I Love It!! Truly it is such a different world, the characters are really interesting in a physical way, like a combination of human and bizarre elements. The history is good too, weird in a good way that kept ne engaged and separates the book from more standards fantasies. The only negative thing is that the ARC did not have the illustrations and I think it would have helped me to "see" the history better in me mind. I definitely recommed it to people that like the stranger stories.

Thank You Netgalley and Tordotcom for the ARC.

Well I think for most of this book I was like whattttt and then it became even more crazy.
It felt like I was reading a studio Ghibli movie coming together with a epic medieval story. It was a weird mind trip but I loved.
I can’t even explain what I read just that I liked it and that I’m sad it’s over. Even though I can’t explain you half of the side characters but there were so many and the half that I do remember were amazing.

Wow. This book completely blew my mind. The attention to detail, the world building and the magic system. There was not a second of this story that wasn't planned and pruned until perfect. I often wonder what it would be like to have an imagination that worked in the wondrous sort of way.
I really enjoyed the characters, I found that they all had their part to play and even the villains were written so well that while they may not be likable you love them all the same. I would say that this is a more character driven book than plot driven. The story line itself is harder to put into words than I thought that it would be and a lot of that I attribute to not wanting to give anything away. For me the really shining jewel of this book is the world building. It is a mixture of darkly whimsical, gilded grandeur, and a touch of ancient religious. I will never not recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape into a beautifully written world and one heck of an adventure.

The West Passage is a delightfully unique world that feels very rich and full. I really appreciate the originality in the world building and the Spirited Away-like descent into a dangerous wonderland.

I found the writing very descriptive, sometimes to the story’s detriment. I would be distracted trying my hardest to mentally picture the strangeness of characters and setting, which slowed down my progress through this book.

Unfortunately, I did not ultimately connect with any of the characters. The short vignettes or deviations from the main story were interesting and helped flesh out the world, and ultimately I felt more sympathetic to these small snapshots than to our main protagonists.

I think this is a great vibes over plot story, and readers who love to fall into a wonderland and wander around would really love it. I wish the story and characters had worked better for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this review copy.

This is a tough one for me to review. By the end of it, I loved the characters, loved the world, and enjoyed the resolution. However, if this wasn't a review copy, I would never have gotten to that point, because I definitely would have DNFed somewhere around the 50% mark.

This is a book about two characters, on two separate, but parallel, journeys to protect their realm. The world building in this book is simultaneously expansive and bizarre. The first 25% had me asking things like, "Do I really understand English, my native language?" This book takes place in a world where nothing is what you expect it to be.

Eventually, the story started to make a little sense, and at some point after that I started to enjoy it, but that doesn't make up for the amount of, "I'm sorry, what?" that happened prior to that point.

Overall, I would recommend this to someone looking for a more challenging, and certainly unique, fantasy book. But unless you're up for the challenge, I'd recommend skipping this one.

I went into this book knowing nothing except that it appealed to me months ago when iIrequested the galley, and could not have imagined the ride I was in for!! In a way it's a very classic fantasy about seemingly insignificant people battling power and holding the fate of the world in their hands, but those bones are so spectacularly fleshed out with wonders and horrors, it's an absolute phantasmagoria. For me it brought back old favorites like Abarat and Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, where you might encounter anything, and your assumptions are likely to be wrong.

I adored the two alternating protagonists, Pell and Kew, and the ways in which their transformational journeys paralleled and diverged from each other, and the ways in which they demonstrated how much a person can change and yet still be recognizable when they come home. There's something juicy and gendery in there, allegorically and literally in the text (the way gender works in this world is wicked cool), but it also rang broadly to me with truths about obligation, and taking responsibility, and persevering in the face of overwhelming opposing power. And honestly there were no characters I didn't like, even the ones I maybe wasn't supposed to like, and especially the ones with bodies so unusual I almost couldn't picture them.

And then there's the art!! The e-galley doesn't have the illustrations in it, but when I saw the physical hardcover I was so DELIGHTED by the artwork. every chapter has a header that looks like it came out of a medieval bestiary or some other illuminated manuscript, finally giving me some visual references for what a hollowman looks like or what's going on with the Ladies' weird heads full of crenellations and eyes. I wish it was in color!! But it's delightful as it is.

