An Introduction to ‘The West Passage’
Jared Pechacek’s ‘The West Passage’ is a medieval(ish) fantasy novel that promises readers a consistently wondrous experience. Each page is imbued with a sense of discovery, inviting readers to encounter something wholly new. The novel is a unique blend of dualities, richly detailed yet often lonely and stark, whimsical but bordering on the grotesque and haunting.
A World of Intrigue and Power
The story is set in a massive palace featuring five towers, each governed by an ancient lady. These giant beings rule over the citizens like beekeepers tending a hive. However, Grey Tower stands apart, its last lady having long since passed away. The remaining women of Grey Tower struggle to maintain their decaying fortress and observe age-old rituals despite their dwindling numbers. When the guardian of Grey Tower dies, two young apprentices set off on pivotal journeys.
The Journey of Pell and Kew
Pell, the women’s apprentice, embarks on a quest to uncover why winter shrouds Grey Tower even in spring. Concurrently, the guardian’s apprentice, Kew, must deliver his mistress’s final, ominous message to Black Tower: the beast in the west passage stirs once more. This eternal evil threatens the very existence of the palace, compelling Pell and Kew to seek answers before impending doom strikes.
A Universe of Solemnity and Absurdity
The setting is as much a character as Pell and Kew themselves. Pechacek has crafted a universe that stands out uniquely in modern fantasy, echoing the legacy of Lewis Carroll. In this world, solemnity and absurdity coexist: bodies are offered to birds, and a peculiar schoolteacher endeavors to teach apes literacy. This blend of the strange, the lovely, and the horrific creates a fable-like narrative filled with deceptive simplicity.
Immerse Yourself in ‘The West Passage’
It’s exhilarating to lose oneself in such an intricately designed world, to be continually surprised and unsettled. ‘The West Passage’ deserves to captivate your imagination. Dive headfirst into this fantastical rabbit hole, and let Pechacek’s wondrous universe spellbind you.
