Cover Gushing Worthiness: Even though the Beetle on the cover makes sense, I don't like it. I think this novella deserves a better cover because there’s much that can be captured about the world of Drommar. I do hope another edition of this book will have a different cover.

Review: Prior to reading The Flute Player I had never heard of it. I’m not really someone who reads Novellas, but I wanted to read this one after the publisher contacted me and gave me the synopsis of it. I’m so glad that I did because I enjoyed it immensely.

As I started to read this book, it reminded me so much of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust; a book that I was quite disappointed with. That being said, it is quite obvious from the Neil Gaiman quote at the beginning of The Flute Player that Shawn Mihalik is a massive Gaiman fan. In my opinion this novella is much better than Stardust.

First off I will say that those who didn't enjoy Stardust will most likely find a better story in The Flute Player. The plot is enjoyable and the pacing of the book is smooth and steady. I found myself in a state of inability to put the book down because I wanted to know what happens next. Without giving too much away I can say that I liked both worlds; Drommar and the other world Mihalik created. The landscape of Drommar is beautiful and I found the time period Mihalik chose for his other world interesting. Of course I appreciated the lack of romance and cookie cutter ending in this story. Instead of a romance, which would be present if this was another YA Novella or Novel , The Flute Player presents us with a boy and girl who are helping each other to find happiness in their realities for their own sake and sanity. Another aspect that I really liked in this story was the use of music. As an unofficial band geek, I know the power and emotion music can bring not only to an individual, but also to the greater community and I think the author captures the essence of music in this novel perfectly. I appreciated the importance of the Flute player’s presence in the community and not to sound cliché, but it showed that one person can make a difference in the lives of people.

Oliver and Alexandria are both great characters. There isn't a great deal of dialogue between the two, but they had some beautiful moments together. It was like they understood each other within the silence. I think it’s quite hard to convey that kind of understanding in literature and I thought Mihalik did a great job with it. Oliver in his own way represented what so many of want our lives to be: inspirational, meaningful and filled with human connections that matter. His strength in character came across during his confrontations with his father, an elder in the Village council and a position he earned thanks to Oliver being the flute player. Oliver’s strength in character was another indication that people must live their own lives that are not governed by other people’s terms. They must do what is best for themselves. In comparison to Oliver, Alexandria does not get much development which is understandable since this is a novella. She was not a flat character by any means, but I wish we could have gotten to know her a bit better. If not in Drommar,then in her own world.

I did wish this story would have gone on for longer because I enjoyed it so much. Nevertheless I do think that if Mihalik wanted to continue writing in YA Fantasy, Drommar is a great world to build future stories.

Overall I really enjoyed The Flute Player. As a Novella reading novice, I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to read and review this book. I found the world and the characters to be great and I enjoyed the storyline a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing what Mihalik comes up with next in his journey as a writer.

My Rating: 4/5

Would I recommend it? Yes

The Flute Player is published by Asymmetrical Press and is available for purchase in e-book format. A copy of this Novella was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank You Asymmetrical Press.

