Chuck

I read this book because of an episode of Pat's podcast At the Table. I found the fable the best part since the podcast episode gave an overview, but the theory is well explained.

The story is like watching a complicated movie, where you think about it afterward to put the pieces together. especially in the second half, the story seems fragmented and some mental assembly is required. Yet the emotional current that runs through the book is strong and clear. I don't think the writing style is for everyone, but I really liked it.

I was enthralled by this chilling tale until the last two chapters. I didn't like that the story essentially made this alternate timeline converge back with our own. I was much more interested in seeing the longer term ramifications of this excellent scenario. Alas, it ended with a whimper for me.

Yes, there are plot holes. They did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. I enjoyed this exotic point of view, and felt a sense of wonder that grew as the story unfolded.

This book spends a lot of time talking about the Law of Attraction, which I have not had a lot of success with. Therefore, many chapters didn't resonate with me.

Read the first third of the book, enjoyed it thus far. It's a dark world, which became a turn off due to a personal setback.

This one wasn't my favorite. This novel felt like a weak part 1 to a 2-part story. My hope is that once Battle Grounds releases, we'll think of these two novels together as a larger story.

I felt like this book tried to make a case that this situation was more grand and more dire than any situation Harry's ever faced before. Everything is dialed to 11. There was a strong theme running throughout this book of loss of control, and combined, it read to me like a telenovela. I can enjoy schlock, but the rampant sexual tension throughout the book was a turn-off for me. I like the budding romance between Harry and Karrin, but the rest seems forced to me.

I hope Harry is able to shed the Winter Knight mantle; it makes him a less interesting character to me. This topic of loss of control was much better handled with his struggles with Lasciel, such as in in Dead Beat, in which Harry overcomes temptation through strength of character.