A Fresh Take on a A Classic Adventure
The Warrior’s Curse by A.L. Butcher
I’ve had The Warrior’s Curse by A.L. Butcher in my Audible library for a few years, but I only just recently took the time to listen to the tale. I was out cross-country skiing, training for the American Birkebeiner, and I had one hour to go in my workout. The audio version of this story took me to the end of my session and left me wishing I had farther to go.
I’ve known A.L. Butcher for a long time. She contributed a story to a little collection I put together back in 2014 entitled Nine Heroes. That was a fun project that allowed me to bring together the work of several authors I’d met on Facebook and through one of my web pages. I thought her story was one of the true gems in the collection.
Butcher’s work is often set in the world of Erana, a realm where magic is forbidden. If you want to learn more about Erana, the first book can be found here.
The Warrior’s Curse also acts as a good entry point to the worlds of A.L. Butcher. The audio version has a terrific narrator and it’s a highly enjoyable listening experience. As I experienced the story, I couldn’t help thinking that it would make a perfect radio feature. It’s the sort of thing you might stumble across on a long drive and be happy for the escape it provides as you make your way down the road.
The book is a version of the classic fantasy tale of a village that is under assault from an indominable beast. Out of desperation, they turn to a vicious warrior to save them. The question arises as to whether the villagers situation will be improved if the warrior emerges victorious, or if they will only manager to exchange one tormentor for another.
I was reminded of Beowulf, but this trope has many iterations that permeate all of literature. Even classic films such as Seven Samurai take their lead from this concept.
Butcher’s prose is lyrical and lends itself to an audio performance. The Warrior’s Curse ends up being a very pointed exploration of responsibility and masculinity. I found this to be an insightful and contemplative novel that is highly relevant in the context of current political events.
If you’re a fan of fantasy, and you’re looking for an excellent short novel that will both delight and entertain, I highly recommend The Warrior’s Curse by A.L. Butcher.
