Review: NOD by Adrian Barnes

Nod explores the slow disintegration of humanity through sleep deprivation. Reality is distorted as the conceptual fiction of the world of Nod turns fact in the eyes of the Awakened. A harsh insomnia overthrows the daily grind, replacing it with a hazed infused horror fun-house that strips the characters down to their basic need to just survive.  

While I was expecting a different story, Nod delivers in establishing a truly atmospheric semi-dystopian infused survival horror. 

Yet the most endearing element comes from the death of a long term relationship between Paul (one of the few Sleepers - people who are able to maintain nightly sleep) and his is partner Tanya (one of the many Awakened, those in a perpetual state of insomnia). Their close bond pre the end of the world balances on the edge of ending before falling over the void into nothingness. Add cult-like theorists and an easy manipulation of will, and Tanya and Paul's life together was going to always take a turn for the worse. Not forgetting the fact that the Awakened have a vastly shortened life span as it is. 

I sympathize with other reviews I've read; the story ends without providing full closure a with a couple of plot threads left hanging. However, I didn't find these complaints overbearing and still enjoyed the book for the most part. 

I was provided a copy of Nod by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Thoughts on The Passage trilogy pre reading THE CITY OF MIRRORS

Today I finally got my hands of the final installment to Justin Cronin's epic The Passage trilogy in The City Of Mirrors. It's been a long time coming and I can't wait to delve in. So much so that I'm putting my current read on hold (something I rarely do). 

I read The Twelve in October 2012 (the 18th through to 25th - thank you Goodreads) so I'm a little hazy on the action that's taken place to this point. What better way to get reacquainted with the story than to re-read right? Well, one look at that rather large page count (including the 1st book, The Passage) and I had second thoughts. The next best thing? Revisit my review of The Twelve, familiarize myself with the landscape and prepare to jump back in. 

The Twelve is vastly different from The Passage in terms of plot focus and central theme. Apart from being set in the same world as its predecessor, The Twelve reads as an entirely different book - conceptually. The virals and humanity's struggle to thrive in a limited existence was bound to evolve; yet it may have been to the detriment of all that the author had achieved in The Passage. 

Where The Passage excelled in elements of survival horror, post apocalyptic dread, horrific creatures and a truly depressing and desperate setting, The Twelve is more thriller, action, almost special ops orientated. This approach, while decent in its own right, paled in comparison to the The Passage. I was hoping for something that picked up the bloodied pieces of the shocking conclusion and maintained the same horror of the first installment.

The Twelve in turn, focuses more on the human dynamic and less on the virals themselves. Amy, the mysterious thirteenth test subject becomes something much more than an everlasting, slow ageing viral cousin so to speak. Her story is one of the highlights, along with the expanded sub plot given to Alicia Donadio. 

You could easily be excused for thinking The Twelve was written by Stephen King. All the hallmarks of a popular King horror are present throughout. Characters are given ample time to develop, past and present conflicts morph as one, the slow burning plot cruises along leisurely at times taking a back seat to dialogue or less critical narrative, and the overall feel is in tune with Kings' craft. 

If not for The Passage, The Twelve would read much better (given the expectations and overall theme of the preceding story). That said, The Passage is essential in defining the world and establishing the core characters. As much as I enjoyed The Twelve, I couldn't help but think it would've been much better if had resembled The Passage more. 

I rated The Twelve 3 stars on Goodreads, and have little doubt The City of Mirrors will surpass that. 

Check back on the blog for my review of The City of Mirrors soon-ish. 

Review: THE EMERALD LIE by Ken Bruen

As with the previous books in this series, The Emerald Lie reads more as a character study than crime novel, with Jack, the glue that binds Bruen's noir enriched world of fiction together. 

Well known for being a drunkard and not one to shy away from drugs and violence, Jack once again dons the tried and true persona to great effect. His nonchalance customary to the crimes he takes as cases, yet he yields results inadvertently by virtue of proximity, luck, and shear will. The Grammatical killer, the antagonist with a not so obscure link to Jack, is the latest niche serial killer to wade into the cross-hairs.

A character I particularly like is Em, the dangerous femme fatale from The Green Hell who provides some crazy to complicate Jack's life and compliment the story. Along with her, Bruen writes well to maintain and strengthen the series continuity including references to some of the very first cases Jack worked on. I like this element which bodes well for long time readers while simultaneously dropping hints to new readers of what's happened to Jack along the way.

Bruen has written some great books, many of them featuring Jack Taylor, the PI who isn't, yet The Emerald Lie sits atop the pile. It's a book written for book lovers. It's a story tailor made for noir aficionados. It's a damn fine read with a cracker ending that makes you want to flick back to page 1 and start the ride all over again.

I was provided an advance copy for review by the publisher.