Character Focused & Compelling Fantasy
Quick Thoughts
In epic fantasy, you can go down so many different paths to tell similar stories. One of the most interesting things about the genre is getting to see reinterpretations and re-imaginings of familiar tropes and plots through so many different visions. Case in point, in The Land Beyond the Waste, B.F. Peterson tells a story that is both familiar and unique, taking well known character tropes and plot elements and spinning them into a story that is all her own. What you end up with is something that feels like it was written by a classic fantasy author you are just discovering for the first time.
In this same vein, Peterson tackles many of the fundamental elements of epic fantasy with a deft hand, elevating her story with fantastic characters, emotionally resonant moments, and a richly built world that feels both ancient and alive at the same time. Specifically, our main protagonist’s relationships with her brother and father, as well the characterization of the elves she entreats to intervene in a world ending conflict, stand out as highlights that give the book a strong sense of identity that will appeal to many modern readers. Ultimately, while the fundamental building blocks of the plot will be familiar to any regular reader of the genre, Peterson’s handling of them builds a story that hits harder than one might expect and stays with the reader after the final page.
Full Review
Epic fantasy as a genre is one of the most interesting sandboxes to play in, with perhaps it’s best feature being the breadth of possibility. Even with familiar tropes and story beats, one can add new and interesting layers and approach them from unique angles. The Land Beyond the Waste is one of those books that doesn’t set out to try to be weird or genre pushing. Rather, it takes what works from many traditional fantasy stories and builds a narrative that feels familiar, but with it’s own spin on each aspect to create something all it’s own. What you end up with is something that reads like traditional fantasy told through a unique lens.
Everything in this novel, from the magic system to the various races, from the worldbuilding to the plot, feels comfortably familiar, yet unique enough to be compelling. Rydara is a prototypical outcast protagonist with a compulsion to earn the approval of the very people who have rejected her. What makes her unique and far more interesting than other characters of a similar mold is her relationships. For me, where this story really shines is the level of depth that Peterson was able to imbue these dynamics with.
For example, the bond between our main protagonist Rydara and her half-brother Aander forms a large part of the emotional core of the story. Peterson smartly avoids many of the typical pitfalls of other stories and avoids petty dramas or miscommunications in favor of building and reinforcing a strong bond more that leads to far more heartfelt moments throughout the narrative. Similarly, Rydara’s relationship to her distant and disapproving father feels real and challenging rather the dramatized or undercut for easy answers. This strong focus on relationships and inter-character dynamics plays out throughout the book and does much of the heavy lifting to get the reader invested in the story.
Another area in which Peterson excels is her worldbuilding. While the concepts like tribal, backwards humans, or isolated, mysterious elves is nothing new, Peterson is able to make these feel like more helps the material move beyond a boilerplate retelling of old tropes. The elvish society and integration of dragons into it specifically feels unique enough to set the world apart from other, similar offerings. While there were a some pacing issues, overall I greatly enjoyed my time with this book. I was left wanting to dive deeper into this world, it’s magic system, histories, and future, so I will likely be picking up B.F. Peterson’s other novel, The Ellyrian Code, in the future!
