Title: The Land Beyond
Author: J.H.E. Lim
Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
ISBN: 978-1543756760
Pages: 314
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Fantasy
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza

Read Book Review

When creating a narrative that will not only capture an audience’s attention but bring
about a true connection between the reader and the characters, it is important to find a
way to establish the culture of a character. As Henry David Thoreau once said, “It is not
part of a true culture to tame tigers, any more than it is to make sheep ferocious.”
In J.H.E. Lim’s The Land Beyond, the author takes readers back into a modern-day
fantasy world, where our world blends with another just adjacent to our own. The
second in The Land series, the story follows Josie, who previously had discovered a
world on the land behind her home. Having gained access to it, she must traverse these
other lands while also growing her relationships with her friends and family. Dealing with
getting those close to her to believe her tales, she must discover the growing nature of
her relationships as she delves deeper and deeper into these parallel worlds.

This is an engaging and fascinating read. The author does a great job of blending
culture and personal relationships with rich character development for both the
protagonist and the other characters in the protagonist’s life. One of the more important
relationships highlighted in this tale, that of Josie and Jeremy, really draws the readers
in and gets them invested in the narrative.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy fantasy driven narratives in modern day
settings that highlight personal relationships. As a fan of the genre, it was refreshing to
see a story that featured a heavy fantasy element but focused more on the growth and
personal development of its characters.

This is a memorable, evenly paced and entertaining read. Emotional and character
driven, The Land Beyond by J.H.E. Lim was a truly creative and fantastic read that
brought the fantasy genre well into a modern setting.