Synopsis:
“Tonight, my friends, the performance is real. To you, my most faithful, I dedicate this, the final production of ‘The Mystery of the Pale King.'”
As an orphan growing up in a distant border province, Faron took pride in the epic tales of the Hero of Hathur, a great and powerful warrior who ruled in the name of the sun-worshipping Church of the Sol Creator. That pride is shattered by accusations from the Hero’s family that he squandered their entire inheritance on the production of a profane play with him at the center: “The Mystery of the Pale King.” The Church proclaims him under interdict and dispatches Bishop Antonius, his devoted page Faron, and a cadre of soldiers downriver to repossess Hathur on its behalf.
The cruelty they witness on their perilous mission forces them to confront the horrors at the heart of Hathur’s past and question not just their devotion to the Church but their very beliefs in gods and heroes. Amid a storm of betrayal, murder, and sacrilege, Faron must survive fanatical cultists, their obscene rituals, and the evil hiding in the light in order to save Bishop Antonius from the Hero’s final performance.
Review:
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While set in a fictional world, the themes within The Mystery of the Pale King are very much applicable to this one. Freedom—not just from tyrants, but to be who we see ourselves as—is central to this storyline.
It isn’t revealed immediately, but there are clues throughout the first half of the story regarding Faron’s identity, so I don’t feel it’s a spoiler to say that the main character is trans/masc. In Faron’s world, he’s forced to hide who he is or risk the wrath of the church he devoutly serves. His struggle is a subplot inside the larger narrative, but provides the reader with some relevant commentary on our world’s current events, even though it’s set in a fantasy world. I liked that.
The schism between the hero and the church is really the main theme of the book, and neither side can claim to be morally superior (though they both certainly try.) Corruption and darkness is rampant throughout the land, no matter which side the characters choose to be on. Faron is caught in the middle of it all—and not by choice. The fantastical events he witnesses begin to make him question his faith, the bishop, and everyone he knows.
This story felt more horror than true fantasy to me. The events Faron endures have fantastical elements, but there’s a brutality and eeriness involved that puts me in mind of horror writers like Dean Koontz or John Saul.
As a novella, The Mystery of the Pale King is a pretty quick read, but one that contains an impactful and intriguing story.
The Mystery of the Pale King is available for preorder and will release September 17, 2024.
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