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Nathaniel Cracklock is one of the prominent characters in The Cracklock Saga book series, one whose characterization is enthralling and evidenced in the third book series, Alice and the Mirror Glass. In this standalone, I was exposed to the ups and downs of Nathaniel's family history, and his storyline. It was an interesting read and in my terms, I like to consider it, The Journey of the Seekers.
I love how the story began. Nathaniel Cracklock had committed a great error that will ghastly affect his entire life on an outing with some friends, he had made a huge mistake that led him to become a wanted person in town. The Witchfinders were after him. His father, Jeremiah lamented how his mistake would affect the entire family of the Cracklocks questioning how foolish he was. However, the did has been done. The mistake cannot be reversed, they'd to look out for a solution, sharing ideas, suggestions, and propositions. Jeremiah, Josper, and Nathaniel mused hard until Jeremiah proposed that Nathaniel should travel to the Bewis, where the Witchfinders can never locate him, this was how the journey to the New World began.
Nathaniel's adventure to the New World was exhilarating, and well as emotional. He had lamented how much a single outing could drastically affect his life. He would miss his family members, and not sure if he will be able to reunite with them again. He had to leave, otherwise, the Witchfinders would seize him. Anxiety took over him as he dread what life would be like for him in the New World, would there be faes? Will he be able to locate his family after his years of departure? How long will people identify him as Adam Moll instead of Nathaniel Cracklock? Nathaniel embarked on the journey, and he eventually arrived in The New World.
This was followed by the introduction of amazing characters, the likes of Letitia, Sophia, and Adelina, the sisters of Cernunnos. Nathaniel was well received in his new environment, and when he began to seek for solutions to his problem, he felt the need to visit one Goodwife Adam. The story unfolds to the point where Nathaniel and Sophia were captured by Locuskemp, and how he demanded that they give him a book, The Grimoire of Cernunnos before he releases them. Nathaniel found his way back to Letitia, while Sophia remained captured by Locuskemp and it wouldn't let her go without the book.
Letitia and Nathaniel began to search for this "so-called extraordinary book" and that led them to visit Mother Magda with the hope that she can provide a solution and maybe have the said book. Upon their arrival at Magda's house, there was a slight disagreement as to if they will get the book or not, if Nathaniel was a liar, and if their stories are real or fabricated. I'd love to say that I enjoyed the slight fight that occurred between Magda and Nathaniel here. It was quite hilarious and it made for an interesting read.
I shall restrict from revealing further in an attempt to keep this review spoiler free, however, I would love you to find out if Sophia was released, if Locuskemp get the Grimoire of Cernunnos as requested. What happened when Magda, Nathaniel, and Letitia visited Locuskemp with a glamorized book so it may depict the Grimoire of Cernunnos? By the way, what was so special about the book? This is the story of Nathaniel, one that is quite enthralling and arouses curiosity.
Once again, Craig Deegan proves himself to be an adept fantasy writer and I'm a huge fan of his works. Even though his writing style here is a bit different from that of the Cracklock Saga book series, I still enjoy it. I'm happy to learn some facts about Nathaniel's history, hopefully, this would help me understand Dire Sorrows better as I'm already intrigued with Nate's characterization in Alice and The Mirror Glass. I admire Craig's descriptive features, use of words, characterization, plot, and settings.
I like to read a book as if I'm preparing for an exam, and the fact that this story is set in the 17th century made me compare and contrast Nathaniel's story in The Tale of Nathaniel Cracklock to his tale in Alice and the Mirror Glass, how himself and David Cracklock came to be. Also, I don't know if the Witchfinders of England in The Tale of Nathaniel can be likened to the crazy nerds in The Department of Otherworld Affair, not sure, just curious, though I know that this is standalone. Craig Deegan is a talent to keep an eye on for sure, and I solely recommend The Tale of Nathaniel Cracklock to lovers of fantasy and literature at large.
