The novel “Gogmagog” by Jeff Noon and Steve Beard is the first installment in “The Chronicles of Ludwich”. We follow the perspective of Cady Meade, the well seasoned captain of the Juniper on the river Nysis. One day she comes across a frail girl and her robot companion and takes them on a journey to the capital city while trying to solve her own mysteries.

The worldbuilding in this book was atmospheric and eccentric. It combines fantasy, sci-fi and post-apocalyptic elements in an interesting way. Unfortunately I could not quite fully wrap my head around the world and its history.

My favorite part was the main character Cady. Her personality, habits and stories were unique, complex and disgusting at times. She is a very old lady and expressed her bodily functions in a colorful way. Her interactions were vividly described and surprising at times. I also liked the glimpses we got of her backstory.

The overall plot and structure of the book sadly didn't work as well for me. Some scenes felt disconnected and had a dream-like quality that confused me slightly. I believe the title giving mystery was revealed too soon and the book could not hold my attention in the second half.

The audiobook production from Dreamscape Media was again fantastic! The narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies did a great job at bringing Cady’s character to life.

If you love strange fiction and fever dream-like stories, this might be exactly what you're looking for.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Dreamscape Media for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I want to be Cady Meade when I grow up...

Well, it's only a couple decades until I catch up with her, but still, what an absolutely glorious star FMC with a raging "DNGAFF" mentality that we can all relate to.

Wonderfully narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies (and here I need to give a standing ovation because the characters, nuances and vocalisations were absolutely chefs kiss!)

Within the first chapter, I knew this audiobook was right up my alley, had built a house and a sunroom, and even had a roof garden and bar, plus made friends with the neighbours. I was howling with laughter within the first couple of sentences of Cady's morning routine. A good, good sign

The writing style is invigorating, keeping up is a fantastic challenge in itself and when you adapt to the mechanics of the voyage, you find yourself looking forward to each stop with equal parts excitement and trepidation

If you need to get your steps in for your New Years resolution, the pace of this book will have you caught up and overtaking your target by chapter 5

Gogmagog is utterly delicious and without over-egging the pudding, a journey epic for a new age, The Hobbit for the 21st century if you will

Thank you thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this stuning ALC. Also to Jeff Noon and Steve Beard for this glorious new series (I hope it continues from the pits of my soul) This review is given of my own volition