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pltavormina's review
5.0
What a unique, trippy story. I loved it! First off, I read this book because I heard the main character travels to places bizarre, leaving me feeling a little off balance (in the best possible way). I also read it because the sample pages looked so professionally done—I knew I was in good hands, and that a strange experience awaited. I was not disappointed!
This author knows her way around a narrative. The pacing is great. The dialog is great. The sense of place is … phenomenal. Great balance in the storytelling from beginning to end, and immersion into Chester’s viewpoint was rock solid. I was transported to wherever Chester went, throughout space and time and mysticism. There was a delicious sort of vertigo that I periodically felt, like in teacups at Disneyworld, but I always knew the author had my back—because of her expert use of narrative voice to mark the story pillars.
The imagery—dream images, nightmare almost—packed such a punch. Some were things I’ve not seen done in fiction before, and it gave the story an ancient feel, as though it was anchored in something very primal, which was remarkable. This is not a cookie cutter story!
Social commentary is woven throughout, to give the novel heft and meaning. The main character (Chester) juggles different ways of living and thinking. He’s conflicted, trying to say and do the right thing, even as he says and does the absolute wrong thing. His palpable awkwardness floats off the page.
If you liked the unreal vibe in Inception, you’ll love watching Chester’s world slowly unravel. Then, when you think you know where the story is going, everything gets woven back to where Chester started, firm ground reappears under your feet, you’re solid once more. This book is a gift. With a bow on top.
This author knows her way around a narrative. The pacing is great. The dialog is great. The sense of place is … phenomenal. Great balance in the storytelling from beginning to end, and immersion into Chester’s viewpoint was rock solid. I was transported to wherever Chester went, throughout space and time and mysticism. There was a delicious sort of vertigo that I periodically felt, like in teacups at Disneyworld, but I always knew the author had my back—because of her expert use of narrative voice to mark the story pillars.
The imagery—dream images, nightmare almost—packed such a punch. Some were things I’ve not seen done in fiction before, and it gave the story an ancient feel, as though it was anchored in something very primal, which was remarkable. This is not a cookie cutter story!
Social commentary is woven throughout, to give the novel heft and meaning. The main character (Chester) juggles different ways of living and thinking. He’s conflicted, trying to say and do the right thing, even as he says and does the absolute wrong thing. His palpable awkwardness floats off the page.
If you liked the unreal vibe in Inception, you’ll love watching Chester’s world slowly unravel. Then, when you think you know where the story is going, everything gets woven back to where Chester started, firm ground reappears under your feet, you’re solid once more. This book is a gift. With a bow on top.
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