Review of Roan
Posted: 19 May 2024, 22:33
[Following is a volunteer review of "Roan" by E. R. Barr.]
E. R. Barr’s Roan introduces the world to a debut novel with the ferocity of an untamed beast and the coming-of-age of an individual whose powers are beyond his imagination. It is a story of growth into adulthood against the background of an unseen world—half real and half Faeiri.
The plot is set in an interesting parallel universe scenario. There’s the normal, relatable human story of Conor, a teenage boy dealing with trauma and growing up. Then the viewer is taken out of the real world and into the magical world of Faeiri, with its many secrets. From these two perspectives, Barr brilliantly jumps back and forth, giving the reader the feeling of something new being revealed at every turn. Conor’s experience is surprisingly authentic and complex. He’s not the classic heroic messiah. He gets thrown into this incredible place with the loss of his parents and a healthy amount of insecurity. The power he acquires feels unnatural and excessive. We see him try to master his magic and his inner demons at the same time, which makes him a much more humanized character.
The world-building in Roan is still like a lovely flower bud that has not yet fully bloomed. We see glimpses of a vibrant Fae world with its own history, rules of magic, and factional politics. There is much more room for exploration in future books. This opening hooks the reader and gives them a desire to know the inner workings of the Faeiri realm. The editing was also excellent, with no mistakes.
No particular aspect can be disliked. The plot itself is interesting, but perhaps a bit too ordinary for more experienced readers of fantasy literature. Nevertheless, Barr successfully introduces certain aspects of mystery to the story. Some information about Finola’s history and the character of the emerging threat helps build an atmosphere of intrigue. These questions allow you to remain committed to the series in its later releases. The first few pages may seem wordy as the author sets up the plot. But this initial investment proves to be worth it as the story continues. After the introduction, the action flows fast without any disruptions between combat scenes, characters, or universe background information.
This book will get 5 out of 5 stars from me. Roan is a great start for the author, E. R. Barr. It is an enthralling book with a new world, a familiar main character, and events that make one eager to continue reading. Some parts might read like an old-school story, but the strength of the novel is in the plot, characterization, and vibrancy of the world created in the novel. This is a promising series, and Roan is a gateway into a new universe full of potential.
******
Roan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
E. R. Barr’s Roan introduces the world to a debut novel with the ferocity of an untamed beast and the coming-of-age of an individual whose powers are beyond his imagination. It is a story of growth into adulthood against the background of an unseen world—half real and half Faeiri.
The plot is set in an interesting parallel universe scenario. There’s the normal, relatable human story of Conor, a teenage boy dealing with trauma and growing up. Then the viewer is taken out of the real world and into the magical world of Faeiri, with its many secrets. From these two perspectives, Barr brilliantly jumps back and forth, giving the reader the feeling of something new being revealed at every turn. Conor’s experience is surprisingly authentic and complex. He’s not the classic heroic messiah. He gets thrown into this incredible place with the loss of his parents and a healthy amount of insecurity. The power he acquires feels unnatural and excessive. We see him try to master his magic and his inner demons at the same time, which makes him a much more humanized character.
The world-building in Roan is still like a lovely flower bud that has not yet fully bloomed. We see glimpses of a vibrant Fae world with its own history, rules of magic, and factional politics. There is much more room for exploration in future books. This opening hooks the reader and gives them a desire to know the inner workings of the Faeiri realm. The editing was also excellent, with no mistakes.
No particular aspect can be disliked. The plot itself is interesting, but perhaps a bit too ordinary for more experienced readers of fantasy literature. Nevertheless, Barr successfully introduces certain aspects of mystery to the story. Some information about Finola’s history and the character of the emerging threat helps build an atmosphere of intrigue. These questions allow you to remain committed to the series in its later releases. The first few pages may seem wordy as the author sets up the plot. But this initial investment proves to be worth it as the story continues. After the introduction, the action flows fast without any disruptions between combat scenes, characters, or universe background information.
This book will get 5 out of 5 stars from me. Roan is a great start for the author, E. R. Barr. It is an enthralling book with a new world, a familiar main character, and events that make one eager to continue reading. Some parts might read like an old-school story, but the strength of the novel is in the plot, characterization, and vibrancy of the world created in the novel. This is a promising series, and Roan is a gateway into a new universe full of potential.
******
Roan
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon