Review: An outstanding debut novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 10, 2012
This is an outstanding debut novel. Most first novels read like first novels, but Sign of the Times is obviously a labour of love that the author has worked on with passion. It is very well written, as if the author had been writing for years. I am interested in Astrology so was naturally curious to read this book. I wanted to see whether the Piscean character would be anything like me. However, once I got into reading the book, the matter of the Star Signs took a back seat for me; yes, it is a novelty and very well done by the author, but the storyline is far more gripping. There is so much going on in this novel; so many characters, so many lives, with all the twists and turns that go with everyday living and relationships. Buchanan certainly set herself a challenge when she set out to write Sign of the Times, creating 12 main characters and then giving them each the characteristics of a certain Star Sign. But she lived up to the challenge and has written a wonderful book. The characters seem like real people, their stories are such that many will be able to relate to them. The great thing about this book is how all the characters' lives are connected in some way. I found the 'cliffhangers' at the end of each character's section of the book, suspenseful and intriguing, and I couldn't wait to get the to the end to find out how all the issues would be resolved. All the stories fit together perfectly and the ending is rather like putting together the bits of a jigsaw puzzle. I am so pleased to have discovered Susan Buchanan's writing, she is a rising star in literature, definitely a name to look out for in the future. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes novels that contain realistic characters and gripping story-lines. At the end of the book the author states that there will be a sequel. I am very pleased about that because this is the type of book where you really get to know the characters and it leaves you wanting to read more about them.