Published: 13th January 2016
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 87
Format: ebook
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
★ ★ – 2 Stars
In the middle of nowhere, a nameless individual rises from the dark. With barely any knowledge apart from how to speak and how to kill, he finds himself in a world gone mad. Worse off, nearly everything that moves is out for his blood.
Not knowing where to turn, the wanderer traverses the desolate landscape of a ruined continent. Along his travels, his mind and body are pushed to their limits as he desperately tries to make sense of what is going on, what he is, and why he exists.
Foe after foe meets their end at his hands, yet each kill only serves to raise more questions. Is he even human? What has happened to the world? Where does his path lead?
The answer lies beyond the blood-stained horizon.
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.
From the start Miller fills you with curiosity with a main character with no memory and a target on his back. From then on it leads you into a strange story filled with mutated people and a society that has fallen apart.
Unfortunately, I just could not get into this book. I could see where Miller has left room for the continuing series which is great, there is a curiosity to finding out exactly what happened to Nameless and more about this dystopian land he’s found himself in. But while it was an ok read, I couldn’t engage very well with the characters or the story. I feel like I’m the only one because other reviews are giving out three and five stars so maybe don’t just take my word on it.
There was a lot I liked, Miller’s writing is evocative and clever, the opening pages are vivid and descriptive; the story certainly opens on a surprise and there are a few good twists. You become used to Nameless and his strange ways, you also settle into the story and learn alongside Nameless as he discovers where he is and what he might be. With a back story provided by a beggar Nameless befriends, a brief rundown is given about how the continent has ended up the way it has. This brief explanation is actually enough for now as there are other pressing matters happening, and the vicious Skulls hunting Nameless are their own mystery to focus on.
Miller has been clever in that through Nameless’ escape from these menaces we’re shown a bit more of the world and where it’s ended up. We also discover more things about Nameless on the way in interesting and mystifying ways. Being the first in a series it’s evident that there will be more revealed later on, and Miller offers just enough to satisfy while leaving room to reveal more further down the track.
It is action packed which reinforces that idea that Nameless is always being hunted, and the scenes change quite quickly but I didn’t mind that. To me it suited this strange new world where danger is everywhere, and the more you see of the Skulls you realise they are relentless in their chase and there’s never a moment of peace.
It’s intriguing and not without charm, there isn’t a great deal of suspense or draw that keeps you reading, it’s more idle curiosity to see where it will go. The mystery of Nameless is a mystery worth solving on its own; whether this is enough to propel you onto the next book I’m not sure. It’s a short read which works in its favour so perhaps with each installation and more of the story is revealed an alluring tale will be told.
You can purchase Risen via the following
Lost in a Good Book 