I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Gods of the Wyrdwood by R.J. Barker Series: Forsaken #1
Published by Orbit on June 27 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 640
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
The nitty-gritty: The forest setting in R.J. Barker’s latest epic fantasy is the star of the show, in this well crafted adventure with high stakes and heart.
“What of mushrooms?” she said. “I like a good mushroom.”
“They are mostly fine,” he answered, “though some types will kill you if you eat them, and others will kill you if you so much as touch them.”
“I think,” said the monk, “I may pass on mushrooms.”
After my stellar reading experience with R.J. Barker’s Tide Child series, I could not wait to dive into his next book. And although I didn’t enjoy Gods of the Wyrdwood quite as much, I was so pleased to see that everything I loved about those books was present here. Barker’s imagination is boundless, and I am once again in awe of his ability to create an unusual, frightening, jaw dropping world.
The story follows Cahan Du-Nahere, who as a child was whisked away from his family and taken under the wing of a woman named Saradis, who was convinced Cahan would become the new Cowl-Rai, the chosen one able to use powerful magic in the name of the god Zorir. But all did not go as planned, and Cahan ended up one of the clanless, those who do not follow or believe in the gods. Many years later, Cahan has made a comfortable life for himself as a forester, living on his family farm near the great forests of Crua.
But of course, we wouldn’t have a story if Cahan’s simple life remained just that. Although he never became the Cowl-Rai, Cahan still has a cowl, a magical life force inside him that he’s been able to suppress all these years. Using his cowl means killing, and he refuses to give in to that power. Unfortunately, he’s drawn the attention of Kirven Ban-Rhun, a ruthless woman whose teenaged son Venn is destined to be the next Cowl-Rai. Venn, like Cahan before him, is refusing to awaken his cowl and kill in the name of his god, but his mother will stop at nothing to make sure her god rises.
With a target on his back, and the fate of the nearby village of Harn in the crosshairs, Cahan prepares for war. But does he have a chance at winning if he won’t accept and use his dormant powers?
R.J. Barker is known for his unique world-building, and once again he delivers the goods. The star of Barker’s story is the ominous forest that borders the land of Crua, a forest full of weird and dangerous creatures. Humans rely on wood and other natural resources for survival, and many of these resources come from the forest. We learn that there are three layers of forests, each becoming more dangerous the further in you go: Woodedge, Harnwood and Wyrdwood. Woodedge isn’t too bad, but humans rarely go into Wyrdwood, and if they do, they usually don’t come back. Cahan has a great respect and affinity for the forest and its creatures, as well as the experience to go into them and survive, and I loved the way his cowl gives him the ability to sense the way all life in the forest is connected. We meet many of the hidden creatures, like rootlings, Forestals and scariest of all, the boughry. We also learn about creatures like gasmaws, odd, tentacled life forms that are literally made up of gas and float, used in rafts and conveyances to carry heavy loads. I do wish there was a glossary at the back of the book, it would be so helpful! (I have not seen a finished copy, so it’s possible one was added).
World-building can only go so far, though, if you don’t have excellent characters to inhabit that world, and Barker has given us some good ones. I loved Cahan, an older, world-weary man who has seen the worst life has to offer but tries his best to do good, help out and respect the life around him. He struggles with his cowl, which whispers to him, trying to entice him to let go and use his powers, but he never gives in—well, until he has to. He has a wonderful animal companion named Segur, a squirrel-like creature who comes from the forest but has bonded with Cahan. He also has plenty of tricks up his sleeve, but I won’t tell you what they are!
The villain of the story is Kervin, a power hungry woman who doesn’t flinch when it comes to torture or murder. Not only is she trying to find a way to force her son Venn to accept his cowl (and therefore act as a weapon for her god), but she has a personal vendetta against Cahan and wants to see him dead. I thought her character was so well done, and I was surprised and delighted when Barker reveals her backstory, which made me feel just a teeny bit sorry for her.
But by far my favorite character was Udinny, a monk who worships the god Ranya. Udinny was a ray of sunshine in a mostly bleak tale, an optimist who insists on befriending Cahan—who is reluctant at first to have anything to do with her. I loved the way their friendship grew throughout the story, and every time she appeared on the page, I found myself smiling.
And I wasn’t surprised at the emotion I felt while reading. Not only did I bond with the characters, but Barker broke my heart whenever one of them was in danger or pain. Each one goes through some type of important transformation, and it wasn’t always easy or comfortable.
