REVIEW: Tentacles and Teeth (Land of Szornyek Book 1)by Ariele Sieling

 The apocalypse wasn't what anyone expected--no rising flood waters, no zombies, no nuclear bombs. Instead, monsters. Their sudden invasion left the world in shatters, and now, decades later, all that's left of human civilization are a few nomadic bands struggling to survive off the land.

Askari was born to this world, and lives, fights, and survives alongside the community that raised her. But when she breaks one too many of the community's rules, her punishment is severe: leave.

Armed with her bow and blade, Askari sets off alone, guided only by a map and the promise that if she can find a book hidden in a nearby town, then she can return. But what can one person do alone in such a harsh, violent landscape? How will she survive?

Askari faces a challenge that will force her to learn not only about the world she lives in, but question what she believes about herself.

Reading the blurb I was super excited to get and read this book. The way it was written is so different. 

While it is does contain a lot of the standard ingredients of the genre, what sets this story apart are the creativity of the MANY types of monsters and the sheer amount of action that takes place. It has a very Horizon Zero Dawn-esque feel (in a good way) and I appreciated how the main character became more thoughtful regarding the "monsters" as the story went along. My only real critique is that there is a final (for this episode, anyway) battle that feels like it gets started without much of a build-up beforehand, but that is a minor and subjective issue. I look forward to reading the next book and learning more about the characters and society they have built.

Survival is the overarching theme of this novel but I had hoped that it would be about Askari figuring it out on her own initiative and ingenuity. I can sympathize with the elders of her tribe because a lone warrior that seeks out danger for her ego is the type of thing that does endanger the community. It makes them short a warrior and weapons in the event of an attack. There is not a consequence for Askari’s actions only rewards. This is a young adult novel so it gives the lesson that it is okay to knowingly abandon and endanger people that are counting on you to feed your ego.

Its great but it could use some more details for the history at the begining. The author jumps straight into it. Kinda in the middle of where everything is going on and it makes it hard to follow.

I see so much potential in this author.

3 stars

A lifetime writer and lover of cats, Ariele Sieling delves into the exciting possibilities of science fiction from her home on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. From Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle to the intricate behaviors of bees, she looks for stories wherever she goes. Find out more about her at www.arielesieling.com.