The Strandlock could be called romantasy masquerading as YA fantasy. But whatever you decide re the genre, the story pulls the reader into a vivid and very different world filled with the fantasy elements of wonderful creatures, good and evil (and in between) characters, and peril in many forms.
Tima is an outcast in her Plains tribe, forced to cover her strange hair, blamed for every ill event. With her loved father dead, and only a strict aunt to care for her, Tima’s life seems doomed to be one of servitude, carrying out the meanest tasks and forever pushed to the background. She has one friend, the beautiful and popular Amalon.
Life on the plains is never easy, but strange, dangerous weather events are occurring with greater frequency, threatening life and sustenance. Then a trader appears and suggests that, in an attempt to allay the frightening weather events, he takes a young woman to the far mountains to be joined with a legendary, and terrible, shapeshifter. When the tribe reluctantly offers up their best – Amalon – a horrified Tima finds herself stepping forward to take her friend’s place, pledging a most solemn vow to become the shapeshifter’s joining mate.
Find The Strandlock here.
But when Tima reaches her destination after a journey fraught with peril, she discovers the stories of the shapeshifters bear little resemblance to the reality.
The Strandlock is a classic and well told tale about a young woman learning and embracing her destiny, and is the first in what I believe is going to be at least two books. Beautifully described, the strange animals, landscapes and people of this deeply imagined world come to life on the pages. Tima herself proves to be a worthy heroine, facing her fears, determined to fulfil her sacred vow – a vow that in time becomes more than just an unbreakable pledge. The reader roots for Tima all the way from page one, travelling alongside her as she places tentative step after tentative step into her new future.
The Strandlock is a story which will engross readers from a young age upwards, and upwards. Highly recommended, and I’m looking forward to the sequel.
More reviews here and my monthly round up of what I’ve read here. And when you’re looking for your next read, have an explore of what kind of books I write here.