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anca_antoci's review
5.0
4,5 stars
Oil and Dust by Jami Farleigh is a coming-of-age fantasy novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where the main character, a trained artist, can change the world by drawing it. The magic system is presented mostly as science, and the characters are all genuine and have a voice. The novel stays firm in a single point of view, and the dialogue is crisp, with inner thought and body language present.
Jami Fairleigh's use of art as a magic system, along with the well-crafted rules and constructs, captivated me. The found family trope was executed perfectly, and I fell in love with every character. The novel's slice of life moments helped flesh out the world and characters. Moreover, the discussion about how money, politics, greed, religion, and power can corrupt people was enlightening and thought-provoking.
My only issue with the protagonist is that he occasionally appears overly aware of his own emotions, analyzing his mental state and motivations to a degree that surpasses most therapists. Personally, I prefer leaving a bit more of that to the reader's interpretation.
Read more at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/oil-and-dust-by-jami-fairleigh-book-review
Oil and Dust by Jami Farleigh is a coming-of-age fantasy novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where the main character, a trained artist, can change the world by drawing it. The magic system is presented mostly as science, and the characters are all genuine and have a voice. The novel stays firm in a single point of view, and the dialogue is crisp, with inner thought and body language present.
Jami Fairleigh's use of art as a magic system, along with the well-crafted rules and constructs, captivated me. The found family trope was executed perfectly, and I fell in love with every character. The novel's slice of life moments helped flesh out the world and characters. Moreover, the discussion about how money, politics, greed, religion, and power can corrupt people was enlightening and thought-provoking.
My only issue with the protagonist is that he occasionally appears overly aware of his own emotions, analyzing his mental state and motivations to a degree that surpasses most therapists. Personally, I prefer leaving a bit more of that to the reader's interpretation.
Read more at: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/oil-and-dust-by-jami-fairleigh-book-review
marci_travels's review
5.0
This is an absolutely amazing book! I read it in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. Matthew is an artist who can build and create through his Art. The entire concept of Art is Magic brings this post apocalyptic to life. It’s a rich satisfying read with found family, quests and side quests and women who don’t wait to be rescued. Although I received a copy from Voracious Readers only, I promptly went to Amazon and ordered the second book Graphite and Tribulation. Look for my longer review on #booktok. Loved this book!
parue's review
4.0
When I was reading this, I couldn't stop thinking about it whenever I had to put it down. And now that I'm done, I still find my mind wandering to this book.
What I didn't love
I think where it fell a little short is the tonal shift that happens toward the end of the book. I would have liked some kind of signal earlier on in the book or in the synopsis, as the synopsis led me to believe that this book would be purely nice and calming. That all being said, this wasn't a deal breaker by any means. I still went on to read the sequel and plan to read the third book as well !
What I loved
Firstly, I'm a huge sucker for found family stories and this book has that in boatloads. I love that time is taken to get to know different characters along Matthew's journey, and I love that some of them come back and he ends up meeting up with them again. I also loved seeing Matthew's opinions change about living in a community, and seeing him get to know others and open up.
Secondly, I love Akiko! She's such a cute addition and her and Matthew's relationship is so fun to watch here.
Thirdly, the magic is interesting. I love reading about different magic systems, and surprisingly this is my first time reading about an art-based one. I think it's done in a really interesting way. This book is also light on the magic so that's something to keep in mind if that matters to you.
Fourthly, I'm obsessed with the world building. This is why I find myself constantly thinking about this book. I keep imagining what it would be like to live in this world. To live in small communities, trading skills and labor for food, shelter, and items. To depend on others and have others depend on you. I also had a lot of fun thinking about what the world looks at this point - what it's like traveling between communities, depots, just being able to camp on the side of the road. For me, this was the strongest aspect of this book and it's what kept me coming back to it.
What I didn't love
I think where it fell a little short is the tonal shift that happens toward the end of the book.
Spoiler
I found it a quite jarring when they start finding dead bodies, and when the battle breaks out and the threat of religion comes back, since the first 70% of the book was quite uneventful.Spoiler
It can hardly be called a "perfect escape" when things that caused the apocalypse (which are things that are going on in real life) come back to haunt this one.What I loved
Firstly, I'm a huge sucker for found family stories and this book has that in boatloads. I love that time is taken to get to know different characters along Matthew's journey, and I love that some of them come back and he ends up meeting up with them again. I also loved seeing Matthew's opinions change about living in a community, and seeing him get to know others and open up.
