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macbean221b's review against another edition
2.0
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, through the Horror Aficionados group.
I feel really bad giving this book only two stars; the writing isn't technically bad, and the author seems like such a pleasant guy in the discussion post at Horror Aficionados. But I really just didn't like it. Pretty early on I suspected it was going to end up not being for me, but I kept going because...I don't know. Because it was for a group? Because I wanted to see if the things I hated would be given a redeeming point? Because I'm a masochist who didn't have anything pressing to read? Some combination of all of the above?
Anyway. I do have one definitely positive comment to make: the main character goes through some very gradual changes that you don't really realise are happening as you read, but become very obvious when they're pointed out. Dynamic character growth/change is one of my favorite things to see in fiction, and I rarely see it done well in a stand-alone novel.
I feel really bad giving this book only two stars; the writing isn't technically bad, and the author seems like such a pleasant guy in the discussion post at Horror Aficionados. But I really just didn't like it. Pretty early on I suspected it was going to end up not being for me, but I kept going because...I don't know. Because it was for a group? Because I wanted to see if the things I hated would be given a redeeming point? Because I'm a masochist who didn't have anything pressing to read? Some combination of all of the above?
Anyway. I do have one definitely positive comment to make: the main character goes through some very gradual changes that you don't really realise are happening as you read, but become very obvious when they're pointed out. Dynamic character growth/change is one of my favorite things to see in fiction, and I rarely see it done well in a stand-alone novel.
memnoch's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
Very good horror novel that includes at times complicated movement through different time streams and the mysterious people that make it happen. I was surprised by how good the writing was. I tore through it even though the book gave very little hints to what actually was going on and how it might finish. The final chapters took care of most of it and I liked the ending.
Very good horror novel that includes at times complicated movement through different time streams and the mysterious people that make it happen. I was surprised by how good the writing was. I tore through it even though the book gave very little hints to what actually was going on and how it might finish. The final chapters took care of most of it and I liked the ending.
steveinadelaide's review against another edition
3.0
A strange story. In one sense, you don’t really understand what’s going on until the last chapter. I would have liked more hints in the story pointing toward the ending than it being a complete surprise. The strength of the book lies in the exploration of the experience of loss and grief. There are moments of genuine suspense and horror but I didn’t find them always believable. The writing is good and I will check out the author’s next book. (NB: I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)
caidyn's review
DNF at 49%
Received from publisher for an honest review thanks to the group Horror Aficionado.
I don't know what this book was supposed to be.
As many people pointed out, it does start off as a thriller and mystery. Not giving it away since it's in the summary on here, Billy's son is murdered. And so he wants to, understandably, find the guy and kill him. Or something. Interesting, right? That hooked me in. I wanted to see what was going to happen and how it would happen. That's what every person wants in a book. So, I kept reading and then some weird stuff started happening.
It practically jumped genres. From mystery and thriller to... sci-fi? I think? Hell, I'm not even sure.
There's supposed to be this world involved with a character -- and I can't remember if this stuff happens past the mark where everyone starts shouting about spoilers, so I won't say too much -- that indoctrinates Billy into doing... something? If it was ever explained, I must have skimmed it because I don't remember. It took me ages to realize that it was sci-fi. Seriously. I think it took a good 10-20% before I caught on because it was never explained.
Some people may think that's good. It's not talked about. It's subtle. However, when it never comes up except for when it's convenient to the author to use it and it never actually is discussed by the characters, then what's the point in having it? Same with the mystery of his son's death.Since Dr. Verity literally solved everything by bringing his son back to life, what was the point of things? Seriously. What was the point? The mystery fell to the wayside and, suddenly, it was brought back.
Basically, this was just some drunk guy doing stuff that didn't have a rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes it was sci-fi. Sometimes it was a mystery. I just can't be bothered to finish it.
Received from publisher for an honest review thanks to the group Horror Aficionado.
I don't know what this book was supposed to be.
As many people pointed out, it does start off as a thriller and mystery. Not giving it away since it's in the summary on here, Billy's son is murdered. And so he wants to, understandably, find the guy and kill him. Or something. Interesting, right? That hooked me in. I wanted to see what was going to happen and how it would happen. That's what every person wants in a book. So, I kept reading and then some weird stuff started happening.
It practically jumped genres. From mystery and thriller to... sci-fi? I think? Hell, I'm not even sure.
There's supposed to be this world involved with a character -- and I can't remember if this stuff happens past the mark where everyone starts shouting about spoilers, so I won't say too much -- that indoctrinates Billy into doing... something? If it was ever explained, I must have skimmed it because I don't remember. It took me ages to realize that it was sci-fi. Seriously. I think it took a good 10-20% before I caught on because it was never explained.
Some people may think that's good. It's not talked about. It's subtle. However, when it never comes up except for when it's convenient to the author to use it and it never actually is discussed by the characters, then what's the point in having it? Same with the mystery of his son's death.
Basically, this was just some drunk guy doing stuff that didn't have a rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes it was sci-fi. Sometimes it was a mystery. I just can't be bothered to finish it.
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