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.
Once Was Willem by M.R. Carey Published by Orbit on March 4 2025
Genres: Adult, Historical fantasy
Pages: 310
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A story told by a unique protagonist, Once Was Willem shines with well drawn characters, magic and found family.
“Gird yourself, therefore. I speak of monsters and magic, battle and bloodletting, and the crimes of desperate men. I speak also of secret things, of that which lies beneath us and that which impends above. By the time you come to the end of this account you will know the truth of your own life and death, the path laid out for your immortal soul, your origin and your inevitable end.
You will not thank me.”
M.R. Carey’s latest, a slim book that contains a mighty story between its covers, was quite a surprise to me. Once Was Willem is a beautifully crafted medieval fantasy with a bit of horror as well, and the style reminded me a lot of Carey’s Rampart Trilogy. Willem’s voice was like Koli’s in many ways, although that isn’t to say that the two characters are alike at all, because they aren’t. The story is rather slow paced and meandering at times, but it’s by design. I recommend taking your time with this book—it isn’t meant to be rushed through—and if you’re like me, Once-Was-Willem and his friends will steal your heart.
The story is narrated by Once-Was-Willem, who died as a young boy of twelve and was raised from the dead by a powerful sorcerer. Willem’s story takes place in 1152 and revolves around the village of Cosham, set in the fiefdom of Pennick in England, and focuses on Pennick Castle where much of the action takes place. Willem emerges from death not at all the same as when he died. He’s become a mishappen monster of sorts, due to the state his body was in when he was resurrected, and now he’s scorned and feared by everyone in the village, including his parents.
Cain Caradoc, the sorcerer who brought Willem back to life, now sets his sights on Castle Pennick, where he senses a great power asleep in the underground tunnels of the castle. He knows that accessing this power will grant him immortality, and so he devises a diabolical plan to make that happen. The villagers, although fearful of Willem, enlist him to help defend against Caradoc, who desperately needs something from the village for his spell. Willem agrees and brings along the friends he’s made while living in the forest after he came back to life. But the road to defeating the sorcerer will have many twists and bumps along the way, as Willem is about to find out.
That’s the story in a nutshell, but I’ve barely scratched the surface of everything that happens in Once Was Willem. Carey’s story dips in and out of the past and present as Willem’s story unfolds, with Willem acting as an almost omniscient narrator, peering into the lives of the villagers as well as the drama taking place at the castle. Occasionally, but not often enough in my opinion, Willam tells his own tale, which is full of pain and sorrow, but also adventure and friendship. He often skips ahead of himself and then realizing he’s done that, backtracks to fill in the blanks. I quite enjoyed this self aware way of telling a story, which fits nicely with Once-Was-Willem’s new existence: a bit scattered and confused at times, probably due to the fact that Caradoc took a sliver of his soul during the resurrection process.
This meandering way of telling a story will trip up some readers, as Willem’s detours might not make sense at first. But stick with it, because Carey knows what he’s doing. Each random side story becomes important later on, and it was fun watching the author weave his story threads together.
Carey does a great job of evoking the time period, and I felt immersed in the daily struggles of the Cosham villagers. There are plenty of bloody battles for readers looking for that kind of thing, but there’s also a vividly drawn fantasy world that includes magic, ghosts, folkloric creatures, angels and much more. There’s even a trip to Hell (but I won’t say more than that) that seemed to come out of left field and ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story.
Carey has a talent for creating wonderful characters and friendships, and in this story Willem meets some creatures who become beloved friends and allies, including Anna and Kel, a brother and sister who are also shapeshifters; Peter Floodfoot, a boy made of water who can control streams and rivers; Unsung Jill, a fearful monster with one blood red eye; Betheli, a young girl who is the first victim of Caradoc’s plan but doesn’t let death stop her from fighting back; and finally a ghost named Morjune with a sad backstory. Together they form a group that Willem calls “the seven” and becomes a force against Caradoc and the best hope for saving the village.