Secondly, I love Akiko! She's such a cute addition and her and Matthew's relationship is so fun to watch here.
Thirdly, the magic is interesting. I love reading about different magic systems, and surprisingly this is my first time reading about an art-based one. I think it's done in a really interesting way. This book is also light on the magic so that's something to keep in mind if that matters to you.
Fourthly, I'm obsessed with the world building. This is why I find myself constantly thinking about this book. I keep imagining what it would be like to live in this world. To live in small communities, trading skills and labor for food, shelter, and items. To depend on others and have others depend on you. I also had a lot of fun thinking about what the world looks at this point - what it's like traveling between communities, depots, just being able to camp on the side of the road. For me, this was the strongest aspect of this book and it's what kept me coming back to it.
katkinney's review
5.0
It’s two hundred years after technology died. Now the world exists with medieval level tech. Matthew Sugiyama is an artist, able to bring to life whatever he depicts through his artwork. If he paints a building where seconds before there were only ruins, a building will appear, exactly as he depicted it. Needless to say, Matthew’s skills are very in demand and every community he encounters would love to have him be their artist in residence. I was captivated by the world building, which got quite gritty in places (it’s not easy being a traveler) and dystopian setting of OIL AND DUST and loved the descriptions of Matthew and Josephine’s time on the road, and the various communities they visited. Such interesting world building. Matthew could be very comfortable as an artist, but he wants more than anything to find out what happened to his birth family. Clues lie in letters from someone named “T” and as we draw closer to the end, your heart breaks as you wonder if you really want Matthew to find out the truth at all. I loved the side characters in this as well, particularly Genevie, Whistler, Sally, Ben and Charcoal the dog. This was an absolute delight and I cannot wait for part two!
azrah786's review
3.75
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with a digital copy of the book for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, gore, injury, fire/fire injury, self-harm, murder, death, death of parent, abandonment, sexual assault, alcohol, toxic relationship, religious blasphemy, ableism, amnesia/memory loss, anxiety
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Michael Sugiyama is an Artist, able to bend reality with a line of charcoal or a stroke of a paint brush. However, upon leaving the abbey where he apprenticed at, rather than settling with a community and putting his skillset to use as he is expected to in this post-technology world Michael wants to find his birth family.
With flashes of visions from his past as a guide, he travels across the country forming connections with people and place, trading his skills for resources and is determined to not let anything steer him from his mission. Whether that be the temptation to put down roots or the mysterious adversary causing trouble in the places he passes through.
**I was provided with a digital copy of the book for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, gore, injury, fire/fire injury, self-harm, murder, death, death of parent, abandonment, sexual assault, alcohol, toxic relationship, religious blasphemy, ableism, amnesia/memory loss, anxiety
--
Michael Sugiyama is an Artist, able to bend reality with a line of charcoal or a stroke of a paint brush. However, upon leaving the abbey where he apprenticed at, rather than settling with a community and putting his skillset to use as he is expected to in this post-technology world Michael wants to find his birth family.
With flashes of visions from his past as a guide, he travels across the country forming connections with people and place, trading his skills for resources and is determined to not let anything steer him from his mission. Whether that be the temptation to put down roots or the mysterious adversary causing trouble in the places he passes through.
“There was nothing better than clicking with someone – perhaps the reason I enjoyed meeting new people. Each new acquaintance was a potential confidant, helpmate, and friend.”
Though a lot lighter on the fantasy side of things than I expected, Oil and Dust is an enjoyable and insightful book perfect for anyone who enjoys journey based storylines. This one in particular falls more on the cosy / domestic side of adventure but it has some added mystery elements too which keep you intrigued.
I was wholly fascinated by the unique magic in the book which along with the stunning cover, was the reason it initially caught my interest. Though it plays a much smaller role in the overarching plot than I expected, every time our protagonist used his art to make little changes to the world I was awestruck.
