FACTOTUM is the third book in the Master Blood Tattoo trilogy. I consider this book a fantasy, one rich in detail, adventure, and violence. The language D.M. Cornish uses is sometimes hard to navigate if you are unused to proper, old-world writing. The story still comes through, for the most part. You will respect his eye for detail. His wonderful drawings lend a hand in creating the picture his words have depicted. He provides an extensive glossary to explain terms, which helps fans and new readers to understand the Half-Continent. He also includes an appendix filled with wonderful drawings and maps. You immediately understand why an editor asked him to write a story to go along with them. D.M. Cornish's writing has been compared to Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and Dickens; quite a compliment.

Rossamund Bookchild is a boy, an orphan with unknown origins who has left the only home he has ever known and wants to find out more about himself. He has many adventures as he comes to find out the truth of his origins, and this Half-Continent world into which he was born. Some of the truths he uncovers are hard to accept, but he presses forward. Violence, friendship, and hardship follow him throughout the story. One of the beloved characters that helps him throughout this book is Europe, an aristocrat turned monster hunter. With her help, protection, and friendship, Rossamund learns that not all monsters are monsters, and that some humans are truly monsters. This is a world more socially and morally complex than Rossamund could have ever imagined.

The world building in this book shows a depth and intricacy some will find intriguing and masterful. The frequent use of unfamiliar word made the storyline somewhat difficult to follow. Because I did found the underlying tale to be engaging and interesting, I worked my way to the end. However, having to read between the lines made it hard to read and get the true feel for the characters and the emotion of the story.

Book Summary

Rossamond Bookchild stands accused of not truly being a human at all, but of being a monster. Even the protection of Europe, the Branden Rose—the most feared and renowned monster-hunter in all the Half-Continent—might not be enough to save him. Powerful forces move against them both, intent on capturing Rossamond—whose existence some believe may hold the secret to perpetual youth.