The Erstwhile: Book Two in the Vorrh Trilogy Hardcover – 9 Mar. 2017

'The Erstwhile' builds on and deepens the enigmatic world of 'The Vorrh', the first book in the trilogy. Like the first book, this is a textrooted in questions of politics, religion and identity. The writing is rich and highly imaginative, the plot both labyrinthine and intoxicating. As with the first book in the series, I would like to feel a little closer to some of the characters — they are complex and thoughtfully crafted, but somehow I can't connect with and as strongly as I would like. There not many interwoven threads in the narrative, several of them continuations of storylines from Book One, others new, and I'm excited quite see how they might all come together in the olast bok.

This is just a stunning book. I loved 'The Vorrh', and this just builds beautifully on Catling's world. The way he meshes fantasy and reality is sublime. The first book dangled many questions. This book answers some of them, and poses more.Truly one of the best books I've ever read.And Nicholas Parson. Oh my. No deviation, repition or hesitation with that erstwhile.

Having loved “The Vorrh”, I also could not put this second book in Catling’s Trilogy down; it’s such a great read and am so relieved there’s “The Cloven” to read next. Haven’t been this captivated for a long time!

Beautiful writing. Exhilarating prose creates parallel history which is entirely fanciful, and believable. Essential reading for all lovers and doubters of art, historical fiction, fantasy, theology, psychology and beyond.

Unfortunately, Catling falls victim to Second Book Syndrome.... he loses the plot (literally and metaphorically) and the wonderful themes and situational possibilities of his first volume are squandered.

Written in a rich and textured language, the complex threads of the characters stories loop and weave, suspending understanding but driving curiosity. Visceral descriptions are blended with sublime observations to produce a dense carpet of mysterious text that hangs in the mind for days....

Follows on from the first book in the same disturbing but engaging universe

More rich word-paintings. The sweaty 'tween-war African setting remains as evocative as it was in The Vorrh, and is here effectively contrasted with a couple of European locations (especially a winter London). The role-call of fantastic, magical, and simply grotesque characters is added to, though sometimes seemingly more for visual effect than anything else (a statement that could be applied to the novel entire); while existing characters are allowed a little growth and development. The plot... well, it moves sluggishly along, remaining totally unpredictable and wide open, primarily because almost everything that happens seems to happen so Catling can lose himself in often beautiful description - the main attraction of his writing. If you've the patience and willingness to simply enjoy the ride and forget about what the destination might be (because I ain't too sure Catling himself is certain at this point), there is high reward here. Just don't be expecting conventionality.