excited to read this book, as it seemed perfect for me. A story that spans the life of two generations of the Harrow family; March, a world where antiquated toys and sentient lichen are its inhabitants, and an outside danger that threats to make March disappear unless the Harrow assume and fulfill their role as its protector are some of the elements that appear in this novel.
Through the history of March, Polansky interweaves a complex family drama that ends up affecting both worlds, March and the overworld. Harrow siblings weren't close, as their personalities are extremely different and tend to clash, but an accident disfigure this relationship even more.
Secrets and the idea of concealing all that happened just end up creating a dysfunctional family relationship. While Sophia, the matriarch, is trying to keep the family joint, each of the siblings has their own problems, and each one of them has developed some kind of trauma; Constance was able to raise her own family, but Mary Ann lives without a goal, and John is irremediably marked by the past.
Using a dual timeline, we get to know more about our characters through their past, and how March has always been a part of their life. Our characters have grown being linked to March, and the End is threatening one more time.
However, some things in March have changed, internal conflicts are rising among the different territories and even a revolution against the Harrow is starting. For once, their status as the rulers and protectors of this magical land is in doubt.
Getting a look at the worldbuilding, March as an idea is really original, and Polansky has put much attention to the details that make it feel alive. Different kingdoms have been formed, and some of them have disappeared in the time covered by the novel, and their past influences their relationship with the Harrows.
Despite being a story about the family, we also have space for plenty of epic battles and conflict, as the End threat is forcing many of the Thousand People to fight against it, creating some of the most memorable scenes in this book.
While the pacing is slightly affected by the dual timeline, I would say that it helps to make some parts of the plot impact harder, as we are slowly building a really complete image of our characters and their motivations. As in other Polanksy books, we have some dark moments but they work really well when you have the context.
March's End is an excellent standalone novel, perfect for those that look for some fantasy in secondary world intertwined with the complexity of family. If you are a fan of Narnia, but are looking for something more adult, don't hesitate to pick this book, as Polansky has shown his quality as an author.
May 6, 2023
“March’s End” by Daniel Polansky ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Epic Fantasy Family Saga. Location: Humanland and the March. Time: 2000-2024.
The Harrows are a typical suburban family. But at night they rule and protect the March, a magical world of steam-powered humanoids, sentient plants, antique children’s toys, singing weather witches. Sophia Harrow, High Queen of the March, has 3 children with husband Michael: noble Constance; rebellious Mary Ann; amoral John.
The book moves between the children’s youth and adulthood, not in linear order. Mary Ann and John’s disastrous trips under the Harrow Tower, egged on by tin clown Jolly Bones. Constance’s military mission with Michael, Sir Reginald Fitzwillow (large, fabric teddy bear) and Sir Floppy Longshanks (large, fluffy eared rabbit). Don’t let the names sway you- this bear and rabbit use lethal swords. The Harrow family’s personal struggles clash with their March duties, as John moves to New York City, Mary Ann to Los Angeles, both struggling with substance/mental health issues. Meanwhile, in the March, the Thousand People call for rebellion, and the End is coming to corrupt and rot the March. There’s epic fighting and strange magic galore.
Author Polansky’s lush world building is full of fantastic beings. Don’t analyze, quantify, or comment on alliteration. Just let them flit around and over you-submerge yourself in the reading experience. His book has “Incryptid ”, “Narnia”, “Wizard of Oz”-like vibes, but made totally his own. Polansky’s book is about growing up, with the failures, love, struggles, and saving graces that come with it.
If you’d like to meet a fuschia Molluschite, his white shell the size of a tractor-trailer, a deer-sized Jubjub bird, a chef with many hands, a Nonesuch that’s part cobweb, part Daddy Longlegs, and a little bit evening sky…AND if you’d like a book about personal struggles when people don’t fit in ‘normal’ society, this is the book for you. It’s not easy reading, but it’s worth it, and it’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️Thank you Angry Robot books, Caroline Lambe, and Daniel Polansky for this early copy. Publishes 5/9/2023. #notnarnia!
The Harrows are a typical suburban family. But at night they rule and protect the March, a magical world of steam-powered humanoids, sentient plants, antique children’s toys, singing weather witches. Sophia Harrow, High Queen of the March, has 3 children with husband Michael: noble Constance; rebellious Mary Ann; amoral John.
