The Bedlam Stacks

DNF - PG (fewer than I should probably have read to be doing this, let's just say:) single digits.

Why?

Lightning really doesn't strike twice. So, I actually really, really loved Watchmaker from the very start. Mostly (like 85%) because of Thaniel. He was an amazing character and there was just this warmth and comfort about him. First introduction to the main character in this story (Merrick, apparently, but more on that later) and I was already somewhat put off by him. He's a stereotypical lead in your older adventure novels, not the least because he was shot and walks with a cane. (And suffers from PTSD.)

What I didn't realize when I said I wanted to read this book, was that it is first person. This seldom actually works for me, and a story that is written mimicking the great adventure tales of yesteryore is a perfect example of why it doesn't work for me.

‘Once my heart was convinced there was no gunfire, I tried to slide my cane out from under the dog.‘Gulliver.' I gave it a tug.‘

‘The cliffs leaned towards each other until the river was more of a creek.‘

‘I found a me-sized dip in the roots and sat with my sketchbook to wait.‘

Honestly, with my immediate problems, reading why other people didn't like the story, and my general hatred of Pepperharrow, I am likely done with this author.

(If anything doesn't look right, forgive me. I visited the eye doctor this morning and everything is still rather fuzzy.)

all the dutch people are dead

I don't usually read books quite like this one, but I loved it nonetheless. The last chapter really sealed it for. The friendship in this story throug multiple generations is amazing. 

The only thing that put me off a little where the flashback. There were two chapters that took place in the past that caught me off guard and seemed totally unconnected untill the very end which made it very confusing to read. Especially since it happened so infrequently. 

I absolutely loved this. I also loved The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, but this is the better book, in my opinion. They both stand alone, but a major character appears in both; it would be better to read Watchmaker first.

I would call this a queerplatonic relationship, but there's much more to the story also. Because the book has elements from a few genres and doesn't follow many genre conventions, I never really knew what would happen next, which was exciting and unsettling. I was especially anxious when Keita showed up in the first flashback, because when Merrick first mentioned him, it seemed like he was afraid of Keita. But that all made sense in the end.

The fantasy aspects of the story are woven cleverly into the story, and seem reasonable in context, although they're all very strange. I guessed at what was going on with some of the book's mysteries, but I totally underestimated the emotional impact of everything as it unfolded in the story, because the relationship between the main characters is so subtle. I cried a lot, which I rarely do over books. But the actual ending is not unhappy.

My review definitely does not do justice to this beautiful book. It's going to be really difficult for me to wait until the author releases the sequel to Watchmaker next year.

The Bedlam Stacks immerses the reader in the era of the East India Company, when trade was ruthless and the natural resources of less developed countries were being plundered. Merrick Tremayne has been out of the business because of an injury, but due to his extensive knowledge of plants and an old family connection to a remote Peruvian village he is recruited to travel to Peru for an important mission. He has been tasked with smuggling quinine cuttings out of the country in order to help treat the worsening malaria epidemic in India. When Merrick arrives in the tiny village he encounters unusual superstitions centered around incredibly lifelike statues and the salt line that separates the village from the forest. Equally mysterious is the village priest, Raphael, who appears to know more than he's saying.

The story winds its way through Merrick's journey, with occasional flashbacks to provide more of his history. A lovely tale of friendship and faith set in a fascinating world with just a hint of the fantastical, The Bedlam Stacks is perfect for fans of magical realism.