Review: The Rift and the Reckoning by Nick Blade

Blurb:

The gods are dead. The land is dying. And it will not go quietly.

In a world unraveling under the weight of ancient lies, two reluctant heroes hold the key to its salvation—or its destruction.

Theron, a former warrior turned outcast, carries the weight of a shattered faith and a son he couldn’t save. But when whispers of rebellion and a forgotten god reach his ears, he must take up his blade once more—or let the world fall to ruin.

Jerrick, a reclusive farmer more at home among apple trees than battlefields, never wanted the power he was born with. But the land has begun to turn against those who wield its essence, and Jerrick must decide: harness his forbidden magic to save his people—or be consumed by the very world he seeks to protect.

Bound to the souls of ancient gods, they walk a path of power, madness, and betrayal. But the land's fury cannot be tamed—and its reckoning has only just begun.

The land is rising. And it wants revenge.

Perfect for fans of James Islington and John Gwynne, The Land of Nowhere is a sweeping tale of reluctant heroes, ancient gods, and the fragile line between destiny and choice.

Review:

This was a fun story that progressed very rapidly and featured some fantastic action sequences alongside a very likeable protagonist.

You’d think that by now, the trope of a farm boy rising up to save the world has been done to death. But every now and then, someone surprises you with an interesting spin on the age-old narrative. And this book was indeed quite a pleasant surprise in that regard. 

“What awaits us may be shrouded in darkness, but we carry with us a light.”

Our protagonist, Jerrick long thought that his unusual height was his only distinguishing feature—an inconvenience that makes it harder for him to blend into a sea of mediocrity. But as the story unfolds, we come to know that almost nothing he knows of his past is true. And as he discovers his true lineage, he also uncovers layers of treachery about the people who are supposed to protect the world. These very same people are now, for some reason, suddenly interested in him. 

‘In a world that values order and certainty, standing apart isn’t just difficult—it can feel like a curse.’

Oh, and the world is dying. And in Nick Blade’s rich imaginative world, the land doesn’t just suffer in silence—it fights back—by spawning hideous monsters. A malignant fog is encroaching from all sides, and essence-wielders are a prime target for the dangerous beasts that lurk in the dark. 

At this point, you are probably beginning to gather that this is an action-focussed book. And yes, there is indeed a lot of thrilling action—though nothing particularly gory.  I also felt that is where the author’s writing style truly shines. 

‘How much of our humanity do we sacrifice in the name of survival? How close to the edge do I tread with every life I take? The question lingers for less than a breath. Survival doesn’t wait for philosophy. I move.’

The opening scenes with Theron fighting his way solo through a small army was an instant hook, and things only get better from there. Besides that, there is also quite a bit of character development as Jerrick comes to term with his new reality and makes new alliances.

‘I say nothing. Because this is his moment. And I realize then that even the strongest men carry ghosts.’

Some of my favorite antagonists are folks who creatively and cunningly mask themselves as benevolent, and in that regard Rorick hits a rather sweet spot. The mysteries are layered, and they unwind bit by bit as we proceed. The presentation is very vivid, and kept me on my toes at all times. Some of the plot elements also reminded me of By the Pact by Joanna Maciejewska that I reviewed some time back.

‘Fear, I’ve learned, is a chameleon. It wears the colors of rage to hide its true nature. A primal instinct, an animal’s last defense when cornered. But anger makes men predictable. It makes them sloppy.’

There is a bit of time distortion thrown in, and while it was an unexpected delight, I felt the multiple arcs of time loop could be expanded into a longer narrative. This is not a real complaint because we do get to experience some of it and what we see plays its role very well. However, as a long-time aficionado of time loops in YA adventures (eg. Mother of Learning and Re:Monarch) I was left a wee bit unsatisfied.

Another minor pickle was that Jerrick’s inner contemplation feels rather verbose at times—I mean yes, a slew of responsibilities vastly beyond anything you ever imagined changes your life—I get it. But I don’t have to hear about it over and over again. After a bit, I found myself skimming over those sections.

‘“You could have saved them.” The voice gnaws at the edges of my mind. “You’re weak. That’s why they died.”’

Having said all of that, there is no denying that this is a fantastic fantasy thriller with some very well-presented prose. And it was the author’s debut! I am eagerly looking forward to the second book of the series. 

“None of this happened by chance”