Review of The Middle Reaches (Episodes 1-8)
Posted: 29 Jan 2024, 15:25
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Middle Reaches (Episodes 1-8)" by L. Andrew Cooper.]
The Middle Reaches, penned by L. Andrew Cooper and published on Kindle Vella, emerges as an enthralling horror and dark fantasy spanning sixty episodes divided into four cycles. Despite being a seasoned fantasy reader, my foray into dark fantasy with a touch of horror was a refreshing experience, and this ongoing series did not disappoint. From the moment I delved into the narrative, I found myself captivated and unable to put it down.
The series follows five childhood friends who meet again at their high school reunion. In their youth, they witnessed the mysterious disappearance of their classmate and friend, Sheldon, believed dead but thought to have vanished in a peculiar space known as The Middle Reaches. Accessible by tracing the creek through the marshlands of their small suburban town, this otherworldly realm inhabited by eerie creatures and deities induces both fear and pleasure. As adults, haunted by vivid dreams of The Middle Reaches, the friends embark on a journey to find their lost companion, deciding to revisit the creek once more.
Reading this series became akin to unraveling the mystery of Sheldon’s disappearance personally. Each episode introduces new fragments of information, akin to pieces of a puzzle that I eagerly sought to assemble. The author’s choice to switch points of view among the five friends in each episode adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, keeping the story dynamic and offering varied perspectives on the unfolding events.
The narrative progressively intensifies, blending complexity and spookiness, laden with surprises and the bizarre, consistently leaving me on edge and yearning to discover the next revelation. The author adeptly maintains an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, vividly describing a series of murders in the protagonists’ hometown and the fear-inducing creatures encountered upon reentering The Middle Reaches after years.
One notable aspect that pleasantly surprised me was the level of social representation within the series. With two female protagonists and at least one female and one male protagonist of color, the narrative demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity. As a woman, I appreciate this attention to diverse representation, which indicates to me that the author values drawing in and addressing a broad audience.
In conclusion, my exploration into this series proved gratifying. The author seamlessly intertwines elements of fantasy, mystery, horror, and adventure, introducing a diverse and dynamic cast of characters who sustain the story’s intrigue and engagement. Remarkably well-edited, each episode demonstrates a level of polish, with only two minor errors observed, neither of which disrupt the overall reading flow.
I unequivocally rate this series 5 out of 5 stars, and there was nothing that I disliked about it. The author’s adept fusion of fantasy and horror, coupled with meticulous storytelling and diverse character representation, makes The Middle Reaches a standout contribution to the genre. I recommend this series to enthusiasts of fantasy novels and horror stories, with the caveat that it is suitable for mature audiences due to instances of profanity, graphic violence, explicit sexuality, and sexual violence that may be triggering for some readers.
******
The Middle Reaches (Episodes 1-8)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Middle Reaches, penned by L. Andrew Cooper and published on Kindle Vella, emerges as an enthralling horror and dark fantasy spanning sixty episodes divided into four cycles. Despite being a seasoned fantasy reader, my foray into dark fantasy with a touch of horror was a refreshing experience, and this ongoing series did not disappoint. From the moment I delved into the narrative, I found myself captivated and unable to put it down.
The series follows five childhood friends who meet again at their high school reunion. In their youth, they witnessed the mysterious disappearance of their classmate and friend, Sheldon, believed dead but thought to have vanished in a peculiar space known as The Middle Reaches. Accessible by tracing the creek through the marshlands of their small suburban town, this otherworldly realm inhabited by eerie creatures and deities induces both fear and pleasure. As adults, haunted by vivid dreams of The Middle Reaches, the friends embark on a journey to find their lost companion, deciding to revisit the creek once more.
Reading this series became akin to unraveling the mystery of Sheldon’s disappearance personally. Each episode introduces new fragments of information, akin to pieces of a puzzle that I eagerly sought to assemble. The author’s choice to switch points of view among the five friends in each episode adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, keeping the story dynamic and offering varied perspectives on the unfolding events.
The narrative progressively intensifies, blending complexity and spookiness, laden with surprises and the bizarre, consistently leaving me on edge and yearning to discover the next revelation. The author adeptly maintains an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, vividly describing a series of murders in the protagonists’ hometown and the fear-inducing creatures encountered upon reentering The Middle Reaches after years.
One notable aspect that pleasantly surprised me was the level of social representation within the series. With two female protagonists and at least one female and one male protagonist of color, the narrative demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity. As a woman, I appreciate this attention to diverse representation, which indicates to me that the author values drawing in and addressing a broad audience.
In conclusion, my exploration into this series proved gratifying. The author seamlessly intertwines elements of fantasy, mystery, horror, and adventure, introducing a diverse and dynamic cast of characters who sustain the story’s intrigue and engagement. Remarkably well-edited, each episode demonstrates a level of polish, with only two minor errors observed, neither of which disrupt the overall reading flow.
I unequivocally rate this series 5 out of 5 stars, and there was nothing that I disliked about it. The author’s adept fusion of fantasy and horror, coupled with meticulous storytelling and diverse character representation, makes The Middle Reaches a standout contribution to the genre. I recommend this series to enthusiasts of fantasy novels and horror stories, with the caveat that it is suitable for mature audiences due to instances of profanity, graphic violence, explicit sexuality, and sexual violence that may be triggering for some readers.
******
The Middle Reaches (Episodes 1-8)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon