Friday 25 January 2019

The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Hanrahan

Book Title: Our Child of the Stars
Author: Gareth Hanrahan
Genres: Fantasy
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 
Source: I own a copy

Goodreads, Amazon UK

Plot Summary: A group of three young thieves are pulled into a centuries old magical war between ancient beings, mages, and humanity in this wildly original debut epic fantasy.
The city has always been. The city must finally end.
When three thieves - an orphan, a ghoul, and a cursed man - are betrayed by the master of the thieves guild, their quest for revenge uncovers dark truths about their city and exposes a dangerous conspiracy, the seeds of which were sown long before they were born. Cari is a drifter whose past and future are darker than she can know. Rat is a Ghoul, whose people haunt the city's underworld. Spar is a Stone Man, subject to a terrible disease that is slowly petrifying his flesh.
Chance has brought them together, but their friendship could be all that stands in the way of total armageddon.
What did I think?

This book is simply fantastic. First of all, look at this cover. It's beautiful. Second of all, I read this in two days. I couldn't stop. It's innovative, original, and simply a treat to read. I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed The Gutter Prayer. Amazing characters, fabulous world building, and I think every fantasy fan should read this.

Fantasy is rarely unique, but Hanrahan managed to deliver a book that is a breath of fresh air.

Once you start reading, the first thing you'll notice is the use of second-person narration in the prologue. Don't worry. The whole book is not like that, and the second person narration makes perfect sense once you get to the end of the prologue.

Hanrahan's displays his vast imagination by creating developed characters and detailed, intricate world building. All three protagonists have clear, distinct voices. I clicked with all of them almost immediately. I didn't have to warm up to them or the book for that matter. From the very first chapter, I knew I was in for something special.

Even the antagonists are unique. My favourite were the Tallowmen, made of wax, burning. Monsters, inhumanly fast, they will end you with no sign of mercy.

The pacing is great, no dull moment, and the prose is pleasing. In fact, Hanrahan plays with language in a way that I thoroughly enjoyed. A fresh, unique voice.

I recommend this wholeheartedly to every fantasy fan.

6 comments:

  1. It’s always great to come across a book that manages to be unique and bring a new spin to a genre. Glad this was such a hit for you!

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  2. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Olivia! I love the cover as well and from the sounds of it, The Gutter Prayer is up my alley? For some reason I love books with characters who somehow come together through different goals.

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  3. Yes, the cover is beautiful, and I really like the sound of the book as well. I am glad to hear you like it. Thank you for your great review. It's going straight on my wish list.

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