Review: Dreamslayers by J.W. Webb

J.W. Webb weaves a masterful standalone fantasy with Dreamslayers, the newest installment in the expansive Legends of Ansu series. Spinning the worlds of two master warriors into a deadly orbit, this story immerses readers in an unstable world of magic, ever-changing allegiances, power struggles, and the mystical pull of destiny.

When Tulomon Caze suddenly reappears in his daughter’s life, desperate and damaged, the pair must go into hiding from a host of sinister enemies. The powerful Yanturi has eradicated their family and seized their land and possessions. This deadly coup is only the beginning, as there are other powers in the land who seek revenge on that same aging spymaster, putting Arraleen Caze squarely in the crosshairs beside him. As they flee to lands where some sliver of survival may be found, death stalks them, leaving fire and destruction in its wake. Fortunately, Arraleen is a savagely effective fighter, with an unflinching exterior, but an intriguing core driven by family and duty.

Gujun is a merciless dual protagonist, which we learn in his first blood-soaked scene, but there is a strange honor to his personality that is almost endearing, particularly as the truth behind his quarry is revealed. His motivations are not always clear – at times he feels like a mercenary for hire, without much interest in the nuance of those he puts down in the dirt, but at others, he seems to have a guiding light or greater cause, perhaps linked to being a Shen, a race shunned by so many others. His effortless actions with jian blades are described with beauty, closer to dancing than slaying, and while he takes no sadistic pleasure in violence, his mastery of blades is darkly compelling. However, Gujun is done dealing out death for other people, and merely wants a village of his own, armed only with comfort and power, but this final hunt may be his greatest challenge yet.

Pitting two relentless wills against each other for a dramatic and unpredictable adventure, Webb weaves a fantasy hunt with blurred lines of morality. The prose is rich and vivid, bringing complex action scenes to life with ease, as well as tense conversations, mad dashes, and quiet stalks through the night. Painting scenes and casual world-building seem like second nature to Webb, which have served him well in this series, as the novel feels steeped in epic history, extensive culture, and deeper messaging about the nature of good and evil.

There is a bit too much exposition, particularly up front, which could overwhelm some readers with an avalanche of unusual names, political positions, national dynamics, and interwoven relationships. While much of the narrative is character-driven and procedural, there is also the intricate social interplay and the power struggles of individuals and groups that can become a bit muddled. Building the foundation of the story more patiently and intentionally would ensure that readers don’t get lost. The book may promise to be a standalone, but there is a lot here for the reader to digest.

Despite these minor pacing and storytelling issues, this complex fantasy is impressively layered, to say the least, resulting in a powerful installment of this original fantasy series.