Last Exit by Max Gladstone
My Five Word TL:DR Review : A Book To Be Savoured
Last Exit is a book that I have no hesitation in recommending. It’s thoughtful, thought provoking, entertaining and character-led. At its core it’s a book of hope wrapped up with fantastic prose, found family and friends. It has echoes of Gaiman’s American Gods and also shades of King’s IT and is a wonderful mix of science fiction, fantasy and horror. The only proviso I would mention up front is that this is not a book that you will race through. It takes it’s time and ponders life and friendship along the way.
This is a book told in two time frames. A few years ago a group of intelligent students became good friends and, having made a discovery about how to manipulate probability and travel through alternating worlds, went on many adventures (ultimately seeking something better). Unfortunately their final adventure ended on a dark note with one of the party (Sal) having fallen to a darkness that prevented her return. The gang split apart and all tried to make new lives, except one character, Zelda, who lost the love of her life that fateful day and has been fighting the darkness (or rot as it’s known) ever since. Zelda eventually realises that Sal is returning and calls the gang back together for one final foray. She believes that during their travels they inadvertently spread the rot to our world and it’s now trying to push further in leaving destruction in its wake. This is their chance to set things right – a make or break finale.
The characters are all very well drawn. I couldn’t help favouring Zelda though who is really the central focus although there are pov switches. Gladstone manages to really highlight how they’ve changed. Ten years have slipped by and during that time they’ve started businesses, had children or entered new relationships but this isn’t the only way that we see them change. It’s more that they started out as idealistic young people, everything was fun, exciting and a bit crazy – right up to the point where it all turned deadly serious and they realised they were dabbling in things that were actually dangerous. They now have responsibilities and ties but at the same time they can’t deny their past or the need to come back together to preserve their future.
The setting – well, there are many settings, some only briefly visited, others horror soaked and post apocalyptic in style. I can’t really say that any of them would have made for a preferable location to the world the characters were from and perhaps that’s one of the overriding messages of the story. The grass isn’t always greener after all.
The fantasy elements here are fairly slim. There are the alternative realities and the ‘knack’ that each of the characters develop. On top of this there is a strange character that seems to follow the gang trying to prevent them from their mission. This character takes the form of a cowboy, his face always in shadow beneath the rim of his cowboy hat. A decidedly creepy character who brings the horror elements to the story.
In terms of criticisms. Well, I mentioned above that this is a book that you won’t speed through and whilst that isn’t particularly a bad thing I did feel that it took quite some time for things to really get going. I noticed on Goodreads that this has 400 pages but I think that might be a little lighter than the reality. I would have guessed to be closer to the 600 page count and that isn’t really a criticism so much as a word to the wise that this may be a longer book than you’re anticipating. In contrast to the excellent characterisation the world and some of the plot elements were a little skimpy. The whole, mind bending probability discovery is only briefly touched upon, you just have to go with the flow and accept it for what it is. Similarly with the ‘rot’ which I couldn’t help likening to the ‘nothing’ from the Neverending Story – a sort of bleak and dismal despair that sucks people and places in and leaves them devastated.
Overall, though, slight reservations aside, this is an impressive book. A road trip with muscle cars that travel through universes like a tardis dipping in and out of realities and escaping death just in the nick of time.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 stars
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
13 March 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Last Exit, Max Gladstone, Sunday Post, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
This week I’ve been trying to push on with my reading. I did finish Last Exit by Max Gladstone and by the time this post goes live I also expect to have completed another of my SPFBO finalists. Hopefully reviews up soon. I have had a rather full week and haven’t managed to catch up with things the way I’d have liked but I’ve made a start blog hopping and hope to get back on trace and uptodate with reviews this week.
Books read this week:
1 x SPFBO book
Next Week’s Reads:
I have another SPFBO finalist lined up and also I’ve made a start on The City of Dusk by Tara Sim.
- Sundial by Catriona Ward
Last Exit by Max Gladstone
Friday Face Off : The most recent book you’ve read that has covers to compare
11 March 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, Last Exit, Max Gladstone
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
I’ve added themes in below. For information, I’m trying out some new ideas so along with coming up with particular items for book covers I thought we could also look for certain elements contained within the book or that play a large part in the story – this really broadens things out because I have plenty of more ideas with this – I’ve gone for a few of the Tough Travel Themes (so a book with that theme – just choose any book – the theme isn’t necessarily on the cover, then compare covers), also, I’ve thrown in some genres and some colours. Hopefully this will open things out a little and give us some more freedom to come up with new books.
