Book Review: Nobody’s Quest by Alyssa Day
[ID: a black book with an illustration of a circle of ornate gold keys with “Nobody’s Quest” written in bold white text in the center. The book sits on a white shelf around a stack of books with their edges showing. One book has an illustration of an epic castle seen through a keyhole, surrounded by orange gilt illustration on its exposed edge. Two art prints sit to the right, one of a red haired woman looking up at a dark haired man holding a sword. The other is of a giant snow leopard in front of a snowy mountain. The shelf is covered with loose book pages and a tiny gold sword and a small bronze key. Fake white roses and white peonies surround the books. A black and gold pin in the shape of the heart reading, “Courage, Dear Heart” sits at the center of one of the flowers.]
Thank you so much to @AuthorAlyssaDay for sending me this STUNNING finished copy of her new release NOBODY’S QUEST with these exquisite art prints!
NOBODY’S QUEST follows Soli, an indentured servant with chronic depression chosen to lead a quest to save a goddess… In this world, depression is called “gray mind” and those who experience it are branded and forced into servitude. She’s assigned a motley crew including an exiled prince and undergoes an epic journey with plenty of monsters, magic, and burgeoning romance along the way.
Soli’s story was a really fascinating way to explore depression and unpack our own culture’s stigma towards mental illness and neurodivergence. Soli’s depression is based on the author’s own experience which I so, so appreciated.
As the author points out in the note at the beginning of the book, the confines of the plot forced her to compress Soli’s symptoms into a expedited time frame that doesn’t always translate to complete realism. I’d be interested to hear from folks with depression if you enjoyed this approach or if you would’ve wanted something different.
With my limited experience, I found it very compelling to explore in a fantasy setting. (It reminded me of other books like UNTIL THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT by Alechia Dow which features bipolar representation and which, incidentally, the Chronically Iconic Book Club is reading this September/October in case you’d like to join!)
Besides the disability rep, NOBODY’S QUEST is an entertaining fantasy romp. Soli encounters all kinds of monsters, political turmoil, and magical puzzles along her journey which made for a page-turning read. The romance wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but I really loved how the love interest ultimately supported and affirmed Soli in a beautiful way. It was also really special to see Soli make friends and create a little found family!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with NOBODY’S QUEST and I need the sequel ASAP! No, seriously, when are we getting the next stage of Soli’s story? I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next!