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by Steve Cockayne As a book reviewer with a taste for fantasy I read a lot of it, and am constantly struck by how derivative most of it is regardless of how well told the story or awesome the world building. When Steve Cockayne appeared on the scene a few years ago with his Legends of the Land trilogy (also reviewed on this site) it was like a breath of fresh air. Where he got the inspiration to write that first series is beyond me, and how thrilled I was to see that, at last, he has written something else, and for Atom, Time Warner’s juvenile and YA imprint, as well. Told in the first person by Kenneth Storey from the viewpoint of his old age, this is the tale of Arboria, an enchanted land that lies just beyond the garden gate of Hedley House. Generations of Storey and Hedley children have played in Arboria, where the Arborians wage war against the backward barbarians, and the mysterious Good People exist just beyond the eye except on rare occasions. But surely this is just a game of make believe, played by Kenneth and his brother, and then the two evacuee girls? Some of it is, but some of it is disturbingly real... This reminded me hauntingly of a certain unsung minor classic which I was raving about some time ago, namely Angus Mills’ All Quiet On The Orient Express (also reviewed on this site). The narrative builds quietly to its crescendo, subtly tuning normality to conjure up a mood of anticipation in the reader for just about anything. Among its themes are the growing pains of adolescence, first love, and death; but this makes it sound worthy and it is anything but. Instead it beautifully portrays the half-world of childhood fantasy and takes it one stage further, reminding all of us of things that we have seen but cannot explain rationally. Kenny makes a compelling narrator, recording his obsession in a coolly matter-of-fact way and reminding us every so often of the "real world" outside - or is all of it just as real? Another masterpiece, wonderfully understated and just the right length. Steve Cockayne is surely the most unique and imaginative voice in British fantasy. |
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The Good People