A Thoughtful and Unique Writing Style with Many Hidden Eastern Teachings
I received an ARC from the author to do a review.
This novel is concise and uses an epic, poetic style to deliver its contents. It covers the experience of a character who undergoes tribulation. He then introspects and reframes his situation to resolve the travails that he is going through.
There are some things that readers should note before they are too quick to judge this book. This book is not a typical plot-driven or adventure-driven novel. It is a moderately-paced introspective novel that I would classify as part literary, commercial, character-driven, and theme-driven. There are many esoteric teachings that deal with Eastern philosophy. It has many quotes and a similar writing style to the Tao De Ching. If one suspends judgment and reads between the lines deeper, one can understand themes such as:
1) If one cannot change the world, one must instead change one’s inner perspective to deal with troubles.
2) Reality cannot be named and must be experienced instead of merely understood.
3) Postponing judgment creates a sense of objectivity and detachment toward the cosmos, which helps one cope better.
The reader should pause and read the works very carefully. Many teachings may sound esoteric, but this is the nature of Eastern philosophy, which is full of paradoxes, such as how “the named that cannot be named is not the Tao,” etc. These are not nonsensical ramblings; instead, they cover the Eastern concept of non-dualism. Thus, I advise the reader to reflect on the metaphysical themes slowly and carefully instead of jumping to a conclusion.
The author has taken a brave step in writing using a poetic form, which follows a variation of some poetic meters. Many rhymes and alliterations give the book a textual beauty that one should slowly appreciate.
I gave a 4 out of 5-star review for the above-said reasons and felt it was a decent book worth reading and has philosophical depth. I did not give a 5 out of 5-star review because of minor structural issues. I also felt the main character could be a little stronger, but that is my subjective view. I have already provided constructive feedback to the author in private so that he may fix it either as an update or in his future novels.
Overall, it is a different reading experience with a uniquely creative and philosophical perspective that is still enjoyable.
I admire authors who take risks and in this case it is with a style that uses pastoral prose with poetry to portray a surrealistic and symbolistic vision. For those that have read E.T.A. Hoffman, Gustav Meyrin, Gerard de Nerval, Joris-Karl Huysmans etc.., this style will feel familiar. Its difficult reading but there are many layers to the story to unravel and esoteric teachings to discover for those that look deep enough.
Spoiler free review😇
Wow, I have never read anything like this before. This was my first time reading a spiritual dark fantasy thriller, And let me tell you I am impressed. Personally I’m more of a cliche romance reader, but I have always had an eye for poetry. What I love about ‘curse’ drakko is the talent of the author behind the words. Not many master writing poems that actually make sense to the story. I can only imagine how much time the author has spent on this book. You can really see the talent and the understanding of the art, in this book.
I am really impressed by the poems. It’s fantastic to see how the author has picked words that both fits to the story and that rhyme. I can clearly see the build up of the poem’s, how the ending words rhyme with each other. «The eyes of Ones do meet,as death comes in so sweet…The Wise one does not hate!Instead,He offers fate» I love this sentence! This book has an excellent use of literary devices.
If this sounds like a book in your lane, I would 100% recommend this unique book, written by this talented author!🥰
