Early Review – Driftwood by Marie Brennan (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Release Date: August 14, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1616963460
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley by NetGalley.com
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Fame is rare in Driftwood―it’s hard to get famous if you don’t stick around long enough for people to know you. But many know the guide, Last, a one-blooded survivor who has seen his world end many lifetimes ago. For Driftwood is a strange place of slow apocalypses, where continents eventually crumble into mere neighborhoods, pulled inexorably towards the center in the Crush. Cultures clash, countries fall, and everything eventually disintegrates.
Within the Shreds, a rumor goes around that Last has died. Drifters come together to commemorate him. But who really was Last? Lying liar, or heroic savior? A mercenary, a charlatan, a legend? A man, an immortal―perhaps even a god?”
Series Info/Source: I got an eGalley of this from NetGalley for review. This is a loosely connected series of stories and is a stand alone book (although I would absolutely loved to read more stories set in this world).
Story (5/5): This is a loosely connected series of stories all set in the world of Driftwood. I really enjoyed it a ton and would love to see a series of full length novels set in this same world. There is so much here to explore! The stories focus on the mysterious character Last, as he drifts from place to place and helps the denizens of Driftwood navigate their personal worldly apocalypses and the ever changing landscape of Driftwood.
Characters (5/5): Brennan does an amazing job of introducing characters that are intriguing and engaging in a small amount of page space. The main character that connects them all is Last, he is mysterious and intriguing and drifts from story to story and a bit of a hero to boot.
Setting (5/5): This series of stories is all about world-building. The world here is amazing. Driftwood is an ever changing place where the remnants of worlds end up. These remnant worlds start at the edge of Driftwood and eventually end up in the center in the Crush as they are slowly forgotten. The denizens of these worlds desperately seek to save their world against this inevitable destruction. It is an ever changing world where you never know what you will see around the next corner. As you venture to the center things get increasingly fragmented. It is an absolutely amazing setting and I wish I could go and visit in person!
Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): This is very well written. The stories are loosely joined together with interludes as people wonder over Last’s absence. While they wait they tell stories of Last and how he helped people in his wanderings. It is masterfully written and I loved every bit of it. My only complaint is that it was done too soon.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this was very creative and unique and had some amazing world-building. I enjoyed the mysterious character of Last and how he navigated the world of Driftwood to help people survive in this ever changing landscape. Driftwood is an amazing place and I would love to read more stories or even a full length novel set here. Highly recommended especially to those who enjoy amazing and wondrous worlds. This book made a huge impression on me and I constantly find myself thinking about it.
