The Last Wish of the Basilisk by Nick Zane
Solid Introduction
Nick Zane’s The Last Wish of the Basilisk is a solid effort in the realm of fantasy, offering an intriguing premise and vivid world-building, but it stumbles in execution, leaving readers with a mixed experience.
The story centers on the titular Basilisk, a mythical creature trapped in a timeless struggle between vengeance and redemption. Zane does a commendable job crafting a rich and atmospheric setting, with intricate lore that hints at a world teeming with depth. The prose is descriptive, at times almost poetic, which immerses the reader in the Basilisk’s haunting and tragic tale.
However, while the concept is compelling, the pacing feels uneven. Certain sections drag with dense exposition, while other moments of action and emotional intensity rush by too quickly to leave a lasting impact. The character development is another area where the book falls short; while the Basilisk itself is a fascinating creation, the human characters around it often come across as underdeveloped or one-dimensional.
One of my biggest frustrations was the ending. It ends on such a huge cliffhanger that it felt abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving me both annoyed and curious about what happens next. While I appreciate the buildup, the lack of resolution made it hard to fully enjoy the story’s conclusion.
Part of my mixed feelings stems from my own experience with the book—I’m still getting comfortable with high fantasy, and I found the writing style a bit difficult to follow at times. That said, Zane’s ambition is evident, and there are flashes of brilliance in the story’s exploration of themes like sacrifice, mortality, and the cyclical nature of violence.
For fans of dark fantasy and mythological retellings, The Last Wish of the Basilisk is worth a read, but temper your expectations. It’s a book with potential that doesn’t fully live up to it, but it still offers enough intrigue and originality to warrant a 3-star rating.
