Book Review – The Curve in the Road – Greg McLaughlin

The Curve in the Road is very well structured. It has a strong thematic focus on the contrast between the present and the past and how the past could’ve potentially shaped the present differently with one decision. This is a compelling narrative with a vivid use of description throughout.

The story has a predominant focus on the possibility of what could’ve been, shaping the present and future of the main character, Cooper. Throughout the story, we see him reconsidering and reevaluating his life, as conflict develops in one of his most central relationships. It sends him revisiting the past and reaching out to an old friend whose presence has had a strong impact on him. We also see him toying with the idea of putting an end to the relationship and rekindling an old one. With the help of this friend, the conflict resolves itself nicely by the end and closes with a depiction of Cooper leading a life with someone he could’ve had with someone else, but ultimately did not work out.

This is a quick, enthralling and intriguing read, that would be the perfect choice for anyone who has a couple of hours to spare. I highly recommend. On Inkitt for free – link below 🙂

https://www.inkitt.com/stories/drama/230992

Rating; 8.5/10

Book Review; Riverwood: Doors to the Near World – Rich Shifman

This book is interesting, in that it alternates between a magical fantasy and a bit of a drama and young sweet romance. What makes it different is that the fantastical element of the story is set around an event similar to 9/11, which takes place in another world. The characters are well drawn and I enjoyed the fact that the narrative is centered around a group of twelve year olds rather than young characters in the latter stage of their teen years – not that there is anything wrong with that, it just makes for a refreshing change.

The narrative focuses on two brothers, Jake and Evan, who are new students at Riverwood school. Here, they meet a set of twins, Jenna and Mike. It is revealed that Mike and Jenna are from a parallel universe and have become trapped in Jake and Evan’s world. With the help of an elderly woman who used to be the principal of Riverwood, Jake, Evan and the twins are embarked on a mission to defeat the evil forces which have barricaded Jenna and April from their world, while also helping to thwart the plans of a an evil plot from taking place, which effectively grounds the fantasy element into real life and ties the two worlds together very well.

Riverwood is a quick easy read with a few unexpected twists along the way, which keeps the reader’s interest piqued from start to finish. I’d highly recommend that you read this. And guess what? It’s free(for now). It’s on Inkitt, link below. all you have to do is create an account. And if you like the book, click into the author’s page – it’s part of a series which I am currently reading further in to 🙂

https://www.inkitt.com/stories/fantasy/118449

Rating; 9/10

Book Review – We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver

The first thing I’m going to say is, this book is brilliant. It’s harrowing but at the same time compelling. An honest and realistic depiction of family, parenthood and what constitutes being a good parent, through the eyes of a mother transfixed with guilt for her teenage son’s monstrous actions.

For a bit of background on the narrative, this book focuses on Eva Khatchadourian, a woman whose son, Kevin, has been imprisoned for murdering a number of his classmates and two staff members at his school. The book is narrated from Eva’s perspective through a number of letters addressed to Kevin’s father, Franklin.

Throughout the course of the novel, Eva delves into occurrences in Kevin’s childhood which imply his lack of empathy and care for others, and give substance to his troubled character. The narrative gives a lot of fuel to both sides of the controversial “Nature vs Nurture” debate. We see her reflecting on whether or not her and Franklin’s respective ideals on parenting were the trigger of Kevin’s violent attack on his peers. We are also given insight into Kevin’s misbehavior from birth and are still left wondering by the end, if Kevin was born wicked or if his upbringing by a cold parent influenced him to perform such an evil act.

The book is a fantastic read, with quite a twist near the end which brings the narrative to a harrowing finish, somewhat also providing a sense of closure for Eva’s character and in the closing paragraph the conflict of her strained relationship with her son is resolved through a realisation she has finally come to terms with in relation to Kevin.

This book has quite a dark subject matter, but if that is something you don’t mind, I’d definitely recommend for you to go out and buy it.

Rating; 9.5/10