“Cacophony of Crowns” is the beginning of a personal mythology of sorts. I like to call it "The Silmarillion" meets "Love, Death, and Robots". We're introduced to gods, monarchs, and regular everyday folks from different planets and time periods. Each story is a moment in time, with some linking to others and some being standalone worlds. I really tried to bring together my love for fantasy, pulp sci-fi, gothic horror, and modern topics like contemporary art and social issues into a single bound volume - hence the cacophony that is existence.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Cacophony of Crowns is a myriad collection of fantasy, sci-fi stories, poetry, and philosophical musings. Thick with wit and creativity, the book works best when focusing on storytelling rather than its philosophical interjections.
Prose: Broussard's text is brimming with detail, excellently creating a dense and convincing atmosphere. The novel is also littered with additional random philosophical observations and poetry that is slightly at odds with the well written stories.
Originality: Cacophony of Crowns is a well written series of fantasy stories that are humorous, engaging, and full of imagination. The book may have had more impact without the unnecessary pages of poetry and philosophy, which seem like an afterthought.
Character/Execution: Gods, monarchs, and commoners abound in Cacophony of Crowns. The vast array of brilliantly observed characters interact with nuanced dialogue, highlighting the magic and otherworldliness that abounds in these well written stories.
Date Submitted: May 30, 2024
