What is SPFBO 9?  This is  a competition where authors of self-published fantasy can enter their work. The objective to find a winner out of the 300 entries submitted.  Ten judges (or judging teams) each receive 30 entrants.  Each judge/team will eventually submit one finalist to the second round where a winner will eventually be decided upon. Check out Mark Lawrence’s post here to look at this year’s entrants, judges and allocations list.

Our batch of 30 books was split equally between myself and the Critiquing Chemist’s team.  I have now completed my batch and announced my semi finalists and the CC have also now chosen their three semi finalists.

My three semi finalists can be found here.

So, My review today is for Under the Lesser Moon by Shelly Campbell, a Semi Finalist chosen by my partners.

Well, I can certainly understand why this book was chosen as a SF.  The storytelling voice is simply superb.  I was totally absorbed with Akrist’s tale and read with ever increasing curiosity and dread.  However, I will make totally clear from the outset that this is not a book for everyone (IMO).  Make no mistake, this is brutal, shockingly brutal in fact and the author doesn’t pull the punches.  This is heart wrenching, frustrating, annoying and absolutely jaw dropping in equal measure – and that ending.  Bring on No.2.  But, although I’m saying this might not be for everyone, I thought it was impressive.

So, Under the Lesser Moon follows a nomadic tribe as they search the wastelands for the best hunting grounds.  We meet Akrist as a young boy and immediately discover that he leads a rather strange existence, barren of love, affection and even human contact (for the most part).  Akrist is the first born son and as such is cursed.  Known as daeson (which I couldn’t help reading as ‘demon’ and perhaps there’s an element of that in the tribe’s superstitious beliefs) he is raised separately from his family, his mother hates him, his father looks relentlessly guilt stricken and basically, Akrist doesn’t fully understand the implications of his curse.  The tribes have strong beliefs and customs and unfortunately, ritual sacrifice is included amongst these.  Yes, Akrist, as the first born son, will be sacrificed to appease the Gods.  The sacrifices occur every twelve years and so on finally realising what awaits him Akrist’s only option is to run.  Which is easier said than done.

What really worked for me was the character Akrist.  His voice is compelling and his life is intriguing.  The life of this nomadic tribe comes across very easily on the page and is made really interesting by the inclusion of the tribe’s strange talking birds, vaiyas.  These are great creatures and because Akrist spends much of his time caring for them they share a special bond, particularly the pack male, Vax.  This really does lend a few much needed lighter moments to the story – although, again, there is a rather shockingly violent scene involving Vax which makes for difficult reading.  Now, I will hold my hands up.  I’m painting probably a grim picture here about the violence and cruelty, but I will say that although this made for difficult reading in parts it didn’t feel gratuitous or out of place given the way of life portrayed.

The religious beliefs of the tribe play into everything they do.  This is a world with dragons and wurms, one of these mythical beasts revered the other reviled.  Dragons not only guide the tribes but also choose their leaders, marking them with a unique scar.  The dragons are unfortunately in decline and sightings are rare.  Wurms are killed whenever they’re seen.  They have voracious appetites and are believed to be evil.  The world building is really good.  The tribes people live difficult lives, the search for food is constant but occasionally other tribes people join their number and this adds a new element, particularly when Akrist finds himself a temporary reprieve and a possible love interest.

I won’t elaborate further on the plot.  This goes in a direction I really didn’t foresee.  The author makes some hard choices but ultimately the twist in the end is really breathtaking.  I loved it.  I felt sad at the same time so it is definitely bittersweet but, I will, without any doubt, pick up the next instalment.

My thanks to the author for a review copy.  The above is my own opinion.

Now head on over to the Critiquing Chemist to read their thoughts.

Two more reviews to go and then a difficult decision ahead.