The book moves between the children’s youth and adulthood, not in linear order. Mary Ann and John’s disastrous trips under the Harrow Tower, egged on by tin clown Jolly Bones. Constance’s military mission with Michael, Sir Reginald Fitzwillow (large, fabric teddy bear) and Sir Floppy Longshanks (large, fluffy eared rabbit). Don’t let the names sway you- this bear and rabbit use lethal swords. The Harrow family’s personal struggles clash with their March duties, as John moves to New York City, Mary Ann to Los Angeles, both struggling with substance/mental health issues. Meanwhile, in the March, the Thousand People call for rebellion, and the End is coming to corrupt and rot the March. There’s epic fighting and strange magic galore.
Author Polansky’s lush world building is full of fantastic beings. Don’t analyze, quantify, or comment on alliteration. Just let them flit around and over you-submerge yourself in the reading experience. His book has “Incryptid ”, “Narnia”, “Wizard of Oz”-like vibes, but made totally his own. Polansky’s book is about growing up, with the failures, love, struggles, and saving graces that come with it.
If you’d like to meet a fuschia Molluschite, his white shell the size of a tractor-trailer, a deer-sized Jubjub bird, a chef with many hands, a Nonesuch that’s part cobweb, part Daddy Longlegs, and a little bit evening sky…AND if you’d like a book about personal struggles when people don’t fit in ‘normal’ society, this is the book for you. It’s not easy reading, but it’s worth it, and it’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️Thank you Angry Robot books, Caroline Lambe, and Daniel Polansky for this early copy. Publishes 5/9/2023. #notnarnia!
May 22, 2023
Dark Narnia
Daniel Polanski is one of my favourite authors and this is is one of his best works however , be warned , this isn’t for the faint hearted it’s dark and brooding and very much grim dark in tone.
It’s a portal fantasy set between our world and the March , a kind of grim dark Narnia, complete with talking animals and walking toys ruled over by the Harrows a human family that has the gift , or maybe curse , to walk between the March and Earth for most of the family this doesn’t seem entirely voluntary as their destiny’s seem entwined with that of the March.
It’s also a family drama about a dysfunctional family The Harrows that is both ordinary and extraordinary and in the March whose decisions and actions take on epic proportions .
Reckoning with a history of epic successes and failures and a ancient enemy known as the End The Harrows have to face the possibility of extinction in a world where the walls thinning between the March and Earth could spell doom for all.
Marchs’s End works as a complete story in and of itself , whether the author chooses to continue it or not, yes it’s grim dark but the protagonist family aren’t complete assholes like in a lot of the subgenre by and large they try their best with most of their worse actions coming from a certain belief that the March is their story alone. Something that is pretty much in line with the overall theme of almost all of Polansky works which is more or less his unofficial motto for all his characters “ We are the authors of our own misery “. That can come off as a bit nihilistic in excution with the feeling that not much actually changes in his stories however there is still hope in his works and much like that amazing to show The Wire ( which I definitely feel would be right up Polanski alley ) maybe the big picture institutions and cycles don’t change but there is always room for victory on a smaller individual scale even if it’s just temporary.
Recommending for lovers of dark fantasy and grimdark and anyone who read the Chronicles of Narnia and wanted a gritter version.
Daniel Polanski is one of my favourite authors and this is is one of his best works however , be warned , this isn’t for the faint hearted it’s dark and brooding and very much grim dark in tone.
It’s a portal fantasy set between our world and the March , a kind of grim dark Narnia, complete with talking animals and walking toys ruled over by the Harrows a human family that has the gift , or maybe curse , to walk between the March and Earth for most of the family this doesn’t seem entirely voluntary as their destiny’s seem entwined with that of the March.
It’s also a family drama about a dysfunctional family The Harrows that is both ordinary and extraordinary and in the March whose decisions and actions take on epic proportions .
Reckoning with a history of epic successes and failures and a ancient enemy known as the End The Harrows have to face the possibility of extinction in a world where the walls thinning between the March and Earth could spell doom for all.
Marchs’s End works as a complete story in and of itself , whether the author chooses to continue it or not, yes it’s grim dark but the protagonist family aren’t complete assholes like in a lot of the subgenre by and large they try their best with most of their worse actions coming from a certain belief that the March is their story alone. Something that is pretty much in line with the overall theme of almost all of Polansky works which is more or less his unofficial motto for all his characters “ We are the authors of our own misery “. That can come off as a bit nihilistic in excution with the feeling that not much actually changes in his stories however there is still hope in his works and much like that amazing to show The Wire ( which I definitely feel would be right up Polanski alley ) maybe the big picture institutions and cycles don’t change but there is always room for victory on a smaller individual scale even if it’s just temporary.
