Review: A joy for any Darkling
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 3, 2014
I don't usually review every purchase otherwise I’d probably be banned for over-use, however when I come across a really bad or a really good book, I like to have my say about it and this book most definitely falls into the latter category.I should start by explaining that I adore A Gathering of Twine, although it wasn't the first Adil-Smith book I read, but it really stuck with me, so much so, that I make it a point to re-read my battered paperback copy of it last month in preparation for this.  So when I heard the news that the concluding part was coming out I awaited its release with much anticipation but also quite a mix of nerves too......what if it was an awful book? What if (god forbid) it completely ruins A Gathering of Twine for me?It turns out that I needn’t have worried. I remember reading a critics review of the book who said that it was an 'emotional roller-coaster ride' and boy they weren't wrong. The prologue deals with getting us back up to speed with Freeman Sullivan and his publisher, Danielle,  and that part of the book was like putting on an old pair of comfy slippers for me, I loved it, one of my favourite parts of A Gathering of Twine is the relationship between Freeman and Danielle and to revisit that was quite lovely.Shortly after that, we start to read about Irene Tate (before she married George) her part in the poisoning of a village in France. This part was a very difficult read not because it was badly written but just because I enjoyed her character and now shadows were creeping in, that made me reanalyze her motives, and I found it hard to read because I really wanted her to be a creature of purity…. So hard I almost stopped reading the book but I pushed past my emotional connection to Irene as I thought that she should be and continued.I'm so glad I persevered because that's when the story really kicks into a higher gear, it becomes a very fast paced, exciting, tense and at times incredibly emotional to read, one section in particular had me on the verge of tears.  In particular, the chapter that dealt with the airplane crash… it is so realistic, and so moving, that I can only imagine that it is based on fact.The characters as always are beautifully written so much so that you start to feel as if they are a part of your family, I don't know how he manages it but Martin Adil-Smith reminds me of Stephen King at his best, and always seems to be able to connect you emotionally to his characters.There are emotional highs and lows throughout the story (again, some parts make for difficult reading if you loved the characters from A Gathering of Twine) and as with a lot of The Spirals of Danu books there are some wonderful tie ins to other stories and other worlds he has created. I loved the villains of the piece, the idea of 'normal' looking people living and working amongst… just watching and waiting for centuries at a time - it somehow made them all the more scary because they didn't look like monsters (I'll never look at my boss in the same way again) and I wonder if maybe the author might re-visit The Call of The Black River one day, there seems to be a whole lot more to their story.Only one part of the book made me think "oh that's a bit much!" but I guess you will have to make up your own mind about that part, again I don't want to spoil it.But it's definitely worth a read, like all of his work. This one is really well written so it's great to see that he is still writing incredible books and long may he continue. A real must for any fans of Stephen King and Clive Barker.Although it doesn't matter too much if you don't do this, I would recommend that you re-read A Gathering of Twine first before starting The Beggar of Beliefs - it makes for a much better read if you read the books together.