Review of Errant Vol.1 by Zachary Dugas

I have been asked by the author of Errant, Zachary Dugas if I could promote his work. So now there is a cute little page for Errant.

Then, where would be the fun to promote if it's just to do that ? Nononono, it's also the good opportunity to do a Review ! I'm no critic, but let's start the fun.

On the setting, Errant is aimed to be Historical with a pinch of Fantasy ; No flashy swords and mighty magic. The story revolve around two theme : Economy and Religion.
Hohoho~~ I already see you flinch.
Ok, put in another way : the author took inspiration he don't hide on other works like Spice&Wolf. Exactly, this is the same setting than Spice&Wolf, it wasn't that bad ?

We have then a traveler which is here a errant Knight, he will meet a local harvest deity which will take a liking on our knight and force herself upon him.
Add that the knight is good with money.

We have then Spice&Wolf minus the cart, plus the sword. Hopefully it do not stick more than that.

We are not in the light novel category like a lot of other works on my Library, the text is rich with description and convey the atmosphere rightly. At the point it have even been hard for me to understand on some sentences. Dang.
Actions are well executed since we really see them before ours eyes. Everything is detailed, but just what it need to flow at the live pace, making you feel the heaviness of the sword. You even learn with this author member of the Historical European Martial Arts, making you understand a little how swords-fights are done. At the point it even make you curious and want to ask explanation on the logic behind each move.

A full side of the story revolve around the romance of the two.
While the story announce itself to be slow-paced, the romance go two gears faster. While it's sweet, it surprised me at the speed it was going. It surprised me but I can say myself it's also my modern point of view which is at play : In older time, when you found a good party, you had to take it quick before it vanish, time were a little harsher on that point, and feeling was to appear after.
The problem is still : The heroin should have her time before rushing it like that. Well should, if I say more it's spoiler. So this pace bother me a little, but it's acceptable. It also play that she is pushy on her ways.

To conclude, this is story really well written, which for now feel like it have to work its way to distinguish itself from Spice&Wolf, and have some events feeling rushed. Those two little thins didn't prevented me to be sad at the end of the volume for not having more.

Available freely online, or purchasable on Amazon to support the author.

My favorite Spice&Wolf reference :

he thought of the tales the merchants told of the horses that pulled the wagons turning into beautiful woman and conversing with the merchant. He smiled down at his horse and thought about what he would do if such a thing happened.

Comments

Zachary Dugas's avatar Zachary Dugas's avatar Zachary Dugas's avatar
Zachary Dugas / 3 Feb 2016 11:42
thank you for the review and the promotion !

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