“[SPOILERS AHEAD]
My perspective on this book may be slightly askew because I read it over a long (and, at times broken) timeframe, but somehow I didn't feel this book had a strong enough case towards, well, anything.
Firstly, I didn't feel there were enough clues suggesting a relationship between Addison and Riker (in the familial sense). There were tiny hints, but not nearly enough to go by until the author hits you with it in the last few chapters. The story plot concerning Holy City was also not well explained. There wasn't nearly enough information on Bogan, or even Constance. Why put so much emphasis on Bogan when he was never that significant? Constance could also have used a bit more character development, seeing as that most of the book rested on her letters.
I also felt Rima’s relationships with others were quite dry and underdeveloped, but perhaps this was intentional. Suppose we’ll never know. Rima was so fickle and dry towards Martin, swinging from extremes of love to hate with no real suggestion of the basis of her feelings. Tilda and Rima’s relationship never fully gets elaborated on. They’re just sort of left tiptoeing around each other, which is awkward, seeing as that they’re living together for what could be an open-ended period of time. And Rima’s relationships with Scorch and Cody felt like it remained at acquaintance level for the entire book.
Aside from all the plot holes and the character development issues, I did really enjoy the author’s writing style. It lacked emotion at times, but the overall quirkiness was one of the redeeming factors for the book. Well, that, and the pop culture references. I also love the slight undertone of “crypticness” that came through.
Interesting read, but as always, I wish the blurb wouldn’t overhype the story. The more colourful the blurb is in comparison to the actual book, the more it sets readers up to be disappointed in the end.”
Rinoa wrote this review Thursday, August 19, 2010.
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