This week’s theme:
The most recent book you’ve read that has covers to compare
This week I’ve literally gone for the most recent book that I’ve read which was Last Exit by Max Gladstone. I haven’t reviewed this one yet but the link to Goodreads is here. There are only two covers but here they are:
So, I quite like both of these and I think on first impression I would automatically choose the first but then, having had a good look at the second cover I really like some of the extra details like the car is driving on the hard shoulder, the lightning and the turbulent sky.
Mmm, decisions, decisions. I think, having gone back and forth, my first impressions are still good. I’m going with the cover I’m most familiar with:
Which one is your favourite?
If you’re taking part in this week’s theme feel free to leave your link in the comments below.
If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next Week’s Theme : Somewhere over the rainbow – a very colourful book cover
2022
Sundial by Catriona Ward
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Can’t tear your eyes away
Sundial is a twisted, psychological horror story that held me riveted to the page. In fairness to new readers of Ward I’m not going to bandy around words such as ‘loved’ or even it’s much maligned cousin ‘liked’. This is not that sort of story. This is a tale instead that will keep you bound to it until the final page turns when, in full possession of all the whys and wherefores, you can close the book, let your heart return to a semblance of normality and try to recover the sleep you’ve lost over the past ‘x’ number of nights that you read into the early hours.
I don’t think this is a story that I can really say too much about in terms of plot without spoiling it so I’m going to go easy on descriptions. Basically, try and imagine an almost picture perfect family, husband (Irving), Wife (Rob) and two daughters Callie and her slightly younger sister Annie. To the outside world they have a lovely home, good jobs, a caring relationship and a perfect white picket fence existence. Take that fly on the wall view and instead you see an incredibly toxic, dysfunctional family who are all pulling and pushing against each other in such hateful ways that their life is barely tolerable. Add into the mix a lot of secrets from the past and some eventual reveals that quite literally left me gaping like a fish. What more can I say, this is horrible horror, it’s brutal in parts, spooky in others, ridiculously scary as it reaches its crescendo and frankly gripping in a heart in your throat type of way.
Firstly, the characters. Well, I certainly struggled to like any of them initially which seems to have been the author’s intentions. Ward has gone for a ‘let’s throw everyone into the hideous mixing pot, I liked this approach to be honest. You’re initially on your guard, you’re puzzled about what’s going on with everyone and then like peeling back the onion layers you slowly discover the character motivations and with the revelations, and understanding they inspire, you see certain characters in a whole new light.
The story is told in an interesting way. We jump back and forward in time with Rob to witness her upbringing and her present dilemma. What can I say about Rob’s backstory – not much without giving things away unfortunately. But, by way of background, Rob and her twin sister lived a very alternative style of life growing up. Brought up in the most remote, and perhaps unusual circumstances. Their home is in the desert, they’re homeschooled and lead a very sheltered life – one that starts to fray a little when the girls become teenagers and start to push at the boundaries. On top of this their home is also used for scientific experiments which are a little bit horrible to say the least. Callie also jumps in to narrate at certain points and her chapters are quite spooky. And there are a few chapters interspersed that are a story within a story.
The writing is, well, brilliant. I love the way this author tells a story. She’s got a wicked imagination! Her descriptions are perfect, she sets a scene with ease and she has the ability to create tension and fear that you can almost taste. The desert setting was something of an inspired touch too, it lends itself so very well to the overall feel.
Overall I found Sundial a compelling read, it’s definitely dark, it has more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing and it’s literally impossible to put down.
Now, I will just mention here that if you’re thinking of picking this one up you need to be aware of certain elements that may be upsetting, particularly abuse and animal cruelty.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Can’t Wait Wednesday : In the Shadow of Lightning (Glass Immortals #1) by Brian McClellan
9 March 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brian McClellan, Can't wait Wednesday, Glass Immortals #1, In the Shadow of Lightning, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: In the Shadow of Lightning (Glass Immortals #1) by Brian McClellan. Here’s the description and the stunning cover:
Magic is a finite resource—and it’s running out.
Demir Grappo is an outcast—he fled a life of wealth and power, abandoning his responsibilities as a general, a governor, and a son. Now he will live out his days as a grifter, rootless, and alone. But when his mother is brutally murdered, Demir must return from exile to claim his seat at the head of the family and uncover the truth that got her killed: the very power that keeps civilization turning, godglass, is running out.
Now, Demir must find allies, old friends and rivals alike, confront the powerful guild-families who are only interested in making the most of the scraps left at the table and uncover the invisible hand that threatens the Empire. A war is coming, a war unlike any other. And Demir and his ragtag group of outcasts are the only thing that stands in the way of the end of life as the world knows it.
Expected publication: June 2022
Books and travelling with Lynn 