I genuinely laughed and cried and almost skipped out on a social event I had promised to show up to in order to finish reading it, and the ending felt totally right and still took me by surprise!

This book feels like a blend of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and Gideon the Ninth. It has the whimsical charm of Labyrinth combined with the decayed, lost-knowledge vibe of Gideon the Ninth, both wrapped in a morbid sense of curiosity.

It instills a wanderlust that makes you eager to delve deeper into its world. The narration immerses you, making you feel like a fly on the wall, trailing the main characters through their journeys.

It’s a captivating tale from start to finish. There were moments so dark that you might want to look away, but you can’t help but stay glued to the page.

This isn’t a quick epic fantasy fix. It’s for those who enjoy lingering questions and mysterious answers, and I mean that in the most intriguing way possible.

Disclaimer: DNF.

I really wanted to like this book, but I could not get through the halfway point. The writing felt inaccessible. I was always confused about what was happening and had to reread entire sections to make sense of what was going on. It also wasn’t clear to me what descriptions were metaphorical or literal.

I personally felt that the author was trying to make the writing so elaborate and showy and sophisticated that the story got lost in it.

The author also “killed a cat” midway that felt unnecessary and purely for shock factor.

I think Tolkien fans might love this, but it wasn’t for me.

Unfortunately, this book is just not for me and I will be DNFing it at 32%.

I either needed more emotional character development or a more structured plot. After reading reviews, I do not think this is going to happen and so I don't want to keep reading it at this time. I may come back to it at some point, but right now reading this is making me not want to read anything else so I need to move on.

I think this may be a me and not a book problem though because the writing is beautiful and the world is quirky and interesting.

We start the novel with the Guardian of the West Passage having just died without having named a successor. Her death triggers the early coming of winter, and without a guardian, the reemergence of the beast. We follow the path of 2 important figures of the land as they navigate a way to save and protect their people and kingdom.

This book truly felt like a fever dream. It is a book that is all about the journey, and how all the strings come together in the end. It gave me very big Senlin Ascends vibes, with a journey where as the characters get closer to their destination, things get weirder and weirder. I loved how much lore of the land was weaved into the story. This was such a unique story and one I will definitely have to read again at some point.

Such a refreshing fantasy! The writing, the world building, the characters, everything! It was all so intriguing and it kept you wanting to read more to find out what’s really going on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing me with a digital ARC of this novel!

The West Passage is an absolutely wild read. My review will be a little more scattered than normal, because I think it's better to go into this novel as blind as possible. At the same time, though, it's definitely not going to be for everyone, so you may want to read a few reviews before deciding whether this is the book for you.

The story is set in an unsettling fantasy kingdom, called the Palace, divided into five fiefdoms - each one is ruled by an eldritch creature known as a Lady, except for the Grey Tower, where our two main characters live. Pell and Kew are both apprentices to different authorities in Grey Tower, but are launched into separate quests after a couple of unexpected deaths. The novel follows each of their journeys throughout the decaying regions as they learn the world outside of their home is not what they were taught from their childhood stories. They meet new friends, encounter unspeakable horrors, and must take on new duties that their elders left them grossly unprepared to tackle. It's very gory and chilling - so much so that I would almost consider it a horror novel. I would recommend this to fans of The Library at Mount Char and Piranesi, with the precaution that it's much darker and more intense than Piranesi. It also feels like a nightmare version of Alice in Wonderland, with some of the strangeness and humor of David Lynch films. I even thought of A Series of Unfortunate Events a couple of times, because of how much other characters, who should have been able to help Pell and Kew, consistently fell through on expectations. Although, The West Passage also leans more into fantasy than any of those works, with some clear inspiration from Tolkien and other writers. It's a fun mix of genres; if you're into weird and disturbing fantasy, you may love it. I found it to be enthralling.

