Harry V. Keefe Library, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

Worldbuilding with a Side of Existentialism

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman - 4.5/5 stars

Published: Random House Children’s Books, 2018

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure, Young Adult Fiction

Reviewer: Aiden N., Class II

Hartman’s hit novel, Tess of the Road, takes place within the medieval world of Goredd, and follows the journey of the titular Tess, a young woman from a disdained aristocratic family in a journey of self-discovery. Tess, after fleeing from her home because of guilt and anger, sets out under an alias to try and find some sort of meaning in the world. Her quest takes her through luscious forest paths, estates of old, and a plunge into the depths, where she will find a truth that shakes the world to its core.Tess, having lost herself, flows without purpose through these locations, only moving on for the sake of moving on. Her journey of self-discovery and reflection is a wonder to witness, as she faces the demons that lurk in her closet, as well as the burdens that have weighed her down.

Hartman excellently handles Tess’s character development, and is a master at worldbuilding. Her characters brim with emotion and, what other word to describe it, than character. Her writing brings the world of Goredd to life, seeded with diverse cultures and peoples, submerging her readers in the going-ons of everyday life. In addition, she is able to properly handle sensitive subjects that many writers would drop the ball on, rather than just treating ones such as sexual assault as a plot device, and does an in-depth exploration of it.

A little warning, however; Hartman’s writing, while it is excellent, is incredibly slow. It’s descriptive, lively, all of that, but she often dwells on various moments that could be skipped, but that is part of the charm of the novel. The plot is essentially non-existent, only popping up erratically throughout the middle of the book, and finally setting up an overarching plot in the final quarter, in preparation for its sequel. Nevertheless, that is a minor gripe about the style rather than the actual quality of the novel, which is absolutely pristine. This book is an easy recommendation as a must-read for any worldbuilding nut or fantasy enjoyer.