I reviewed this book after receiving it as part of an Early Reviewers’ batch at LibraryThing, an alternative to GoodReads. The Merry Dredgers by Jeremy C. Shipp was a great read! I blew through this book in just a couple of hours. It ambled along in a delightfully weird way before blowing up into a heart pounding climax that took me by surprise.
We are introduced to Seraphina, a snarky actress compelled by poverty to play the part of a Princess at children’s parties. Her voice as the narrator, utterly sarcastic and somewhat despairing, is captivating. Despite the dire situation she is in, she is still a blast to read about.
She receives word that her sister is in some sort of lovefest hippie cult and is alarmed. Soon after, she hears that her sister’s in a coma after falling at the cult’s retreat center. Seraphina is sure that the cultists had something to do with it so decides to investigate the retreat center. However, she is NOT a competent investigator and instead finds herself enjoying her time as a cult member and even falling in love.
The setting, an abandoned amusement park in the woods called Goblintopia, is creepy AND silly. There are many great descriptions of all the weirdness which I loved. It was surreal and atmospheric. Most of the cultists are goofy and aptly named Merry Dredgers. Except for that one. <shudder>
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! Definitely for readers who enjoy silliness with their magic realism.
BJ Sikes, author 