Book review
Written by Tim Lebbon
Allison and Busby hardback
Release date Out now

Voyagers Rhamus Reel and Nomi Hyden are on the quest of a lifetime, which could well prove to be the Voyage that kills them…

For author Tim Lebbon’s first UK fantasy release, Allison and Busby have chosen the third in his Noreela series, previously published in the US.

Set 4,000 years before the events in Dusk and Dawn, Fallen is a standalone novel that follows aging explorer Rhamus Reel and his friend Nomi Hyden in their quest to conquer The Great Divide – and find what lies beyond. Better known for horror, the author has painted a convincing fantasy world, and peopled it with very well-realised characters – all drawn with a very dark touch. Apart from the human characters there are creatures such as marsh wisps, the enigmatically named Cantrass Angels and so many more…

Rhamus is fighting his own mortality as well as the elements as he battles to reach his goal, and Nomi herself has to come to terms with the truth of her motives and desires. Together with their band of Serian co-travellers, they venture into the unknown – and all are transformed, in one way or another.

This is basically a quest novel, with a small cast of fully explored and convincingly motivated characters. It leads to an absorbing, expertly-paced read that leaves you wanting to know more of Noreela and the strange things that abound there. Marie O’Regan

VERDICT: 8/10
Fast paced, brutal and fascinating, Fallen is a good introduction to this fantasy world.