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A review by kris_mccracken
The Echo of Others by S. D. Rowell
2.0
"The Echo of Others" offers little substance beyond its thin premise. The characters are barely there, more like rough sketches than fully formed individuals, and fail to leave any lasting impression. They seem crafted only to fill a role rather than to resonate as people with depth or nuance.
The protagonist's relationship arc is particularly strained. It's so implausible that it borders on the absurd, weakening any investment in their journey and diminishing credibility overall. Their erratic behaviour comes across as poorly thought out, leaving the reader unconvinced of their motivations or growth.
Adding to the pain, the dialogue throughout is stilted and overly formal, creating an awkward disconnect. Characters speak as if reading from a script rather than engaging in genuine conversation, which only adds to the novel's lack of authenticity. This stiff dialogue makes it difficult to remain immersed in the story.
While the animal rights theme adds some moral weight, even this is handled in a way that feels more perfunctory than profound. The narrative skirts around any truly uncomfortable truths, favouring a mild portrayal that ultimately lacks impact. Despite the centrality of this theme, it feels under-explored and fails to elevate the story.
The plot itself barely holds together, stretched to cover the barest essentials of a mystery. The final reveal feels arbitrary, almost as if the culprit was chosen at random rather than through careful foreshadowing or logic. This lack of coherence further detracts from the book's credibility that, by the end, the protagonist's descent into hypocrisy leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, capping off an experience that is ultimately unsatisfying.
⭐ 1/2
The protagonist's relationship arc is particularly strained. It's so implausible that it borders on the absurd, weakening any investment in their journey and diminishing credibility overall. Their erratic behaviour comes across as poorly thought out, leaving the reader unconvinced of their motivations or growth.
Adding to the pain, the dialogue throughout is stilted and overly formal, creating an awkward disconnect. Characters speak as if reading from a script rather than engaging in genuine conversation, which only adds to the novel's lack of authenticity. This stiff dialogue makes it difficult to remain immersed in the story.
While the animal rights theme adds some moral weight, even this is handled in a way that feels more perfunctory than profound. The narrative skirts around any truly uncomfortable truths, favouring a mild portrayal that ultimately lacks impact. Despite the centrality of this theme, it feels under-explored and fails to elevate the story.
The plot itself barely holds together, stretched to cover the barest essentials of a mystery. The final reveal feels arbitrary, almost as if the culprit was chosen at random rather than through careful foreshadowing or logic. This lack of coherence further detracts from the book's credibility that, by the end, the protagonist's descent into hypocrisy leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, capping off an experience that is ultimately unsatisfying.
⭐ 1/2