Review: A Likeable Grim Reaper?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 4, 2013
Affliction is the captivating second book in David Jester's Forever After series. This dark, fantasy thriller is written in an authentic, albeit brutal, voice that is takes honesty to a whole new place.Brittleside is "a town with a predominately unemployed population where the only people working are those brought in to arrest, save or extinguish... the town thrived at night. It was like a carnival out there, when the sun went down the people came out and the mayhem began." The main character is Michael, a grim reaper who is dissatisfied with his forced social position. Despite his bleak occupation, he is quite likeable and compassionate, though I am certain he would not admit it. Michael is thoroughly irritated by a rogue serial killer, nicknamed The Brittleside Reaper, and makes it is his mission to solve the crime.Michael's dope-head friend, Chip, joins him on the hunt. Watching these two interact is very humorous, as they behave very much like brothers. Chip spends an exuberant amount of time watching crime shows and assumes he is well-prepared for the task at hand. He provides much-needed comic relief!The story technically takes place in during a therapy session where Michael narrates his life trials. I found this to be a very safe location in which to return to after each chapter. Dr. Khan is soft and kind, prodding Michael forward with simple questions, though he is more than ready to rid himself of his pent up anger. In my opinion, her character represents the reader... an average person with little to no awareness or understanding of the spiritual realm.Through this story, Jester seems to be presenting the universal question, "Is life meaningless?" I appreciate that he does not try to answer this question but simply allows his characters to reflect the conflict we all have inside ourselves. This is why Michael is easy to relate to, regardless of some pretty major differences... like the fact that we are not immortal.David Jester is a very talented writer and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.