Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Blood and Wonder is skillfully plotted with lively scenes interspersed among character-driven moments. The story follows a trio of friends in a post-apocalyptic setting as they struggle to come to terms with their surroundings—and each other. 

Prose: Larsen’s prose flows smoothly throughout the novel, and the worldbuilding is wrought naturally, with the story’s events taking place in a setting that is intriguing and familiar in many ways. The constant shifting between perspectives can become slightly distracting, but the well-developed characters make up for any shortcomings. 

Originality: Larsen’s unique combination of dystopian with an almost Western atmosphere will hit the spot for readers seeking something new—and the addition of understated romance between the main players adds to the mix

Character Development/Execution: The three main protagonists are intriguing from the start, with animated and dynamic interactions that build the storyline and draw readers into their subtleties. Larsen incorporates just the right amount of fantasy into the cast while balancing it nicely with realistic and relatable problems.

Date Submitted: August 10, 2022