AUTHOR’S WEBSITE: http://benedictpatrick.com/
SERIES: Yarnsworld
PUBLISHED: June 8, 2016 (Self-published)
PAGES: 200
GENRE: Dark Fantasy, Folklore, Horror
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Blurb
He locked himself away from the dark, but in the Magpie King’s forest nowhere is safe…
Lonan is an outcast, accused of letting the monsters that stalk the night into the homes of his fellow villagers. Now, he will not rest until he wins back the heart of his childhood love and reclaims the life that was stolen from him. However, locked safely in his cellar at night, in his dreams Lonan finds himself looking through the eyes of a young prince…
Adahy has a destiny, and it terrifies him. How can he hope to live up to the legend of the Magpie King, to become the supernatural protector of the forest and defender of his people? But when the forest is invaded by an inhuman force, Adahy must rise to this challenge or let the Wolves destroy his people.
Watching these events unfold in his sleep, Lonan must do what he can to protect his village from this new threat. He is the only person who can keep his loved ones from being stolen away after dark, and to do so he will have to earn back their trust or watch the monsters kill everyone that he holds dear.
They Mostly Come Out At Night is a Dark Fantasy novel from Benedict Patrick’s Yarnsworld series. If you like Neil Gaiman and Patrick Rothfuss then you will love this captivating, dangerous world in which ordinary people struggle to find their place in a land ruled by stories.
Start reading today to discover this epic tale of dreams, fables and monsters!
Review
ALSO REVIEWED AT: Goodreads
This is a tale of a young man, an outcast, who has carried the burden of unwarranted blame for many years after an attack on his village that left two people dead, one of which was his own father. His life changed that fateful night, and he has been haunted ever since with scornful whispers and looks of contempt from all those he held dear. Reduced to a forager with no Knack, he lives out his days in solitude and relies solely on the kindness of the village healer for survival. One night he dreams of a boy, a prince, and witnesses the Magpie King valiantly protect his village from the monsters that come at night, or so he believes. He wakes questioning the validity of these visions. But that night, the dream returns and he continues his adventure through the eyes of Adahy as he sleeps. Has he finally developed his Knack or are these dreams a warning of what’s to come?
They Mostly Come Out at Night is an enchanting story with a genuinely unique concept, relying heavily on the many darker mechanics of magical, old-time folklore to draw its readers in. As with many folktales, this certainly has a cautionary air, pinpointing the consequences of greed, mistrust, and complacency in your expected lot in life. It reminds its readers that there is always more to be found beyond the edge of the forest for those willing, while also proving there is such thing as wanting too much.
We’re presented with alternating chapters of the main storyline and fables known to both low and high Corvae, the people of the forest. At first, it seems these short yarns are random, but Patrick beautifully weaves these into a magnificent tapestry that serves as a core foundation to explain the current state of of the world surrounding us, which I found to be absolutely marvelous. When the pieces began to finally fall into place, I was blown away with the thoughtful intricacies that went into creating this story, making this truly a wonderful experience.
The world itself is so carefully crafted with deep histories and a multitude of strange people and creatures. Dipping its toes into the realm of horror, there’s no shortage of shadowed monsters and menacing characters to keep you on the edge of your seat. As the story progresses, there’s a profound sense of tragedy that begins to bleed in, adding a whole new dimension and forewarning us of what may happen in the future. I found it interesting when I began to see parallels between Lonan’s own life and that of Adahy, again amazed at the amount of punch packed into this relatively short book.
They Mostly Come Out at Night is an amazing introduction in Patrick’s Yarnsworld universe and I’m excited to dig deeper. The legend within surely matches the whimsical feel of the book’s cover, which, if I may point out, is gorgeous. If you’re in the mood for a story that is very reminiscent of a tale told around a campfire, this is the one! Onto the next!