Review: Breezy and Engaging
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 19, 2013
"Watchtower" is a ninety page prequel to the Watchtower series that continues with "Under the Cover of Wicca" and then "Of Covens and Packs". It serves to set up the premise of the series, SPOILER?, (Terin Global is a front for those who oppose dark magic), and it introduces the main players for Terin Global, including Martin, the mortal who serves as the narrator and the slightly befuddled newest member of the team.As you might imagine, because it is the opening book, this story is primarily aimed at setting out the groundwork, so we get a lot of "I can't believe what I'm seeing", and really a lot of "I'll explain later when we have a moment".  Luckily, by the time Martin catches up with the reader regarding what's happening and why the book shifts more into action and explanation mode, and really starts to take off. I'm not sure, because I didn't see enough of any of them, but I think these characters will grow on me as the series continues. The signs are already good, just a bit sketchy.That said, this is not deep horror. There is violence, but almost cartoony; not the unsettling torture-porn stuff you get in some dark fantasy. The characters are engaging enough, but they are going to have to develop down the road to keep the actors from just being cliches and types. The good versus dark line is O.K. for a prequel, but I'm hoping for more plot down the road. The writing is efficient and assured - it's not too dry or cryptic and it's not all quavery overwritten nonsense. There are some nice lines and some nice bits, and the rest is competent.  And, the whole thing just zips along at light speed, which is what makes it a light but entertaining read.So, it's all sort of Goldilocks' choice - for some it will be too light; for some it will be too heavy; for some it will be just right. Since the book's currently free and usually 99 cents it seems that it might be worth a flyer to find out for yourself. I think I'll keep going.Please note that I found this book while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to the author or the publisher of this book.