Recommending for lovers of dark fantasy and grimdark and anyone who read the Chronicles of Narnia and wanted a gritter version.
February 7, 2023
If there ever has been an author whose works would undoubtedly qualify as its own genre of fantasy, it would probably be Polansky. Everything I've read of his so far is absolutely unique, and yet has one similarity - in that his imaginary worlds are never fluffy. They have magic and they have a staggering variety of characters and creatures, but it's never a fairy tale and it never reads as a simple moralizing parable or a mirror image of the reality we live in.
In March's End, the setup seems traditional: humans ruling over a magical world, a chosen family - what could go wrong? Well, the answer is 'everything', really, especially when the humans in question also have their own mundane lives and family troubles to think of. Ruling a different realm is tough work, especially in an apocalypse - and, for a change, this is the book that will truly show it. It will look at complicated family dynamics and raise the issues of expectations and duty, assuming responsibility, breaking down (and healing, in a way), and if you feel like all those trials and tribulations should resolve into a neat happy ending, well, think again.
At its core, Polansky's style is something I would call 'very adult fantasy' - complex and detail-rich (sometimes overly so, like with the number of fantastical races and creatures in this one), but with the events often taking place in deeply alien and occasionally creepy settings. It always seems like you're just catching a glimpse of a world so vast there is just no understanding it fully. There is no glossing over the harsh truths, in the 'real world' or the magical one, and there are many questions left unanswered, so this is definitely not the book for someone who is looking for an easy-to-process feel-good fantasy journey.
Thanks to #NetGalley for an advance copy of the book.
In March's End, the setup seems traditional: humans ruling over a magical world, a chosen family - what could go wrong? Well, the answer is 'everything', really, especially when the humans in question also have their own mundane lives and family troubles to think of. Ruling a different realm is tough work, especially in an apocalypse - and, for a change, this is the book that will truly show it. It will look at complicated family dynamics and raise the issues of expectations and duty, assuming responsibility, breaking down (and healing, in a way), and if you feel like all those trials and tribulations should resolve into a neat happy ending, well, think again.
At its core, Polansky's style is something I would call 'very adult fantasy' - complex and detail-rich (sometimes overly so, like with the number of fantastical races and creatures in this one), but with the events often taking place in deeply alien and occasionally creepy settings. It always seems like you're just catching a glimpse of a world so vast there is just no understanding it fully. There is no glossing over the harsh truths, in the 'real world' or the magical one, and there are many questions left unanswered, so this is definitely not the book for someone who is looking for an easy-to-process feel-good fantasy journey.
Thanks to #NetGalley for an advance copy of the book.
June 11, 2023
"March's End" by Daniel Polansky is a thrilling and captivating fantasy novel that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through a vividly imagined world. The story follows a diverse group of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets, as they navigate a world on the brink of catastrophe.
Polansky's writing style is masterful, with rich descriptions and intricate world-building that immediately immerses readers into the setting. The author effortlessly paints a picture of a gritty and dangerous world, filled with political intrigue, dark magic, and morally ambiguous characters.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its complex and well-developed characters. Each character has their own unique voice and backstory, making them feel real and relatable. Polansky expertly weaves their individual narratives together, creating a tapestry of intertwining stories that keep readers guessing and engaged until the very end.
The pacing of the story is excellent, with a perfect balance between action-packed sequences and moments of introspection. Polansky skillfully builds tension throughout the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The plot twists and turns, surprising the reader at every corner, but never feeling forced or contrived.
Furthermore, "March's End" explores thought-provoking themes such as power, loyalty, and the consequences of one's choices. These deeper layers add depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a typical fantasy adventure.
In conclusion, "March's End" is a compelling and well-crafted novel that will satisfy fans of dark fantasy and intrigue. Daniel Polansky's skillful storytelling, vivid world-building, and memorable characters make this book a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast. Prepare to be enthralled from beginning to end.
Polansky's writing style is masterful, with rich descriptions and intricate world-building that immediately immerses readers into the setting. The author effortlessly paints a picture of a gritty and dangerous world, filled with political intrigue, dark magic, and morally ambiguous characters.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its complex and well-developed characters. Each character has their own unique voice and backstory, making them feel real and relatable. Polansky expertly weaves their individual narratives together, creating a tapestry of intertwining stories that keep readers guessing and engaged until the very end.
The pacing of the story is excellent, with a perfect balance between action-packed sequences and moments of introspection. Polansky skillfully builds tension throughout the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The plot twists and turns, surprising the reader at every corner, but never feeling forced or contrived.
