Fantasy Book Critic: The Day's Wake by Erik A. Otto review

ABOUT ERIK: Erik is a former healthcare industry executive and technologist, now turned science fiction author. His works of fiction include A Toxic Ambition, Detonation, Transition, and the Tale of Infidels series. Detonation has been named to Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018, and is a finalist for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for 2018.

FORMAT: Published by Sagis Press on April 12, 2019. Page count - 187 pages. Day's Wake, the second book in A Tale of Infidels trilogy, is available in trade paperback format at amazon in the us, uk, Canada, and other European stores, and in kindle ebook format worldwide. Cover art by Karolis Zukas.

OVERVIEW: Does anyone here think that the world could turn upside down? As ridiculous as it sounds, that's how Day's Wake starts. People die, their wealth is lost, and the countdown to the Third Iternccion (a time of chaos and upheaval) begins. With 100 days left, things get intense.

The book doesn't answer what started the world turning and what stopped it. Or why the rivers and streams held up. Instead, it offers a look at Otto's world politics, cultural differences, and characters doing their best to stay alive.

Compared to A Tale of Infidels, Day's Wake is darker, more concise, and more violent. Otto follows three characters connected to the protagonists of the first book.

Baldric (The Good Son) is the older brother of Darian (The Imbecile). He wants people to respect Bronté's name and for his brothers to share his values. I loved his complicated relationship with Darian, but felt frustrated by his naivety and lack of charisma.

Zahir (The Jailor) has dark secrets and a tragic past, and he is no stranger to violence. He struggles to get Princess Hella (The Traitor) out of Jawhar. Zahir trusts no one and most of the time he is right. A man of honor, he stays true to his words and principles. I liked his POV the most.

Nala (The Naustic) is a friend of Sebastian (The Truthseeker) and a good person, overall. She spends a lot of her story arc discussing religion with the Fringe Purveyor and trying to find Sebastian.

Their storylines eventually intersect and lead to another maddening cliffhanger. The characters feel complex, with their moral dilemmas and questions about their place in the grand scheme of things. We learn a lot not only about them, but also about Matteo's Lands, its history, and the role of gargoyles in its ecosystem. Otto has a knack for creating an ominous atmosphere of terror, fear, uncertainty, and confusion. Especially that the real danger may be hiding where no one is looking.

I can't wait to see how the story wraps up in The Third Internecion.