Joshua Smith

The Journey Home

Warning: Minor SPOILERS ahead.

When I read a fantasy story, I'm one of those picky readers that likes to have answers behind why something happens, especially in magic systems. I also want to be surprised, stunned. I want to believe in the characters and feel immersed in their world. The Journey Home succeeded in most of that.

The Journey Home began with vigor, drawing me into the midst of a battle and the actions of a coward witnessing the horrors from his hiding place. I felt like I was in the story, immersed and surrounded by chaos and war. That's how I want to feel when I read--not so much the darker aspect--but the immersive event. Despite his cowardice, I found I cared about the soldier and his intricacies. I believed in the winter, the woods, I almost found myself believing in the hope of the silver knight.

What I want to know more of is how, why, or who choose one of our characters to be this night? The narrative is properly fixed on the two characters and their desperate journey across the wintery land. The logistics of that I kept doubting--but I fell instantly in love with The Journey Home the moment someone else fell. That's as close to a spoiler as I'm wiling to get.

There are some disappointments: moments for an epic twist lost or skimmed over, the exact power of the silver knight unexplained. These elements were enough to lose a star, but couldn't keep me from reading. I'm quite intrigued to see where the story could go. I also noticed a bit of allegory involved. I guess these questions will need to wait for a future short story to be answered. Colson, better start writing. Thank you!