Review: Thematic Poignancy, Lingering Imagery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 2, 2014
Are you a fan of John Carpenter's signature movie scripts and direction?  The stylistic pacing, action and often bittersweet resolutions?  If so, then check out Narbeh Avanessian's COUNTERFEIT YOUTH,  a SciFi novella that really nailed the same anxiety-ridden anticipation I had experienced watching Carpenter's iconic THEY LIVE for the first time in '88.Within the space of a novella's brevity, Avanessian manages to draw compelling characters yet masking their roles, keeping even me guessing who were supposed to be "bad guys" and who were the "heros"; strong environmental descriptions, pertinent background montages, and once cranked up, frantic flowing action that suddenly resounds in revelation - then starkly closes.  COUNTERFEIT YOUTH had me emotionally invested and repaid in full the same disturbing resolutions that Carpenter's movies often provided, inexorably lingering well after the final scene is finished.  ScFi's immortal future is looking good with authors like Avanessian around.----I received a free copy of the aforementioned book in exchange for a candid review. I have no genre bias, having always been extremely eclectic in reading tastes, and critically consider when applicable (in order of weight) titular promises vs content deliverance, stylistic qualities, general Kindle/physical formatting, and personal enjoyment.