Customer Reviews

Riding The Unicorn

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This is not Paul Kearney's best book...not by any means. That only goes to prove what an exceptional talent he is, and that is a travesty that his work often seems to go largely unnoticed. The central protagonist is Willoughby, a tough and stoic prison officer who leads a less-than-ideal domestic life with his wife and daughter, and believes he is slowly going mad after hearing stranges sounds and tongues in his mind. His life takes a drastic change when he finds himself transported to a completely different and fantasical land where he will play a crucial role in the development of the kingdom. Because Willoughby is not mad.Don't let the cover to this book put you off. It is incredibly well written and goes much further than the boundaries of traditional fantasy. The rich and vivid characters and landscapes of the new world contrast wonderfully with the bleak and depressing life that Willoughby led before his "madness". The political intrigue and scenarios within the new world are of the highest calibre.I simply couldn't put this book down and would like to go on record by saying that I predict that if there is any justice in the world at all, that Kearney will prove to be a major, major talent. You heard it here first.

This is a tremendous novel. It captures the readers imagination in wondrous fashion with beautifully described characters and landscapes, with some good old fashioned story-telling thrown in for good measure. The main character is a flawed hero, by no means lovable, but this serves to add to the gritty realism that makes this particular book so addictive. None of your childish young squires going off to do battle with dragons and winning the hand of the fair maiden here!!! This is fantasy writing at its most original, and best. I recommend it highly.

This book was written by perhaps the most under-rated author I have ever come across. It was an absolutely fascinating and hugely enjoyable read and I look forward to more of Kearney's work in the future.