Review: Dark and Unique
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 25, 2012
Ms. Penot is AMAZING with characterization. They come in both forms, good and evil, and each is compelling and beautiful in their own way. I immediately connected with with our leading lady, Cera, and felt invested in her journey. Cera struggled with her guilt as a mother leaving her children in life and eventually allows herself to let go. This is when she enters Death's dream kingdom, eventually uncovering her life's purpose, which bigger than she could've imagined. I loved not quite knowing where Cera belonged or what choices she would make next. There were definitely some that I didn't quite understand or wasn't on board with at first but eventually, they all made sense. Simply put: fate.I also really enjoyed hollow-woman, Sin. Sin is one of the first characters to join Cera's path and we are unsure of her purpose. Sin really is neither good nor bad, toeing the line while making eternity-altering decisions. Her attitude cracked me up and I never knew who's side she was on until she finally made her decision in the end.Also, the bad guy...was a REALLY bad guy. You know from chapter one that Dismis is not quite right. And as the book continues and you develop an understanding for the suffering of these souls and you realize the inhumane and terrible demon he really is. I never doubted my distrust or dislike for him and appreciated the constant in a world where I was constantly uncovering another development.That being said, although I connected to the characters in our story, figuring out how Death's dream kingdom functioned was rather confusing...however, I suppose this frustration would make sense being that a recently deceased and inexperienced ghost was guiding us through the confusing halls of the Tree of Life and Death.Overall, Death's Dream Kingdom was a fast-paced, entertainingly dark work with great characters and an intriguing premise.