Review: Windslash: The Last Elemental by Chris Bennett

An unlikely hero rises to save the world from a dormant evil in Windslash: The Last Elemental by Chris Bennett, an imaginative and energetic debut fantasy.

On the mythical island of Atlantis, a young student of the Wind named Timaeus discovers an incredible ability: he is able to tap into all four elemental powers – wind, fire, earth, and water – a rare gift only mentioned in prophecy and legend. This unexpected prodigy must master all four forms of elemental magic before he loses control or is consumed by his unprecedented access to such raw power. Forced to prove himself time and again under stern masters of the elemental disciplines, Timaeus learns hard lessons about self-control, humility, and honor, becoming a skilled warrior and a respected leader among his people.

Not only is he faced with daunting tasks and dangerous training benchmarks, but he must also fend off attacks from a quartet of Dark Elementals determined to destroy him before they can resurrect Leviathan and bring about an age of darkness. When this cabal finally launches an attack against the island of Atlantis, Timaeus is the only defender who can wield the four element stones and save an entire civilization before it’s consumed by the ocean’s depths.

The story is a familiar cornucopia of themes, plot points, and archetypes, drawing on a wide range of influences within the genre and peripheral pop culture, from Tolkien, Harry Potter, and Magic: The Gathering to Robert Jordan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and classic elements of Greek mythology. Whether it is bitter rivalries between different disciplines of a magical school or proving oneself through a series of increasingly daunting trials, this packed plot has strong foundations in genre traditions. The twist ending leaves the door open for a sequel or an extended series, although this novel can also stand alone as a one-shot adventure.

As the author explains in his prologue, there is a heavy influence from trading card games and their mechanics on his creative process, and this is quite clear in the storytelling, particularly the action sequences. While this works in some cases, it often feels more technical than emotional; what should be a tragic or triumphant fight scene can end up feeling like the dictation of a battle from tabletop Dungeons and Dragons, being more focused on the nuts and bolts of dice rolls than heightened stakes or character development.

There are also some inconsistencies in the writing, such as the use of contemporary idioms and profanity, which feel jarring in this meticulously designed realm, undercutting the illusion maintained by the rest of the narrative. In general, the dialogue could use a softened touch, so it is less a vehicle for information-sharing and exposition. The prose could be pared down overall in favor of letting the plot progress more smoothly, rather than focusing on extemporaneous detail that doesn’t always directly impact the plot.

The world itself is fascinating, and ticks the boxes for fans of classic fantasy, so while the novel may need to concentrate more on the story than expositional detail, it is an entertaining and intriguing start to a new series.