Creepy and weird and utterly delightful! Anyone who loves a complex, fantastical world will love this book.

3.5 stars. Sci-Fi is always hit or miss for me but this one was a good solid story. At times it is difficult to keep pace with the story, as the names and even genders are fluid. Basically, a world is dying, a monster is coming and it's up to the youngest Mother of Grey House and almost-Guardian to protect the palace/realm/Ladies. It's going to have to be read to be believed. Also, I feel like there was a ton of world-building and then bam: abrupt conclusion. But a very interesting listen. The narrator, Steve West, is wonderful.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*.*

This one was a little too weird for my taste - without actually being whimsical or particularly engaging. I didn’t have a firm grasp on how things worked, but I did really enjoy some of the stronger images (like when Kew was climbing centuries’ worth of discarded feasts, cutlery and all, with rats and mold emerging from the leftovers). I wish we’d seen more of that and less of the “narratively distant bland protagonists travel through bizarre but kinda vague trials and talk to people who don’t want to help them but for no particularly good or interesting reason”.

It felt rather like reading the A Deborah Baker books but without the whimsy of a children’s adventure story.

<b>3.5 Stars</b>
I really appreciated the unique worldbuilding in this novel. It had a different narrative tone which immediately caught me off guard. I am always looking for something special.

Despite that, I never completely fell in love with this story. I think the challenge is that this one didn't have a strong narrative direction or direction to the plot. At times, this can work if I'm attached to the characters but I found these ones to be a bit distant.

This novel has some great potential and things I liked about it, but it did not completely work for me.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you so much for Netgalley and Publisher for this amazing audiobook.

First, I've received an e-galley for this book. And this book was super unique in every way. It was fresh and felt like fever dream for me. And then, I listened to this audiobook. And the narrator did really a good job!! It brought the story to live.

3.75 out of 5 Stars.

It was fun enjoyable time that was very unique in its own special way. Well it may not be for everyone it has it audience.

This one was not for me. I gave it a good try, but I had to DNF it near the end because I was STILL so bored and uninterested in the characters and plot. If you like a slow moving story that takes place in a fantasy world and is more slice of life, then this one might be a great choice for you!

If you are a reader who indulges in the epic quest, the insurmountable journey, shocking mysteries unveiled, and heroic victories of classic epic fantasy, "The West Passage" may be a slight disappointment. The Mother's journey to fix the seasons and a young acolyte yearning to fulfill what they saw was their destiny and be bestowed the name of a Guardian is possibly the least enthralling aspect of this book. In fact, I confess I even had a little trouble connecting with them individually. And yet, this very well could be the first time in all my years of reading, or in this case listening, that I have ever re-visited a book immediately after finishing it.

Now, full disclosure, there were some external factors that I felt may have altered my experience with this story and as I had so kindly been allowed a pre-release copy through netgalley, I wanted to make sure I was submitting a fair evaluation. Except my relatively uninterrupted second round left me as content as I had been before, confident in my opinion, and delighted in little bits of foreshadowing or details I hadn't picked up on. and, in fact, the beauty of this book lies in those details.

"The West Passage" isn't a deeply intellectual, philosophical, or have a complex web of unknowns. Oh, there are profound comments under its surface about the cylindrical nature of history and the corruption and corrosion that comes with power, and even how many of us knowingly or unknowingly are cogs in a wheel we've accepted as our role. And I personally loved the very subtle approach to different attitudes concerning gender in this. What captivated me, what I wanted to marinate in, wasn't the plot but the world itself.

The towers and their citizens are as imaginative, versatile, and creative as anything you'd find in wonderland and come off with the endearment and humor that reminded me of what I associate Discworld with. Now, I can feel some of those eyes rolling as I too generally hate when one work is compared to something classic and highly popular. IN this case, it is the best language I have to describe something that at one moment is colorful, slightly outrageous, absurd and in the next is grim, graphic, and blunt. It is that same type of well nature contradiction that also feels like a fever dream.

While I may have not been drawn to our two central protagonists this book was chock full of glorious side characters. The reader experiences just as much of the world through their approaches, way of speaking and acting, their view of their purpose, as they do the vivid descriptions of each of the tower's architecture or the beautiful illuminated manuscripts and tapestries used to exhibit the lore of the world.

I truly mean that "The West Passage" has painted prose. Almost every knew area traveled to, every new lady, or person who wasn't "simple skinned" my fingers were itching to try to see what type of fanart I might take a stab at. I tend not to do this for books as my visualization is not always very acute and my own artistic skills are at best average. Yet Pechacek's scenes are so incredibly vivid that I had no trouble seeing this world he set out for us. It was quite an experience for me.

