Book Review: 'Seven of I: The Keeper of the Words' by Valerie Ryan

    Supernatural fantasy is a wide-ranging genre that has become increasingly popular in the last few years. From the Cassandra Clare’s The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments series to the hit television show Supernatural, fantasy stories involving mythological creatures, prophecies and their interactions with “normal” human beings have evolved into mainstream media. Valerie Ryan’s Seven of I: The Keeper of the Words bears similarities to these works, but it is Ryan’s approach to the genre and her workmanship that makes Seven of I stand out.

    Syntyche Parks is the main character of Ryan’s novel, though the story does not center on her. Instead, Syntyche serves as the narrator for a large portion of the novel, using her ability to see events in other people’s lives to serve as the narrator of other characters’ stories as they relate to the overall plot of the novel.  

    “My name is Syntyche Parks and I will be your guide for this story. Let me be completely clear that this is not my story. Actually, I’m a bit confused as to whose story this really is.”

Syntyche is eccentric and young, a voice that stands out among the stereotypically “mature” teenagers featured in most works of supernatural fantasy. It was refreshing to read a narrator who was familiar enough with the world she lived in to make her own judgements, but still green enough that she held questions of her own. As Syntyche works her way through the world she lives in, she draws on the stories and experiences of the people and beings that surround her to strengthen her resolve. I couldn’t help but root for Syntyche, hoping that she would discover everything she wanted to find.

    With a diverse cast of characters, it can sometimes be difficult to make distinct, memorable characters. Valerie Ryan accomplishes this with ease, taking the time to make characters whose interests, fears, personalities make them come alive to the reader. As I was reading I was never confused about who was speaking, and thanks to Ryan’s wonderful characterization I never misidentified a character. The individual stories could easily become overwhelming, but Ryan ties them neatly to the overarching narrative of the novel.

    The world of Seven of I: The Keeper of the Words will seem familiar to any fan of Becca Fitzpatrick or Cassandra Clare: a fantastical world where demons, angels, and prophecies are very real parts of everyday life. The different beings that populate this world don’t feel forced or contrived, nor do the character’s reactions to them feel anything but genuine. Through Syntyche and the stories of her characters, the tone of Ryan’s narrative is funny, charming, and intriguing, a fresh take on a genre that often tends to dark plotlines and brooding narrators. Though there are some spelling and grammatical errors, they don’t detract from the wonderful storytelling that Ryan accomplishes in this novel.

    The main theme in Seven of I: The Keeper of the Words may seem simplistic: a young girl must find her place in a world where there are so many questions to answer and secrets to uncover. Yet Ryan tackles Syntyche’s development in a way that turns the classic coming-of-age tale into something more hopeful than the dystopian young adult novels that flood the current market. Ryan’s writing may tend towards a young adult audience, but the depth and richness with which she writes makes her writing just as fulfilling for older readers.

    Seven of I: The Keeper of the Worlds is a delightful take on the supernatural fantasy genre and would make a great book for supernatural fans of all ages.