Furthermore, "March's End" explores thought-provoking themes such as power, loyalty, and the consequences of one's choices. These deeper layers add depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a typical fantasy adventure.
In conclusion, "March's End" is a compelling and well-crafted novel that will satisfy fans of dark fantasy and intrigue. Daniel Polansky's skillful storytelling, vivid world-building, and memorable characters make this book a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast. Prepare to be enthralled from beginning to end.
September 29, 2023
A book full of whimsy and magic mixed with a stark dark reality, I wasn’t really sure how to feel about this book at first, and the blurb summaries the book well so I won’t repeat it here.
Plot lines wove in ways that admittedly did make it difficult to follow in some areas and may possibly confuse some readers, but I get a distinct feeling from the author that this book is not written for everyone and that they’re completely okay with that. It’s somewhat refreshing, in a sense. Although once I grabbed hold of the characters and they developed in my mind a little better, my read become a lot easier for me and their adventures in the March were even somewhat exhilarating.
I’ll be upfront and admit that this is my first work from Daniel Polanski, who can obviously most certainly write a story! I could definitely be talked into reading more of his works, I enjoyed the way Daniel doesn’t shy away from the much darker sides of both fantasy and the harsher realities of life.
I have to admit that it took me a long while to read due to the time it took me to be really invested in the characters and their fates. That and I found it to be one of those books that was hard to pick up and casually read just a few pages when I had the time to read, and this is not casual book. I can’t hold that against it though as that’s just the kind of book it is, so I didn’t want that to reflect in my eventual rating as overall I enjoyed it. Completely agree with other reviewers comparing it to a dark Narnia too.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing this ARC to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Plot lines wove in ways that admittedly did make it difficult to follow in some areas and may possibly confuse some readers, but I get a distinct feeling from the author that this book is not written for everyone and that they’re completely okay with that. It’s somewhat refreshing, in a sense. Although once I grabbed hold of the characters and they developed in my mind a little better, my read become a lot easier for me and their adventures in the March were even somewhat exhilarating.
I’ll be upfront and admit that this is my first work from Daniel Polanski, who can obviously most certainly write a story! I could definitely be talked into reading more of his works, I enjoyed the way Daniel doesn’t shy away from the much darker sides of both fantasy and the harsher realities of life.
I have to admit that it took me a long while to read due to the time it took me to be really invested in the characters and their fates. That and I found it to be one of those books that was hard to pick up and casually read just a few pages when I had the time to read, and this is not casual book. I can’t hold that against it though as that’s just the kind of book it is, so I didn’t want that to reflect in my eventual rating as overall I enjoyed it. Completely agree with other reviewers comparing it to a dark Narnia too.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing this ARC to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 13, 2023
March’s End by Daniel Polansky isn’t just a portal fantasy but a book about intergenerational conflict and the impact of childhood trauma. There was so much I really loved in this book but there were a few things I struggled with.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
The author brings to life the world of the March in vivid technicolour. This is a world inhabited by living toys who torture, sentient plant beings that don’t hesitate to kill and talk, rebelling animals. The sense of impending danger and doom is present from the start and infests the book both in March and the real world. I loved the tower- a building that seems to go on forever.
The complicated lives of the Harrows, the conquerors and protectors of the March take centre stage in both worlds. The Harrows have had their role over generations and seem stuck with continuing this for generations more no matter what the trauma.
The family drama between the siblings feels realistic and I like how they are not neatly resolved by the end of the book. The pace is fast with plenty of action and magic with plenty of creepiness. Mary Ann and Sophia’s brother bring in the discussion around whether colonisation is right or wrong concerning the March even though the Harrows are protectors which isn’t usually present in these types of fantasies.
I struggled with a lot of ‘how’s’, How do the Harrows travel to the March and why Mary- Ann can travel there differently? Why was it only the Harrows that could travel? How did Hank end up living next door to the Harrows and why?
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
The author brings to life the world of the March in vivid technicolour. This is a world inhabited by living toys who torture, sentient plant beings that don’t hesitate to kill and talk, rebelling animals. The sense of impending danger and doom is present from the start and infests the book both in March and the real world. I loved the tower- a building that seems to go on forever.
The complicated lives of the Harrows, the conquerors and protectors of the March take centre stage in both worlds. The Harrows have had their role over generations and seem stuck with continuing this for generations more no matter what the trauma.
