A review by makealongstorycourt
In Defence Of The Act by Effie Black

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

I enjoyed the experience of reading this, but it is completely forgettable. Obviously I should’ve written my review right after I read it, but I didn’t, and now I’m left with not much to say. 

The majority of my interest was piqued with the mc’s career as a scientific researcher that studies suicide in the naturally occurring world. I had such high hopes that this book would be a better written OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA, offering a new perspective on death, dying, and internal conflict. 

But it just turned out like you think it would. The ending was sad and hopeful simultaneously and I could see it coming from a mile away. 

There was a cool theme of redemption that was front & center in the latter half of the book, but it felt disjointed from the former half that was dominated by a scientific objectivity that was refreshing to see in a dark book like this one. 

Alas, I was disappointed that that objectivity was quickly discarded rather than transformed through the main character’s journey. 

As far as craft, though, I will read more from this author! I feel the potential but maybe tighter editing or a tighter focus on a target theme would’ve made this book better, imho.