FACTOTUM is the third book in the Master Blood Tattoo
trilogy. I consider this book a fantasy, one rich in detail,
adventure, and violence. The language D.M. Cornish uses is
sometimes hard to navigate if you are unused to proper,
old-world writing. The story still comes through, for the
most part. You will respect his eye for detail. His
wonderful drawings lend a hand in creating the picture his
words have depicted. He provides an extensive glossary to
explain terms, which helps fans and new readers to
understand the Half-Continent. He also includes an appendix
filled with wonderful drawings and maps. You immediately
understand why an editor asked him to write a story to go
along with them. D.M. Cornish's writing has been compared
to Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and Dickens; quite a compliment.
Rossamund Bookchild is a boy, an orphan with unknown origins
who has left the only home he has ever known and wants to
find out more about himself. He has many adventures as he
comes to find out the truth of his origins, and this
Half-Continent world into which he
was born. Some of the truths he uncovers are hard to accept,
but he presses forward. Violence, friendship, and hardship
follow him throughout the story. One of the beloved
characters that helps him throughout this book is Europe, an
aristocrat turned monster hunter. With her help, protection,
and friendship, Rossamund learns that not all monsters are
monsters, and that some humans are truly monsters. This is a
world more socially and morally complex than Rossamund could
have ever imagined.
The world building in this book shows a depth and intricacy
some will find intriguing and masterful. The frequent use of
unfamiliar word made the storyline somewhat difficult to
follow. Because I did found the underlying tale to be
engaging and interesting, I worked my way to the
end. However, having to read between the lines made it hard
to read and get the true feel for the characters and the
emotion of the story.
Rossamond Bookchild stands accused of not truly being a
human at all, but of being a monster. Even the protection of
Europe, the Branden Rose—the most feared and renowned
monster-hunter in all the Half-Continent—might not be enough
to save him. Powerful forces move against them both, intent
on capturing Rossamond—whose existence some believe may hold
the secret to perpetual youth.
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