Jericho Solus by
Jeffery Moore
My rating:
4 of 5 stars
Jericho Solus is a sprawling urban fantasy meets historical (urbanish, feudal maybe) fantasy meets science fiction... I would even throw a heavy seasoning of romance. I know that seems as clear as mud. It just seems to transcend genres, it doesn't fit within the confines of any one particular type of story.
My hat is off to Jeffery Moore on the level of detail in the historical descriptions of this book. He is either a history nut or did some major research on this book - it just boggles my mind. I have to admit, historical stories in general are not my usual 'bag', but I was enthralled regardless of the time period or even planet the characters may be on at the time. As with any real inclusion of large amounts of history, the subject of violence and war comes up. The descriptions of war, battles, even just the physical altercation scenes do obviously contain violence but it is not excessively brutal or bloody.
The book contains religious overtones without getting preachy or trying to convert me or having religion hijack the tale. I do enjoy the religious current running underneath the story, it add another rich layer- it's all those layers and little things adding up that make this book so appealing.
Overall it was quite enjoyable, I normally would not have read this book but I'm so glad I did. It starts out a little odd, takes some getting used to like dipping your toe into a bathtub or pool to gradually sink into its depths. Once you've taken the plunge, the current will sweep you along until you reached the still waters at the end.
Some quotes from the book:
"The room doesn't echo my voice, but instead seems to absorb the sound as if I speak into water."
"You are Jericho Solus."
"Riding the pulse? Did Andro just use slang?"
"'I don't want to be a gentleman... not now.'
She sucks in her lower lip.
'And you don't want a gentleman, Gebal.'"
“They
watch me—the feeling as acute as a sharp, cold blade against
my skin. I may have lived an ordinary existence, but I can fight.
Though my memory is like a beast cowering in the shadows, I
know in my core I can fight, as if it’s what I’m wired to do.
Her
breaths echo in my dark cell. Is she real? She fills my
emptiness with heat, and God help the people that harm her.
I am
the Solus. My name is Jericho, and killing is what I do best.”
Jericho’s captivity begins a journey to a forgotten past, forgotten comrades,
and forgotten love. His remembrance pulls him back in time to reveal an
unexpected metamorphosis to his current state. As memories move Jericho back
through history, his captors propel him forward into a surreal world, until
both timelines combine to expose who and what Jericho is.
About
the Author
Jeffery Moore writes speculative fiction. His stories transcend genre
boundaries, making them difficult to categorize. He writes what he likes to
read and the stories that entice him most are stories with character
displacement, characters that for whatever reason are thrust into alien worlds
or environments. Though in broad terms his stories may be categorized as
Fantasy, you will read none of the Middle Earth or vampire themes and
characters—he feels these are done to death. Moore strives to introduce
concepts into his stories that haven’t been done.
