Elisha Barber

Short review: a good book with a complex plot, gritty and grim, but confusing in spots, especially in characterization.

I picked up a free copy of Elisha Barber at The World Fantasy Convention in New Orleans, 2022, just before I said hi to E.C. Ambrose. I read almost two thirds of this book in one sitting (that is, sitting in the airport and on the plane back to Denver). This book starts off really fast with no introductions whatsoever, though a reader can quickly figure out this is a slightly fictionalized version of London in 1347. The main character is a barber-surgeon, a really interesting choice for a main character. Tragedy strikes right away, and then he is whisked away to attend to wounded soldiers at a castle under siege. While there he encounters a secret network of magi, all with varying powers and strengths, and the plot thickens from there.

The plot and the choices for the characters were really the strength of this book. It's very fast-paced, sometimes confusing in its complex plot, but it's all well-intentioned. I liked the grim edge to everything; this is an author not afraid to write about disturbing and downright gross stuff, and I always admire that. However, sometimes the main character comes off as kind of a coward, which is really unappealing. I wasn't sure if he was supposed to be a 2010s sensitive guy or if there was some justification for it. If there is justification for this aspect of his character, it doesn't really come through. There are plenty of great characters, although the author doesn't dwell on characterizing them through discussion or backstory.

I vacillated between enjoying this book (though not loving it) and just being confused and not caring all that much. More importantly though, I often forgot about the author, or when I put the book down I thought “Is this really written by the person I know?” That's impressive.

Bottom line: I might have picked up this book from the library, and I was lucky to find a copy for free, but it was a struggle to read in spots. I'd definitely like to read more of her work.