Adult
Life in Slake Patc
Speculative fiction with romance!
Page after page revealed a life unthinkable. Evan could not imagine the possibilities. Images of men and women with children sitting, eating, and playing together in strange dwellings, so different from their log structures. Some made of a smooth, consistently shaped stone of sorts, while others towered above ground with shiny, gleaming surfaces. There were no words to express the amazement. Surely, these pictures were the wild imaginings of a person possessed; they could not be true – especially compared to life in Slake Patch.
Evan’s first exposure to this inconceivable life was through a trusted friend and mentor, Jacob. Shared through the secretive exploration of banned books and creative storytelling, Evan internalized the great tales of fantasy. Life prior to the Grand War was lived differently. Change came to the world due to that drastic event thus calling for extreme measures. Wise old Jacob could see the Grand War as reason enough for society to evolve in a fundamental way.
This was such a wonderful and inventive narrative. The exploration of a society in a world in which the sexes are not only divided, but women are much more protected and revered in their society. Families are divided as well by the gender gap, and a discovery of what was once a family unit in an old book by the main character and his mentor, a lifelong journey of discovery and change is found. The character growth and interactions were both original and unique to this world and kept the reader engaged in this story. Yet it was the world-building that truly draws the reader into the narrative immediately. The mythos and originality that the author pours into this world are phenomenal, as are the ways in which this world impacts the character’s growth. I even love the detail the author puts into this world-building, as the unique hierarchy that this society builds impacts everything from politics and the ruling body of their world to how they build relationships with one another and the ways in which the fabric of their society are stitched together are closely examined in this reading. Thought-provoking, imaginative, and entertaining, author Mandy Eve-Barnett’s “Life in Slake Patch” is a must-read novel. The alt-history fiction tale is one of the more original tales I’ve read in recent years in this genre, and the way the author uses strong imagery and a mysterious atmosphere to build this world were truly inspiring. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today! Rating: 10/10
4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading! Innovative world-building!
Mandy-Eve Barnett loves storytelling, and this is evident in her world-building. This interesting story is a tale of fantasy and history and imagination; Evan is an interesting character, as is “wise old Jacob”, his mentor. This was my first read by Barnett, but I will be reading more (indeed, I have another on my shelf!).
More Adult Books by Mandy
The Twesome Loop
The Commodore's Gift
Willow Tree Tears
Launches 22nd July 2025.