Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the opportunity to read King of Nod by Scott Fad which checks all my boxes for a good read. Love me some good Southern Gothic

"King of Nod" by Scott Fad presents readers with an ambitious and imaginative fantasy world, brimming with colorful characters and richly detailed landscapes. Fad demonstrates a flair for world-building, creating a realm that is both enchanting and immersive, filled with magic, mystery, and intrigue.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its inventive premise and unique setting. Fad introduces readers to the kingdom of Nod, a realm where dreams and reality intertwine, and where the line between myth and legend is blurred. The concept of Nod as a realm of dreams offers ample opportunity for exploration and discovery, allowing Fad to craft a narrative that is filled with wonder and possibility.

Moreover, "King of Nod" features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. From the enigmatic protagonist to the colorful inhabitants of Nod, Fad populates his world with a wide array of memorable characters who contribute to the richness of the narrative. The interactions between characters are dynamic and engaging, adding depth and complexity to the story.

However, while "King of Nod" excels in creating an imaginative and immersive world, some readers may find the pacing to be uneven. The novel's sprawling narrative and multiple plot threads may at times feel disjointed or overwhelming, detracting from the overall cohesiveness of the story. Additionally, the abundance of characters and subplots may make it difficult for readers to fully invest in the central storyline.

Furthermore, while Fad's prose is descriptive and evocative, some readers may find it overly verbose or ornate. The novel's intricate world-building and detailed descriptions may slow the pacing of the narrative, leading to moments of stagnation or disengagement for some readers.

In conclusion, "King of Nod" by Scott Fad is a visually stunning and imaginative fantasy novel that offers readers a captivating journey into a world of dreams and magic. While the novel's ambitious scope and inventive premise are commendable, its uneven pacing and verbose prose may limit its appeal for some readers. Overall, "King of Nod" is a bold and ambitious debut that will appeal to fans of epic fantasy looking for a richly detailed and immersive reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

I like books that have layers and layers to them, and this one started off with that- and in trying to unravel the story, I had to work with the lead's perspective and memories, and though very descriptive, what I did find was that some of his memories and experiences were lengthy- more like he was drowning in them, other than that, it took me a long time to finish reading it and get this review written.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

This was a thrilling story that, if I’m being honest, reminded me of a Stephen King novel. Being from Maine, I have read, and own almost all of Stephen kings books. That being said, some of them are a little unnecessarily lengthy and drawn out. The author did do a good job with painting a picture in your mind, but I felt at times was repetitive and overly descriptive. I did however enjoy the story nonetheless.

<B>The Publisher Says</b>: After twenty years of self-imposed exile, Boo Taylor finds he must return to Sweetpatch Island, South Carolina, following his fathers mysterious death. Upon his return, he is shocked to discover that the small, marshy barrier island he left behind is now covered with golf courses and swarming with tourists. It seems that everything he ran away from the violence, the hatred, the betrayal have all but vanished. But the islands ghosts are not so easily dispelled. King of Nod layers time and secrets in an intricate pattern of half-truths and glimpses of redemption that slowly dissect the riddle of the islands past and its inexorable connection to Boo's own fate.

<B>I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review</b>: Lots of comparisons to Stephen King get made about this story...the setting of a landscape ripe with thoughtless change, irritating the spirits of the place; lush, descriptive language; an outsider who Just Knows he isn't who he's been told he is; and as far as it goes, all of those are accurate assessments of this read.

What doesn't get a lot of airplay is how much like King the bloated, self-indulgent length of the book is.

Robert Lee "Boo" Taylor is our PoV character. The putative son of the town doctor in Low Country Sweetgrass Island, South Carolina, he never settles in to his identity. Spoiler alert: It's much more fraught a topic than he was led to believe. Notice, please, his uber-Southern names (if they aren't obvious to you, google them) and their cultural resonances. As I think being thumped on the nose this way is not my idea of fun, I was ready to move on from this read very quickly.

But here the more positive resonances with King kicked in. I found the first 45% hard to read but hard to quit. This is a lot like my response to King's Pet Sematary. I did finish both books, this one no more sluggishly than King's. Both ended up being what, for this materialist reader, on the unsettling side but never frightening the way, say, Sundial was. Any time we start talking about Eeeville from Beyond, I get impatient. But the parts about family, the cruelty of the ignorant, the burden of being Other in a small place...those I relate to and enjoy.

Would I read it again? No. Was my time wasted? No. I'd recommend someone cutting at least 200 pages to whip up the pace. The author has definite promise, with ideas that are worth exploring and a good eye for the details that can immerse one into the book's world. The fact is, though, these same details were splashed on so liberally that I felt submerged in a vat of Old Spice. Cut, cut, cut, and emerge with a possible world-beater.

Just couldn’t get into this one. Too repetitive and overly descriptive for my taste; considering it’s 740 pages and hasn’t caught my attention after 75, I DNFd. Hopefully others will enjoy this one more than me

So I believe this book was previously published in 2010 but I had never heard of it or the author. How in the world would I have missed this epic wonder? The author writes with the most beautiful prose. It's a mystery, with hints of supernatural and magical realism. There's a romance but it doesn't take over...folklore and amazing characters. Everything I love about a novel was packed into this book. It was a long one, but I didn't want it to ever end. Now, I am heartbroken that this seems to be the authors only book? I can't seem to find anything out about Scott Fad. This will Definitely be a book that I purchase as it is a favorite. Southern magical realism folktale..