Now here is a fantasy book unlike any I've read before. It's brilliantly done, keeping the classic elements of the fantasy genre in tact, while at the same time taking the biggest tropes and turning them upside down. You want Chosen One? Well, Katz gives you confusing prophecies that have been extrapolated to mean there is "one" who will come and bring change, but in a fantastic twist, he does something unexpected and different. (No, I'm not going to give it away ;) )
One thing I will give away is about the characterisation. It is fantastic. We all expect the "Chosen One" to be perfect, the best specimen of humanity (or whatever fantastical species the author wishes) to save the world. Well, no. It doesn't have to be that way and I really appreciate how Katz does not only speak for neuroatypical characters, but also for disabilities. What could be cooler than a kick-ass female MC who's a fighter and overcomes the disadvantages of her small stature when taking on assassins? Why, a woman in a wheelchair, of course. There is, honestly, nothing cooler than Bel in Night's Reign. She is a strong female character who embraces herself as she is and makes the most of the shitty hand she's been dealt. She is sassy, strong and one hundred percent kick-ass. I really loved her character growth and her attitude that nothing, no matter how improbable, was impossible. She's my new hero.
But there's more, because disability representation, as I hinted earlier, isn't the only form of representation in this book. Enter Niels, the introverted autistic, and second MC of this book. He was fun. And his issues were really eye-opening. Having a degree in psychology has definitely given me some idea of the experiences of people on the autism spectrum, but actually getting to live through the eyes of someone battling this "difference" that is not socially accepted really brought home how much has changed over the past few decades, as well as how much more work still needs to be done to facilitate the lives of neuroatypical people. We've grown up to think that these differences aren't "normal", but fail to see that they are natural. And having this form of representation in fiction is really heartening. I'm impressed at how well this author brings this particular message to the fore. This "difference" is natural and it is part of our society, and it's high time society accepted that and embraced ways to accommodate those who are naturally different, if I may say so.
These two characters are supported by a motley crew of "rejects", if I might name them thus, who add so much. Many show how unprepared a lot of us can be when faced with the kinds of difference presented by the two MCs and guides the reader through the dos and don'ts of interaction with neuroatypical people as well as people with disabilities. Add to that the fantastical setting and the very interesting cultures and this makes for a wonderful read.
Personally, I think the romance could have been a little more potent to elicit those fuzzy feelings, but apart from that, this book is a good, solid fantasy read with some very interesting twists on the classics we've all come to know and love. Overall, I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for us.
