Not knowing Tess of the Road is a companion novel to Seraphina, a New York Times bestseller, I dove right into it, trying to make sense of emotionless dragons, wicked saints, and a main character named Tess who is often drunk and violent at the beginning, but a dreamer.
It took me about a hundred pages to trust Tess and feel invested in her quest of traveling the Road. But when I did, I was struck by Tess’s originality and good qualities: she’s kind, curious, loyal, and witty. Soon, following Tess’s journey on the Road became a pleasure.
I don’t want to go into specifics of what Tess encounters on the Road in case you read it, but I will say Tess is tested in the ways of friendship, honesty, morality, physical strength, and spirituality. She’s an interesting character to follow, mostly because of her secret past, revealed throughout the book. She’s the main reason I write this book review: I want to remember Tess. I’m claiming her as an imaginary friend.
If you don’t read the book for Tess, read it for her world. The setting in Tess of the Road is amazingly dense, though easy to accept. Though the fashion and mannerisms take place back in medieval times, technology is somewhat advanced (picture a chair with moving, metal legs). Additionally, there are all kinds of different creatures: dragons, World Serpents, and Quigutl (lizard-like descendants of dragons). This setting is its own character - something to explore and understand. It’s a setting I wish I could have written.
Expect an entertaining journey when reading Tess of the Road. I did. As Tess travels the Road, she discovers she running towards something, not just running away. The whole book is a grand metaphor. If you like Harry Potter and Goose Girl, this is the book for you.
Here are my ratings out of five stars:
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4
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