Review: Original and Compelling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 30, 2011
The Book Of Nine Ides is a terrific novella which defies categorisation. To describe it as science fiction does it a disservice as this compelling work is unafraid of defying genre conventions and being much more than the sum of its parts.Ashley (Ashna) is a terrific protagonist who draws the reader into her fascinating world with the two strands of her narrative. I do not wish to give too much of the plot away, but needless to say that the author simultaneously challenges and stimulates the reader with some terrific writing. The book reminded me of the film `Pan's Labyrinth', which is as high a compliment as I can pay this work.The other reviews have rightfully commended the writer for creating this stellar work, but I would like to emphasise how impressive his writing is. The book is experimental and constantly shifts perspective, yet the author never loses control of the overarching narrative and constructs a work that deserves all the praise it gets.If you are a fan of imaginative fantasy or science fiction, you must read this book.