Matt McAvoy Book Review

If you like something different, hard to categorize, genre-crossing and interesting, this is definitely one for you, but be advised, it is one for the more broad-minded reader, and despite its high-fantasy elements (goblins, sluagh, shapeshifters, etc.), it definitely falls into the more gritty, adult mould.  I had a few issues getting along with the book myself, and some of it was a touch crude for my tastes, but from a creative point of view I won’t suggest that it doesn’t hit some really good high notes.  As for actually describing it, that might be a little more challenging to do: I guess you could call this a darkly comic gutter-city crime story, with supernatural creatures as its cast, living amongst humans in a brutal hidden underworld.  Think of those pulp antihero graphic books – perhaps Neverending Story in Gotham City (or, more aptly, Sin City) – and you might have an idea what to expect.  But even then I defy you to know what is coming, for this book is no pulp; it is more of a mystery whodunnit, and then as much of an LGBTQ gritty love story.  In truth, I wouldn’t endeavour to propose which community of readers will like it more (the murder-mystery bods; LGBTQ readers; fantasy fans); suffice to say that if as a reader you like all of these categories, then this is right up your street.

Demont is a good writer, who uses first-person narrative and a lot of vernacular.  But, despite the rough and ready characters, the less than erotic erotica and the pretty gory violence, there is decency amongst the grime: real family love; genuine romance, and a hugely flawed protagonist, with some feral traits but a genuine heart of gold.  And Demont writes with heart, too; I suspect there is a lot of himself in this book, and like other work I have read from him, a lot of metaphor, too, particularly in respect of racial tension, intolerance and inequality – the creatures being of a caste system similar to that which humans have developed; when Demont makes certain points about racial stereotyping and assumption in the book, we all know what he is really saying, without the need to.  It is clever work by a writer with a genuine message.

I’ve only given 3 stars, but I want to clarify this is more of a personal taste thing; none of the book’s categories are really amongst my personal favourites.  Truth is, though, Demont is good and the book is good – and I believe there is great deal more to come from this very interesting author.  If the genres are your cup of tea, then I certainly would recommend this to you - and indeed the author generally, who I’m sure will be a prolific one.