A Stranger in Olondria

This is an ode to books, the power and poetry of words and stories, and it's gorgeously written, without pretention, in a way that takes the reader seriously and transports them instantly into the maze of the author's imagination. The world created isn't a typical western-middle-age fantasy world, it's strongly influenced by south asia, and north and east africa. If you're longing for something poetic and vivid, it's a rewarding read.

So I read this just after Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots and the transition was super jarring. Hench is fast-paced, witty, and dark. Stranger is luxurious, slow, and showy. I nearly abandoned the book, but I kept at it! I was rewarded. I really related to the themes of this book: illness, religion, love of reading, and mysticism. These are all my favourite topics. I’m glad I read this.

Wonderful and unexpected.


A superbly crafted world and far more emotion than I was expecting. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an unconventional fantasy.