Review: Heads up...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 14, 2014
Quite an unusual collection, where a third of the book consists of three short stories.The first "The Day God Winked" follows a guilt ridden mini cab driver, as he struggles to control the effects of his drug and alcohol intake, while on the job. On this particular day however, which seems just like any other, something miraculous is about to happen. Something to give everyone a new outlook.The next story "Incident At Walters Creek" is about three rednecks who set out to investigate stories of unidentified creatures, on a neighbours property. Could they be aliens or perhaps angels, or just a clever hoax. They mean to uncover the truth, behind the myth.This is followed by " Reckoning". To be honest I'm not really sure what this story is about. It might be animals (ducks I think), or aliens, or something else entirely. But what ever they are, their world is about to end, so we may never know.I don't usually read sample material, but as nine chapters (or part 1 of 5) was provided, taking up two thirds of the book with "The Yaakmen Of Tyrie" I decided to give it a go.One of the things I find difficult about some sci fi, is the amount of characters you are expected to get your head around. There are plenty in this story, as well as animals with individual names, and places. But, I didn't find it too taxing actually. This might be because the society they live in, is separated into groups, pretty much based on what their job is. So you may not memorize who everyone is straight away, but you easily follow groups, such as the yaakriders, trappers, fishermen, farmers, etc.The story is a build up to a yearly meeting between all the different factions, and the politics which goes along with it. The prospect of harsh times ahead, and sightings of dangerous creatures are the main topic of debate. It's very much an introduction to the full length book, which I am considering getting (even though it's not entirely my thing) as it has sparked my interest, and I would like to know how it develops.