The biggest strength of this book is the worldbuilding. The Palace is almost a main character itself, and a huge chunk of the story is simply about following our characters as they explore and find bizarre surprises around every corner. The Palace has existed for centuries, so each decrepit wall and room tells a story of something that happened in the past. The characters and creatures inhabiting the Palace are also really strange - Pell grows literal twigs out of her head, there are people with animal features (such as a side character with rabbit ears), cows have gills, and so much more. Despite how otherworldly the setting is, the author does not hold readers' hands as it progresses. This is very much a novel that you'll get as much out of as you are willing to put in - if you pay attention carefully, you'll find so many fascinating ideas. However, if you skim or try to read too quickly, you'll miss so much. I can't even name how many times one word completely changed a sentence while I was reading, and then I had to go back and reread an entire paragraph to visualize whatever fantastically absurd new concept had been thrown at me. As a fan of worldbuilding, this was like a Christmas present for me. However, if you don't like being weighed down by too much detail, you may not enjoy this as much.

The side characters are another strength of this book. There are so many interesting characters that Pell and Kew meet throughout the story. Some of them are only present for a chapter or two, while others tag along for longer periods of time. I can't give any specifics, but there are three characters who broke my heart - especially one, whose fate made me gasp and then yell angrily... I had to take a reading break, because I was so mad on their behalf. The Ladies are also captivating, yet terrifying. The only characters who I didn't love were our main two - there's nothing wrong with them as characters, but their personalities were a little less interesting than all of the others'. That's pretty common in quest novels, though.

The last major thing I wanted to praise about this book is its use of themes and motifs. While it's such a bizarre, out-of-this-world story, it still has strong themes and presents a lot of ideas for discussion. The novel deals with death and decay, the importance (and challenges) of stories, duties versus personal choices, religion and holiness, gender, and more. The author does not hit readers over the head with the themes, though. Many of them are subtle, but so interesting once you start noticing them. I was especially fascinated by how Pell and Kew's stories paralleled one another. I am hoping a book club near me picks up this book, so I can chat about it with others.

I don't have many complaints, yet I see where some of the critical reviews are coming from. The story is slow, but I was personally never bored. There are some loose ends and many unexplained mysteries, but that's part of the fun of this surreal world. The main critique I have is that I didn't mind the ending, but I would have liked a couple more explanations of what exactly happened to each character, both during the last few chapters and afterward. The end felt a little abrupt after everything that happened in the first 90%. However, I was never expecting to get all of my questions answered once I saw how strange this book was, so it's not a huge deal. I do expect that this novel will be divisive, though. If you're into side quests, Lovecraftian horror, and enjoy the slow journey of a fantasy story more than the destination at the end, then I think you'll very much enjoy The West Passage. However, if you don't like gore or if you want a fast-paced story with clear explanations of each mystery introduced, then this is probably not for you. It also took me about twice as long to read as a normal book of its length. Since there are so many descriptions and important details, I really took my time with it. I often had to go back to reference something from earlier in the story or reread sections I was confused about. So, I'd also recommend that you go into this expecting a story that will take some time to get through. It's not a light read!

If you've gotten through this entire review and are still interested in The West Passage, then I highly suggest giving it a try. I found it to be refreshing and so much fun to read. I also have to give a book credit if it makes me physically feel something while reading, and The West Passage made me gag, laugh, and get goosebumps multiple times. It sounds like the published copy has illustrations, as well. I'm 100% planning on purchasing a physical copy of this book as soon as I can make it to a bookstore that's stocking it, because I can only imagine the illustrations will enhance an already fabulous story. It's also the type of book you can reread multiple times and get something new with each read, so I know I'll revisit it in the future.

4.75 stars out of 5 stars, rounded up because this was such a new and memorable read.

This is a book for lovers of Piranesi, meaning this is not a book for me.

This is a book set in a fantasy world that is medieval-esque, but it is not quite clear what is going on. I read one review that said the main character of this book is the setting and I agree. I personally couldn't appreciate it, however, because I was too concerned with the world writ large. Was this giant building/chapel/????? the entirety of the world? Was it the religious center of the world? Was this a world of normal people?

This reminded me a lot of Piranesi, a book that I was once asked, "What is it about?" when I was 80 pages in and I answered, "Honestly I have absolutely no idea."

This is a style of written art that appeals to some and not to others. I slightly felt like I was on drugs, and I couldn't let go of the need to understand what was going on to enjoy the ride.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Tor for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What did I just read?

