Review: Good Reading
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 20, 2013
How did EMTs and the supernatural get mixed up? This is only the start of a series of surprises in Elizabeth Otto's novel. Four times, I thought I had the plot fixed in my head and everything worked out...then I was proved wrong. It's hard for authors to do this continually without the surprises becoming predictable or unrealistic but Otto manages this balance perfectly.Jayda is introduced to a new world slowly and only learns a little at a time but the reader knows far more about Ben and his background. We are lead to believe we know everything and yet, multiple times, are mislead. Even the evil character in this book surprises. Otto uses different techniques to achieve this - foreshadowing and not mentioning certain things and people among them. What is really great to see is how invisible this craft is, hiding the warning subtly rather than framing it with bookends. I often didn't realise something big and new was coming until it did.In addition, the surprises work around a hot romance. Jayda and Ben have initial hiccoughs but the bedroom activity made me sweat with their passion. They are a hot headed couple who often get angry and argue but they work it out and this interchange leaves me more than a little boneless as I read. Their romance is not one for those who can't take the pressure of frequent (and descriptive) sex but it is great if you like lust and broken emotional barriers.There is the odd typo here and there but this does not detract from the reading. The only thing holding me back from giving this book a full rating is the speed of plot progression in the last scenes. The connections and explanations of the surprises sprung on the reader are hastily drawn together with little time to dwell on each new piece of information. I also thought Jayda's final climatic decision during the last face off with evil was badly thought through by her and therefore uncharacteristic of her usually methodical character.However, Otto's book holds together and shows a wealth of information and detail about the medical profession. There is brilliant description of both hospitals and the medical life as well as the slum, druggy life and its effects. The novel contains a passion for humankind - their sorrows and regrets, at all ages, with no judgement as to which one is worse- which stands out. There is a message to be had here in that we can all be changed to good as well as find new love, no matter how deep our sorrows and pain.Originally posted at Long and Short Reviews