Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #14 May 2015 | Page 42

undercooked—I wanted more staging to ground me
in the moment, and some of it seemed a little sketchy,
although perhaps I just failed to follow the cues.

no other—is, and why he is walking across the world
with a baby and a sword. Along the way he picks up
some companions including an irascible goat (the best
character in the book in my opinion).
The world is very interesting as it is filled with demons
who are inimical to the very substance of the land
and its people. So much so that if they are not put in a
shell, they corrupt everything around them and are in
turn somewhat-hurt by the land. There is a history that
is revealed by degrees and a large cast of interesting
characters. Everyone has been affected by the apocalypse of course, in one way or another.
The book shines on the worldbuilding but it’s a tough
sell on characters when three you travel with are
non-speaking. Although Newman does wonders
with this handicap. Did I mention I loved the goat
character? I did think some of the action felt a little

I think this book would work well as a Graphic Novel
and wonder if Newman could be persuaded to adapt it.
The darkly evocative gritty world, the highly imaginative demons, the knights, the fallen cities full of corrupted humanity all cry out for luscious art.
I think you’ll love it if dark fantasy is your thing, Newman is an interesting new voice in the genre with his
own already developed style.
Overall - John Woo’s Hard Boiled in a post-apocalyptic
demon infested world. With added Goat.
Cover credit Jamie Jones for the art http://www.artpad.
org .

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