by Brom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
(read in December 2021, late posting)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
(read in December 2021, late posting)
Brom and I might be some sort of kindred spirits. I met him once, many years ago at a local comic con and he was so quiet and unassuming. I was young, not used to meeting celebrities at the time and so was super awkward. I wish I could go back to that day and tell myself to talk with him more. To really engage and talk Paganism, gothic literature, and more.
Slewfoot is just like Brom’s other books I’ve read. It’s got gore, violence, injustice, beauty, love, and above all else a loyalty to the tenants of Paganism that only someone who practices could capture on the page.
This narrative is really about how we can all become devils and demons when pushed hard enough. Present enough ridiculous, scary, life threatening circumstances and anyone can lash out. Additionally humans can also be pushed to say untrue things under enough duress. Hence the witch trials (one of which happens in Slewfoot); and their unjust version of ‘proof’ and ‘confession’.
I adored how Brom brought to the narrative very simple pillars of trust and loyalty (while very complex) he puts our characters in situations where I (personally) could not imagine doing anything other than exactly what someone wanted, even if it was untrue. Only because our drive to survive and live is so powerful.
The ending of Slewfoot is perfect and the reason I believe Brom and I must be part of the same. He exactly narrates and identifies what I have long believed; that all gods and devils are one and the same. Our ability to perceive or define them is only limited by our lack of understanding, imagination, or fake human rules (in this case those the Catholic/Christian church preach). Beautifully written, in such a way that I dare someone to tell me they are not cheering for Abitha, Slewfoot and others to preserver.
This is a book I will certainly need a personal print copy of. Not just for the beautiful, full-colour illustrations included; but because it speaks to me in a spiritual way that is so rare. As a witch (of today) myself I can’t help but get angry at the trials but also appreciate the repercussions after that Brom gives us.
If you are looking for a morally subjective, gothic witch story with heavy Pagan overtones then this is for you.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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Slewfoot is just like Brom’s other books I’ve read. It’s got gore, violence, injustice, beauty, love, and above all else a loyalty to the tenants of Paganism that only someone who practices could capture on the page.
This narrative is really about how we can all become devils and demons when pushed hard enough. Present enough ridiculous, scary, life threatening circumstances and anyone can lash out. Additionally humans can also be pushed to say untrue things under enough duress. Hence the witch trials (one of which happens in Slewfoot); and their unjust version of ‘proof’ and ‘confession’.
I adored how Brom brought to the narrative very simple pillars of trust and loyalty (while very complex) he puts our characters in situations where I (personally) could not imagine doing anything other than exactly what someone wanted, even if it was untrue. Only because our drive to survive and live is so powerful.
The ending of Slewfoot is perfect and the reason I believe Brom and I must be part of the same. He exactly narrates and identifies what I have long believed; that all gods and devils are one and the same. Our ability to perceive or define them is only limited by our lack of understanding, imagination, or fake human rules (in this case those the Catholic/Christian church preach). Beautifully written, in such a way that I dare someone to tell me they are not cheering for Abitha, Slewfoot and others to preserver.
This is a book I will certainly need a personal print copy of. Not just for the beautiful, full-colour illustrations included; but because it speaks to me in a spiritual way that is so rare. As a witch (of today) myself I can’t help but get angry at the trials but also appreciate the repercussions after that Brom gives us.
If you are looking for a morally subjective, gothic witch story with heavy Pagan overtones then this is for you.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Follow me on Goodreads
1 comment:
Oh, wasn't he the on who wrote that Krampus book you were gushing over? I should really read something of his eventually!
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