Special Review: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube

"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - A highly enjoyable reading experience 
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This book provides the reader a fully entertaining experience, and may appeal readers outside the genre. This indie novel met or exceeded the level of a contemporary traditionally-published books in its genre. This novel met or exceeded the editing quality of traditionally published novel. If spelling or mechanical errors were present, they were rare, hard to notice, and didn't detract from the novel's overall experience. The novel's structure (plot, characters, flow, dialogue, etc) immersed the reader and provided an effortless reading experience.  The story not only met genre expectations , but brought something original to the literary form. 

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TITLE: The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube
PUBLISHER: Indie
AUTHOR: Richard Massie
GENRE(S): Epic Fantasy
PUBLICATION DATE: December 5, 2022 

​​Mila, a young apprentice knight, belongs to a unique magical order that harnesses the power of mushroom spores for both combat and healing. The novel opens with Mila traveling alongside her Aunt Alicia and Uncle Mycal, legendary Mushroom Knights from the Island of Mycelium, on a quest through neighboring kingdoms. During their journey, the party is ambushed by malevolent magical creatures. In the ensuing skirmish, Mila is separated from her companions, launching her hero’s journey and the reader’s adventure. Soon, she discovers a powerful and malevolent artifact—the Cube—that threatens everything she holds dear. Joined by new and old friends, Mila must find a way to destroy the Cube and save the world. This summary oversimplifies a complex novel. The Mushroom Knight is a love letter to epic high fantasy, crafted by an author who clearly understands the genre’s appeal. Richard Massie masterfully incorporates all the genre’s essentials: an expansive world, a structured magical system, mythical creatures, heroes, villains, and grand quests. While the novel embraces these tropes, it infuses them with remarkable originality. 
 
The magical system, known as Ka, is elementally based and meticulously structured, resembling a magical science. Massie avoids overwhelming readers with lengthy exposition, instead revealing the system’s intricacies through character interactions and plot progression. This creates an enjoyable and digestible experience for readers. Hardcore fantasy fans will appreciate this attention to detail, though for some, it may feel like a genre formality. The novel’s true depth lies beyond its magical framework. 
 
Massie’s handling of religion and culture sets The Mushroom Knight apart. Stark contrasts between kingdoms—spanning faith, social norms, art, morality, fashion, politics, and human sexuality—are woven seamlessly into the narrative through character interactions and plot, not heavy-handed exposition. This is world-building at its finest. 
 
Characters and their relationships form the foundation of the novel’s plot and world. Beyond Mila, several key figures enrich the story. Mycal, Mila’s uncle and a revered Mushroom Knight, serves as a paternal figure to many characters. Alicia, his wife and fellow knight, embodies beauty and maternal strength. Flank and Kand, two brothers divided by tragedy, represent themes of faith, fate, and destiny. Lash, a magical “beast girl” and exile, searches for a new home and "pack". Bal’Bra, a formidable warrior from a race of fire elementals, seeks to restore her family’s honor. Shai, a magician grappling with her shortcomings, is accompanied by her warrior protector, Talish, whose honor binds him to her despite her flaws. Through these well-crafted characters, Massie forges not a conventional quest party but a quest family, united by diverse backgrounds, unique gifts, and shared purpose. The novel’s overarching theme of family—built on trust, respect, and love despite differences—elevates it within the genre. Each character, incomplete or broken on their own, becomes part of a powerful whole when united. 
 
As the cliché goes, a story is only as good as its villain. Massie treats evil as a contagion, a force that infects some antagonists while others choose it willingly. The Dark Wizards, aware of “Corruption’s” grip, exist in a morally blurred space between free will and enslavement, their humanity eroded as they serve a dark master. While the novel initially seems to underemphasize its villains, a surprising twist near the end reframes their role, adding depth and complexity. 
 
I recommend The Mushroom Knight for older teens and adults. Human sexuality is portrayed in a “coming-of-age” manner, with characters like Mila exploring their emerging identities. A single non-explicit sexual encounter is included. Violence is prevalent but not gratuitous, primarily directed at non-human creatures. When violence involves humans or sentient races, it is handled with care, emphasizing its moral weight, especially through Mila’s perspective. Massie’s battle scenes, particularly a war between two kingdoms, are expertly crafted, showcasing the consequences of violence. 
 
At 1,173 pages, The Mushroom Knight is a formidable epic fantasy, longer than many genre classics like The Fellowship of the Ring (432 pages) or The Eye of the World (753 pages), though comparable to The Way of Kings (1,137 pages). Such length might intimidate readers unfamiliar with the genre, and it nearly deterred me from purchasing the book. In my experience lengthy indie novels often suffer from sagging middles, excessive exposition, or unnecessary subplots. However, The Mushroom Knight avoids these pitfalls. Each chapter is tightly constructed around a theme, event, or character development, with seamless transitions that propel the reader forward. Even for a slow reader like me, the pages fly by. In retrospect, I found little that could be cut without diminishing the story. Massie deserves credit for executing such an ambitious debut. 
 
I highly recommend The Mushroom Knight to fans of epic fantasy authors like Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Martin. Does it transcend the genre to appeal to newcomers? Possibly, but its length and complexity may challenge readers without prior exposure to epic fantasy. The Mushroom Knight Book 1: The Cube earns standing as a noteworthy, perhaps extraordinary, addition to the genre.

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