Set in a post-apocalyptic variant of our world where technology has become obsolete and politics and religion are a thing of the past, the world and lifestyle in this story has a very rural and medieval feel to it. Thus the worldbuilding comes down to the subtle differences and structures of the communities that are dotted around. This did make some of the locations that we come across seem a little indistinguishable but it was very immersive and expansive. Plus the various characters that populated them are what keep you invested in the happenings.
“Home. Could it be as easy as picking a place with people you liked and making a life for yourself?”
The tone and overall narrative felt quite similar to that of The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner as it predominantly involves exploring and trekking across a country, with the slower pacing towards the beginning working really well to paint a picture of the wider setting as well as build the characters. The last third of the book is where the main conflicts that have been simmering in the background really pick up and though the shift in mood from the more relaxed start are jarring at first, the moments of action keep you hooked.
Our protagonist is young – I believe towards the beginning of the book it is stated he’s around 20 – and his travels allow him to come to terms with the way life is outside of the privilege he has grown up with which adds a coming-of-age aspect to his journey. He has a frustrating quality to him in how he reacts in certain situations but his compassion for others – including animals – and the relationships that he is able to form with people also make him endearing. Fairleigh is brilliant at writing authentic character relationships and there is a wonderful found family that forms in this book, which being one of my favourite tropes ever, I absolutely loved.
I’m definitely interested in checking out the sequel and seeing where their travels take them next!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Abandonment, Gore, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual assault, Ableism, Death of parent, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
wynwicket's review
4.0
A very original and surprisingly hopeful post-apocalyptic fantasy about a young Artist named Matthew Sugiyama with the ability to re-shape reality through his paintings. The story is a slow burn, a detailed tour of post-technological society in the Northeast United States, in which civilization has broken down into isolated communities, through Matthew's eyes, as he leaves the abbey he grew up in with two horses and a wonderful dog named Charcoal and seeks to learn where he came from. The majority of the book deals with the people he meets along the way, who form a sort of "found family"--the pace is meandering but there's a lovely warm feeling to it. There's something of a tone shift towards the last 1/5 of the book, as violent religious revivalists take center stage. It was a bit jarring, but by then I was fully invested in Matthew and his world.
talesoftammy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wow, what an interesting story! I love how the author created this post apocalyptic world and centred it around communication and communities coming together and working together (something that the “before” world had lost sight of - sound familiar??)
It’s a big and long story, it took me a while to get through, but I enjoyed following Matthew and meeting all the people he came across in his travels. I purchased the second book so I can continue on with Matthew and see where his journey takes him (sounds like Toronto!!!! 🇨🇦🇨🇦)
Thank you to Jami Fairleigh, Kitsune Publishing, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a big and long story, it took me a while to get through, but I enjoyed following Matthew and meeting all the people he came across in his travels. I purchased the second book so I can continue on with Matthew and see where his journey takes him (sounds like Toronto!!!! 🇨🇦🇨🇦)
Thank you to Jami Fairleigh, Kitsune Publishing, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
ulharper1's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Let’s talk about Oil and Dust by Jami Farleigh.
Officially it’s a fantasy and coming of age novel set in a semi dystopic landscape. I say “semi” because the world that we know has faded away and a slightly newer one has taken hold. It’s not a worse world but it’s surely in reaction to what came before it. It feels as wide but smaller.
Our main character is a trained artist; he can change the world by drawing it. For you magic system geeks out there, his ability is presented mostly as science. Sure, you can just have a talent for it, but you need to be trained because it’s not simple. In execution, when the ability it presented it feels right. It’s part of the plot, but by far not THE plot.
The characters are all genuine and have a voice. You hear from them. As the novel moves on we gather more and more characters. To make this work through first-person perspective, what we know about the characters happens in front of our main character. There is more discussion about their surroundings and how they’re going to deal with things. Time is given to let scenes breathe. I’ll add that although the novel is over 500 pages, it’s not due to flashback and tons of time on character backstory. Everything feels like it’s happening in front of you.
I’ll add that in a writing world where folks lean toward using multiple point of views to tell more story, Oil and Dust stays firm in a single point of view. Dialogue crisp. Inner thought is a focus. Body language is present, especially since you’re not in everyone’s head, and yes, when you leave the novel you feel like you know these folks.