Conveyed as though an oral, traditional story, [b:The Flute Player|2282139|The Flute Player|D.M. Thomas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327785193s/2282139.jpg|2288335] is highly imaginative and enchanting. Taking place in the odd village of Drommar - a place where seasons and war are foreign ideologies - this novella will fancy those readers looking for a short, yet rewarding read.Oliver, the lead character, is restricted by his eponymous title in Drommar. His flute playing is what keeps the residents inspired. If he is ever unable to miss his routine performances, the villagers become heavily burdened. Afraid to lose his seat on the council, Oliver's father often reprimands him for not composing songs during the day. With such responsibility and rash treatment from his father, Oliver is a character who can only yearn for liberation. After his best friend Thomas drowns, the fragile task of being the flute player is placed upon him. He has no way out.Overwhelmed with satisfying Drommar and not himself, Oliver is obviously restricted despite his transition into adulthood. His character is practically depressing. Readers see how dull his life has become. Though he is pampered by servants and has esteem in Drommar, Oliver is very unhappy. He often has to pretend that he is composing new songs to console his father's ambitious intentions. For a while, I felt that the book would be lackluster, that is until Alexandria appears from nowhere in The Forest. From her very introductory screams of anguish, Alexandria is able to break Oliver's mundane routine, revealing to him the freedom he has not known for years.Alongside the mysteriousness of Drommar, Alexandria's unknown origin and her invisibility to everyone but Oliver certainly gives the novella a sense of intrigue. She is a sweet person, often cooking for Oliver and providing him with socialization opportunities. She is misplaced from her world, and has no idea how to return. Her return can be imminent or nonexistent, and though she is comfortable at Drommar, she misses her family. It was interesting to see how Oliver would help Alexandria go back to where she came from, sacrificing his only friend and freedom. The relationship between these two is remarkable, as they both need to be freed in different ways by the other. I also enjoyed the philosophical insight they provided. The discourse between the two often involved the contrasts of her world and Oliver's. Whereas Alexandria's world was at war, Oliver's had no concept of war. This goes to show that probably there is a way to attain peace in the world. But what is true peace, if you are living for your father and a village, but not for yourself?What I really enjoyed about [b:The Flute Player|2282139|The Flute Player|D.M. Thomas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327785193s/2282139.jpg|2288335] was Mihalik's writing style. His rich storytelling is enhanced by vivid imagery, and his humor coincides with the warm atmosphere throughout most of the novella. At times though, the imagery was too conceptual, which may deter the effortless reader. I also appreciated how eloquently [b:The Flute Player|2282139|The Flute Player|D.M. Thomas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327785193s/2282139.jpg|2288335] was written. However, at times I felt the sentences were incoherent, as though the author got a bit carried away.[b:The Flute Player|2282139|The Flute Player|D.M. Thomas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327785193s/2282139.jpg|2288335] certainly held my curiosity and when the revelations I were waiting for occured, I chuckled in satisfaction. Every question I had was answered, especially through intermittent expositions that were not infodumped. This allowed me to leave this novella very complete and without any confusion. All in all, I am glad I gave [b:The Flute Player|2282139|The Flute Player|D.M. Thomas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327785193s/2282139.jpg|2288335] a read. Its short length and magical storytelling made me adhere to reading it. It was simply dreamy and different.

This review plus and interview with the author will be posted on http://www.nobentspines.blogspot.com/ 4/30/2013*Author Provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review*What to say, what to say, what to say? This book is not usually something I would pick up. It has a kind of reality that's entwined with an amazing fantasy of dragons and knights; with flute players and coma patients that can travel to unseen lands. Just beyond the mountains. Oliver, the young flute player who had to grow up way faster than any child should ever have so, feels trapped. And he is. Day after day he is forced into the same boring routine. Wake up at the butt crack of dawn to play to the villagers. To bring them joy. To let them feel what he feels, except he feels no joy when he plays. In the middle of the days he writes music, or at least tries to...because, in all honesty, he really can't. At night he plays his people something to sooth them into comforting dreams.Then he finds her. His reason to keep going. His light. And he has to give her up. He has to help her home. But what if she doesn't want to go home? At least, not just yet? While in this dream-like world he begins to question his sanity, as does she. He finds a friend in her, some one who will finally talk to him and not look at him with awe, she looks at him like maybe they could be friends.Shawn's writing is really, really good. Just a few missing commas. This was kind of a strange thing to read. NOT IN A BAD WAY I SWEAR. I mean it felt like some one was telling me the story and I was seeing it through some one else's eyes. I have two of those in my head. Yes they work just fine....well, with glasses. But other than that, they're fine. Simply put, I'm not really sure how to react to it. I liked it just fine. It was just so unusual. At least for me it was. I read to escape reality and this book let me stay in reality, not something that usually happens. And I'm still not sure if that's good or bad...Whatever, I enjoyed reading it. 3.4 Stars Total