The Experience by Darnell May

For my first review, I chose a book by an old classmate, The Experience by Darnell May. Please continue reading to find out what I thought of it.

First and foremost, The Experience is a short read. It is five chapters long and, if I recall correctly, 46 pages. However, don’t let the length fool you, for the quality is there. There is plenty of good storytelling here, one that takes the classic father and son dynamic, which forms the story’s heartbeat and crafts a very well-made tale.

The plot is simple yet effective. Thoragor, the village chief, advises his people not to approach three unexplained puddles, for they hold a dark secret. But Lirik, his son, wanting to prove himself, ignores his father’s advice and goes on a journey to explore these puddles. I’ll leave it there because I don’t want to spoil anything for you.

It’s absolutely an intro story into the fantasy world of Aktrusia. The puddles themselves are highly mysterious, and the concept of unknown lands holds high allure for me. The story functions well as a standalone short story, but I also see its potential to be more than just this one book. Perhaps a sequel is coming, Darnell?

I read it all in one sitting, as I couldn’t put it down. The story resonated with me; the dialogue and progression were good and well-written. This is important, as not everyone can manage the burdensome or outdated verbiage that other books carry. Fantasy books generally love made-up names, yet they are simple yet effective here.

Supporting local talent.

While I’ll also review mainstream books, I chose this book because Darnell, like myself, is aspiring to do more. We are the local artists. Support local, as they say. Self-publishing and marketing aren’t easy, either.

I firmly believe that every person has a story to tell; some have multiple, but not everyone gets to write them. As I continue to grow in this endeavor, I will seek those like myself, the little fish in the ocean, and support them to the best of my ability, leading to my next point.

I highly recommend you check out The Experience. If you love fantasy, it’s right up your alley. But, if you are not a fantasy reader, I implore you to try it. You may find yourself enjoying it. Thank you, Darnell, for taking a chance to write it. I look forward to what you have coming next. Keep writing!

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