Review
An e-copy of the book has been provided by the author, Rhymer Novak, in exchange for an honest review.
They say that you learn from your mistakes. But I don’t think it is the case for me. I have, like any other reader, placed a huge amount of expectations towards a book and was deeply disappointed yet it keeps on repeating. Of course, it was the same for this book.
From the excitement towards the horror to the possible comicality as I discover the tone of the novel. Elation crept within me as it unravels that the book is more of a Scooby-Doo kind of story and not the Stephen King kind where dread starts to creep over and pull you in a complete state of horror. A mixed distinction between humorous and fearful without being overwhelming in either. It would be apt to say that it felt resemblant to Ghostbusters; however, I have not seen the film to actually confirm it.
Where the expectations lied was in the novelty of the story’s world and the uniqueness of characters. It was not that they are not special, it was more that they lack a certain kind of peculiarity. The characters were conceived as a little too 2-dimensional. The world, despite being compressed in a small town and a compact other-world, lacked texture. It was too smooth and it easily slipped off of your mind way too easily. Both gave no sense of real connection and the only thing that glued me into reading was the desire to actually finish the book and know what the outcome will become.
Aside from that, I find that the issue (at least for me) was the fast-pacing of the book. It took off so much of the novel’s potential. Nothing was given a strong enough foundation to stand on its own. Each part crumbled as you pass through it. Although the placement of the character stories were good, the pacing dragged it into an underwhelming state of decay.
A case of it’s-not-you-it’s-me, this book was enjoyable to say the least. The writing on its own was good, simple, and has little to no choke points at all if you aren’t too critical. Had I not looked too much into it, I would have enjoyed the book better.
About the Author
Rhymer Novak is a 30-something Australian woman, who has always loved telling stories. She adores everything on the spooky side of life, and when she isn’t writing she’s usually found wandering around with her Dachshunds, hunting plot bunnies or gushing about her latest obsession.
