Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance

This was a book I wasn't expecting to love. The premise wasn't grabbing, too quirky to be set in this world, too realistic to take place in a fantasy one.

But Lang made it work beautifully. The plot spans Weylyn's lifetime, introducing and carrying several characters through the story. I have to applaud the author's ability to give each minor character body and emotional complexion.

By the end, I was rooting for the world where animal-telepathic Weylyn and magic-pig Merlin exist.