Review: Witchy Eye, by D.J. Butler

In [easyazon_link identifier="B06VWFG1XW" locale="US" tag="upstreamreviews-20"]an alternate American history riddled with magic and religious conflict[/easyazon_link], a young woman learns that she's the heir to a very real Eden-esque empire, and must navigate treacherous political waters with powers she doesn't fully understand.

The story

Sarah Calhoun is an Appalachee farmer in an alternate America, set in the mid-1800s during a contentious religious revival. After a run-in with a "New Light" preacher at the local market, she discovers there are dark forces that seek to capture her. Fortunately she's got allies out in the world, men who know her true lineage and will help to guide her through the murky waters of the coming war.

The characters

Sarah Calhoun, though the latter is only her adoptive surname. She's orphaned and estranged from her royal parents, and also learns she's one of three triplets. The eponymous 'Witchy Eye' of the story, she has a defective eye that is actually the mark of powerful magic, allowing her to see the world for what it really is. She travels with her adoptive nephew, Calvin Calhoun, who becomes rather enamored with Sarah after learning that they're not really blood relatives.

Thalanes is a traveling monk who finds the teenaged Sarah and explains to her the truth of her ancestry, there there's a war going on between the visible world and the spiritual one, and that she and her two siblings have to be reunited in order to stave off an invasion from paranormal powers.

Sir William Johnston Lee, a swordsman for hire known in Louisiana as "Bad Bill," was a involved with Thalanes 15 years ago when it came time to hide Sarah and the other two children from those who would hunt them. Now that she's been found, he answers the call to protect her, and fight the war that few others can.

The principle antagonist is the Right Reverend Father Ezekiel Angleton and his henchman, Obadiah Dogsbody. Angleton is the "New Light" preacher working in league with the dark powers that want Sarah and her siblings, so as to use their bloodline to take control of the unseen Eden beyond the veil.

There are many more characters, but those are the central ones.

The world

Hoooo boy, this one is rich. It's equal parts recognizable and distinct, a North America that refers to familiar places by different names ("Pennsland" instead of "Pennsylvania", etc). But the uniformity that we enjoy in our timeline doesn't quite exist; nothing was homogenized to the extent that is has been in the real world, each different culture has its stronghold and Butler shows that he did his homework in shaping the world. You've got your English, your French, your Cajun, your various African tribes (primarily Igbo), your Native peoples, and some fantasy species besides.

I recently finished reading this book for the third time and I'm still getting a feel for the depth of what Butler created. It's not a fast or casual read; it's a freaking feast, and a satisfying one at that.

The politics

The politics take a backseat to the religious tapestry, which might make it a little bit confusing for any reader that doesn't have more than a passing familiarity with Christianity. However the lessons from Thalanes to Sarah help shed light on the power structures in this world.

Leadership positions are held by kings and emperors, not governors and presidents, so there's a difference there, but these offices are still held by men like Thomas Penn and Andrew Jackson.

Other than that, there's nothing Current World or Current Year about it.

Content warning

Circumlocution is the word of the day on this one; sensitive subjects are dealt with in older vernacular, and the profanity stays on the softer side of PG-13. Violence is on display, as was typical of a pre-industrial world.

Who is it for?

Readers who really dive deep into Tolkien and Herbert will appreciate the pacing and details in this story.

Why read it?

It's a novel story based on old religions in a new-ish country, a fresh take on the Big Scope epic fantasy genre. The first time I read it I admittedly struggled because I was used to reading fast-paced thrillers and urban fantasies, but even when I put it down I wanted to come back to it. Butler created an engaging cast of characters in a world that deserves to be studied. A very fulfilling read.