/lit/ - Literature

How's Black Stone Heart

Black Stone Heart, The Obsidian Path #1 - Michael R. Fletcher (2020)
This self-published grimdark novel was a group read. Fletcher's debut novel was traditionally published, however all of his subsequent novels, including this one, have been self-published.
Once again I've deceived and disappointed myself from what I thought it'd be about based on how it begins. I have no one other than myself to blame for that. Based on the cover, the synopsis, and the opening, I thought it'd be about an active and exciting protagonist on a possibly grand adventure with an intriguing cast of characters. That's not what this is and now I don't know why I thought it'd be.
What I read instead was a relatively passive protagonist who was both sullen and horny. There's a considerable amount of sex though it isn't described in detail. His primary activities seemed to be introspection, whining, rumination, and above all else, brooding over the concept of evil. There wasn't anything I liked about him, or really any of the characters. He has a goal in mind, so he isn't wandering aimlessly, but it felt like to me that much more ought to have been accomplished over the course of the book. The journey itself was lackluster as well.
There's grimdark edginess that may put readers off, or alternatively be a draw for them, but I found myself mostly indifferent to it. Based on the reactions of others, there is definitely a demographic for this who greatly enjoys it, but apparently I don't find myself within that.
As this is planned to be a dual trilogy, a six book series, I won't be reading the second book and may not read any books from this author again. I'm significantly disappointed. Maybe it'd be worthwhile after reading all the books after however many years it takes for them to release, but I don't have any interest in finding out whether they are.
Rating: 2/5

The /sffg/ GR group, 4 total, rated it 1 of each star, 2 through 5. What a mixed reception.
GR rating: 4.08/5, 4% rated it 2 stars.