The family drama between the siblings feels realistic and I like how they are not neatly resolved by the end of the book. The pace is fast with plenty of action and magic with plenty of creepiness. Mary Ann and Sophia’s brother bring in the discussion around whether colonisation is right or wrong concerning the March even though the Harrows are protectors which isn’t usually present in these types of fantasies.
I struggled with a lot of ‘how’s’, How do the Harrows travel to the March and why Mary- Ann can travel there differently? Why was it only the Harrows that could travel? How did Hank end up living next door to the Harrows and why?
February 11, 2023
This is a very impressive book. Well written in every sense. The characters are so well drawn, the personalities of a wide range of characters distinct and clear, with a minimum of words used. The words themselves, perfect. This is written storytelling at its best. The tale itself is highly interesting and engaging, though dark, with the Harrow family transporting to an alternate magical world as they sleep. Each of the family members is deeply flawed, there is love but also great harm shared between them. The story is mainly told from the perspective of the three children of the matriarch and queen, Sophia, partly as adults, partly in flashbacks to their childhood. Sophia is not an entirely evil queen or mother, but her children are not thriving. Constance neglects her marriage over filial duty. Mary Ann is floundering in her career and relationship, and is on and off meds after being institutionalized after a suicide attempt. John is antisocial and nihilistic, after having his face terribly disfigured as a child. Sophia is verbally abusive and scornful of her husband, somehow causes the death of her brother, and does not demonstrate much caring for her estranged children. Though extremely gritty and grim, and far from uplifting, there is hope in the ending. The three children somehow pull together for each other in their broken ways, and you really want them each to be ok. Though half set in a magical land, this story feels very real.
February 28, 2023
I think I have a problem I'm going to term Dark Fairytale Fatigue. I feel like I've read a slough of books recently that all follow a similar structure: a twisted, sad/evil Narnia-esque land that serves as a metaphor for corrupted innocence, a cast of equally depressed adults serving as a similar metaphor for corrupted innocence, mix the two together and you get an edgy allegory for the pain and suffering of growing up. I have never loved this trope, being an enjoyer of more hopeful and optimistic fiction, and feel like the version Polansky offers has elements of novelty that still failed to make a statement that was fresh or unique. I struggled to connect with the siblings at the center of the story, or honestly even grew to like them very much (with the exception of Constance - something something Oldest Daughter syndrome), but I did like the multigenerational style of the narrative and the way it slid back and forth between the children's youth and adulthood and their family across the ages. The concept of the End was highly compelling, and my desire to unravel the mystery of its cause drove my attention through the majority of the book. While I can't say this book made much of an impression, it was well-written and adequately paced and I could recommend it for fans of Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series or more recently Adrian Tchichovsky's And Put Away Childish Things.
June 14, 2023
The Harrows are a close knit family with great responsibility. They are rulers of a magical realm called The March, tasked with keeping the peace between mystical tribes made up of animals, toys, robots and all creatures of the imagination.
March’s End flips between timelines. Present day the family is distant and divided. The mother is old and sickly, two of the children have long since moved away, and only one child remained to take care of her mother and the realm. But the realm is in trouble, the tribes are at war, and the wall between the human world and mythical world is crumbling, causing chaos.
In the past timeline we get to see how the children discover The March realm, and the tragedies and drama that end up tearing them apart in present day. But it’s time for the children to return home and order to be restored.
This book was extremely unique, odd and chaotic. Think Narnia for adults with a lot more weirdness. The language had a timeless feel, and there was a stark contrast between the human world and The March realm that makes the reader long for something magical in their ordinary everyday life.
This book lightly covered themes of mental health, grief, loss and family ties.
This book is definitely unlike anything ive ever read, if you’d like an interesting fantastical read this may be for you!
Thank you @angryrobotbooks for a copy of this book!
March’s End flips between timelines. Present day the family is distant and divided. The mother is old and sickly, two of the children have long since moved away, and only one child remained to take care of her mother and the realm. But the realm is in trouble, the tribes are at war, and the wall between the human world and mythical world is crumbling, causing chaos.
In the past timeline we get to see how the children discover The March realm, and the tragedies and drama that end up tearing them apart in present day. But it’s time for the children to return home and order to be restored.
This book was extremely unique, odd and chaotic. Think Narnia for adults with a lot more weirdness. The language had a timeless feel, and there was a stark contrast between the human world and The March realm that makes the reader long for something magical in their ordinary everyday life.
This book lightly covered themes of mental health, grief, loss and family ties.
This book is definitely unlike anything ive ever read, if you’d like an interesting fantastical read this may be for you!
Thank you @angryrobotbooks for a copy of this book!
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