Monday, January 07, 2019

Book Review: 'The Tensorate: Book 3 - The Descent Of Monsters' by JY Yang

cover art by Yuko Shimizu
'The Descent Of Monsters', the third book in JY Yang's 'Tensorate' fantasy novella series, follows the investigation of what happened at the Rewar Teng Institute of Experimental Methods. Told through letters, diary entries and official reports, Tensor Chuwan Sariman slowly unravels the mystery of what was going on at the institute and the aftermath that lead to the devastation they discovered upon arriving at the compound.

Despite, one might say, the unconventional method of storytelling here, of just journals entries, memos and transcripts, I found it no less engrossing than if Yang had told the story in prose form. The narrative felt like a jigsaw with all the fragmented pieces slowly coming together as the determined Tensor Sariman puts all the pieces together in search for the truth of what happened, and in doing so discovers a Tensorate Protectorate cover up.

It was a really immersive experience as well, as if you were really reading the reports and someone's personal letters and diary. It brought a different perspective to the world of the Protectorate. It was also very creepy and chilling in places too, with the reports and transcripts being very descriptive as the incident site was being explored.

Although 'The Descent Of Monsters' mostly revolves around a single protagonist, Tensor Chuwan Sariman, I would definitely recommend reading the previous novellas in the series before picking this one up, just to get a better sense of the characters and the world they inhabit, as the novellas setup the world building and characters, as here it is assumed that you know who they are and their motivations.

It's another good addition to a fantasy series that is fast becoming one of my favourites, as is author JY Yang, whose lyrical style of writing is a joy to read. Looking forward to the next in the series, 'The Ascent To Godhood'.

Available from WaterstonesAudible Audiobooks and all good book stores.

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