One element that struck me were the elements of the main character that is literally drawn out. For him to perfect his skill, he needs to see the world accurately and in different ways. In this manner, he’s not just a filter for characters but we get to see the world for what it is, in different aspects. It’s an interesting wrinkle from a development perspective. Also, when things don’t go well, that’s when we experience his insecurities. I feel that in a lot of novels these days, the main character creates the problems they solve and that’s how they grow, and while that eventually plays a role here, it’s not the point.
The point of this novel is to experience the world created. It’s a clinic in what this world could be, and in a way, it’s saying that magic is real if things changed a bit. Sure, the stated journey is for the main character to discover his past, but the path he takes and the time it takes for him to do so, makes it so the reader can see this extraordinary world from a near objective stance. Sure, it’s first-person but it’s an even keeled first person. There’s no deep point of view. The reader makes all the decisions about folks. The main character is just a filter.
Although Oil and Dust is well-written, readers looking for a fun or fast-paced novel that will knock them off their socks will be disappointed. This novel is about looking through perspectives and seeing this world. Many readers will be looking for a different kind of action than is presented. It’s my perspective that fantasy readers love their violence. They love fights that highlight who the hero is or isn’t. Oil and Dust gets exciting but it’s an inner exciting. I read one review that commented on the amount of violence towards the end. That element is here, but I shake me head when I think of warning folks about it.
Lastly, I can’t say enough about the kind of journey being presented. Let me explain it a bit differently. It’s a literary novel and it does what literary novels do. It talks about the world on its own terms. Some might refer to it as “low fantasy”. If you want to deeply visit a new world and meet the people and situations there, this is where you want to be. If you just want a quick fantasy read with a little action to check off the boxes because you need an escape, this might not be for you.
lone_reader's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rain_tea_and_books's review
5.0
This was such an epic read! It has been such a long while since I’ve read a 500+ page book, and this was worth the read! Sometimes I read a 500 page book and it feels like only 400ish were needed, here, every word on every page was needed.
This started of as a wonderfully slow and solitary, ambling journey, and then with each chapter the main character’s world expanded as he met more people on his travels. So then little by little the story itself blossomed.
The post-technology world Fairleigh has created for ‘Oil and Dust’ is almost idyllic with its focus on community, love, family, and working together to make life better for everyone. You can see the care and detail which has been put into the world building to make it feel real. Especially as a pathway for the world after it had warred itself almost to extinction.
Through the eyes of the main character, Matthew, we get to see his sheltered view of the world change as he travels and meets new people. This is what makes his reaction to the the growing tension and turmoil that lies beneath the surface of his community focused world so interesting. I loved reading this story from his perspective and seeing the growth he goes through during his journey. Both in the sense of his physical journey from A to B and his emotional journey as well.
Speaking of emotional journeys, I went through one just reading this novel. I wasn’t expecting this to get as intense as it did, but I loved the direction it went in. When I say I was on the edge of my seat at one point, I mean it! I got so attached to the characters that I ended up in tears nearing the end of the novel.
This was such a wonderful read! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy adventure, and for an epic tale of travel, discovery, and found family.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author who sent me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy), I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This started of as a wonderfully slow and solitary, ambling journey, and then with each chapter the main character’s world expanded as he met more people on his travels. So then little by little the story itself blossomed.
The post-technology world Fairleigh has created for ‘Oil and Dust’ is almost idyllic with its focus on community, love, family, and working together to make life better for everyone. You can see the care and detail which has been put into the world building to make it feel real. Especially as a pathway for the world after it had warred itself almost to extinction.
Through the eyes of the main character, Matthew, we get to see his sheltered view of the world change as he travels and meets new people. This is what makes his reaction to the the growing tension and turmoil that lies beneath the surface of his community focused world so interesting. I loved reading this story from his perspective and seeing the growth he goes through during his journey. Both in the sense of his physical journey from A to B and his emotional journey as well.
Speaking of emotional journeys, I went through one just reading this novel. I wasn’t expecting this to get as intense as it did, but I loved the direction it went in. When I say I was on the edge of my seat at one point, I mean it! I got so attached to the characters that I ended up in tears nearing the end of the novel.
This was such a wonderful read! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy adventure, and for an epic tale of travel, discovery, and found family.
Thank you to BookSirens and the author who sent me this free eARC (eAdvanced Reader Copy), I am leaving this review voluntarily.