The West Passage by Jared Pechaček is a fantasy about successors. When the Guardian of the West Passage died in her bed, the women of Grey Tower fed her to the crows and went back to their chores. No successor was named as Guardian, no one took up the fallen blade; the West Passage went unguarded. Now, snow blankets Grey in the height of summer, foretelling the coming of the Beast. The too-young Mother of Grey House and the Guardian's unnamed squire set out to save their people. Their narrow shoulders bear a heavy burden. Before them lies the West Passage, home to horrors and delights that defy imagining. None can say if they'll reach their destinations, but one thing is for sure: the world is about to change.

I honestly can't tell you what this book is about, and I don't think that's a good thing.

Jared Pechaček's "The West Passage" is a mysterious and intriguingly unique medieval fantasy that immerses readers in a decaying palace ruled by giant Ladies of unknowable, eldritch origin. The story begins with the death of the Guardian of the West Passage, an event met with indifference by the women of Grey Tower, who continue their chores without naming a successor or taking up the fallen blade. Consequently, the West Passage remains unguarded, setting the stage for the ominous events that follow.

Snow blankets Grey in the height of summer, rats flee from beneath the earth, crops fail, and hunger looms. The too-young Mother of Grey House embarks on a journey to fix the seasons, while the unnamed apprentice of the deceased Grey Guardian heads to warn Black Tower. Both must traverse the West Passage, encountering schoolteachers, beekeepers, miracles, monsters, and very big Ladies along the way. Their paths converge as they face the Beast stirring beneath the poisoned soil, with the fate of the palace hanging in the balance.

"The West Passage" is undeniably character-driven, with the narrative shifting among multiple perspectives that eventually converge in the final conflict. However, this approach has its drawbacks. While Pechaček creates a unique and well-thought-out world, the lack of an overarching plot and characters that are not particularly engaging make the story feel more like a chore to read than an exciting adventure.

The final conflict, despite its buildup, felt hollow and anticlimactic, which left me wanting more substance and resolution. The novel's strength lies in its world-building and intriguing premise, but it falls short in delivering a cohesive and satisfying narrative.

Overall, "The West Passage" offers an imaginative and mysterious setting with a character-driven story, but it may not fully satisfy readers seeking a strong plot and deeply engaging characters. Fans of unique and unconventional fantasy worlds may still find it worth exploring, but be prepared for a journey that may not reach the heights of its initial promise.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This book was unique and challenging in a way I was not expecting but that I enjoyed. It follows two apprentices who take up the mantles of their forebears in a time of crisis for their home.

The setting is not clear at first, and the reader is given only necessary details. However by the end you realize that much of this reflects the gaps in the protagonists knowledge. We get small reveals of information at times which feel like puzzle pieces being set into place.

I wouldn't say that I felt emotionally invested in the characters, but the story itself was interesting and the ending satisfying.

Overall a read that I found interesting and enjoyed overall, but that was a bit difficult to get into at the beginning.

This was an interesting story with complex world-building! I really enjoyed it even though I did struggle to keep track of all the lore, locations, etc. I almost feel like I need to read it a second time to truly absorb and appreciate everything from this whimsical world!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a unique and wild book in the best way. I am always a fan of a quest story and I really liked that this book had biblically accurate angels and other creepy creatures. There were times that it felt like the worldbuilding and plot were pushed to the side to focus on the creepiness of the creatures. It made certain points of the book feel off but in general, I had a great time with this book.

This is a very unique, haunting, and deeply strange fantasy novel drawing a good deal from medieval European architecture, society, and aesthetics, but with an imaginary architecture flavor. There is so much mystery in this world, so much lost knowledge and literal and figurative ancient inheritances. I have followed the author's art for a while and there were many times where I could picture a character or place as depicted in their style, which is to say there's a lot of striking visual imagery. Although I found this book to be somewhat impenetrable to start, I did eventually become deeply interested in the world and invested in the story. I was concerned at first by what I perceived as a "self-consciously weird" style (there is SO much defamiliarizing at the start, despite Pell and Kew's relatability), but I do think that either I was projecting that vibe or that the story is able to transcend it. 4.5, slightly dinged for a rough start but rounded up for sheer creativity.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc. Unfortunately this took me absolutely forever to get through. I wanted this to be more engaging than it was for me. I just kept zoning out and not picking it up that I ended up missing my deadline to read it before it came out. I got so fed up trying to read it I had to switch to audiobook that thankfully was available on Everand so I could finish it. It has really interesting concepts and a few moments of terror and action but I was overall very bored with it. It just wasn't for me.