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A review by motherhorror
Manifest Recall by Alan Baxter
5.0
Thank you to the publisher, Grey Matter Press for a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading a book written by Alan Baxter. Typically, there's some awkward time for me as I grow acquainted with an author's particular style but not so in Manifest Recall. I felt very comfortable in Baxter's first person narrative and it helped that I have a sweet spot for urban crime dramas (think 24, Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy). Baxter seems very capable in this genre and is skilled at keeping to a fast pace while also spending time on important details so that the reader feels like a part of the story and not just a confused outsider.
I love a good stoic, quick witted, tough-guy and the protagonist, Eli Carver quickly won me over to his side. Sure, Carver has plenty of flaws but a flawed hero with bad-guy tendencies make for those inner turmoil moments that I live for--I'm always waiting for that redemptive story that's going to crush my heart. In a stroke of genius, Alan Baxter wrote a fantastic, complicated, female character that pairs perfectly with Carver and I was worried that she wouldn't survive the razor sharp edge of the plot--that she would somehow get written out, but I was delighted when she kept showing up page after page. Carly is a girl in a "man ruled plot" that doesn't fade into the background or get played as the damsel in distress. I loved her and I loved Baxter's fresh take on the "unwilling female sidekick" role. Brilliant.
The reader gets dropped right down into the middle of something-and I'll be damned if I'm going to give away any discoveries or spoilers so instead, I'll just applaud the way the way the story unfolds to reveal itself little by little, like the peeling back of so many onion layers. As new revelations come to light, the way we interact with Eli and Carly evolve and I enjoyed that very much.
I also really appreciated the "back seat drivers" and that will make sense to you if you read this book--WHEN you read this book. I highly recommend it, there was never a flat scene, never a dull moment and there was always something coming around the bend to add a new flavor to the already robust drama. (PS. SUCH A GREAT ENDING) I can't wait for more!
This was my first time reading a book written by Alan Baxter. Typically, there's some awkward time for me as I grow acquainted with an author's particular style but not so in Manifest Recall. I felt very comfortable in Baxter's first person narrative and it helped that I have a sweet spot for urban crime dramas (think 24, Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy). Baxter seems very capable in this genre and is skilled at keeping to a fast pace while also spending time on important details so that the reader feels like a part of the story and not just a confused outsider.
I love a good stoic, quick witted, tough-guy and the protagonist, Eli Carver quickly won me over to his side. Sure, Carver has plenty of flaws but a flawed hero with bad-guy tendencies make for those inner turmoil moments that I live for--I'm always waiting for that redemptive story that's going to crush my heart. In a stroke of genius, Alan Baxter wrote a fantastic, complicated, female character that pairs perfectly with Carver and I was worried that she wouldn't survive the razor sharp edge of the plot--that she would somehow get written out, but I was delighted when she kept showing up page after page. Carly is a girl in a "man ruled plot" that doesn't fade into the background or get played as the damsel in distress. I loved her and I loved Baxter's fresh take on the "unwilling female sidekick" role. Brilliant.
The reader gets dropped right down into the middle of something-and I'll be damned if I'm going to give away any discoveries or spoilers so instead, I'll just applaud the way the way the story unfolds to reveal itself little by little, like the peeling back of so many onion layers. As new revelations come to light, the way we interact with Eli and Carly evolve and I enjoyed that very much.
I also really appreciated the "back seat drivers" and that will make sense to you if you read this book--WHEN you read this book. I highly recommend it, there was never a flat scene, never a dull moment and there was always something coming around the bend to add a new flavor to the already robust drama. (PS. SUCH A GREAT ENDING) I can't wait for more!