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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Liberty Epic of Shadows by L. A. Espriux traces the evolution of a series of events, beginning with the colonization of the Americas by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. It transitions to 1640, with a Spanish galleon's ill-fated journey, resulting in an indigenous group, the Aconee, forming a society on a swamp island. A century later, a British Army deserter, Adam Pixley, integrates into the Aconee tribe but succumbs to material greed, causing havoc and establishing a dynasty lasting centuries. The story shifts to a small town in 1960s America during the Vietnam War, where a diverse cast of characters lives amidst hardship and revelation. The narrative thread links colonization, cultural integration, personal ambition, greed, and human destiny across centuries.
In Liberty Epic of Shadows by L. A. Espriux, Liberty is actually the name of the town that is born out of consequential but seemingly unconnected events. This is how history and Espriux's novel are made. I really enjoyed the progression of the narrative broken down into individual sections, but for me, it was Adam's story that really stood out. His personal loss is horrific and he turns to what many do when they are trying to fill a hole in their lives: material possessions. The crystal cave he descends into as he also descends into “his true nature revealed” is hauntingly described, and it is incredible to see his story come full circle when Davy, centuries later, explores Devils Den with its Indian pictographs, strange voices, and supernatural elements. Espriux's use of pictorial language and sensory details is fully immersing and every scene of the book evokes a strong feeling of authentic atmosphere. Overall, this is an enlightening tale with depth, metaphysical questions, historical intrigue, and heavy doses of suspense.