I do have a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. First, this book is long. For comparison, Barker’s Tide Child books are about five hundred pages each. This was over six hundred pages, and I think it would have been just as good with some of the fat cut out. Which brings me to the pacing. There are several “dead end” adventures, where Cahan is sent on a quest that seems important at first, but then ends abruptly, only for him to be send on another quest. These meandering “false starts” were a little frustrating, and it isn’t until about two-thirds of the way in that the main plot finally takes off. Having said this, though, I can see that these side adventures really helped introduce all the elements of Barker’s complex world.
The last hundred pages were simply thrilling, with plenty of nail-biting action and lots of emotional moments. Barker throws in a few surprises as well and sets the stage for the next book in the series. Epic fantasy fans who enjoy immersive world-building and don’t mind a slower pace are going to want to jump on this book as soon as possible.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
640 is quite a commitment to start a book so I agree that it’s quite long. I think most of the books I read are between 300-400 pages usually. So I think I’d be a little intimidated by the page count. But nontheless this sounds like a pretty amazing fantasy read. And I do love it when the author throws some unexpected surprising in. Always a thrill!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
He’s such a solid writer, I’m willing to take a chance on his books, no matter the length:-)
So glad you enjoyed this one. That is a rather large book. I like long books, or I guess I wouldn’t enjoy King so much, but I do have to be in the right mind frame to read them.
Exactly, I have to get my head in the right place for chonkers:-)
This sounds fascinating! I’m tempted, although honestly, the length makes me pause a bit. I have a few other mega-books in my queue, and they all feel overwhelming…
Me too, I have more “must read” books coming up that are quite long. I really have to love the author to take that chance:-)
Great review! I knew you would enjoy this new Barker work just as much as I did…
Yes, the middle of the book does indeed falter a little and seems to lose momentum, but the final part more than compensates for it and I can’t wait to see where the story will go next.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…GODS OF THE WYRDWOOD (Forsaken #1), by R.J. Barker
Agreed, that final sequence of events was amazing!
I’m glad this one worked so well for you.
It really did. And maybe the next book in the series will be a little shorter;-)
I’m growing mushrooms (the good kind), so maybe I should try it, lol
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…2023: June wrap-up
I hope your mushrooms are good! ha ha
lol, passing on the mushrooms is never a bad idea! 600+ pgs is an investment, I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Ha ha right? Yep, I definitely had to steel myself for the length, but it wasn’t a hardship at all:-)
This gives me one more reason to one day give this author a try. At some point I picked up ebooks of The Bone Ships and Age of Assassins. Just need to make the time to try one.
I’ve heard great things about Age of Assassins, but haven’t read it yet. I can vouch for The Bone Ships though!
This one sounds fun! I’ve never heard of this author but will definitely check them out now.
Molly @ Molly’s Book Nook recently posted…8 Summer Books On My Preorder List
You know what, I totally take that back. I own The Bone Ships I just did not realize that this was the same author hahah
LOL The Bone Ships is amazing! I hope you get the chance to read it:-)
I just DNFed this lol
I think I may’ve had a different experience from most people;)
Oh shoot. Well, I kind of get it. It’s a very dense story that meanders in the beginning.
640 pages is definitely a big commitment, especially at the pace I’m reading these days 😀 This sounds really good though, glad you enjoyed it.
There has to be something special for me to make that commitment, lol. But I do love Barker!
This one sounds great, I’ve not read any of his books yet despite the fact I always think I would enjoy them! Maybe its time to change that…
You might get hooked on his books once you try one. I really love his writing style, characters and worldbuilding:-)
I’ve heard nothing but good things! Sadly I didn’t quite manage to fit it into my June but it will hopefully be on the list for July. I really want to read it!
It’s worth making time for!
Ah, I still haven’t read THE BONE SHIPS because the length overwhelms me so not sure I could tackle this one, either… but I love the sound of the forest setting and a plot involving worship of different gods, so maybe one daaaaaay
Jenna @ Falling Letters recently posted…2023 Mid-Year Check In
I know what you mean, long books are so intimidating for me too.
I’m so adding this to my TBR and will probably get it soon. All you said about the worldbuilding and the forest really intrigued me. I love it when the setting takes up so much attention in a story. Plus, gods are mentioned. I’ll have to try this!
The setting/world building was incredible!
Beautiful cover! I don’t read a lot of adult fantasy, probably because of how long they are, but it sounds like one I could recommend for sure!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Blog Tour Review: One Kiss (Lighter Ones #6) by Aleatha Romig