Willem himself (or really Once-Was-Willem, as he doesn’t consider himself to be Willem anymore) has many layers and goes through lots of changes during the story. At first, he’s devastated by his appearance, especially when he tries to reconnect with his family and they shun him. He’s a Frankenstein’s monster type of creature, unable to fit into the world but desperately wanting to be accepted. I suppose it’s fitting, then, that he finally finds his true family with other monsters.
The last few chapters were especially tense and exciting, and I was very worried about Willem and his friends. Carey ends his story with lots of heartfelt emotion, and I have to say I was sorry to say goodbye to these characters.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
This is such a beautiful review! And I am glad you enjoyed this one so much! When I first saw it around I wasn’t really interested in it, because it doesn’t sound like my usual cup of tea but more reviews I read, the more I became curious, because it sounds such an interesting books with so many intriguing characters!!
Thanks Susy! the characters were fantastic:-)
I have this on pre-order and should get it tomorrow; very much looking forward to reading it. I love Mike Carey’s work, so varied. Thanks for such a thoughtful review
I love his work too! Thanks so much, I hope you love it as well:-)
Ahhhh! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Now I really wanna go buy the book. I was waiting on your opinion first. It truly sounds like a really great read!
I think you’ll enjoy it:-)
Wonderful review! I’ve enjoyed so many of M. R. Carey’s books, but hadn’t really looked into this one at all, and for whatever reason, supposed it wasn’t for me. Now I’m interested! Adding to my TBR…
Thanks Lisa!
Fab review – really looking forward to getting my hands on this one!
Thank you! I hope you love it too:-)
I am not sure I would stick with it Tammy as I love a plot more straigthfoward or I lose patience! Excellent review though!
You do need some patience, but for me it was worth it:-)
Robin enjoys this author and I have books from a different series. Great review!
Anne – Books of My Heart
Thanks Anne!
I haven’t kept up with M R Carey’s books recently, so hadn’t heard about this one, but wow, it sounds awesome! Great review, Tammy! I am thoroughly tempted!!
Thank you! I just love the way he writes found families.
It’s been a while since I read an M. R. Carey book but I’ve enjoyed the ones I have read so might have to give this one a try. Glad you enjoyed it
It’s definitely worth picking up!
This sounds very different from what I’d expected, but in a good way. I’ve added it to my TBR and may pick up the audiobook. Very curious to try it.
I know you read The Book of Koli, right? So you’d probably enjoy this too.
Yup, I thoroughly enjoyed The Book of Koli, though I still need to finish that series.
I’m reading this right now because I’m a bit behind, but I’m really enjoying it! I definitely get what you mean with your comparison to Koli’s voice, and I agree. I think if you like one, you’ll like the other, and so far that’s holding up for me.
I am enjoying the meandering!
Can’t wait to get to this. The publisher description is so vague, which is actually a good sign when it comes to MR Carey!
I so enjoyed this and so very happy to read your wonderful review. What an unusual story. I can’t think of anything quite like it.
Lynn
This sounds like such a unique story. I’ve been curious about it for a while due to its vague blurb and the popularity of the author (who I somehow still need to try). I love the sound of the found family involved. The perspective sounds wholly unique too. I’ll definitely be checking this one out & I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.
Goodness gracious I’m so excited to read this and I am so salty because when I went to go pick up my ARC of this the other day, I discovered Netgalley doesn’t let you download books into Kobo ereaders anymore so I was unable to read it. So now I have to wait for it to come from the library! Now that’s off my chest, your review is incredible! This sounds like it has so many things I like and I really appreciate when little side tangents that seem pointless become relevant later on! I think I’m gonna fall in love with Once-Was-Willem.
I got a random copy of this and I’m a bit hesitant because I struggled with Koli’s narrative voice so much. I did enjoy the Pandominium books though. Maybe I’ll pick it up when I’m in the mood for something slow and bloody.
Love the cover and it does sound good! Although I wonder if the meandering way the story is told as you say would have me giving up. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/03/17/e-galley-review-airhead-by-avery-flynn/
This story sounds like it could be a good change of pace for me! Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Glad to hear this is a good one. I’d intended to have it read already but haven’t started yet. I’ve only read his Girl With All the Gifts so far which sucked me in, so good to know this one is immersive as well.