The Shield Road, a self published short story collection by Dewi Hargreaves is more than just an anthology, or a novel. It’s a unique experience of various tales all woven beautifully into a tapestry of one nation’s plight against rogue magic and dark entities. Dewi pushed the boundaries of storytelling with this one and it left me wanting more.
Because The Shield Road does not adhere to one narrator, I would like to point out that my favorite of the bunch was perhaps a lesser one. The book opens with two adventurers seeking a witch for love potions, but the story at large follows a collection of stories told from the POV’s of a Bladekin, Talfrin, a Moonblade Princess, a Witch, and various others. I personally, loved the witches POV. Her thoughts and chapters were lyrical and haunting, and drew me deep into the mystery of the book.
As to the greater plot of the book however, it’s unique the way that Dewi is able to take so many small stories, snippets and moments in time, but you never feel any inconsistency. The story clearly moves from two adventurers and their personal goals to a greater conflict of forbidden magic and powerful beings fighting for control of a city. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve simply assumed myself reading a novel from start to finish. The story flows, from one point to the next, never breaking down just because a new person is telling their side. Mystery prevails, but it’s never dark. I would quantify Dewi’s style as a cozy adventure wrapped in the tapestry of an epic plot. His worlds are vast and call to the reader to step out of their present reality and into the great lands of Moss Barons, or the sprawling cities like Thrynn, to hear pirates and mercenaries laughing inside a bar, or loitering in city alleyways. Dewi captures the essence of local color but with high fantasy worlds.
Dewi’s characters, vast and many, are also each their own people. Never once was a narrator’s voice not distinctive. Talfrin is a second favorite of mine, after the witch, as I did adore his begrudging almost grumpy demeanor, despite the fact he’s clearly guided by a heart of gold. His POV also tells in large part much of the story, although he does not intrude on the stories of others. Dewi carefully balanced out each POV, allotting them the time needed to add to the story at large, but never distract from it. I applaud him for his awareness of how each narrator interacted, and how he blended their voices together throughout the story. I would almost call it a symphony over a novel.
Shield Road is definitely one of my favorite fantasy books for this year. It captures a sense of escapism that is nurtured in part by Dewi’s vast fleshed out world-building and strong sense of voice, but also perpetuated by making the reader feel as though they are alongside each character through their story, as if walking with a friend. I would greatly recommend The Shield Road as a comfort read for anyone who enjoys the high fantasy of Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia, as well as the plot conventions of found family and unlikely friends. Dewi is a talented writer, and a master of introducing local color and pushing the boundaries of fantasy, dystopia, whatever world he envisions. The Shield Road is more than a work of fiction, it’s a tapestry, woven in the stories of travelers, thieves, princesses, Bladekin, and more.
The Shield Road can be found and purchased on Amazon, published by Dewi Hargreaves in 2021.