Finally, I cannot ignore the fact that a very big part of my engrossment was the narration. I have been a long time fan of Steve West. I have also been a long time frustrated fan as I have listened to far more than one book from him that I don't feel truly showcased why I rank him so highly in narrators I seek out. "The West Passage" provides what I'd been yearning after for a very long time. West is an ASTOUNDING character actor. He has an incredible range when it comes to bringing out distinct and varied casts. However, the types of stories that usually allow him to stretch and explore this tend to be more frivolous in nature or geared towards a younger audience. This material was the prefect balance of quirky and detailed that allowed him to dig deep. this is a hefty enough cast it could easily merit having at least a dual narration job. Yet West steps up and delivers one of the most memorable performances I've yet to listen to from him. I will be severely confused if when book award seasons come out he isn't recognized from this.

Now, I could nit pick about how while the world itself was highly creative, there are certain elements that don't feel entirely original. Or I could be disappointed that I guessed certain aspects of the plot fairly early on. I can see where some people might see this as sloppy in some areas. But truly, what book is absolutely perfect? And does it matter if a book does so many things to make it near perfect /for you/?

I retain that it is more of a 4.5 read for me, because even after the back to back reads, there are certain things I think I need to set in me. but one thing is for sure, participating in this tour around the towers is one I'm not soon to forget.

I had no idea when I requested an ALC of The West Passage from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio that I’d found The One, but I have. I’ve found my favorite book of all time.

In The West Passage, we follow Kew and Pell on their individual journeys as they do what they feel is necessary to save their home from a terrible beast. But the story isn’t just about Kew and Pell, it’s about the massive sprawling palace grounds in which they live and travel through, a world with deep lore and rich history, some of which is too long-forgotten by its inhabitants. While on their journeys through this dangerous world, Kew and Pell meet plenty of interesting and quirky characters, and though the book is pretty dark, it reminded me a lot of both Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth. I got whimsical vibes and felt sort of nostalgic for those stories when listening to this one.

I was constantly impressed by Jared Pechaček’s immersive world building, beautifully descriptive writing, and immense creativity. His writing made me feel like he has actually been there and is simply describing everything for us, like he’s a historian of the palace. As if it didn’t come from his mind and it exists somewhere and he’s just telling us about it. Pechaček has written a textbook, and I listened to the audio but now I want a copy to highlight, make flashcards to study, memorize and learn the entirely too interesting history of this world as if it’s a real place.

I took my time listening to The West Passage on audiobook over the last week because there has never been a book I’ve wanted to savor more fully than this one. When I listen to audiobook, I always do other things, but I just sat and listened this time. I had to and wanted to focus on The West Passage because I felt like I was participating in this book, this event, and I didn’t want to participate in anything else. Though I did start out feeling as if the physical or ebook version might be a better choice, Steve West’s narration made me feel like I was a child being read a bit of a grand fantasy before bed, and I loved it. There are many, many characters in this story and West was able to change his voice wonderfully for each one. I especially liked the voices he did in a scene where there were 8 different frogs. If I can tell 8 frogs apart, that’s a damn good narrator.

If you cannot tell, I am absolutely obsessed with this book. It’s my Holy Grail. It’s my precious. Want to be sucked into a world that feels as though it will continue to live and breathe even after you turn the last page? This is the one.

I didn't get through too much of this book before I realized this is not a book I can accurately review. The more obscure, absurdist fantasy books that have come out over the last few years have not hit with me, and after reading about 20%, I went to a few other reviews to see what I was missing, only to realize that was some of the entire point!

I'm definitely the type of reader who needs a little bit of plot. I'm also sad I missed out on the illustrations from the author.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this Audiobook eARC!

I had little to no expectations going into this except that people seem to be loving it. I wanted to love it, and parts of it I did. The palace is so cool. The whole setting it so descriptive and a character of its own. Unfortunately, for me, this is not enough and the plot was lacking for me. The narrator was good!

I know they say, "Don't judge a book by the cover," but this enchanting book is as captivating as the cover art that it is paired with. This standalone fantasy is different and unique. The world-building is in vibrant colors, quite literally. reaching for the readers' senses. The characters are peculiar and engage you in their quest. And their story becomes about the journey more than simply the destination. The interactions along the way enrich the narrative and make the world come alive. I was fully engrossed by this story and adored winding my way through this palace with all of the detours along the way. For anyone looking for a refreshing, new fantasy, I recommend that you find your way to the West Passage.
I read this book as an audiobook and completely appreciated the talented narrator that led me through this bewitching tale and can only give glowing praise to this format.
I received advanced access to this audiobook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.